Page 24 of War

“I'll be a priest—”

“Priest of what?”

She was all over my shit.

Maybe I needed a new comfort zone.

Switching gears, seriously I said, “Amantha. I promise. No shit. Friends only. I won't disappear on you or Neo. I swear.”

She looked at me skeptically. “You need to understand, I’m not always a great person to be around. I have good days and bad days with this recovery. Sometimes, I'm downright mean because I'm in pain.”

“That's okay.”

She sighed. “Don't make me regret trusting you.”

“I won't.”

“I'm done with therapy at 6:30. I should be home by 6:45 if you want to come by then.”

“Okay. I'll bring dinner. Do you or Neo have a preference?”

A small smile touched her lips. “One pizza chain carries Neo's favorite. The Washburn. You can only get it at Pizza King. Anywhere else, you have to order a meat lover’s on barbecue sauce. Order him that, he'll love you forever.”

My stomach growled. “That sounds really good actually.”

“It is.”

Well, that was settled. I would definitely order two of those.

“What about you? What's your favorite?”

Surprise crossed her face. “Me? I usually eat whatever Neo's eating.”

She'd raised Neo so long, she adapted her life to make him happy.

“Amantha. What'syourfavorite?”

“Hawaiian.”

I would definitely get one of those, too.

“Okay, thank you. Escort you out?”

She smiled. “Sure.”

Chapter 12

“Z!” Neo exclaimed with excitement when he opened the door later that evening.

I guess Amantha didn't tell him I was coming. Maybe she didn't feel she could rely on me? I didn't like the feeling I got from that.

“Hey, Neo. I brought dinner.” I gestured with the pizza boxes. “Is Amantha home? I didn't see her car out front.”

“Not yet. She should be here anytime. Come in.”

Neo gestured me in and had me put the pizzas on the bar top. He shut the door.

“Have a seat. I'll get some plates,” he said as he disappeared around the corner.