Page 41 of Tongue-Tied

“The book was better.” I clear my froggy throat. “They cut out the quirky coworker who was a funny side character.”

Dex shares a look with Kael, and they burst out laughing.

I huff out a breath. “Now you’re just making fun of me.”

Dex trails his fingers across my back. “No, we think you’re adorable.”

I roll my eyes. “There’s that word again.”

“You sure you two shouldn’t date?” Milo asks. “You’ve already got a built-in back-scratcher.”

I don’t know who says no more loudly—Dex or me.

I sit up and stretch as the credits start rolling.

“Well, that was a pleasant surprise,” Dex says as he ties my hoodie around his waist.

I glance toward the projector and the blond guy. “What, the movie?”

“No, watching it with you.” He presses our shoulders together. “Almost like old times.”

“To be fair, I didn’t see a lot of it,” I reply through a yawn.

“You always fall asleep during movies.”

“Right?” Kael says, and they high-five. Nothing like your best friend and roomie double-teaming you.

I pout. “Well, this time, it’s because the book was better.”

Kael’s eyebrows knit together. “Isn’t that normally the case? More time for character development and all that.”

We stand along with the others. “You do realize that movies have writers too.”

“No use arguing this topic with Austin,” Dex says, and Kael chuckles as I help him fold our blanket.

I jump when my cell rings. Not that I don’t get many calls, but okay, maybe I don’t.

I quickly punch the button when I see it’s a video call from my mom. My pulse throbs as I rush out, “Is everything okay?”

Dex grows still beside me, likely knowing I’m worried because of the late hour. Calls with my mom normally take place in the mornings before classes and work.

“Yes, of course.” She sweeps her auburn hair behind her ear. “We just haven’t heard from you in a few days. It’s good to see your face.”

“You know how your mother gets,” my stepdad pipes in as he comes into view over her shoulder. “If she doesn’t hear from you, she worries.”

“Sorry.” I realize right then that we haven’t texted much this week. “But when you call me at odd hours, I get worried.”

Dex’s voice rings out. “Guess you’re even.”

“Is that Dex I hear in the background?” Mom asks with a smile.

“Yep, and Kael.” They both wave when I flip the camera in their direction.

“We just finished watching a movie. I tried to see it without him, but Dex won’t leave me alone, even though he’s not my roommate anymore.”

“It’s true.” Dex steps up behind me, and I can feel his warm breath on my neck. “I’m forcing him to keep being my friend.”

I roll my eyes and laugh.