Page 43 of Two Marlboros

“How can you not know it? They’re the most famous band of the moment!”

“It happens.”

“They’re handsome, they’re great, their songs are great! Plus, Nick...”

This time it was my turn to laugh. “Ah, sure. Very good and pretty faced. It makes perfect sense.”

He threw a hand on my arm, and I almost lost control of the steering wheel. We drove off again the next instant.

“What a pain in the ass you are. One thing doesn’t rule out the other.”

“Not in Planet Nathan.”

He opened his mouth to say something, but could only tighten it a moment later. My second victory within five minutes: not a bad record.

“You’re boring. And you know what? I’m going to turn on your radio and, if we catch them, I’m going to listen to them in full volume!”

“Please, do that. Then I’ll pay you back in kind.”

I heard a sentence die in his throat, after which he crashed his back on the seat. “I hate you.”

“Well, the feeling is mutual.”

He didn’t even mind me and with a gesture of annoyance turned on the radio. He went through all the stations, perhapshoping to catch that band he loved so much, finally stopping on a pop music channel, with huffing in tow.

For several minutes he said nothing. In the moments of distraction I could allow myself, I noticed that he had lightly puffed out his cheeks in a childish but amused expression.

“Will you at least tell me the way to get there?”

He crossed his arms and lifted his chin.

“Nathan?”

He was looking out the window, and I had a suspicion that he was really mad at me.

“Can I at least know what role I will have to play at this party?”

“SinceIam a good person with a big heart, I’ll allow you to be just a frequent visitor of mine. See, I’ll spare you the burden of being my boyfriend. That would be too much for someone like you.”

“I think it would be too much for anyone.”

With each point I scored, his snort became louder and louder, more and more indignant, and he opened that mouth wide like a prima donna who had a broken fingernail.

“You’re such an asshole. You weren’t like this before.”

“‘Before’ when? A week ago?”

“You were so shy and reserved, so composed. Now you’re just...”

“...An asshole. And you’re repetitive. Anyway, you’re the one who awakened this part of me, which has remained hidden for a good twenty-five years. You work miracles.”

“Unfortunately, I awaken hidden instincts in people, yes. But I’ll find a way to get rid of you, you bet I’ll do.”

“But I’m your boyfriend.”

“Mydate,” he remarked.

“Do you want me to hand you in Steve’s clutches?”

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