Page 35 of Betting on the Best Friend
“Why is that?” Sami asks.
“Mike was wearing a Pixie Luna shirt,” I say.
“Smart,” Sami says. “Easier to identify him.”
“And a Pixie Luna hat.”
Sami nods. “Yeah. He’s cool like that. Supportive. He saw our earliest shows.”
Josh looks like he’s trying to identify an odd smell, his face a cross between confusion and annoyance.
“Very supportive,” I agree. “Do you like his new tattoo? I’m sure he’ll show it to you next time you do a show at his work. It’s a picture of the band logo and the words ‘collateral damage’ under it.”
Sami’s mouth hangs open.
“You’re kidding,” Josh says.
“Nope. Charlie and Sydney watched me drive out of the parking lot to make sure Mike didn’t try to follow me home to show it to Sami himself.”
Sami makes ayikesface. “I’m not used to the idea of fans. I mean, thank you for liking my lyrics, but a tattoo?”
“I hope it’s just fandom, but we bowled one game, and he spent all of it trying to find out more about you. And he wants to be a roadie on your tour.” I shudder and point to Josh. “Brush up on restraining orders.”
He shakes his head. “No grounds for one. But I’ll pay Mike a visit at work to discuss boundaries.”
“Take Joey with you,” I say, “and go back with Marcus if it seems like he’s not getting it.” Marcus is my cop brother. Josh nods.
“I promise to make sure the next guy I set you up with has never heard of Pixie Luna,” Sami promises.
“So, someone who lives under a rock?” Josh asks, and Sami blows him a kiss.
“You lost setting-up privileges.” I scowl at Sami.
“What, no! How do I get them back?”
“You can’t.”
“Josh, can you put ‘thrift with Ruby on her next day off’ on my calendar?” Sami says.
“He had a tattoo with your lyrics, you pink pixie,” I say.
“Add a note that it’s my treat,” Sami continues.
I nestle down in the chair. “Keep going.”
“And draw up a contract where I promise not to borrow any of the stuff I buy her,” Sami says.
“No take backs.” This evening is looking up. “Privileges restored.”
“How was Charlie’s date?” Sami asks. “What’s her name? Sydney?”
Sami’s reasonable question feels jangly. I yawn, hoping oxygen will settle my brain.
“That good?” Sami asks.
“Sorry, I was yawning for real.” I reposition myself in the chair, looking for a comfortable way to sprawl. “They moved their date to a second location, so that’s a good sign.”
There’s a knock at the front door and Madison pops her head in. “Hey, y’all. Ruby’s here too, Octavius,” she says over her shoulder. She walks in, Oliver right behind her. She learned his middle name during their wedding last summer, and she uses it whenever she loses one of their arguments.
