Page 42 of Character Flaws
Chapter Sixteen
Theo
I can be bossy
“Well, I guess I’ll see you guys on Monday,” Marlon says, a slight slur in his speech as we all exit the bar.
We’d spent the evening laughing, chatting and enjoying conversation about our favorite movies, plays and action heroes. Marlon is a kick in the pants and has a wicked sense of humor.
I hadn’t meant to break up their date when I joined them tonight. Well, I didn’t have an plan in mind when I heard them talking about grabbing a drink together, but my objective wasn’t necessarily to thwart any romantic interlude.
Lie.
Okay. Just because I haven’t been man enough to make my move on Joey doesn’t mean I’m willing to let any other John, Dick or Marlon make theirs.
Plus, I get the sense that Joey isn’t into Marlon as much as he is into her. And believe me, that dude has a hard on for her. It’s evident in the way he sings her praises, tries to touch her at every pass and lingers outside as we say our goodbyes.
It’s miserably hot outside and it’s well past ten p.m. Luckily, I have an airconditioned apartment to go back to. Thank you, Patrick.
Joey slides her purse strap up her shoulder, shifting uncomfortably on her feet as we huddle outside the bar door. People enter and exit around us and the cold air from inside wafts through, hitting us with awhooshany time the door opens. I notice Joey shivers each time it does and I want to wrap my arms around her.
“Have a good night, Marlon. Enjoy your weekend and try not to worry about Monday’s announcements,” I try to assure him, hoping to move this along so Joey and I can head back home. And I can…
“You okay to get home, Joey?” Marlon asks.
Joey blinks and looks between me and Marlon and then smiles graciously.
“Yes, thank you, Marlon. You probably didn’t know, but Theo and I live in the same building.”
It must hit Marlon then because he sways and staggers back a bit.
Just to show him who’s the man, I throw an arm around her shoulders, “I’ll take care of her. No worries.”
I hope he hears the intent in my words. As in:
She’s mine, bro.
Marlon doesn’t seem to take the bait, and leans in to kiss Joey, who turns her cheek to him as soon as she sees his intent. I have to turn my head to look the other way and bite back my laughter.
Denied.
Unfortunately, Marlon is a little too tipsy to recognize the brush-off.
Joey just smiles. “Good night, Marlon. Get home safe.”
He grins and starts to walk backwards toward the L station where he’ll board to go home.
“I’ll call ya later, Joey.”
She waves and I take her elbow in the palm of my hand and guide her the opposite direction. She glances down at where I have ahold of her as if she feels it too.
That connection. The sizzle. The spark.
“Shall we?” I ask, leading her down the street.
We walk in silence a few paces until she stops and looks up at me.
“This is weird.”
