Page 52 of Call Me Baby 2: Side B

“And fact—” I wipe my mouth with the back of my hand, slamming the glass down. “If you say ‘go back to Jersey’ one more time, I will embarrass you so bad, your boys’ll leave your ass sittin’ here without a ride back to Queens.” I count on one hand. “I’ll roast your takes, your weak-ass fade, and drag your football IQ through the gutter. Don’t fuckin’ test me, sweetheart.”

Ricky’s crying into his fry basket.

Fake Rolex stands tall,

dropping his beer down on the table.

“Yo—how you know I’m from Queens?”

“Please. I can smell that Versace Eros from here. Brooklyn wouldn’t claim you wearin’ a knockoff. And ain’t no Dominican barber in the Bronx let you walk out with that fade.”

The guy’s boys fold over, laughing.

Ricky has tears in his eyes. “So much funnier when it’s not aimed at you.”

Peter looks over at Andrew, eyes wide, and mouths slow, “Oh my fuckin’ God.” He points at me, then drags a finger across his own throat in awe. “I’m in love. I’m fuckin’ in love.” Whistling low, he shakes his head. “You better marry her. Or I will steal her from you. Not even jokin’.”

But before Fake Rolex can respond, Andrew hooks an arm around my waist, pulling me back into him, laughing low in my ear. “Hey, man. I’d let it go before she throws you through the window,” he tells the guy, his hand tight on my hip.

The guy looks away first.

Andrew’s voice drops lower, mouth grazing my ear. “Fact—it’s sexy as fuck when you back me up. You always ride this hard… or you just wild for me?”

I want to push him off,

but my body’s sinking into him.

“Only you.

“For some strange-ass reason.”

Ricky slides the next round of shots on the table.

Andrew eyes them.

Then me.

One brow raised—we doin’ this?

I smirk—that’s dangerous.

We side-eye the shots.

Then look back at each other.

“We don’t drink like this,” I whisper.

“I know. Bad idea,” Andrew whispers back… eyes returning to the shots.

“Very naughty,” I agree.

“I mean it,” he says, smiling.

“So do I,” I say back.

We snatch them up at the same time.

38 / SKIN AND BONES