Page 140 of Buy Back My Love

“I know that, but we ain’t say we was exchanging gifts.”

“We had to?”

“No, but now I feel bad.” I rubbed my hand over my face. “I ain’t get you nothing.”

“You're a horrible friend.”

My mouth dropped open. “See, now you trying to make me feel worse.”

Van started laughing. “I’m messing with you. I don’t give people stuff because I’m waiting on something back.”

“Well, damn. Now I feel even worse.”

“You’ll survive.”

I rolled my eyes even though he couldn’t see me. “So what you got me?”

“You’ll see.”

“Can you tell me?”

“No.”

“Give me a hint.”

“I said no.”

“You so annoying.”

“I’ve been told.”

I smiled and dropped back against the pillows.

“So you're at your mama's house?” he asked.

“Yeah.”

“You think she'd mind if I stop by and drop it off?”

“No, she won’t mind.” Then I remembered exactly where Mama lived. “But you know she stay in Maysville, right?”

“What's that supposed to mean?”

“I’m just saying. I know you from Dog River and all.”

“And?”

“I ain’t know if you was scared to come to the hood.”

Van got quiet for half a second. “Did you forget I dropped you off over there?”

My smile disappeared. “Oh, God.”

He started laughing.

“Please don’t remind me about that day.”

“You brought it up.”