The Anyway Clause

And the Hits Keep Coming

Jane

Hearing Hails talk about this whole charity powder puff thing was how I ended up sitting in the bleachers at the high school eating popcorn and laughing with Scott on a bright Saturday afternoon.

This was the type of day where I would've been riding the horses with Hailey or working out with the dogs on my heels. Basically, I wouldn't waste beautiful weather in forced social situations but, for Hailey, I made the exception; well Hailey and for charity of course.

I was so busy watching Scott smugly yet successfully toss popcorn in the air and catch it in his mouth that I didn't notice Gia plop down beside me until she congratulated Scott on his prowess. He smirked and I knew immediately he was remembering the conversation we had about her.

I was laying across my bed after having just beat Scott in a free for all shootout in our favorite war game. It had been surprisingly exhausting and we had agreed to a break. I had been avoiding talking and he wasn't going to let me keep getting away with it.

"Have you made up your mind about Gia yet?"

"She has managed to convince me to delay her nap with the fishes," I said in my worst mobster impersonation.

Scott laughed at my tone before rolling over on top of me, pressing my stomach and face into the bed. I could feel him relax his whole body, spreading his arms and legs wide as he used me like a human mattress.

"We can talk about this emotional weight I am exemplifying or you could give me a straight answer Bishop."

He took a deep breath somehow made himself heavier, laughing at my feeble attempts to buck him off my back. I may be able to kick his ass in a fight but with me laying down on my stomach completely unprepared he had the advantage.

"Fine!" I grunted as he rolled off me. "Point made in true jackass fashion as always."

I could tell he was proud of himself as he propped his head in his hand, gave me his smug smile and waited for me to give him my usual nonverbal cue to begin his questions. I gave him a sigh and rolled on my back. He waited until my hands were under my head and I looked settled.

"So, Gia flirts with you and you used to walk away but now you don't. Do you like her?"

"I love Hailey dude."

"This isn't a PC zone Trouble. Who the hell is judging? I mean really, have you forgotten who you're talking to?"

"I don't know Pops. I think she flirts for fun. Like, I don't think she's trying to do anything about it."

"Given the chance she would." He said it matter-of-factly like only he can get away with and I thought about it before I answered.

"Maybe."

"And?"

"She keeps saying I'm different and stuff so I think that's why. I don't act like a normal teenager whatever the hell that means. It's innocent enough. At least it is for me. I don't hate her. She's annoying sometimes but I don't hate her."

"And where is Hailey at with all this?"

He raised his eyebrows at me waiting for me to confirm what he already knew. Scott had known Hailey longer so he knew what she felt about the whole thing.

"Bat shit crazy about it but still pretending she has faith in me. Makes for some great sex when we aren't arguing about nothing."

We both lay back in a fit of laughter.