Bless the broken road

Chapter 1: The Very Public Confrontation

Reefside CA

October 2008

"Conner, you do realize what you're eating, if Krista finds out, she's gonna have a cow...er...conniption fit."

"Trent, I'm a desperate man. My spirit animal is a T-Rex and I've gone without any kind of meat or dairy for 6 months, tofu is not the same thing as a burger. I can't go without meat this long!"

Trent chuckled and handed over the little red basket to Conner who was practically salivating over the perfectly cooked hamburger and fries.

The first bite was heaven. The second bite was Nirvana. By the sixth bite, it was all over for him.

"Conner McKnight! What are you doing?" Came the near screeching voice next to him.

The red ranger veteran nearly choked as he turned to see his very angry girlfriend looking ready to kill him.

Trent looked at him with sympathy before turned to get another drink order.

Conner wiped his mouth and said a silent prayer.

"I'm sorry, Krista. I'm not like you, I'm a carnivore, and you're a vegetarian. I need my protein and Tofu just doesn't work for me."

The slap could be heard across the cyberspace.

Conner hissed...his girlfriend could really hit hard. "How could you Conner? You sacrifice some poor cow to feed your craving! Think of what that poor cow had to go through just for this burger! Take another bite and we're over- I'm not kidding!"

Conner was at a loss for words until he saw Kira sitting on the edge of the stage, looking at him with concern etched across her face. Before he could say anything more, Krista followed his gaze. "It's her isn't it?! She's corrupted you!"

"Kira hasn't done anything, she's my best friend and she's been respectful of my attempt to be a vegetarian. Leave her out of this!"

But Krista was on a roll. "Don't play games with me, Conner, I know you're more than just best friends. My friends saw you holding her, have you been fucking her as well? I heard you were a man-whore. So glad I found out before I gave myself to you."

"Hold on a second, Krista," Conner said with his hands up, trying to defuse the situation. "I haven't slept with anyone. Not with Kira and if you're going to keep attacking me, than I sure won't sleep with you either. The reason your friends saw me holding her, was because she'd just broken up with her boyfriend and I was comforting her. I was friends with her before I ever even knew you and if Kira needs me, than no one, not even my girlfriend is going to forbid me being there for her when she needs me."

Krista looked at him angrily and just as her open hand went flying, Kira promptly grabbed her wrist in a tight hold. "That's enough, Krista, I won't allow you to keep attacking my best friend. And I know what your next line is going to be. He doesn't need me to fight his battles, but he's too much of a gentleman to hit a girl, However, I have no problem slapping you for him. This is not how a good girlfriend should act, so why not take your tofu and your tree hugging ways and leave. You've caused enough of a scene."

Krista jerked her wrist free and then glared at Conner. "Fine, we're over, you cow killer, keep your fugly little slut and have fun with her. I hope she gives you the clap."

Kira glared at her as she left; it was taking everything she had to stay in one spot and not react. When she was gone, Conner, blushing bright red sighed and rested his head against the bar."

"Hey, Kira. This is a bro moment," Trent said softly. "I better take over from here."

Kira's face was flaming and she stepped back not saying a word. Trent carefully took the food basket and ushered him back through the double doors.