Page 83 of Nerdplay
“It’s a compliment, Cricket. Take it.”
“In what world is that a compliment?”
“I’m telling you your laugh is sexy as hell. Take the win.”
“So you’re telling me you think a ten-year-old who smokes menthols is sexy? Gross.” Despite my response, my insides begin to heat up like the core of a volcano.
He knocks on my head. “Are you being deliberately obtuse? That’s not remotely what I’m telling you.”
I cling to the word ‘sexy’ like it’s wreckage from the Titanic and I’m a woman without a lifeboat. I’ve only ever been referred to as sexy one other time, and as I’ve stricken that other time from the record that is my brain, I shall consider this the first time.
“I’ve never smoked,” I say, apparently determined to miss the point. I know I have a hard time accepting a compliment—it’s one of my flaws—yet my resistance seems even worse when that compliment is coming from Charlie Thorpe.
“That makes two of us,” he says.
“Really? Is that an athlete thing?”
“Maybe? No idea.”
“What about pot?”
“Nope.”
“Gummies?”
“Only tonight.” He squints at me. “Is this a character assessment?”
“No, we don’t judge here, remember?”
“In that case, I like nothing more than to snort cocaine off the well-worn fur of my childhood teddy bear.”
I fold my arms and glower at him. “There’s no way that’s true.”
“No?”
“No. You’re not sentimental enough to keep a treasured childhood toy.”
“Shows how little you know. Mr. McRibbons is currently occupying the middle shelf in my spare room closet.”
“Mr. McRibbons? Was this name inspired by the famous McDonald’s sandwich?”
“Not at all. He wears a red ribbon around his neck.”
“Then why is he Irish?”
“No idea. I was two. I didn’t exactly have the vocabulary to name him Othello.”
I snort-laugh. “Othello? That would be the adult choice for your bear’s name?”
“No, it would probably be Bryce Harper Bear.”
“Should I get the reference?”
He shakes his head. “Probably not. He’s a baseball player.” His attention shifts to Ben’s cabin. “Olivia was more upset than I would expect. Most kids don’t fully grasp consequences and responsibility.”
“It wasn’t about the napkin or the raccoon,” I admit. “Her parents are getting a divorce. That’s why she’s here. Ben usually comes alone, but he was unexpectedly saddled with a plus-one.” Not that he minded in the least. The sun rises and sets on Olivia as far as Ben is concerned.
Concern creases Charlie’s brow. “I didn’t realize.”
