"Phil, you left your shit on Pierce the Veil’s bunk and Jaime ninja kicked me in the asshole and made me bring it back." I called, barging onto Of Mice & Men’s bus as I usually did. Knocking wasn’t my style.
"Never a dull moment with you, huh Ave?" Tino asked.
"Not ever. It really hurt, actually. He’s so goddamn Mexican. He’s got strong feet from all the soccer he plays." I sighed.
"Do you want me to rub it?" Alan asked.
"Alan, I swear to god that if you ever hit on me ever again I will drain all the blood from your body and turn it into wine. Then I will drink that wine while listening to a Lana Del Rey record and smoking swisher sweets." I said.
"Sounds kinky." He nodded.
"Avery Marie Carter!" Someone called from farther back on the bus.
"My dad wants to talk to you!" Austin called.
"Oh, you’re Skyping. That explains a lot." I said. Austin was sitting at their table with his laptop open, skyping his dad. "Hey, Robert." I pushed Austin over and sat in the chair with him.
"This chair isn’t big enough for your ass and mine." Austin whined.
"That’s why you don’t have a girlfriend. Stop being an asshole." His dad Robert said.
"How are you? It’s been ages." I smiled. Austin’s dad was the best.
"Just doing my old dude thing, you know how it goes. What about you? What’s new in Avery’s life?" He asked.
"I get to take pictures of this guy every day." I said, looking at Austin. "So that’s super awesome."
"Are you being sarcastic?" Austin asked, looking at me suspiciously.
"No.You’re hot." I said seriously.
"Was that sarcasm?” He asked.
"So are you two dating yet?" Robert interrupted.
I put my head on Austin’s neck. “Of course. He didn’t tell you?”
"You little shit. Why didn’t you tell me?" Robert asked.
"I didn’t even know. How long have we been dating?" Austin asked me.
"A week or so. He doesn’t catch on very fast." I said knowingly.
"I actually can’t tell if she’s joking or not." Robert said.
"You’re not the only one." Austin shook his head.
I laughed. “It’s so obvious you two are related. I’m totally kidding, guys.”
"Damn." Austin said.
"While I'm thinking about it, how's your heart?" Robert asked.
Austin sighed. "It's fine, Dad."
"I hope Avery's taking care of you. Don't let him run around too much, none of those energy drinks, you know-"
"Dad!"
"I’ve been telling him for years to wife you. Isn’t that what the kids say? I’d say ‘Austin, you get that girl to love you because she is great’ and he’d say ‘I’m doing my best but she kind of hates me!’ and-"
"Dad! Shut up!" Austin blushed.
I grinned. “Do continue.”
"And I’d say ‘You better figure it out.’ and it looks like he finally did. Good thing. I like you much better than any girl he’s every brought home." Robert continued.
"You’re too sweet." I smiled.
"I’ve got to go. It’s late here. You guys keep doing what you’re doing." He said.
Austin hung up a minute later and laughed. “He loves you so much.”
"He’s the greatest."

Notes

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