Page 38 of Perfectly Grumpy

Tate

I am NOT trying to “hook up” with anyone. Lauren is helping me with PR. We’ve hung out a few times.

Leo

But didn’t she tell her sister you were dating?

Rourke

You ARE hooking up with the PR manager!

Brax

Are you going to the family reunion with her? Jaz told me she talked to Lauren about her summer plans.

Tate

Her sister invited me, but since then, Lauren’s been ghosting me. So I’m renting a rustic cabin on the outskirts of Sully’s Beach. Just silence, trees, and no Leo snoring through the wall.

Leo

For the last time, I DON’T SNORE.

Brax

Look, Lauren says one thing, but Jaz says she means another. It’s like code. She wants you to come. She just doesn’t want to ask you to come. Big difference.

Lucian

And nothing makes for great PR more than the element of surprise.

Rourke

If you go, do NOT spend the whole time talking about Lord of the Rings.

Tate

I’m not going to talk to her about that.

Leo

When you’re nervous, it’s either “Did you know a puck can travel 100mph?” or “Would you like that translated into Elvish?”

Tate

I don’t even know Elvish.

Leo

You dressed up like Gandalf on Halloween. Full robe, staff, the whole “You shall not pass” to every child who attempted to come to the door. You scared a child to tears.

Tate

ONE TIME. And I thought he was dressed like an orc. He was carrying a plastic ax.

Rourke

He was dressed as a lumberjack, you nerd.