Not Quite Like the Movies (Otis Milburn x OC)

Bad Cop, Bad Cop

Chapter VIII

"So where are you two lovebirds off to," Eric asks when he sees Abby and Otis walking down the hall.

"I'm giving Jackson his money back," Otis says. "Abby's coming for moral support."

"Well, moral support is a stretch," Abby says. "I'm more there to play bad cop."

"Why," Eric asks. "I mean, why don't you want Otis to help him?"

"Because," Abby says. "This is a disaster waiting to happen. He and Maeve literally have nothing in common."

"What do you two have in common," Eric questions them both as they march toward Jackson's locker.

"We're not in a relationship, so it doesn't matter," Abby answers.

"Also, I mean, we like a lot of the same music," Otis says. "I mean, Abby's taste is a lot more diverse than mine, but there's overlap."

"I have yet to see a relationship in real life that isn't an unmitigated disaster," Abby says. "At least amongst people our age. We are saving them from themselves."

"Well, then," Eric says. "Otis, why don't you keep the money, and give Jackson the wrong advice?"

"Hmm," Abby says. "That would speed up the inevitable."

"No," Otis says. "That is unethical on so many levels."

"Unethical...or badass?"

"Badass," Abby says. "Definitely badass."

"Abby," Otis says, somewhat shocked.

"But also unethical," Abby says. "Very unethical. You're right."

"Whipped," Eric coughs.

"Guys, I'm giving the money back," Otis says. "End of story."

"There he is," Eric says, pointing to where Jackson is putting his books back in his locker. "After you then, Captain Morality."

"Otis," Jackson calls out, looking up at them. "You tracked me down." As they walk over, he gazes at Abby. "Oh, hi," he says. "You're Abby Hammond, right?"

"Yeah," Abby says, somewhat nervous. Jackson isn't exactly Otis, but he is probably one of the most attractive people she's ever seen in real life. How can she possibly bad-cop him?

"Listen," Otis says. "I...I need to give this back to you. I feel uncomfortable talking behind Maeve's back." He takes a breath. "It's wrong. It's unethical and it's just wrong."

"And don't try offering up any more cash," Abby says. "Otis isn't interested in your...tainted money."

Jackson nods. "I get it."

"All right, cool," Otis says.

"Yeah. No problem. You're an honorable guy," Jackson goes on.

"He is," Abby says. He is more of a man than you will ever be, she almost says, but stops herself. After all, Jackson is being perfectly nice about all of this. Maybe he is a pretty good guy.

"Great," Otis says, "here's the money."

"Maeve is such a head-fuck, man," Jackson says. "Like a Rubik's cube. She says one thing and then does something else. And I can't keep up. Know what I mean?"

"Not really," Otis says, thrusting Jackson's wad of cash towards him. "But here you go."

"We'll have crazy amazing sex, yeah," Jackson continues. "Like transcendental-level shagging."

"That sounds like a story for your diary," Abby snaps, semi-annoyed but unable to help taking pity on Jackson. "If you have a diary, I mean. Maybe get a diary? Or, you know. Go on. Get this out of your system."