Page 54 of A Little Bit Uncertain

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DONOVAN

Audra was headed to continue stocking Grá with the girls, but I wished she could have spent the rest of the day with me. When we parted ways, it took all the willpower I had not to move my lips three inches over to kiss her lips goodbye instead of her cheek, but I didn’t. It already felt huge that she called me right away, so I didn’t want to press my luck.

The opportunity to ask her to come to New York never presented itself, but I still had a couple of days. Maybe I was delusional, and she’d tell me to pound sand. Once I had a chance to think logically about it, who in their right mind would be open to going somewhere with a forty-eight-hour lead time? This wasn’t my young and dumb travel days; nineteen and jobless, with no responsibilities. Ugh, I was an idiot. Being with her was such a dichotomy. I could see things so clearly, but she also simultaneously scrambled the shit out of my brain. Nothing ever scrambled the shit out of my brain.

Bennett

So. Audra.

The text came through, and I laughed. Really, I should have known this was coming. But the fact that I could acknowledge this was just some friends on a group text, not people with ulterior motives in socializing with me, was a monumental step, and indicative of how far I’d come.

Donovan

What of it?

Bennett

You just happened to drive her back to her car today. Where did you pick her up from? You just happened to text my brother asking him to come check out said car and mentioned not making any deal of it.

Should I go on? You just happened to catch her as she was falling down because you pay that close of attention to her, so you saw the instant things got dicey. You just happened to grab onto her like you’d lost her when she came to. You just happened to be the one to take her to the police station today. Lots of happenings since poker, it seems.

Murphy

She fucking called you Batman, man. What kind of role-playing shit are you into?

Maverick

I landed like two hours ago. What the hell did I miss? Who’s Batman? Who’s going to the police station?

Murphy

You forfeit any dealings with anyone or anything while you are in California, dick.

Maverick

Fuck off.

Bennett

It’s Donovan. I mean, Batman.

Donovan

Alright, let’s pump the brakes here. It’s been a kind of chaotic week. It was an inside joke, no role-playing. But even if it was, it’s better than a furry or some shit.

Bennett

Yesssssss. Welcome to the chat, Donovan Wright. Welcome. To. The. Chat.

Maverick

You are a sick fuck, Bennett. But more importantly, why are you taking Audra to the police station?

Murphy

Fucking Theo