Glaring daggers at the misfit Hunk, I growl, “Get your own damn beer.”
Jacek and Clint smirk at each other, then get up and walk off toward the bus.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this grumpy before,” Samantha teases.
“I’m not their damn maid.”
“Does that make you mine?”
“Baby, I’ll be anything you want me to be.”
I hear Natasha and Vanessa groan from their seats a few feet away, which irks me more than I care to admit. I guess having only Vanessa around for so long made me forget how catty women could be.
“Don’t worry, Tox. They hate us ‘cause they ain’t us.”
“Natasha and Vanessa have always been so nice. I just don’t get why they’re acting like they’re still in high school.”
“They have it in their heads that I’m trying to kidnap Bianca, which is ridiculous.”
“Hopefully, when they find out why you’re really here, we can look back and laugh about all the fake drama.”
“Oh, I don’t think they’ll be laughing when I’m through with them,” she deadpans.
Her response surprises me, but I suppose I wouldn’t know what to expect from Samantha. Our first interaction was just a few months ago, and it wasn’t under ideal circumstances.
After finishing the last bite of my cheesesteak, I throw away my trash and extend my hand down for Samantha to take.
“Care to walk with me?”
“It’s…after midnight.”
“I’ll protect you.”
“Isn’t the bus going to leave soon?”
“It’ll be at least another hour before it’s all packed up and ready to go.”
She accepts my hand and allows me to pull her up.
“Is this something you do often?” she asks as we start down the torn-up sidewalk.
“I used to, but not anymore.”
“Why is that?”
“I just…wasn’t going anywhere, and it felt pointless.”
She nods, though I can tell she doesn’t quite understand what I’m saying because she grew up under very different circumstances.
“Aside from harassing innocent droid lovers online, what do you enjoy doing?” I ask, hoping to figure out what makes her tick.
“I work.”
“I mean for fun. Do you go out for drinks with friends? Do you have a book club?”
She tilts her face down and frowns. “All I do is work.”
I can’t say my life is much different on account that I perform at least six shows a week, but I’m surrounded by friends whereas Samantha is more of a lone wolf.
