Page 25 of Smoky Mountain Dreams

“Turn-schmurn. Who follows rules like that these days? And Ithought you were queer—do you evenhavethe samerules? Isn’t it all about the fastest way to getting your dick—”

“Stop. Now you’re being offensive. Just stop.” Jesse’s phonebuzzed, and he pulled it out of his pocket to read the text.

“Saved by the bell.” Amanda sighed.

Look who got a cell phone! It’s me,Christopher Ryder. Now you’ve got my number. Feel free to use it.

Jesse chuckled. Talk about timing.

“What? Is it him? No way—it’s him! So cute. And your littlesmile. Oh my God.”

“Shut up, Amanda.”

Jesse had to admit his heart was beating really fast. Hefelt like he might laugh, giddy with anticipation he hadn’t felt in a longtime.

“What’s he want?”

“After we had…when we met about the locket—”

Amanda snorted.

“I asked him for his cell number so I could text him. Hesaid he didn’t have a cell phone. I thought it might be an excuse. You know,maybe he wasn’t interested in a second round. But I gave him my cell numberanyway. And now it looks like he got one.”

Amanda’s eyes gleamed. “Answer him,” she hissed. “Now.”

His sister was annoying, but the text had triggered in himthe old, familiar, weird, too-good anticipation that used to come over him justbefore he did anything truly reckless in the past. The last time he’d felt itrise up this purely was when he’d jumped with Marcy into the blue water of aquarry six years ago.

Jesse took a moment to gather his thoughts for a good replyand decided to go with flirtatious. He might as well see how that went.

Should I take this purchase of a cellphone as some sort of evidence of intent?

Amanda shifted forward, trying to see the screen. “What didyou say?”

“None of your business.”

Both of them waited, and Jesse’s knee bounced up and down.

My mom’s been bugging me to get one.Not having one when you asked was the last straw. As for intent—you can take ithowever you want.

Jesse grinned.

“Ask him on a date,” Amanda said.

Jesse looked up at her, and then down at his phone. Why thehell not? The guy was totally Jesse’s type, sang in a way that touched Jesse’ssoul, and had a good-looking face and attractive body. Not to mention he wasfriendly and fun to be around, loved his grandmother a hell of a lot, andgave amazing head. What was he waiting for?

Dinner tomorrow?

The reply was swift.

Lucky for you, I don’t have a show.

“What’d he say?” Amanda sat so far forward that she lookedas if she might slide off the chair onto the floor.

Jesse rolled his eyes and typed a response.

That’s a yes?

“Come on, give me something here!” Amanda urged.