Authors Note: So as far as plot I kind of switched it up a bit. I hope you all will still enjoy it. I was going to keep the relationship a secret from Billy but I like the friendship him and Stuart had in the movie and I don't want to ruin it so I hope you like the changes I made. Enjoy the update! They're both in this one!
[Stuart's POV]
The next few days the meetings with the team were fairly uneventful. We were only in the first few weeks of this internship and already lost the first two competitions. If we couldn't pull a win off on the next one then it was pretty much a wrap, of course that's not what I told my dad when I called to check in. I knew he was itching for me to fail this internship so I would have no other option but to come back home and work for him. That was pretty much a death sentence for me so I tried to block it out as we prepared for the next challenge to be released. However my preparation pretty much consisted of getting to know Abby via Facebook. I had pretty much gone through every photo album on Abby's face book and found out that she really had been dancing since she was a baby and she was in a lot of competitions growing up but other than dance she didn't seem much into girly things. She liked sports and went to a lot of parties. I didn't do much of either of those things except baseball, which I had pretty much left behind once I hit high school and all the jocks used me for target practice. There were a lot of pictures of her and Billy but I couldn't see any of her Mom. She had said that her Dad was all she had so I assumed her mom was either dead or not in the picture anymore.
I had tried to message her once but she never responded so I tried to convince myself that I never sent the message. Just as I was about to leave her page a new status update popped up.
Abby Clark: Working day shifts at a night club is both strange and ironic.
I chalked up her not responding to her work schedule before heading to Google headquarters for the next meeting. Lyle had sent a text saying the next challenge was about to go live and I wanted to win this time. I sat down across from Neha and she was grinning like she had just come from some role play orgy.
"Is there a reason you're staring at me with a creepy ass grin?" I asked her making her laugh.
"I see you and I have a new friend in common." Neha held her phone up.
"I find that pretty hard to believe." I said rolling my eyes but she flipped the screen around to show me Abby's Facebook.
"Looks like you're starting to warm up to actual human beings. I'm sure your mother would be proud." She said as Billy and Nick walked in. I would have said something back but I wasn't sure how I wanted to play my friendship with Abby to her dad so I just gave her a look that said you're lucky it's time to work.
"Alright team, our next challenge is to create an app. Let's keep it young and fresh that way it gets tons of downloads, ya feel me?" Lyle said as we read over the details. I tried to wrack my brain for an app idea that was good and also currently nonexistent which seemed to be damn near impossible. We tried to think of things for over two hours without coming up with anything. A good portion of the first hour was spent trying to explain to Billy and Nick what an App actually was though so I guess that's a plus in some universe.
"Let's use the team spirit we've been building and knock this one out guys." Billy patted me on the back and I continued to stare at the screen.
"It would probably help if we had an actual idea for an app." I said pulling my phone out and looking through some of my own apps.
"You bet your sweet ass it would Stewie." Nick spoke up.
"No…never Stewie." I said without looking up.
"No Stewie, got it. Perimeter breach acknowledged, Stuart." Nick looked over at Billy.
"I feel good when this one warms up to me. It's going to happen, my friend. I'll break you down like a 2X4 Bronco, watch me do it." I looked at him like he was losing his mind.
"I know someone else he'd like to warm up to." Neha smirked and I elbowed her getting a jab back.
"Alright guys, let's brainstorm this bitch!" Billy clapped his hands together as I sat down.
"Let's put the coffee in the pot and let it percolate." Nick started snapping his fingers. We started working up a list of popular apps and what people liked best about them but the longer it took us to think of a common theme, the more frustrated I became. Once Billy pretty much renamed Instagram, I gave up.
"I'm telling you, it already exists." I said tossing a stress ball in the air.
"You're telling me that there is already an app that takes pictures and instantaneously puts them on the line? I don't think so. I've never even heard of the instagram hoopla." Billy put his hands on his hips.
"Quick interjection, when you keep saying on the line you do mean online right?" I pointed out but Nick let out a heavy sigh.
"Stuart, don't do that! You don't do that to a man, he's got a million dollar idea here." Nick pointed at Billy and I put my hand on my chin.
"Billion dollar actually-" Billy cut me off.
"It's okay Nicky, he can't bring me down. Listen, come up here." Billy gestured to me and I laughed.
"No I'm good." I said shifting in the chair but from behind Billy I could see Abby walking in quietly putting her finger to her lips as Neha smiled at her.
"Please come, let me explain this to you in a way that's visual." I knew if I didn't get up that Abby would think I was being disrespectful so I got up.
"He's bigger than you, be careful." Yo-Yo said as I stood next to Billy.
"Okay now you're out in the world and you're seeing something beautiful so you start taking pictures. Go ahead, pretend." Billy nudged my arm and I held my finger up to take a fake picture, to which he provided sound effects for.
"Now you take that photo and you put it on the line and you share it on Twitter or wherever and that's Instagram." Billy said making me nod.
"100% Instagram." Neha said.
"Now let's go with my idea. You can take the photos and instantaneously share or not and you don't have to say shit. You can share it and like it all you want on the line. People are having fun and sharing things on the line and exchanging memories. That's why I say we call it Exchange-A-Gram." I threw my hands up and went to sit back down. Billy finally turned and saw Abby standing there. Her hair was pulled up but parts of it fell in her face framing it nicely. She wore black skinny jeans with boots and a lacy black and red tank under a blazer. I started trying to picture what kind of club she worked out to be dressing that causally sexy.
"Hey baby, I might have to skip dinner tonight." Billy kissed her head as she pulled her phone out.
"We can go another night if you want but if I can just offer up some resolution here, this is Instagram. I applaud that you thought of the idea, it's already been profited off of so many stick with photos and not so much of the instant sharing." Abby was showing her dad what I assumed was her instagram page and he shook his head.
"I didn't know you had an Instagram." I said without thinking.
"There's a lot you don't know about me." She smiled and I could feel the blush on my cheeks. Lyle saw a link pop up on the screen and clicked it.
Graham and his group popped up on the screen.
"HELLO FELLOW INTERNS! Graham Hawtrey here and I attached a link to our app which has already been downloaded 230 times." Lyle shut the screen and I tossed the stress ball.
"I seriously hate that guy." I said shaking my head.
"Great, we're going to lose yet another challenge, we're not going to get these jobs and our lives are basically ruined." Neha sat down next to me defeated.
"Hold up a second, you're lives aren't ruined. You guys are young, you have your whole life ahead of you." Billy sat down in front of us as Abby stood behind him looking slightly uncomfortable.
"Do you even know what it's like to be young right now? A quarter of the kids coming out of college can't even get jobs. They're also buried under student loans that they'll have to figure out how to pay off without an actual job." I said pulling my phone back out.
"That's a correct statistic. Mother says that you can go to a good college but nothing's guaranteed anymore. That's life, sorry." Yo-Yo confirmed.
"The whole American dream you guys grew up on, that's all it is nowadays. A dream." Neha added. I thought it was strange that Abby hadn't spoken up yet but merely stood back biting her lip.
"You guys are too young to be this cynical. Do you really see the world like this?" Nick asked.
"It's not how we see the world, it's the way things are now." I looked up at Nick and he frowned.
"Well thank God my girl isn't like this." Billy reached back and took Abby's hand.
"Feel free to share your secret with the rest of us then." I said making her look over at me.
"I don't really have a secret. Life's tough, bad shit happens all the time. You can either feel like the world is working against you, blame it on circumstances or you can keep living, trying different things, trying anything until something works out." She shoved her hands in her pockets and I lifted my eyebrows.
"Well put Abby." Nick said pointing at her.
"Beautiful talent with a give-em-hell attitude, that's my girl." Billy stood up and put his arm around her shoulders.
"Look I can just grab something, I didn't mean to interrupt-" She started to back away but Billy didn't let her leave.
"No you know what? Let's get out of here. All of us, I think we need to take a step back and recharge." Billy said looking around at all of us.
"We have work to do." Yo-Yo objected.
"It's time to hit the reset button. Let's take this to the streets so we can come together as a team." Nick pushed.
"If all else fails then we still have something going with the exchange-a-gram. Just saying." Billy threw his hands up and Neha was the first to get up and grab her bag.
"Are we really doing this?" I asked looking over at Yo-Yo and Lyle who seemed to be following. I was the only one still sitting as I powered down the computer I was using.
"It's just for a few hours. You think you can disconnect for that long?" I turned around to see Abby still standing there.
"I guess I kind of got outvoted anyway." I grabbed my bag and threw it over my shoulder.
"How about I promise to buy you a beer for graciously conceding to popular demand?" She offered.
"You don't have to-" She cut me off.
"I know I don't have to but you seem kind of down and I'd like to buy you a drink. Plus knowing my dad, he'll want Chinese and there's a really good place in the city a few blocks from my club that has a pretty excellent selection of beer." She smiled at me and something in my stomach started to burn. I wasn't sure what it was but it was a slow building burn that made me lick my lips for some reason.
"I guess I can't argue with that." I followed her out and got on the Google bus with everyone else. I kept glancing over at Abby as she talked with Neha. Once we got to the restaurant, it seemed overly crowded. Abby walked up to the hostess who greeted her with a friendly hug and they exchanged a few words before she waved us back. Billy was instantly charming everyone in the restaurant and Abby shook her head.
"How's you chicken?" She asked leaning off to the side so I could hear her.
"It's um...it's better than I expected it would be. I mean you can't really go wrong with orange chicken but it's better than the orange chicken I usually get from take out." I admitted making her jaw drop.
"So you doubted my taste in restaurants? I should be offended but I wont be." She teased as I sipped my beer.
"I can definitely see Billy as a salesmen. He is pretty much owning this room right now and I have no idea what he's saying." I said earning a laugh.
"He has that effect on people." She said sipping her own beer this time.
"You kind of seemed uncomfortable back there though, with the whole generational thing. Do you really not worry about your future? I mean I can't imagine dance school is cheap." I pointed out. She tucked some of her hair behind her ear and shrugged.
"If you haven't noticed, my dad is like a giant kid. He's optimistically blind to any negativity, it can be annoying at times." She said rolling her eyes.
"Must be the give em hell attitude." I teased.
"I'm almost 22 and I've lived away from home for 4 years now. My dad doesn't need to worry about my struggles. He tries really hard to make sure I'm happy and that we get to see each other but I don't want him to put that burden on his shoulders." She explained as the entire restaurant laughed again.
"Well he's your dad, I mean you're supposed to be a burden on your parents. That's just the way it goes." I said making her chuckle.
"He tries really hard and I don't want him thinking he's doing a bad job." She said tilting her head to look at Billy who was talking to the manager.
"It's pretty cool that you're so close with your dad." I said and I could feel her look at me.
"You aren't close with your parents?" She asked pinning her eyebrows together but I shook my head.
"I thought this was supposed to get my mind open to think of an app, not therapy." I tried to change the subject and reached for my phone. She snatched it out of my hands and I got anxious.
"What are you doing? Don't mess up my phone." I reached for it and she leaned back in her chair.
"What are you always doing on here? I mean is my company so terrible that you have to dive back into the web?" She questioned before pulling up my Facebook app and seeing that I was still on her page.
"You sent me a message? I didn't get anything." She said confused pulling her own phone back and giving me time to snatch mine back.
"It's not big deal. I mean it's just Facebook right?" I tried to play it off but when I dared a glance she was frowning. She held out her hand and glanced at my phone.
"You realize this is like a life line for me? I was seriously having the sweats the few seconds you stole it from me and now you want me to give it back?" I asked and she smiled.
"I was going to give you something, do you trust me?" It wasn't the first time I noticed how pretty she looked when she smiled but something about it made the anxiety in my stomach sort of disappear. She typed something into my phone and then handed it back before typing something into her phone. My phone beeped and I looked at the screen. It was a text.
"Now you can get a hold of me no matter what. I'm more of a texter. Facebook message is kind of shady. You never know when things will end up popping up on your status instead the message." She said but I was kind of in shock. She had just given me her number without me even asking for it.
"You didn't have to do that." I said looking at her but she laughed.
"Did it ever occur to you that I may enjoy talking to you? I mean, when you're not acting like a cocky douchebag, that is." She said as I tried not to look so stunned. Before I could say anything Nick hit me on the chest.
"Hey we're going to head to this dance club up the street. Let's go!" He said as everyone started to get up.
"Um I'm not much of a dancer." I said quickly putting my phone in my pocket.
"Relax Stu, my girl can teach you the basics." Billy said clapping me on the shoulder. Abby laughed as she put her jacket back on and followed Yo-Yo and Lyle. I was buzzed enough to be excited as we walked down the street towards the club but I think most of my high was because I had gotten Abby's number. The moment we walked into the club, it was clear this wasn't your average dance club. I hadn't been to many clubs but there were tons of half naked women dancing around.
"Are you sure he meant dance club?" Nick asked Billy over the music.
"I don't know I was rocking Mandarin and he was rocking Cantonese something clearly got crossed in the middle but I say happy accident." Billy laughed. My phone went off as we walked through the door and I looked at it.
Abby: Want to know a secret?
I looked over at Abby and she glanced at my phone just as another message came in.
Abby: I work here.
I felt my eyes go wide looking over at her. She raised her eyebrows and nodded as Nick started talking to me.
"Great big world out there, my friend. Just three inches up, I beg you." Nick said putting his finger on my chin as I got another message.
Abby: My friend Kira has a thing for cute guys in glasses too so I suggest you go with it.
I read the message confused as Nick tilted my chin up and I was met with a huge rack- exotic looking woman who was eying me. I smiled awkwardly before she took my finger and stuck it in her mouth sucking on it.
"Ohh ho-ly shit that's deep." She took my finger out of her mouth and started to lead me towards a table. I glanced back at Abby who was hiding her laughing.
[Abby's POV]
Stuart had clearly never been in a club like this before but it was fun to see him nervous. I felt like I was getting to see a new side of him. My dad knew that I worked at a night club but he didn't know which one I worked at and as far as he knew, I was only bartending.
"You going to be okay in here?" Dad asked and I laughed.
"I know most of these girls. It's fine." I said knowing that he would worry. Nick had stopped and started talking to Neha though.
"You okay there firecracker?" He asked her.
"What? Yeah of course! This is my jam. Seriously, this is my shit." She said looking so anxious it was almost sad.
"Look I know this is your shit but if you don't want to be here then we can grab those guys and get out of here. It's no big deal." Dad said trying to make her feel better.
"No please don't do that. I just...I've only read about this stuff okay? Sexy encounters, twilight fan fiction, henti-" Nick cut her off.
"What's Henti?" He asked confused.
"Japaneses comic books where the women get ravaged by octopus tentacles." Neha explained making dad and Nick look horrified.
"Looks I've imagined everything it's just I've never actually done anything." She confessed.
"There's nothing wrong with that. If anything, you're a unicorn." I spoke up making her laugh.
"You're safe with us. Just ask my babygirl. We've got you." Dad said reassuringly.
"For what it's worth, your imagination is so wild, reality is going to be a breeze if not a let down." Nick put his hand on Neha shoulder and she smiled looking more at ease. I put my arm into hers and walked ahead of them.
"You're pretty lucky to have guys like them in your life." Neha smiled.
"I really am but they're in your life now too and I don't mind sharing. Listen, this club isn't just for horn dogs. These girls are some killer dancers and really sweet people. I can guarantee that you'll have a good time tonight. I will make sure of that okay? I got your back girl." I said and she tightened her grip on my arm.
"Then let's get some drinks!" We got to the table and I squeezed in next to Lyle and Neha. Stuart looked slightly disappointed but I gave him a smile. Nick got a tray of shots and sat it on the table.
"Alright bottoms up everybody!" Dad said as we all grabbed a shot. The only one seeming to resist was Yo-Yo.
"I can't." He said putting his hands up.
"Why? You're 21 right?" Nick asked just to be sure.
"Yeah but my mom says alcohol numbs the brain." He explained.
"I'm not saying that tequila is the first step on the train of self respect but god damn maybe it's a step in the right direction." Nick offered.
"Yo-Yo it's just a shot. What's the worst that could happen?" I offered. He shook his head and picked up his shot. We all clinked glasses and threw back the first shot, staring at Yo-Yo to make sure he'd actually keep it down but when he started screaming for another we all freaked out. One shot turned into at least 6 before Neha and I got up and started dancing with Lyle, Dad paid Kira to give Stuart a lap dance and Nick started taking pictures of all of us.
"Doesn't that bother you?" Neha asked as we took another shot. I looked over at Stuart and laughed.
"Why would that bother me? Kira is a good friend of mine and Stuart clearly needs to loosen up a bit. Seems like a win-win." I said as the tequila burned my throat.
"Yeah but you like him right? I mean he's actually nicer now that he talks to you which I thought was surprising but he's not as annoying to be around." Neha said as we stood back up to dance.
"I don't know. I guess we'll just have to wait and find out." I said as Stuart walked over to the water room to watch Stephanie and Monica dance. He moved his body with the music and I tried not to laugh but it was pretty adorable how goofy his dancing was. Someone tapped me on the shoulder and I turned to see some of the girls.
"Way to come in and not tell anyone!" Trix said as I hugged her.
"Well I'm with my dad and some of his friends. They're trying to let loose tonight." I explained as Megan, Patricia and Felicia walked over. I sent them over to where Yo-Yo was and told them that he'd never had a lap dance before so they graciously took shifts giving him lap dances. Nick had to keep running him to the bathroom and I could only assume that he wasn't able to handle it very well but when I glanced over at Dad talking with Lyle, I couldn't help but smile. Her really enjoyed this bunch of kids and seemed to really care about them. I hoped it was only a sign that he would really stick around no matter how the internship panned out. I turned around to see Stuart sitting down at the table alone trying to see his phone.
"What are you doing?" I asked crossing my arms over my chest.
"I FOUND YOU! I was gonna text you and ask if you wanted to dance with me but I couldn't find you." He smiled a goofy smile shoving his phone into his pocket, missing at last 4 times before getting it but I extended my hand to help him up.
"Maybe we should cut you off. You seem like you've hit your limit." I said as he tripped on the table and ran into my chest.
"I can't feel my face so you might be right." Stuart said and I put my hands on his face to test his theory. He had moles on his neck and face that scattered his pale skin giving me sort of a guide to where I wanted to put my hands.
"You can't feel any of that?" I questioned and his jaw hung slack.
"Um if I say no will you keep touching me?" He asked with dazed eyes.
"I'd fee like I was taking advantage of you." I teased with my hands on his face still.
"I'm totally cool with that." He said as I pulled my hands down and put them on his shirt.
"How about we do something that I won't feel bad about in the morning. What else would you like to do?" I asked him and he pointed behind him.
"I wanted to dance in the water room but apparently that's not allowed. It's really hot in here and drinking has made me sweat a lot." He started flapping his arms and I laughed.
"Stay right here and I'll see what I can do." I left him standing there and he danced with Neha and Yo-Yo. I saw Lyle standing at the bar with Marielena. She caught sight of me and smiled.
"I should have known your skinny ass was here! Why didn't you call me? Are you not working tonight?" She asked hugging me.
"Well I figured I would surprise you." I said as Lyle looked at me.
"You work here too?" He asked.
"I do but I'd prefer if we kept that detail hush hush. My dad would hate it and no matter how much I could try and explain that I don't do private dances, he just wouldn't understand." I explained and he nodded running his finger over his lips.
"I see you've met my good friend Lyle here. Isn't he cute?" Lyle blushed and she smiled.
"He's a perfect gentlemen." Marielena said making Lyle look at her.
"I think you should let him buy you a drink and conversate while I ask Lou if it's okay for me to take a few people into the wet rooms." I said and she bit her lip.
"Did you bring that guy you've been talking about, Stuart?" Marielena started looking around and I put my hand over my face as Lyle laughed.
"Oh so you do have a thing for Stuart. I knew it." Lyle said and I put my hand up.
"Both of you need to just stop because I have dirt on you both and I'm not afraid to use it." I warned and Lyle gulped.
"Talk, have fun and I'll see you later." I kissed Marielena cheek before squeezing Lyle's arm reassuringly. My manager Lou said it was okay if I took some friends into the water room and the girls retrieved Stuart, Neha and Yo-Yo before going into the water room. I watched them dance like maniacs as Nick walked up next to me.
"How the heck did they manage to get in there?" He asked amused.
"I called in a favor. Stuart said he wanted-" I looked over at Nick to see him chuckling.
"What? What's so funny?" I asked hitting his arm.
"You've got a thing for dark and stormy" He chuckled.
"What? I do not! I was trying to please someone in your group so you guys get along better. Can't I do a favor for my dad and uncle Nicky?" I said but he shook his head.
"Whatever you say kiddo but if you did decide to give Stu a shot, I'd approve. He's a good kid, a little temperamental but a good kid nonetheless." Nick said putting his arm around me.
"Don't say anything to dad okay? I don't need him to worry about me." I looked over at Stuart in the tank and bit my lip.
"He's going to worry about you either way. I'm pretty sure that comes with being a dad but I wont say anything." Nick said just as dad walked over.
"Look at our boy getting it. He's a natural." He said talking about Lyle. We stood in awe of him working his charms on Marielena but just as things started going really well, some asshole walked up and started giving them grief.
"We may need to get out of her fast." Nick said.
"I'll get the others." I said before running to go get them out of the tank.
"We've got to go, Lyle might be in fight." I said and Yo-Yo practically sprinted out of the tank to go find the problem. I gave Neha my jacket and Stuart had his over shirt wrapped on his head.
"Oh looks it's the united colors of nerd. Do all of you guys work together?" The guy said gesture to all of us.
"Hey asshat, why don't you back off and go back to drinking with your middle aged group of drunken divorcees." I said making him laugh.
"I'd watch that mouth sweetheart unless you plan on letting me put something in it." He came back and dad stepped forward but Nick grabbed him.
"Whoa whoa! Take it easy. What are we the Jets and the Sharks? How about you guys head that way and we'll head this way and just call it a night." Nick offered and the guy nodded.
"Yeah that's a good idea." The lights went down and the strobes came on as the guy turned around and like that asshole that he was he took a swing but dad was quick to stop it. I felt arms go around my waist and pull my backwards.
"DAD! STOP! HE'S NOT WORTH IT!" I yelled and Nick punched the guy that tried to hit him from the side. I could hear Marielena scream and Lyle put her behind him so she wouldn't get hurt. Yo-Yo jumped on the bar and dove on top of the guys but they were quick to pick him up to start hitting him.
"MY MOTHER HITS HARDER THAN YOU!" He was drunk and would probably feel it later but he was taking it well. Someone jerked me by the arm and it caught me by surprised but before I could defend myself, Stuart tackled the guy to the floor.
"HEY! HANDS OFF BUDDY!" Stuart kicked the guy repeatedly and I grabbed his arm.
"Are you crazy?! That guy is like twice your size!" I said just as Neha kicked someone in the balls. She backed into me and I saw Lonnie the security guy coming this way.
"Be careful with them Lonnie, they're my friends." I begged and he picked Neha up and tossed her over his shoulder. They escorted us out and we got on the bus to calm down.
"We still need to figure out the app." Lyle said running his hands through his hair.
"I know a place we can go to clear our heads." I said before giving the driver directions. Somehow in the 20 minutes it took to get there, Yo-Yo and Lyle managed to kill an entire bottle of strawberry Bacardi. They were pretty out of it once we stepped off the bus.
"Wow this is beautiful." Neha said slipping my jacket on.
"How did you find this place baby?" Dad asked looking out at the bridge.
"I come out here after work most nights when I call you. It's easier to think and feel closer to you." I said hugging him.
"Well I'm glad I get to be here with you now." He kissed my head before walking towards the picnic tables with Neha. We dumped Yo-Yo on one of them and he groaned.
"Come sit with your old man and help me tell this girl that she's the whole package." Dad said opening up his other arm for me to sit next to him.
"Seriously, I'm starting to doubt whether boys can even see me. I mean I've never been with anyone, ever. I'm not getting any younger." Neha said making me laugh.
"You're beautiful and smart-" Dad cut me off.
"You've got some great teeth. Seriously, some beautiful chompers on the old girl." I elbowed my dad as Neha laughed.
"I'm always excited to see what kind of shoes you're going to walk in with." He added.
"You do have cute shoes." I agreed.
"I seriously love you two. If I could keep you, I would." Neha said and I reached over to take her hand.
"Look, whoever you find to stand on your arm is going to be a lucky guy." Dad said and Neha put her head on his shoulder.
"Now if only I could get my girl to give Stu a chance." My eyes shot over to him and Neha laughed.
"Dad! What are you-" He cut me off.
"I'm your dad, Abigail and I'm not blind. Stop worrying about your old man and cut the guy a break. Besides, I'm bigger than him." I shook my head embarrassed and looked over at Stuart as he talked to Nick. Maybe dad was right. Maybe I should make a move.
[Stuart's POV]
I stood with Nick looking out at the car lights on the bridge, finally dried off and starting to come back from the drunken mess I was in the club. I was too embarrassed to even look at Abby as she talked with Billy and Neha.
"Look at that view. Come on, you aren't going to see that on any 4 inch screen." Nick said making me shake my head.
"Yeah I guess." I said scanning the horizon.
"Hey, you were an animal out there tonight." Nick said and I laughed.
"Yeah sure." I kicked my feet on the ground.
"No you were. Did you have a good time?" He asked.
"Yeah it was alright." I glanced over at him as he sighed.
"Why do you do that?" He asked getting catching my attention.
"What do you mean? Do what?" I asked unsure of what he meant.
"Low ball me like that. I'm not going to take away your cool guy card if you admit you give a shit about something or God forbid you had a good time." Nick said as I tried to hide a smile.
"Alright it was fun...I'm not much of a dancer but I still had a good time." I confessed feeling his eyes still on me.
"What do you want me to tell you it was the best night of my life?" I asked knowing he wasn't pleased with my answer.
"Only if it's true." He said and I finally glanced over at Abby.
"It was the best night of my life." I said looking at him.
"My noogler!" Nick reached out for a fist bump and I fist bumped him.
"I also saw you totally save the day with Abby back there." I looked at Nick quickly and he laughed.
"So you've got eyes for her huh?" It wasn't really a question but I tried to play if off.
"I was just trying to get past her. It's no big deal." I said looking back out at the bridge.
"That's too bad because she's definitely into you." I jerked my head towards him with wide eyes.
"Did she...how do you...did she say something?" I asked desperately.
"She said a few things but if you're serious about talking to her then you should probably know that she's more sensitive then she let's people think. Just be honest with her. She's a great girl and you're a stand up guy Stewie. Just be you, big guy." Nick stood up and hit me on the shoulder as Abby walked over to stand next to me.
"You seem like you sobered up rather quickly." She said not looking at me.
"Compared to Lyle and Yo-Yo, I'd say I'm doing pretty damn good. How about you? You alright?" I looked at her bare shoulders and she smiled.
"I'm pretty good thanks to you. I mean I could have handled that guy but I appreciate you stepping in. It was very noble of you." She said making me look at my elbow.
"Well I got rug burn on my elbow that's driving me crazy but I suppose I'll take noble." I shrugged and she put her hand on my elbow.
"I'm sure I've got something for that. I get a lot of that...from dancing of course." She followed quickly when my eyebrow went up.
"If I tell you that you have a really pretty smile, can I chalk it up to the little bit of alcohol that's still in my system?" I asked making her smile.
"Yeah I guess I could let it slide." She nudged my arm and I looked down at my feet.
"You better stop being so sweet Twombly or else a girl's gonna think you're trying to take her out." Abby teased as I rolled my eyes.
"Yeah right." I said earning silence.
"So you're saying that you wouldn't ask me out? That's a bit harsh, even for you." She turned away from me and I looked at her shocked.
"Are you kidding me? Have you seen you? If I seriously thought I had a chance in hell I'd ask you out in a heartbeat." I said feeling my stoamch drop out after saying it. She pulled out her phone and mine started buzzing in my pocket. I was surprised it even work after being drenched but I looked at it.
Abby: What are you waiting for?
I looked over at her and then back at my phone as she bit her lip.
"Wow- um okay. That just happened…" I cleared my throat trying to compose myself before looking over at her.
"Would you like to go on a date with me sometime?" I asked but before she could answer Lyle came stumbling out of the bushes.
"Lyle! Looks like you hit it off with your lady friend tonight." Nick yelled making us look over at him.
"I'm texting her that I love her and sending her this pciture that I just took of little Lyle in the bushes when he was making pee." Lyle was super wasted.
"Oh wow please don't do that. She already likes you Lyle, don't break out the big guns just yet." Abby said as we walked over towards him.
"Seriously buddy that's a horrible idea. You are drunk off your ass right now." Nick added.
"I appreciate your concern but I'm flyin' baby." Lyle said making me laugh.
"Lyle, you're not flying. What's 17 squared?" Billy asked.
"289, why?" He answered and I shook my head.
"Give me a harder question, you know I'm driving with this." Billy looked at me.
"Try the square root of 17." I said and Abby looked at me proudly for some reason. Lyle gave a random answer and Nick laughed.
"That's the App. That's the app we should do right there. Some questions you've got to answer before you can send a drunk text, drunk email or phone call." Nick pitched.
"Something to protect you from yourself. I know at least 13 people that would buy that." Abby spoke up.
"That is good, can we do that?" Billy asked Neha.
"Hell yeahs we can do that!" Neha said excitedly.
"I could program the shit out of that on the bus ride home." Yo-Yo woke up long enough to say that before Billy clapped his hands together.
"Alright let's get back to HQ and get this puppy in the works." Everyone started to stand up but I wanted my answer from Abby and I knew once we got on the bus I wouldn't get one.
"Well hold on guys, let's just stay for a few more minutes...enjoy the view." They all looked at me strangely before shaking their heads.
"Yeah that sounds good." Nick said having my back as he sat next to Billy. I sat down on the other picnic table and patted the place next to me. Abby sat down next to me and her side touched mine.
"Did you want to take in the view some more or did you want your answer?" She whispered.
"Both. This is a really nice view. I wouldn't mind coming out here again." I admitted and she shook her head.
"Well then maybe when we go out, we can end the night here again." I nodded at her but then I realized what she was saying. I looked over at her stunned.
"Does that mean-" I started.
"YES YOU IDIOT! SHE MEANS YES!" Yo-Yo groaned. Abby laughed out loud before reaching back to pat Yo-Yo on the back.
"Yes I'd love to go on a date with you but I have one condition." She said making me look at her.
"Go back to headquarters and create this app...and win. As much as I'd love to take out angsty, snarky you, I'd much rather go out with you when you don't visually hate life." I laughed and she stared at me.
"If I told you that you looked cute when you laughed, can I chalk it up to the little bit of alcohol that's still in my system?" She said. I met her gaze and got the urge to kiss her but I resisted.
"Yeah I guess I could let it slide." I said making her look away.
"So we've got to win the challenge in order for me to win a date. You don't make it easy, do you?" I said shaking my head.
"Maybe I just believe in you guys." She said standing up and putting her hand out. The others started to get up and I took her hand letting her pull me to my feet. I stared down at her and could actually feel her breath on my neck. She wasn't as tall as me but she wasn't too short either. I think I had been lying to myself when I tried to convince myself I didn't want to know Abby that much but now that she gave me the chance to actually take her out, I had to take it. I needed not only a team win but a win for myself.
