Less Than Three

Chapter16: Is That Your Tongue in His Ear or Are You Just Happy to See Him?

Brady was amazingly pleasant when Madison and I caught up to him at Jacob's cousin's house. He kissed me and asked, "Did you have fun skating?"

I analyzed his question for any trace of sarcasm before I kissed him back and answered, "Mmmmhmmm."

"That's nice."

Huh? It had to be a trick.

Brady motioned to a couple of lawn chairs. He picked up a purse that sat on one of the chairs and dropped it onto the grass. The bag, with its big purple "K" pin stuck to it, looked familiar. Was Jacob's cousin dating someone I knew? Kyra? Katie? Korynn? Keshia?

Brady's moods had been so sour and unpredictable lately. I waited for the grumpiness to return, but it didn't. The evening was not without its uncomfortable moments though. Turns out, Jacob's cousin Sid is a creep. Maybe it runs in the family. Note to Self: Warn Madison of the possibility of mutant jerk genes. Is this what she wants for her children?

Sid insisted on showing Madison and me every single component of the race car's engine. He stood way too close behind us while he did it, reaching his arm between the two of us and purring all these terms like distributor cap, spark plugs, car-r-bur-r-retor-r-r.

Where were Brady and Jacob while this was going on? Standing right there, slobbering over the stupid car. Brady didn't even notice when the back of Sid's hand grazed my left breast - accidentally of course - if it's possible to do something accidentally thirty three times in a row.

It seems that sneak-fondling your cousin's best friend's girlfriend's breast works up a powerful thirst. Sid found himself in need of a large caffeinated beverage. Brady and Jacob were only too happy to oblige. Sure, we'd walk down to the gas station and pick him up a Dew. No problem-o.

Once we got to the station, the guys went to fill a 44-ouncer while Madison and I perused the chocolate options. "Milk or dark?" I asked her.

"Dark." 

I agreed completely with the decision but I was somewhat confused by the sudden deepness of her voice.

"Definitely dark."

And definitely not Madison.

I was afraid to look -- but I am the curious sort. I let my eyes drift up past the gum, the breath mints and the antacids. I peeked through the hanging display of peach rings and cherry sours. No Dave for once. Whew. I stood on my toes to get a better view. Still nothing. For days now, I'd thought it was my heart causing me problems. Maybe it was really my ears.

"How about a kiss?"

My ears. For sure.

But when Madison giggled next to me and said, "Silly, Kisses are milk chocolate, not dark," and I twirled to see Dave standing there, with a bag of shiny candies in his hand and my scout beret on his head -- it was my chest that lurched.

"Can I interest either of you ladies in one?"

"One what?" Madison asked. I swear she batted her eyelashes at him when she said it.

"One. Sweet. Little. Kiss," Dave said.

Maybe I'd forgotten to come down from my toes when I turned. Maybe I'd caught a rush from the proximity of all that chocolate, or from the massive sugar flowing out of Madison. Whatever. I got a little wobbly in the knees. I reached out to steady myself and started an avalanche of chocolate bars.