Monkey Business -17- by Melanie Brown

Monkey Business Part 17

By

Melanie Brown
Copyright © 2024

“What’s this about you not having dinner with us?”

“I told you over the phone, Mom,” I said as I started to remove my leathers.  I decided to follow Nick’s suggestion and keep the leathers at my house. It was no longer a secret from Mom and Dad. “I have a date tonight. I need to change.”

Mom looked at me with concern. “This is pretty quick after that horrible experience you had with that man.”

Folding my leathers and setting them on the couch, I stood in my underwear and said, “I’ll be with friends… mostly. I admit I don’t know Becky’s boyfriend that well. But it’s a double date, so I won’t be alone. It’s just to have some fun.” I started to walk toward my room.

Mom set out a couple of dishes on the dining table for her and Dad. “If it’s a double-date, then who are you going with?”

Becoming impatient, I said, “Colin. I got to get dressed.” I tried to get to my room.

Dad snarled, “Colin? That idiot?”

“Well, you have to admit he’s nice. I have to change.”

Dad shook his head as he took his seat at the dinner table. “Yeah, right. Don’t let that fool take you to a bar. If he does, kick him in the ‘nads and call me to come get you.”

From my room, I yelled down the hall, “It’s just a dinner and a movie. I’ll be fine.”

I looked at my alarm clock next to my bed. I didn’t have a lot of time.  Thankfully, my modeling has left me with several nice outfits. I grabbed a casual outfit from my closet. A tank top and denim skirt. That was quick. Now to do my make-up.

I took a moment I didn’t have to waste in contemplation. I had to select a top, a skirt, a change of underwear, shoes, and any accessories like a necklace and earrings, brush my hair out, and put on makeup. I had no time to do my nails. Colin just needed to pick up a shirt off the floor and sniff it. Sighing, I rushed into the bathroom for a quick shower and then to do my makeup.

I made a last second decision on perfume and had just spritzed some on when there was a knock on the door.

“Your friends are here!” called out Mom. A quick look in the mirror confirmed my makeup was just as perfect as it was five minutes ago. I then quickly inspected my purse to verify I had makeup, money, and keys. After my disastrous date with Alex, I briefly considered adding a pistol to the contents of my purse. It might be a bit much, though.

As I stepped into the living room, I was greeted by Becky, her boyfriend and Colin.

“Hey Randi. Have you met Jeremy? He goes to that ‘other’ high school.” They both chuckled. We have two high schools in town.

I nodded, holding my hands folded in front of me. “Nice to meet you.”

Colin, wearing a grin that couldn’t be removed even if you used explosives, walked up to me and slid a hand behind my back. “You look absolutely gorgeous, Randi.”

I smiled, annoyed that Colin was already touching me. “Thank you. That’s a nice shirt.”

Nodding, Colin exclaimed, “Mom just washed it.”

Becky looked a little uncomfortable. Jeremy smiled and said, “We should go. Whataburger awaits!”

As we headed out the door, I waved to Mom and Dad. Looking stern, Dad said, “I want you  home by eleven!”

Colin laughed. “That doesn’t leave much time for the orgy.”

Before Dad could say anything, I stepped between Dad and Colin with my hands up. “He’s joking, Dad. Colin wouldn’t even know what to do at an orgy.”

Becky laughed.

Colin frowned and said, “Hey!”

Giving Colin a slight push, I said, “Let’s go.”

We quickly walked up to Jeremy’s ride: a double-cab, long-bed “dooley” Ford F-250.

Becky unnecessarily shouted, “Shotgun!” as she climbed into the front passenger seat. Nobody would challenge her seat next to her boyfriend.

Ever the gentleman, Colin assisted me in climbing up into the cavernous interior of the truck. As Colin took his seat, he said, “Wow. This is nice!” He slid his hand along the fake leather seats.

From behind the steering wheel, Jeremy exclaimed as he patted his seat, “Genuine naugahyde.”

Colin asked, “Did you buy this new?” I had noticed his truck had lacked that new car smell.

Jeremy shook his head. “Nah. My next one will be new though. But hey, I have room in the back to load both our bikes. It’ll be a while before I trade it.”

Colin nodded. “Yeah. I wish Nick had a bigger truck. Dragging a trailer can be a pain sometimes.”

I shrugged. “If it works, why do the extra expense?”

“True,” admitted Colin. “He needs to fix the air conditioner, though.”

I laughed. “Definitely!”

Jeremy exclaimed, “When I crank the AC all the way up in this thing you can grow ice cubes in here.”

Becky sighed. “He’s not kidding.”

We rolled up into a parking spot at Whataburger. As he shut off the ignition, Jeremy glanced behind him and asked, “Anyone up for a triple?”

Colin grinned. “I might!”

“You’re insane.” I shook my head.

It was a longer drop to the pavement on Jeremy’s truck than I anticipated. I’m glad I wasn’t wearing heels. Colin came running around the truck to take my hand. Why didn’t he help me down?

As we walked towards the entrance, Colin said, “Hey, next time we should try Peaky’s.”

I chuckled. “I was getting ready to hit you if you said Dew Drop Inn.”

Looking at me seriously, he said, “They do have great chicken fried steak there.”

Becky said, “This place is just fine with me.”

Colin threw his arms up and shouted, “What!? A burger?”

I laughed. “You’re such a dork!”

Colin put his arm around my waist as we got in line. “That’s why you love me.”

I frowned at Colin. “Let’s don’t get carried away.”

Becky gave me a knowing look.

Colin pulled me close to him and ruffled my hair. “You smell so nice.” He eased up on holding my waist. We put in our orders, and Colin paid for mine. Jeremy then sat at a table, and the rest of us joined him.

As we all got seated, Colin pulled a twenty-dollar bill out of his wallet and smirked. “Okay, Jer. How about a little friendly wager? My girl against yours.”

I shook my head. “Colin, really? I don’t want to do that.”

Snapping the bill a couple of times, Colin said, “Hey. It’ll make things more interesting. Randi almost came in first today. If she hadn’t slid in that last turn, she would have won.”

Becky grinned. “I’m all for some friendly competition, but are you that big of a hurry to lose twenty dollars?”

I poked Becky’s shoulder. “Hey now! I almost kicked your ass today. You just wait ‘til next weekend!”

Laughing, Becky held out a steady hand. “Oh, I’m so scared!”

Chuckling, I said, “You better be!”

A woman with a tray loaded with our order set the tray down and we each removed our burgers from it.

Jeremy leaned over and kissed Becky. He laughed, “Don’t get too fond of that twenty. My girl is the reigning queen of the track!”

Becky patted my shoulder. “Randi’s pretty good.”

Jeremy gave me a look. “How come you’re not Nick’s monkey anymore? I mean sure. Colin looks like a monkey, but I thought you did it better.”

I said, “Well, I…”

Interrupting, Colin said, “Actually, that was Nick’s decision.  Being the monkey is a dangerous job, and Nick is worried about Randi getting hurt. She has that modeling gig and Nick was worried about her getting scratched up.”

Nodding, Jeremy said, “Yeah. I remember when you were almost killed in that one crash. Honestly, I’m surprised you’re still racing.”

I forced a smile. “’Tis but a flesh wound! Hey, I’ll put a twenty against Colin on that monkey business. Not to brag, but I think I was better!”

Colin looked serious. “Nobody says you weren’t better, babe. We’re all just worried about you.”

I actually pouted. “I’d be okay.”

Colin chuckled. “Besides. It’s a moot point. Your dad threatened Nick within an inch of his life if he ever had you monkey again.”

Jeremy checked his phone. “Hey, we better head over to the theater. The movie starts soon.”

Colin touched my arm. “You okay, babe?”

I nodded. “I’m fine.”

*  *  *

End of Part 17