Remembering I skipped the shower in Lola's house when she offered me and smelled like dirt already, I just walk past him like I do not know who he is. I walk calmly past Ricky's car – eyes straight ahead – dirt from dumpster still clinging to my clothes.

Ricky's eyes narrow – he pushes off from the hood – takes a step forward, "Wait up... buddy..."

His voice trails – sniffing the air – then bursting into laughter: "Holy cow, you smell like EMSON FALLS' landfill! But... those eyes – Vic Vaughn, what the...?!"

He grabs my arm – spinning me around – his grin fading into suspicion, "Lola was crying – what did you do?!"

Doesn't my dirt-covered state help distract from his real question?

"What are you talking about?" I mimic in grandpa's voice. Ricky's eyes widen in surprise at my sudden grandfatherly tone – he loosens grip on my arm, taking a step back.

"Whoa, old timer voice – nice try, Vic... Vaughn... GRANDPA Vaughn isn't fooling me!"

But then he pauses, amused – "Though, dirt smell and geriatric tone – quite a disguise attempt!"

He leans in, voice lowering: "Cut act – Lola cried after YOU visited. Spill."

I sighed, finally giving up. "Because..."

Ricky's eyes light up with anticipation – he leans in closer. "BECAUSE...?! Spit it out, Vic – my sister's tears aren't usually courtesy of 'dirtbags' like... well, like your current state – but specifically YOU!"

He pauses, voice dropping lower, "Did you hurt her feelings over Kai again?"

His gaze burns intense – awaiting confession.

"Yeh, I did. But not over Kai. She was tearing up as I promised to buy her berry flavour condom but bought vanilla one instead. That is why."

Ricky's face contorts in shock – then explodes into laughter – doubling over, holding his stomach.

No one argues about that, but I just let the lie give away the logic.

"HAHAHAHA – BERRY FLAVOR VS VANILLA CONDOM GATE – Vic Vaughn, you deadpan genius!"

That was not even funny. sigh

He wipes tears from his eyes, still chuckling. Couldn't digest the fact that he will be my brother-in-law.

"Lola crying over that – my sister's priorities are questionable... but Kai worries just vanished from my mind!"

Then he grins mischievously, "Though, now I need to tease her about berry flavour expectations..."

This asshole doesn't notice my slight smile—rare sight—he says.

"Why did Kai come up?" I cut him.

Ricky's grin fades slightly – he leans in closer again, "Because, Vic – before berry flavour condoms stole the show – I was wondering if Lola's tears were about Kai... since you two have history with him. Thought maybe you fought about him again."

He eyes you carefully, "But vanilla vs berry distracted me nicely – almost convinced me that's really all this is... yet my gut still wonders: what's still between you and Kai?"

So, she told him everything about Kai?

"He just still as a stick in my ass." I put it simple, not wanting to talk further.

Ricky bursts out laughing again – nearly doubling over again, "HAHAHA – OH MAN, VIC – 'STICK IN YOUR ASS' – Kai's really gotten under your skin!"

He wipes tears from his eyes, again, still chuckling, "I've never seen you this candid about hating someone – usually you're ice-cold calm. Kai brings out... colourful language in you!"

Then he says, "Want to remove that stick, Vic?"

"I never know you were into boys." I walk away without looking at him. He is unpredictable.

Ricky's laughter stops abruptly – he looks stunned – then bursts out laughing again:

"OH MY GOD, VIC – LOW BLOW!"

He chases after me, still laughing, "Wait – nope, not into guys – into KNOWING YOU WANT TO TAKE DOWN KAI – admit it!"

He grabs my arm again, spinning me back – grinning mischievously, "That stick removal comment got me – but THIS got YOU – you're blushing!"

I am burning in frustration, he thinks I'm blushing?

"You sound just like your sister. But I appreciate if you could lend your car."

Ricky roars with laughter again – then claps me on the back, "Lola's brother in sass – I'll take that as a compliment, Vic!"

He digs into pocket, tosses keys my way, "Car's yours – no questions... yet. But Lola will kill me if she finds out – so make it worth my trouble: Kai-related, I presume?"

He raises an eyebrow – awaiting silent confirmation.

The keys land in my hand – Ricky's old Chevy keys – car parked right behind him.

"Do not ask me if your car never returns." I rode off with his car like a rocket. Whoa! I like the noise it makes!

Ricky's laughter turns to shock – he yells out, "VIC VAUGHN – YOU'RE DEAD TO ME IF SHEILA (my Chevy) IS SCRATCHED!!"

His voice fades into distance as I speed away – tires screeching – leaving Ricky standing alone in cloud of dust.

I hit the open road – Sheila's engine purring smoothly – destination: Police station.