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Just what I want to talk about tonight. “Always.” After taking the pipe from him, I put it to my lips and inhale.
    “Sucks.”
    “What about you?”
    “I think my mom’s usin’ again. Can’t tell for sure, though.”
    Shit. It makes me realize things with Luke could be a whole lot worse. Pot’s one thing, but when his mom is using, she doesn’t screw around. She does shit that’s almost gotten her killed.
    I lean my head back and look up, thinking it’s definitely a good idea Virginia didn’t come with me tonight. Shane wouldn’t have talked about his mom around her, and he shouldn’t have to worry about what he says. Who the hell knows what she would do if she heard something like that? I’m sure stressing about druggie parents isn’t a part of her world. Or watching people get high.
    A slow ache starts in my gut and moves up toward my chest. I’m suddenly pissed that she lives this perfect existence where she doesn’t worry about stuff like this. Where she’s so damn good that she has a plan, and she’s too perfect to party. Where she’ll get to grow up and be the next fucking future business leader of America and others like Shane and me won’t have a chance.
    “Let me know if you need anything. You know Luke won’t care if you chill with us.” My brother gives me shit about my friends, but he’s pretty cool about helping if someone needs it. Shane has stayed with us off and on. We all know his mom isn’t going to report him missing if he doesn’t come home. It probably makes it easier on her when he’s gone.
    “Thanks, man.” He holds out his hand and we bump fists.
    “Thanks for ditching us in there! We went out to see if you guys left without telling us, but Shane’s car is still here.” Drea playfully elbows me in the stomach. “Assholes.”
    “You were with Tanner,” I throw back at her. “It’s his house. We figured you’d be okay with him and Cody.”
    Cody takes the seat across from Shane, pushing his dyed blond hair from his eyes. Tanner sits on his lap and says, “There’s a bunch of idiots in there. Even I don’t want to be around them.”
    “Want me to kick them out for you, baby?” Cody nuzzles Tanner’s neck.
    “Nope. Maybe they’ll break something and I’ll piss off my parents.”
    Cody laughs and kisses Tanner’s neck again. He smiles when Tanner whispers something in his ear.
    It’s so strange watching the two of them together. Not because they’re both guys, none of us give a shit about that, but because they obviously love each other and don’t mind showing it. Cody was at our school before Tanner, but he never really hung out with us. When Tanner came, he sort of just fit right in with us from his first day. He wasn’t there a month before he brought Cody out with us one night.
    He said if we had a problem with it, we better say so. He was obviously testing us, but like I said, we’ve never given a shit who he was into. Cody became part of our group from that day on. If I’m being honest, we don’t really know a lot about Cody other than the fact that he’s Tanner’s. It’s been almost four years and they’re still together.
    None of us have parents who stay together like that. Well, except for Tanner, but they think they’re better than us so they don’t count. Drea’s parents are off one week, on the next. It’s really her stepdad, but he’s been around forever. He comes and goes whenever the hell he wants, though. Shane doesn’t know who his dad is, and my mom hasn’t been around since I was a kid.
    Luke never brings girls home. He’s like Virginia; he has a plan ,and girls aren’t a part of it.
    Tanner and Cody are the only happy couple I’ve ever known.
    A floodlight on the side of the house shines down on us. Drea looks around. “Nice. You guys are gentlemen. No one is going to give me a seat?”
    Tanner and Cody start whistling, and looking anywhere except at Drea. Shane taps his lap. “Sit down.”
    “Ha, ha.” Drea