Not Letting Go

Chapter 39

Vi did not wait for Kate's direction, but instead asked the nearest church member, who was so caught off guard that he just directed them to the pie eating contest without saying anything else.

"Thanks, dude!" Vi shouted back to him as she kept walking with Steph as her other crutch. The man did a double take, seeing Kate, but they were soon moved beyond him. Many people started staring and whispering as they got deeper into the event area, but no one confronted them and they were soon past whoever leered as they kept moving. Max noticed and wondered if the blonde's bold costume took away from their desire or even ability to call her out, because she was definitely not hiding anything now. She walked confidently as she held Max's hand. Whatever the reason, no one bothered them yet, besides looks that Kate seemed to not see or chose to ignore.

When they reached the sign up area, Vi quickly grabbed a clipboard and starting writing her name down with the attached pen that hung from a string. She slammed the pen down when finished.

Seeing that she was done, Kate said, "So, looks like you signed up for the eight o'clock one."

"That's in...less than fifteen minutes," Steph said, checking her phone.

"I guess we can just hang until then," Vi said, again going behind Steph to put an arm around her and peak her head over the girls shoulder. She slipped a hand down to grasp the handle of one of the swords that hung at her sides, but Steph slapped it away.

"Never touch a Warblade's weapon. That's how you lose a hand if you're not killed outright," Steph said, coming out with her confident Dungeonmaster voice.

Vi said, "Damn girl, that hurt. I didn't know how hard-core of a nerd you really were until now." She shook her hand as if to throw off the sting. "That's the last time I mess with you," she added, exaggerating how hurt and startled she really was, even making a pouty face that the other girl couldn't see.

"Aww, poor thing," Steph said as she took the hand that she slapped into both of her own. She raised it to her lips and gave it a tender kiss and the older girl's face became a smile. She gave Steph a light squeeze.

"I think you bumped my boob earlier too," Vi said quietly into her ear, but loud enough for the other girls to hear.

The younger girl elbowed Vi lightly and said, "Shut up, pervert," clearly enjoying the suggestive comment, but choosing not to encourage it.

"Hey, I know another pervert when I see one. By next week you'll be having me in a dragon costume, punishing you for trying to steal my horde."

"What makes you think you'll be doing the punishing?"

"I feel like I'm not supposed to be here," Max said while smiling.

"Just let them have their fun, love," Kate said lightly.

"As long as they don't actually do it here," Max replied.

Vi said, "Of course not, Maxie. We're saving it for a new part of the show. Speaking of which, I have another gig tomorrow night, so clear your calendars."

"I can give you a ride. Why didn't you ask me?" Steph questioned, sounding a little hurt.

"Well...I didn't want to bug you, if you were busy..." Vi said awkwardly.

"I'm up for any excuse to spend time with you. You were at least going to invite me, right?" Steph replied.

The girls noticed Vi's subtle bashfulness at the first comment and then the guilt at the second. She acted as if neither affected her as she said, "Yeah, it's kind of a last minute thing. Some other band canceled on them, so we agreed to fill in. The Screw Ups are reliable, if only to continue our ironic streak. So...you offering?"