And Playing the Role of Herself (Frankiana)

CHAPTER TEN

The only good thing to happen at Scott's party was Gino tracking me down and telling me that he'd found another woman celebrity who could actually play golf, and that my services wouldn't be needed at the Celebrity Golf Tournament. He seemed reluctant to tell me, but when I'd grabbed him and kissed him on the cheek in thanks, I think he realized I was okay with it.

That left me almost a month of free time and a serious need to get out of town to clear my head, so I packed up my backpacking gear and a week's worth of food, made a few calls then turned-off my phone, climbed in my truck and drove down to Rizal. I found a small gas station that would let me park my truck in their back lot for a week, then I shouldered my pack and the extra box of food I'd brought and walked the half-mile to the post office.

I was leaning up against the building, reading a book, my face shaded by a cap and sunglasses when two hikers walked up and eased their packs to the ground, arguing about basketball.

Without looking up from my book, I said, "Eh, GSW are going to suck this year. Clippers looks good, though."

Both men stopped what they were doing and stared at me in surprise. One of them - a taller, younger, male version of me.

I grinned at my brother, who whooped in delight and smothered me in a tight, smelly bear hug. He lifted me off the ground and I yelled at him to put me down, and I poked him in the ribs. He yelped like a girl and dropped me immediately, taking up a defensive stance to protect his ribs.

"No fair," he said, grinning at me.

I grinned back. "Heya, Per. It's good to see you." I wrinkled my nose. "But boy, you smell. I hope you're planning on taking a shower in this town, because I wouldn't share my campsite with the stink that's drifting off of you."

He looked quickly at my backpack leaned up against the wall, then back at me, taking in my hiking attire. "You're coming with?" he asked hopefully, looking again at the pack.

I smiled. "If it's okay with you two..." I looked pointedly his friend who was staring at the two of us in consternation. "Wanna introduce me?"

"Dude, of course it's cool." He said, still smiling at me in happy amazement.

I looked at his friend again and then back at him with a raised eyebrow. "Dude, introductions?"

"Oh, yeah, right. Sorry." He turned to his friend. "Sky, this is my sister Diana. Diana, Sky."

Sky was of the same height as me, with a very light skin, cute face. He stared at me, then seemed to shake himself and stepped forward to grasp my hand awkwardly.

"Hi," he said shyly, sneaking glances at my face as he stepped back.

"Nice to meet you, Sky." I looked at him questioningly. "Would you mind if I tagged along with you and Perry?"

"Uh, sure...I mean, no, I wouldn't mind at all." He stuffed his hands in his pockets and smiled hesitantly.

"Great." I gave him a friendly smile and glanced over at Perry. "And now, seriously dude, we need to find you two someplace to shower."

***

I adjusted the flame on the stove, set a pot of water on to heat, and settled onto a thin pad I'd laid near the stove, stretching my legs out with a groan.

"How ya feeling, grandma?" Perry teased me from where he was stretched out on his back a few feet away, his baseball cap tilted over his eyes.

"Shut it, boi. You're supposed to respect your elders," I replied as I pulled off my boots and wiggled my toes with a sigh. "God, that feels good."

Perry pushed the cap back and propped himself up on his elbows, grinning at me. "I'm sure that Sky would be happy to rub any part of you that aches."

I stuck my tongue out at him, well aware of doting looks that Sky was starting to cast my way. "Where is he, anyway?"

Perry shrugged. "Probably doing his skincare or something."

I'd learned over the past few days that Sky was quite feminine, and I nodded, not surprised at Perry's explanation of his whereabouts. I leaned back on my elbows, mimicking Perry's position, and we were both quiet for several minutes.

"Di?" Perry said eventually.

"Hmm?"

"Is..." he paused, and I looked over at him questioningly."Is everything okay with you? You seem...I don't know...kinda down, and real quiet..."

I sighed, and pulled myself up into a sitting position, wrapping my hands around my knees. "Ah. Noticed that, did you?" Perry was a perceptive, and we'd always been close. Our other brother, Bryan, was two years older than me, and we rarely spoke. Bryan did not approve of my choice of careers, but then Bryan did not approve of much.

"Mmm." He nodded in affirmation.

I stared at my feet, wondering how to explain what was bothering me. It never occurred to me not to tell him; Perry and I had always been honest with each other. "Well," I rocked back and forth a few times, "I think I may have gone and fallen in love."

I heard him sit up, and glanced over. He was watching me with interest. "No shit?"

I smiled slightly. "Mm-hmm, I'm pretty sure."

"You think, and you're pretty sure? What does that mean? I mean, you've been in love before, right? You and the nerd were together for what...a year or two?"

He was referring to my year and a half long relationship with Toby, a software developer with an abundance of brains and a few minor social skill problems. "He wasn't a nerd," I scolded mildly, feeling obligated to defend my longest relationship to date. "And yes, I loved Toby, but I don't know if I was ever in love with him. This is...different."

"Different," he repeated. He thought about that for a bit. "Okaaayyyy....so it's different. How, exactly, is this not a good thing?"

"Hmmm, well...that's where it gets a bit complicated." I hugged my knees tighter. "My...ah...feelings, are not particularly welcome."

"What?!" He sounded genuinely shocked, and I smiled. "What kind of idiot wouldn't want you? Who is this guy?"

"Ah. Hmm. Yeah. Um...that's part of the complicated bit." I paused, rocking back and forth, and glanced over at him again. "It's not a he. It's a she."

His eyes widened, searching my expression to see if I was joking. "No shit?"

"No shit."

"Wow," he said, nodding slowly. "So...is this..." he hesitated. "Uh...are you..."

"Gay?" I finished for him.

He nodded.

"It's a distinct possibility." We were quiet for a few minutes, and I finally asked, "Would it bother you?"

"Hmm?" Perry blinked, and looked over at me. "Oh, shit, of course not. I guess it doesn't even surprise me all that much." He grinned at me. "But Sky is going to be devastated."

I let go of my knees and leaned back on my hands, rolling my eyes. "'Wag na lang ipilit." Then shook my head. "He'll get over it."

Perry looked at me for a moment and then shook his head. "Male or female, I still don't get how someone wouldn't want you."

I laughed quietly. "Well, thanks for the vote of confidence." I paused, thinking of Franki and the heat I'd seen in her eyes on more than one occasion. "And honestly, I don't think it's an issue of want..." I sighed in exasperation. "That's the other complicated bit, and hell, I don't even understand it. If I ever figure it out, I'll let you know."

Perry rolled onto his hands and knees and crawled over to scoot in beside me and put a comforting arm around my shoulders. "I'm sorry, D. Whoever she is, I still think she's an idiot."

I smiled sadly. "Me, too."

(e/n: Short update for ya'll. Next ud will be long af.  And road to 1k reads na us, maybe i'll update later for a celebration? Love You guys!!)