Monkey Business -18- by Melanie Brown

Monkey Business Part 18

By

Melanie Brown
Copyright © 2024

As we climbed into Jeremy’s truck, Becky turned to face us, “Is that new Nathan Adam’s movie okay?”

I nodded. “I want to see that one.”

Colin rolled his eyes. “Every girl loves Nathan Adams! It’s creepy that he dates that ten-year-old.”

Becky shook her head. “You know that’s not true. He’d be in jail or something.”

I laughed. “It’s a dirty rumor Tommy Kincaid started. He even admitted it.”

Jeremy put his truck in gear, and we headed out of the Whataburger parking lot. “Regardless of all that, Nathan Adams movies have more action than Kincaid’s. Not to mention that Adams uses almost all practical effects while Kincaid uses CGI.”

Becky chuckled. “I just hope Nathan spends most of the movie shirtless like he usually does.”

Colin said in an annoyed voice. “Dude. You need a smaller truck. I can’t put my arm around my girl. She’s too far away.” I was perfectly okay with that.

Still looking back at us, Becky asked, “You two make a perfect couple. How long have you known each other?”

“Oh, I wouldn’t call us a perfect couple,” I protested.

Colin grinned at me. “We first met in science class back in middle school. But we didn’t really get to know each other until first year of high school.”

Becky studied Colin a moment. “Science class?”

I frowned and said, “Yeah. I accidentally mixed two toxic chemicals together and when the smoke cleared, there stood Colin.”

Colin shook his head. “You know, I’ve loved her since the first moment I saw her, and yet she’s always rude to me.”

Becky grinned at me. “Some girls just have a hard time showing affection.”

I folded my arms. “You guys are crazy.”

“Okay, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, we have arrived.” Jeremy drove his truck into a parking space and killed the engine. Colin jumped out of the pickup and ran around to my door and opened it.

“I’ll help you down,” said Colin. “This truck is really tall.”

“Thank you.” I was really grateful for the assistance. What I didn’t expect was for Colin to grab my waist in both hands and gently set me down on the ground. He didn’t even grunt, as I seemed to weigh almost nothing to him.

As we entered the Cineplex, Becky grabbed my hand and exclaimed, “Hey, see you boys in a minute. You both know what snacks we want. Randi and I need to go to the little girl’s room.”

I started to say, “Actually, I’m okay…”

She jerked my hand. “We need to go to the little girl’s room.” She then led me quickly to the women’s rest room.

Once inside, I managed to pull my hand away. “What the hell, Becky? What are you doing?”

Thankfully, the restroom was empty except for the two of us. We were standing next to the big mirror.

Becky shook her head. “For starters, we both should check our make-up. And secondly, I have to ask. Don’t you like Colin? He adores you, yet you’re always snippy or rude to him.”

Looking in the mirror and annoyed that most of my lipstick had disappeared from eating, I opened my purse, extracted my lipstick and then just held it as I frowned at Becky.

“I like Colin. But you have to admit that he’s a little annoying. He’s always so enthusiastic. And don’t you think he’s a bit pushy? After all, he just forced his way into being Nick’s monkey. He didn’t ask. We didn’t discuss it. He just did it.”

Becky frowned. “Your dad threatened Nick if he ever let you race with him  again.”

I scowled. “There’s that. But still.”

Becky did a quick check of her make-up. “I get it. If he’s not your type, he’s just not your type. Are you interested in Nick?”

I frowned deeply. “Hell no. He’ll be twenty next month, and he’s a bit rough around the edges.”

Still looking into the mirror, Becky asked, “Can you at least be nice to Colin the rest of the evening?”

After reapplying my lipstick and returning it to my purse, I looked seriously at Becky. “Look. I don’t hate Colin. He’s cute and all but he comes on a bit too strong.”

She sighed. “Well, I won’t make this mistake again.”

“Hey. I didn’t say I wasn’t having a good time.”

She flashed me a weak smile. “Well, let’s get back to the boys.”

Did I just shoot myself in my foot? I did enjoy having dinner with friends. Friends who all consider me to be a girl. And I actually do like Colin.  I sighed and followed Becky back to where the guys were waiting.

Colin looked up at us. “I got you a Dr. Pepper. I hope that’s okay. And a tub of popcorn for us to share.”

I smiled at him. “Thanks, that’s my favorite coke.” I stood close to him and let him take my hand. Becky smiled at me.

Jeremy asked, “Are you guys ready? It’s about to start. We don’t want to miss the thirty seconds of logos.”

Colin laughed. “Don’t want to miss that!” Holding my hand, Colin led me into the auditorium following Jeremy and Becky.

As expected, Colin draped his arm across my shoulders. I have to say I didn’t mind. I just relaxed into his shoulder. Colin positioned the tub of popcorn where we both could reach it.

The opening scene was Nathan riding a crotch rocket down a twisty Alpine highway in hot pursuit of the villain driving a red sports car. As he got beside the car, the car forced Nathan into the path of a truck.

The scene cut to a beach scene with a bikini-clad beauty rubbing lotion onto Nathan’s back. Words appeared on the screen that said “Two weeks previously…”

Colin growled, “Those bastards!” I laughed at Colin’s frustration and mine as well. He bent over and kissed me. And then he kissed me again.

The movie didn’t return to the bike chase until the final fifteen minutes and then Colin was kissing me, and I missed it. And Becky wouldn’t tell me.

Jeremy brought me home first. I gave Colin a quick kiss before climbing out of the truck. Dad was outside, standing next to his truck with the hood raised and talking to a neighbor.

I ran up to Dad, threw my arms around his neck and shouted, “Daddy!” I kissed his cheek and scampered into the house.

As the front door closed, I heard the neighbor ask, “Is that your boy?”

                    *

End of Part 18