Page 8 of Talk Nerdy To Me
I’ll probably be laughed at even more than he’s already laughed at me, but I nod in agreement and open the door to get out.
“Atta girl. You’ll be pleased to know the guys always bring home an excess of women, and I’m sure some of them are switch-hitters…if that’s your thing…”
I have absolutely no idea what he’s talking about, but instead of asking, I do what I do with my group and just nod like it makes all the sense in the world. However, I do wish I had one of my people to play buffer right now.
“Cool,” I say, sounding utterly ridiculous even to myself.
“Knew it,” he says as he cracks his neck.
“Knew what?” I ask, moving closer to his side as we start up the steps.
“Nothing. You drink?”
Finally. Something I understand. “Yes, please. I’d love a cranberry juice. I kept seeing them all night but never had time to drink one.”
“And vodka?” he asks, grinning.
Sigh. I thought I understood. “Never tried it.”
“Then let’s remedy that. I’ll mix the drink while you meet everyone.”
I’ll only have a sip if it has alcohol. I’ll wait until I get home to have just cranberry juice.
“So he did bring a girl,” the drummer from the band says, smiling as we walk his way.
Base quickly runs through introductions, and I memorize each face with each name, smiling my practiced smile the entire time. Then the guys start introducing the girls, and the girls correct them when they get the names wrong.
Forgetting names is considered rude. It’s one rude thing I manage to avoid doing.
“It’s a lot of people, but you’ll just need to learn my bandmates’ names,” Base whispers.
“I think I’ve got it. Sticks, drummer. Taylor, keyboardist. Randy, bass guitarist.” In quick succession, I point at each girl as I call out their names. “Trixie, Ginger, Mary, Misty, Cindy, Crystal, and Amber. Right?” I ask.
There. Now I’ve set the precedent that I’m not intentionally rude, and I can build onto the foundation from there.
It goes a little quiet. Everyone is staring at me like I have some explaining to do. I know that look really well.
“Seeing the faces while hearing the names is an easy recording mechanism. Recording things I read is actually easier.”
Still…no one speaks.
“I’m Britt,” I say when the silence stretches on.
“Why do I feel like I know you?” Sticks asks, pointing a drumstick at me as the intensity in his eyes doubles, presumably putting an effort into extracting a memory.
“We don’t know each other,” I assure him. “I don’t forget encounters.”
“You keep getting more interesting, Britt,” Base says, smiling as he heads into the house, leaving me out here on my own.
Am I supposed to follow him? I’m his guest, right?
“You seriously look very familiar,” Sticks says, tapping his chin like he’s giving it thought.
“I was just at the club,” I supply.
He flashes a grin at Taylor. “Too fucking sweet, man.”
How does he know if I’m sweet or not? He’s only just met me.
