Duched(20)

 

Brie glares at me one final time, turns towards the woman, pulls out cash from her pocket, and offers it. After returning her change, the workers behind the counter hand us our refreshments, laughs trying to be contained under their breaths.

 

 

 

The moment we're no longer in line, she mutters in an irked tone, "Un-fucking believable."

 

 

 

"Says the woman who tricked me into wearing a 4,000 dollar suit to a bloody truck show."

 

 

 

"A little different than convincing total strangers I paid for you!"

 

 

 

Seeing the frustration on her face forces a smile back onto mine. "Told you it would not be fair."

 

 

 

Brie abruptly stops, looks up at me, and growls, "This isn't over, Duke Douche Bag."

 

 

 

"Would not dream of it Vanessa van Gogh Duch Yourself."

 

 

 

The sassy expression I crave reappears. "Not sure what's more ludicrous, the fact you think for even a moment I would ever wanna be duchess or the fact you could turn a famous artist into an almost clever insult." Brie hums to herself and starts walking again. "Come on. We're right around the corner."

 

 

 

I adjust my grip on the popcorn and follow cheerfully behind her.

 

 

 

You didn't seriously think she was that upset over what I did, did you? Ha. I haven't even known this girl that long yet knew that was nowhere near the line of too far. Rest assured, I wouldn't go there. The enjoyment is not found in hurting her. I'm not a monster...

 

 

 

During our climb up three levels of stairs for the top row, we're bumped into by out of control kids trying to drive their toy trucks, over enthusiastic fans who are already slightly inebriated, and displeased ushers having to constantly redirect people to their actual seats as opposed to the ones they wished were theirs.

 

 

 

They are just very large vehicles. People can't truly be this excited, can they?

 

 

 

Brie drops herself down into the end seat and I sit in the one beside her.

 

 

 

Unable to resist teasing, I sigh with false concern, "Should I have bought gum? You know, to help keep our ears from popping at such high altitudes?"

 

 

 

        

          

        

         

 

 

 

She gives me a phony smirk. "Keep it up and your dry cleaning bill will be almost as ridiculously priced as the suit itself."

 

 

 

I reach for a chip, shaking the jalapenos free. "So who were these tickets originally for?"

 

 

 

"My dad," Brie answers a bit of sadness in her tone. "They were a Christmas present from me. Actually, they were his only Christmas present from me. It's not like I have a shit ton of extra cash laying around, so I saved and grabbed the best ones I could. I know they don't feel like much, but they weren't cheap."

 

 

 

After swallowing my bite I ask, "Why couldn't he come?"

 

 

 

"Had to work. Someone called in, and he had to cover."

 

 

 

"What's he do?"

 

 

 

"Grocery store manager. Nothing glamorous like being king of a country, but people still need him. Too much sometimes."

 

 

 

The side comment isn't missed, but I don't take the bait to fight back.

 

 

 

Told you. Not about hurting her. It's about humoring.

 

 

 

"You two close?" I question finally receiving her attention on me.

 

 

 

"You could say that." Her smile softens. "Two daughters and one takes after his beer and cheeseburger loving ways while the other takes after our mother with her love of Sushi and spritzers."

 

 

 

"Glad you're the 'All American' girl."

 

 

 

She snickers before she asks, "Why? You're not into the other type?"

 

 

 

"I'm into you."

 

 

 

My comment causes a small flush to her face.

 

 

 

Rather than continue the conversation the direction she's anticipating, I reach for another chip. "Tell me. You're the younger one, aren't you?"

 

 

 

A playful smile forms.

 

 

 

"You were trouble growing up."

 

 

 

She leans forward and whispers, "Still. Am."

 

 

 

My eyes steal a glimpse of her wet lips and whisper, "Obviously..."

 

 

 

Brie winks, reaches into my lap for the popcorn, and throws a handful at me. She starts laughing and I immediately join her, throwing a handful at her in return. All of a sudden a man takes the spot in the center of the arena while the announcer over the speakers indicates the show is about to begin.