𝐅𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐘 • Randall Floyd

Chapter 4

RANDALL was still at the pool table with Don and Melvin—both of whom he played football with—after his little encounter that left him looking at the open door every so often. Part of him felt like the girl whose name he never got would stroll back in, but a bigger part of him knew it was just him holding out wistful hope.

He regretted not stopping her or going after her, even if less is more. And it was no help that he couldn't read her. She was either completely disinterested in him or keeping her cards close to her chest, yet both prospects intrigued him all the same.

"Pink!"

Wooderson was hailing him from across the Emporium with Mitch by his side, so he told Don and Melvin, "I'll catch you guys later," and jogged over.

Wooderson patted him on the back and led him in the direction of the door. "What you did was not cool, man," he said.

Randall shrugged, "I was just trying to help."

"By swinging in and stealing the girl?"

Randall didn't have much to say considering phrased that way it was just as bad as it seemed.

"I'll admit I was choking over there," said Wooderson, "but she was a tough nut. Although, hey, if you're up to the challenge then by all means, she's all yours."

The second they stepped out onto the sidewalk, Jodi called out, "Pink!" catching his attention. "What's this I hear about a party at the moon tower?"

Randall pointed at Wooderson as he rose his elbow to lean on the wall behind Jodi. "Talk to this man right here."

"Full kegs, groovy times, all you gotta do is show up," Wooderson replied.

Jodi smiled ear to ear, "You got it."

"Is your, uh, neighbour coming?" Randall asked.

"What, uh, neighbour?" Jodi teased.

"The one with the feisty little attitude," Wooderson interjected before stepping away.

Randall rolled his eyes, confusing Jodi even more than she already was. "What..."

"Brownish hair, yay high," Randall listed, horizontally raising his hand about an inch higher than Jodi's head.

"You mean Willa?" she asked.

"Sure," Randall shrugged cluelessly.

"She's not from here, her grandparents are. They live across the street from me—she's staying with them."

Randall's eyebrows drew together. "Where is she from?"

"Illinois."

"And what's her deal? Is she, you know..."

"Seeing anybody?" Jodi pieced together with a slight smile. "Yes, just like you if I recall correctly."

Randall took a deep inhale and turned his head in all directions to find Willa who was easily the one thing on his mind for the longest period of time all day.

But when he couldn't find her he asked, "Where is she anyway?"

"She left." Randall's head shot to Jodi. "Went home."

"But she knows about the moon tower, right?"

"She's the one who mentioned it to me." Randall relaxed a little. "But knowing her she won't even show."

He pondered on that a little, curious as to what that meant. But before he could ask, Jodi stepped away towards her brother who was talking to the freshman Sabrina she adopted earlier on in the day.

"Hey, I hear my name over here? You talkin' about me?"  She put her hand on Mitch's shoulder. "Hey, kiddo. Heard they got you pretty bad. Man, I asked them to take it easy on you—I can't believe they did that."

"Man!" Mitch pinched the bridge of his nose. "God, no wonder!"

It was then when he rose his hand that Jodi noticed the whiskey he was clutching in his other one.

"Has someone been bearing gifts?"

Mitch's face contorted. "What?"

"You just magically happened to buy a bottle of Jack Daniels?"

Mitch looked at it like he forgot he had it at all.

"With what money?"

"I wasn't gonna turn down free alcohol," he retorted.

"Well, as fate would have it neither would I." Jodi swiped the bottle from his hand so quickly Mitch was completely caught off guard.

"Hey, you can't do that," he grouched.

"You should've held onto it tighter. The kids around here are unhinged," she remarked and turned back around to face Randall who only quirked a brow at her.

"Some big sister you are."

"And some friend you are," she backhanded him on the shoulder. "What happened to your word?"

"I kept it."

Jodi tilted her head with a sceptic look written across her face.

"Here," he picked up Jodi's free hand and tapped it gently. "It was no harder than that."

"Right. That's one whack less out of a good hundred," Jodi rolled her eyes and pulled back her hand.

"So... how long's Willa in Texas?"

Jodi gave him another look. He didn't even let the conversation sit before bringing her up again.

He rose both his hands at either side of his head, "That's the last thing I'll ask about her then not a peep."

Jodi reluctantly caved. "Until Aerosmith, then she's heading to California."

"What's in California?"

"Oh my... The Golden Gate Bridge!" Jodi shrugged. "You've met your quota. You're done."

Randall only sighed, leaning his crown against the wall. And he found that it was for the best that they drew the line there because when he rolled onto the side of his head, Simone and her friend Darla were walking their way.

Darla headed inside the Emporium first, then Simone followed, sparing Randall a simple "Hi" as she sauntered on.

And when Randall looked at Jodi, she didn't have to say what she was thinking because he was already thinking it.

He's in trouble.