She sensed Savvy’s eyes shooting daggers her way without looking. Olivia knew she surprised her with the suggestion.
“Sounds like a good idea,” Brinson accepted. “We haven’t seen many good lookin’ women here until we noticed the two of you.”
Olivia’s left eyebrow raised. “We were talking about how young everyone seems to be. Any other ideas on places to go?”
“Man. I’m hungry. If Brinson expects me to hang out any longer, I need food.” Nell rubbed his wide stomach. “You can’t keep a man my size from eating. If I don’t get something in my belly to soak up this alcohol soon, we’re gonna have some problems.”
“Alright, Nell. Let’s show these ladies the spot on 12th and Chicon. The crowd shouldn’t be too bad there.” Brinson turned to Savvy and Olivia. “Would you two join us at this barbecue place on the east side?”
“Is the food any good?” Olivia inquired.
“Man. Sam’s motto is ‘you don’t need no teeth to eat his beef’. His brisket is off da’ chain.” Brinson smacked his lips.
“Okay. Too funny and it sounds delicious to me. What do you think, Savvy?” Olivia’s eyes connected with her friend. She knew Savvy had to be doubtful about leaving from a crowded area to go somewhere with these two strangers. “My stomach is growling. We’ll follow them in your car if you’re good.”
Savvy shook her head indicating she recognized Olivia’s tactic to manipulate her into something crazy. “Okay. I’m hungry, too, and it doesn’t look like this line is moving any time soon. We’re parked around the corner and we’ll meet you there.”
Brinson seemed pleased with their decision. “Alright. I’m glad you’ll join us. May we escort you to your car?”
“No,” Savvy replied. Olivia knew she wanted time to chew her out before they arrived at the restaurant. “We’re good. The car isn’t far. Save us a seat.”
“Okay. We’ll see you there. Come on man.” Brinson motioned to Nell who yawned one more time. They turned away into the crowd in the opposite direction of where Olivia and Savvy walked.
Olivia led the way through the crowded 6th street. She braced herself to catch an earful from Savvy in five, four, three, two, one.
THIRTY-TWO
Savvy
“I’m going to hurt you, Olivia,” Savvy said through gritted teeth. She couldn’t believe Olivia messed up their plans. “Why did you offer to hang with them? I’m not interested in Nell at all.”
“Girl. I’m not interested in Brinson. We’re both hungry and I’m tired of standing in line for a party, which is going to be a bust. All we’re going to do is grab a bite of food with them. We don’t have to hang with them afterward. It’s still early. We’ll leave them and go somewhere else.” Olivia pleaded as they maneuvered past the crowds of drunk day party-goers.
“You get on my nerves. I figured we’d kick it at these parties. Now we have to figure out a way to shake them off after we eat.”
“No worries. I’ll start talking about my kids and setting houses on fire” Olivia laughed. “They’ll leave us in a heartbeat.”
Savvy widened her eyes at Olivia’s horrible joke and stopped walking. “Don’t even play. I can’t believe you said something like that.”
“Stop being serious. You know I’m kidding. I wouldn’t bring up what happened with my family,” Olivia said.
“Well, do not ever let those words come out of your mouth again.” Savvy proceeded to head toward the car seething about Olivia’s comment.
“You must think you’re my mother. Golly. It’s a joke.” Olivia sulked. She stopped next to Savvy’s parked car.
“You know better than to even play like that with me.” Savvy pressed the remote on her key chain to open the doors to her car. Olivia slid into the passenger seat as Savvy got into the driver’s side.
“Okay. I’m ready to meet new people. I’m doing what you wanted me to do, right? You’re the one who suggested we go on a road trip to Austin. I’m trying to get back to normal. Especially after our Melanindoubledate.com gone bad experience,” Olivia whined.
“You have to give me credit for trying something new like the website. I’m sorry we ended up with two busters as far as Pharrell and Durbin are concerned,” Savvy apologized. “Coming to Austin is changing up the scenery and trying something different.
“Amen. Exactly the reason why we’re being spontaneous in going to eat with Brinson and Nell.” Olivia clapped her hands in joy.
Savvy stuck her tongue at Olivia. “You walked me right into your excuse. Okay. You’re right. We’ll be spontaneous for a change for your benefit.”
“Thank you. You’re the best friend ever,” Olivia said.
“But, don’t agree to go anywhere else with them once we finish eating. Understand, Olivia?”
“I understand. I hear you loud and clear,” Olivia agreed.
“Something tells me you aren’t going to keep your word.”
THIRTY-THREE
Savvy
“Wait, wait, wait. You were so drunk; you walked into your house and showed your ID to your Mom thinking you were in another bar?” Olivia laughed and almost fell off the barstool. She balanced one hand on Brinson’s shoulder to catch herself.
“Yeah. Mom slapped my license from my hand before she hit me upside my head. You talk about her being mad at me.” Brinson cracked himself up with his story.
“I can’t. Oww. My stomach hurts from laughing. Stop telling me this stuff.” Tears poured along Olivia’s cheeks from the hilarity of each tale.
Savvy sat on a stool next to Olivia, not experiencing the same amusement about Brinson’s story. The four of them were now sitting in a bar in San Antonio. Brinson suggested leaving Austin after eating at the barbecue place. He invited them to hang out for drinks at this spot on the Riverwalk. Olivia agreed after begging Savvy with her eyes.
In the hour drive from Austin to San Antonio, Olivia convinced her they would only have one drink and leave. Savvy
had to admit she enjoyed the conversation with Brinson and Nell. Brinson's charismatic comedian style made Olivia laugh like she hadn’t in a
