Masta-who? [As the same time as Tommy says,] Trivia?
[No. The names help narrow it down far less than all the holes in Eddie's body.] Can't say we do, [Joel says. He and Tommy both are music people, grew up listening to their daddy play guitar. Joel's always been more fond of making music-- Tommy likes the listen and the party that comes with-- but they're both well-versed enough. In country. Bluegrass. Blues.
Bands named after dinosaurs? Not so much.
He flicks ash into one of the empty shot glasses.] Where you originally from, then?
[ She laughs as they both butcher the names of the bands she's heard play every night for three weeks now, shaking her head at them both. Not that she honestly expected them to recognize the bands by name alone — they'd probably be able to place something from Metallica or Mรถtley Crรผe, maybe even Rage Against the Machine, but those bands are way more mainstream than the current pool Eddie's swimming in — based on the fact that both of them look like nice all-beef Texas boys, if those Texas boys maybe came from a little south of the border. ]
It's heavy metal, baby, [ she tells him as she watches Joel ash his cigarette, still smiling, still buoyed by the silent approval she got from them both.
Her smile dims a little when he asks her when she's from, just because her hometown fucking sucks. ] God. Bumfuck Nowhere, Indiana. Grew up about two hours outside of Indianapolis.
[Disbelief splashes itself across Joel's face for a moment because, well. Lookit her. He would have guessed East Coast, or hell, maybe southern California, but Indiana?] Huh.
[Tommy whistles and then gives a little chuckle.] Not often we get to feel like we had a more cultured upbringing then somebody else. [Austin's not bumfuck-- there are worse places in Texas-- but it's not exactly LA.
Joel shakes his head at his brother.] You'll have to excuse my brother. Tommy didn't get beat enough as a child.
[ She grins a little sharp at Tommy's comment and Joel's raised eyebrows. There's that moment of wanting to defend Hawkins — one of those "I can make fun of it but nobody else can" impulses — but she honestly did hate living there even with Wayne doing his best for her, so she doesn't bother. They're right. Austin is a big city, and pretty cool even if it is in Texas. Indiana was fucking boring.
She does flip Tommy off, though, for the principle of the thing. ] I mean, he's not wrong, [ she admits, leaning over to ash her cigarette in the same shot glass Joel used.
A waitress drifts past their table with a basket of french fries in her hands and Eddie grabs her on the way back, the fries exchanged for a tower of empty glasses, leaning out to speak to her over the vague din of conversation and music. ] Another round, on me. And whatever this fella wants, [ she adds, clapping a hand on Joel's shoulder, using him for balance so she doesn't tip out of her stool. ] It's his birthday.
[Joel opens his mouth but it's too late-- the waitress's eyes light up and she balances the tray while smacking him on the shoulder.] Joel Miller, it's your birthday and you're gonna skulk around here like that and not say anything? Here I just thought it was Saturday night. [She shoots a look at Tommy, who just raises his hands-- innocent.
The waitress smacks Joel again before hustling off, the quickness in her step foreboding.]
Ow, [Joel mutters, rubbing his shoulder. He frowns at Eddie.] Now see what you gone and done? [He's not exactly angry, and behind him Tommy is starting up a wheezing laugh. Joel looks at his brother and chokes on a laugh of his own before wiping it away and shaking his head.] This is not funny, Tommy. You know what she's gonna do.
Oh yes I do, [Tommy says, grinning at Eddie.] Thank you for doing what I was not allowed.
[ For a second, Eddie almost feels bad. Joel all but winces like he's been jabbed in the ribs, and she's reminded that just because she's watched a few hours worth of videos of this man talking to the camera doesn't mean she actually knows him. But then the feeling passes and she turns to return Tommy's grin with one if her own. He's a grownup. He'll get over it. ]
You are so welcome, [ she says, giving him a little wink before turning back to the birthday boy. ] You ever been a waitress? It's one of the most thankless jobs there is. Look how excited she is. You just made her whole shift. [ She knocks her knee against his under the table. ] Let her have some fun. I'll buy you another drink to make up for it.
Think you made her whole shift, [Joel says, grumbles, but obviously relents with a sigh. The everclear and tequila are starting to make him warm. He looks at-- Eddie? and,] What's that stand for anyway. Eddie. You don't look like an Edward.
[Joel tends to ask questions without punctuation; it's a bad habit and tends to make him sound a lot grumpier than he actually is. His social graces have withered since Sarah was born, at least that's what Tommy says.]
[ Eddie's never liked her name. Never liked the family that gave it to her, that wanted her to live up to the memory of a dead woman. Never liked the fact that it felt like a coat that was too small, something she had to be careful with, to hold herself still in to prevent any seams from busting open.
Eddie fits her much better. ]
Oh, no. I am. I just have a really good padded bra. [ She smirks at him, leaning back in her chair a little to draw more attention to her chest. She's not the most well-endowed woman on the planet, but she does alright, and the thin, almost threadbare shirts she tends to favor certainly help. ] You wanna feel?
[Well Tommy leans in a little, clears his throat. Joel-- at the other corner of the table and on the other hand-- frowns. It's an expression that looks natural on his face. Funny how people are different in person than what you might have imagined; not that Joel's ever sat down and watched much of what Sarah's put up on that channel she made when he tells her it's time for a life lesson (he doesn't care so long as it's not her body or face) but he knows that his exasperation comes across as joking. It does because he's never talking to whoever might be watching, he's talking to Sarah, just behind the camera.]
Listen, I think I'm just gonna call it a night, [Joel says, pushing up from his seat-- at the same time that Trish and two of the other girls come out from the back with what looks like a damn bowl of whipped cream and cherries, a lit sparkler on top.
[ The scowl does look natural on his face, and while Eddie's a little disappointed that he doesn't seem all that interested in her — and she's not going to just full-on proposition him in front of his brother, that seems like a weird thing to do — she's also a grownup and has struck out more times than she can count when it comes to romance, so she can handle the disappointment.
It helps that someone at the table seems interested in her.
She's about to open her mouth and loudly declare that thirty-six isn't old enough for a nine pm bedtime when a commotion at the other end of the bar draws her attention and a huge, shit-eating grin splits her face.
Eddie loves a spectacle. Especially when it's one not fully directed at her, or when she's the motor in the boat. This is perfect.
The waitresses come out clapping and all but jogging over, and Eddie's already clapping along as they approach, fully on board with whatever shenanigans are going on. This is great. ]
Happy, happy birthday, from all of us to you...
[ Eddie turns to Tommy and leans in close enough to be heard over the commotion, conveniently getting out of the way of the wait staff so they can dump a plate of whipped cream in front of Joel as they surround him and sing. ] Think one of them works at Applebee's?
We wish it was our birthday, so we could party too! [ A brief whoop of a cheer, and then they start up the next verse. ]
Happy, happy birthday, may all your dreams come true...
[ By this point, Eddie's laughing too much to pay attention to the words, and a second waitress has slid another round onto the table, clearing away the empty glasses so they have room. ]
[The plate and sparkler are slid down in front of Joel and while everyone else is grinning, singing, he looks pained-- but at least he's laughing weakly about it, just while covering his eyes and shaking his head. Trish shakes his shoulders as they finish the song--]
So drink a bunch but don't throw up cos we can't carry you!
[Trish smacks a wet kiss on his temple as the table-- and half the bar-- holler and whoop, and it could be the dying light of the sparkler but Joel looks downright embarrassed, heat making his tanned cheeks a bit flushed. One of the other waitresses takes a fingerful of whipped cream for herself with a wink and meanwhile Tommy just rolls his eyes.
He might kick Joel's ass later. Woman have always thrown themselves at Joel and his brother... god, what a killjoy. Maybe he can make sure they drink enough to give himself an excuse to deck Joel on the day after his birthday without getting told off by his niece.] More shots, [Tommy tells Trish.] Tequila. And keep 'em coming.
[ It's a little bit amusing to watch the waitresses fawn over Joel — she's pretty sure it's not just because it's his birthday; she also has a hard time imagining that they'd go through this song and dance for every birthday celebrated here, it just doesn't feel like the kind of place — especially because he seems so awkward about it.
Tommy says he's single. She has no idea what his problem is, if he's single, that he's got such a hard time accepting women being nice to him, but whatever.
She's only in town for one more night, he can blame this whole shebang on her if he wants to. At least Tommy seems to be enjoying himself. ]
There. [ She leans in and steals a cherry from off Joel's plate, plucking it up by its stem and dropping it into her mouth. ] That wasn't so bad, right?
It was terrible, [Joel agrees, looking at the monstrosity in front of him. He doesn't generally eat dessert anyway and looks at Tommy, who seems to be trying to set a record for eyerolls tonight.
Christ Joel you know damn well that your tredmill is a glorified closet-- pick up a damn spoon. [Tommy pushes one of the three utensils across the table.]
And yet you survived, [ she counters, raising her eyebrows at him.
Picking her cherry stem, now knotted loosely, from between her teeth and dropping it onto one of the napkins stuck to the table with condensation, Eddie shakes her head at them both as she gives them a quick glance over. ] Neither of you needs to worry about one dessert, relax. It's mostly air, anyway.
[ There were three spoons brought, but apart from stealing a cherry, Eddie makes no move on Joel's birthday dessert. Instead, she's fiddling with the drink in front of her, clacking one of her rings against the glass as she considers how long she's going to sit here with these two before she decides to give up.
Granted, she hasn't tried very hard, but when a man is sending every signal that he's not interested, she doesn't see much point in beating her head against a brick wall. Besides, she can see Gareth and Keith looking like they're thinking about leaving, too, and they're all sharing a suite at the cheapest hotel they could find near the stadium they're playing at tomorrow. It would be cheaper to share the taxi back than making her home way home.
She's a little distracted, looking over Joel's shoulder to watch Gareth and Keith talking, enough that it takes her a second to realize just what Tommy's said, and then she snaps her eyes back towards him and stares for a moment. Traitor. ]
Yeah, [ she agrees, lifting one shoulder in a nonchalant shrug and letting her gaze slide back to Joel like it's nothing, like she hadn't said she'd let him spit in her mouth barely half an hour ago. ] You helped me'n Gareth swap out half the shitty lights in our apartment for less-shitty lights, so, thanks.
[Hey, Tommy doesn't think that his brother's the kinky type but whatever. At this rate Joel's bound and determined to let his balls dry up so maybe something new is just the spice he needs.
Joel stares at Eddie for a minute like he's just really seen her for the first time-- then he looks at Tommy, his eyebrows clearly sketching out what the fuck are you doing before putting down the spoon and rubbing a hand over his face.] That's, ah. Great. [He really shouldn't make it sound like such a question.] I-- guess I didn't think people were actually watching any of those. Not seriously, anyway.
[ Watching the two of them make faces at each other reminds her of what she and Gareth are like; they're not blood related, but he's her oldest friend, and they've been hanging around each other for almost half her life now. She's been studiously avoiding catching his eye ever since she got called over by Tommy, because she doesn't need him cockblocking her, and now she's really not sure how the hell this is going to go and she doesn't necessarily want an audience until she feels like she's on firmer ground.
She narrows her eyes at Joel. ] Then why do you keep making them?
[Joel shrugs and thanks the waitress who brings back another round of shots.] I don't make 'em. That's my daughter. She thought it would be funny, I guess, make an idiot of her old man when I try to teach her anything. Now it's just...
[The barest hint of a smile creeps into the corners of his mouth, small but fond.] Just kinda what we do.
[ The mention of a daughter gets Eddie to flick her eyes over to Tommy as if for clarification — shit, he really is a DILF — but Eddie doesn't ask for more clarification than that. She doesn't need to know how old his kid is, or what her name is, or what she's like. He doesn't include her in any of the videos probably on purpose, and she can respect that. ]
That's nice. She'll appreciate that a lot more when she's older. [ When she no longer has access to her father, for whatever reason, but can rewatch old videos of him patiently explaining something she needs to know. ] All my old man taught me was how to hotwire a car.
[ She takes the shot in front of her in one quick swallow. Is she joking? Who knows. ]
[Tommy laughs but Joel looks at Eddie for long enough that his brother coughs on the sound. Joel has a feeling that the joke isn't a joke at all. Not like he's gonna press it. Instead of the dessert he reaches for his own glass because why the hell not.] So you're sayin' she don't appreciate it now.
[ Tommy, at least, seems to think she's funny. Or, probably more likely, he's doing that thing where he laughs at her jokes even though they're kind of stupid because he likes her, which, hell. She's not going to say no to that. Beggars can't be choosers, after all.
She gives him a little reward by winking at him and then turning an equally flat look back at Joel. ]
I dunno, you tell me. I sure appreciate knowing how to start my car even when I lose my fucking keys.
[ It's sweet, really, listening to them talk about Joel's daughter. Sometimes she wonders if Wayne ever talked about her like this after he got off work when he'd stop at the bar and nurse a few drinks with his buddies. If he ever got that little smile on his face, talked about her like he was proud of her, or if it was always poor you for having her dumped on his doorstep.
She loves her uncle, and she knows he loves her too. They're just not great at showing it to each other.
She chuckles, shaking her head a little, leaning closer to Tommy and resting her chin on her palm again. ] Is he really? I would have never guessed.
[ Straightening, she flicks ash off the cigarette that had been ignored in favor of Joel's birthday pile of whipped cream, then takes a slow drag. ] Yeah, probably. I haven't done it in a while, but it's like riding a bike, you know. Once you learn how, you never forget.
[Joel scowls at her comment even as Tommy laughs, but the expression is a little looser now that the third shot is sitting in his stomach. He rubs tequila off his lips and stubs out the already-burnt filter he'd left in the ash tray.
Tommy takes his shot.] Sounds useful in a pinch, [he chuckles.]
But not something I think Sarah needs to learn, [Joel adds.]
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[No. The names help narrow it down far less than all the holes in Eddie's body.] Can't say we do, [Joel says. He and Tommy both are music people, grew up listening to their daddy play guitar. Joel's always been more fond of making music-- Tommy likes the listen and the party that comes with-- but they're both well-versed enough. In country. Bluegrass. Blues.
Bands named after dinosaurs? Not so much.
He flicks ash into one of the empty shot glasses.] Where you originally from, then?
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It's heavy metal, baby, [ she tells him as she watches Joel ash his cigarette, still smiling, still buoyed by the silent approval she got from them both.
Her smile dims a little when he asks her when she's from, just because her hometown fucking sucks. ] God. Bumfuck Nowhere, Indiana. Grew up about two hours outside of Indianapolis.
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[Tommy whistles and then gives a little chuckle.] Not often we get to feel like we had a more cultured upbringing then somebody else. [Austin's not bumfuck-- there are worse places in Texas-- but it's not exactly LA.
Joel shakes his head at his brother.] You'll have to excuse my brother. Tommy didn't get beat enough as a child.
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She does flip Tommy off, though, for the principle of the thing. ] I mean, he's not wrong, [ she admits, leaning over to ash her cigarette in the same shot glass Joel used.
A waitress drifts past their table with a basket of french fries in her hands and Eddie grabs her on the way back, the fries exchanged for a tower of empty glasses, leaning out to speak to her over the vague din of conversation and music. ] Another round, on me. And whatever this fella wants, [ she adds, clapping a hand on Joel's shoulder, using him for balance so she doesn't tip out of her stool. ] It's his birthday.
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The waitress smacks Joel again before hustling off, the quickness in her step foreboding.]
Ow, [Joel mutters, rubbing his shoulder. He frowns at Eddie.] Now see what you gone and done? [He's not exactly angry, and behind him Tommy is starting up a wheezing laugh. Joel looks at his brother and chokes on a laugh of his own before wiping it away and shaking his head.] This is not funny, Tommy. You know what she's gonna do.
Oh yes I do, [Tommy says, grinning at Eddie.] Thank you for doing what I was not allowed.
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You are so welcome, [ she says, giving him a little wink before turning back to the birthday boy. ] You ever been a waitress? It's one of the most thankless jobs there is. Look how excited she is. You just made her whole shift. [ She knocks her knee against his under the table. ] Let her have some fun. I'll buy you another drink to make up for it.
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[Joel tends to ask questions without punctuation; it's a bad habit and tends to make him sound a lot grumpier than he actually is. His social graces have withered since Sarah was born, at least that's what Tommy says.]
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Eddie fits her much better. ]
Oh, no. I am. I just have a really good padded bra. [ She smirks at him, leaning back in her chair a little to draw more attention to her chest. She's not the most well-endowed woman on the planet, but she does alright, and the thin, almost threadbare shirts she tends to favor certainly help. ] You wanna feel?
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Listen, I think I'm just gonna call it a night, [Joel says, pushing up from his seat-- at the same time that Trish and two of the other girls come out from the back with what looks like a damn bowl of whipped cream and cherries, a lit sparkler on top.
Shit.]
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It helps that someone at the table seems interested in her.
She's about to open her mouth and loudly declare that thirty-six isn't old enough for a nine pm bedtime when a commotion at the other end of the bar draws her attention and a huge, shit-eating grin splits her face.
Eddie loves a spectacle. Especially when it's one not fully directed at her, or when she's the motor in the boat. This is perfect.
The waitresses come out clapping and all but jogging over, and Eddie's already clapping along as they approach, fully on board with whatever shenanigans are going on. This is great. ]
Happy, happy birthday, from all of us to you...
[ Eddie turns to Tommy and leans in close enough to be heard over the commotion, conveniently getting out of the way of the wait staff so they can dump a plate of whipped cream in front of Joel as they surround him and sing. ] Think one of them works at Applebee's?
We wish it was our birthday, so we could party too! [ A brief whoop of a cheer, and then they start up the next verse. ]
Happy, happy birthday, may all your dreams come true...
[ By this point, Eddie's laughing too much to pay attention to the words, and a second waitress has slid another round onto the table, clearing away the empty glasses so they have room. ]
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So drink a bunch but don't throw up cos we can't carry you!
[Trish smacks a wet kiss on his temple as the table-- and half the bar-- holler and whoop, and it could be the dying light of the sparkler but Joel looks downright embarrassed, heat making his tanned cheeks a bit flushed. One of the other waitresses takes a fingerful of whipped cream for herself with a wink and meanwhile Tommy just rolls his eyes.
He might kick Joel's ass later. Woman have always thrown themselves at Joel and his brother... god, what a killjoy. Maybe he can make sure they drink enough to give himself an excuse to deck Joel on the day after his birthday without getting told off by his niece.] More shots, [Tommy tells Trish.] Tequila. And keep 'em coming.
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Tommy says he's single. She has no idea what his problem is, if he's single, that he's got such a hard time accepting women being nice to him, but whatever.
She's only in town for one more night, he can blame this whole shebang on her if he wants to. At least Tommy seems to be enjoying himself. ]
There. [ She leans in and steals a cherry from off Joel's plate, plucking it up by its stem and dropping it into her mouth. ] That wasn't so bad, right?
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Christ Joel you know damn well that your tredmill is a glorified closet-- pick up a damn spoon. [Tommy pushes one of the three utensils across the table.]
You started it, [he says with a wink.]
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Picking her cherry stem, now knotted loosely, from between her teeth and dropping it onto one of the napkins stuck to the table with condensation, Eddie shakes her head at them both as she gives them a quick glance over. ] Neither of you needs to worry about one dessert, relax. It's mostly air, anyway.
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In the end it's Tommy that gives in:] Eddie's seen your Construction Corner bullshit.
[Joel's eyes are immediately pasted on the interloper to their table, the young woman he thought Tommy was working.]
What?
[Astute.]
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Granted, she hasn't tried very hard, but when a man is sending every signal that he's not interested, she doesn't see much point in beating her head against a brick wall. Besides, she can see Gareth and Keith looking like they're thinking about leaving, too, and they're all sharing a suite at the cheapest hotel they could find near the stadium they're playing at tomorrow. It would be cheaper to share the taxi back than making her home way home.
She's a little distracted, looking over Joel's shoulder to watch Gareth and Keith talking, enough that it takes her a second to realize just what Tommy's said, and then she snaps her eyes back towards him and stares for a moment. Traitor. ]
Yeah, [ she agrees, lifting one shoulder in a nonchalant shrug and letting her gaze slide back to Joel like it's nothing, like she hadn't said she'd let him spit in her mouth barely half an hour ago. ] You helped me'n Gareth swap out half the shitty lights in our apartment for less-shitty lights, so, thanks.
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Joel stares at Eddie for a minute like he's just really seen her for the first time-- then he looks at Tommy, his eyebrows clearly sketching out what the fuck are you doing before putting down the spoon and rubbing a hand over his face.] That's, ah. Great. [He really shouldn't make it sound like such a question.] I-- guess I didn't think people were actually watching any of those. Not seriously, anyway.
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She narrows her eyes at Joel. ] Then why do you keep making them?
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[The barest hint of a smile creeps into the corners of his mouth, small but fond.] Just kinda what we do.
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That's nice. She'll appreciate that a lot more when she's older. [ When she no longer has access to her father, for whatever reason, but can rewatch old videos of him patiently explaining something she needs to know. ] All my old man taught me was how to hotwire a car.
[ She takes the shot in front of her in one quick swallow. Is she joking? Who knows. ]
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[His voice is flat.]
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She gives him a little reward by winking at him and then turning an equally flat look back at Joel. ]
I dunno, you tell me. I sure appreciate knowing how to start my car even when I lose my fucking keys.
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Joel cuts him a look.]
You know it's true, [Tommy chuckles.] Between you and me she's got a construction company at her beck and call and you wouldn't let her anyway.
The hell I wouldn't.
The hell you wouldn't! [Tommy snorts and turns to Eddie.] Joel is what they call a micromanager. Can you really hotwire a car?
[Joel takes his shot.]
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She loves her uncle, and she knows he loves her too. They're just not great at showing it to each other.
She chuckles, shaking her head a little, leaning closer to Tommy and resting her chin on her palm again. ] Is he really? I would have never guessed.
[ Straightening, she flicks ash off the cigarette that had been ignored in favor of Joel's birthday pile of whipped cream, then takes a slow drag. ] Yeah, probably. I haven't done it in a while, but it's like riding a bike, you know. Once you learn how, you never forget.
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Tommy takes his shot.] Sounds useful in a pinch, [he chuckles.]
But not something I think Sarah needs to learn, [Joel adds.]
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