Thanks for the reviews! I will continue to update regardless (lurkers need MaDi too!), but it is awesome to know people are enjoying. Some parts at least ;D. I promise Dick's behavior will be addressed... eventually.
Logan's party was very crowded, mostly with people Mac didn't know. She briefly wondered where all of these people came from, she was around Logan a lot of the time and she didn't remember any of them, still she was glad it wasn't just her and Dick joining their bestie couple since Wallace had been unable to attend the bash. If she thought she could avoid Dick, however, she was wrong. He seemed to have a new found confidence around her and instead of looking scared shitless like she was going to lose it on him at any moment he greeted her with a big grin and immediately brought her a drink. He then brought her over to a group of people talking about whose phone had the best features and introduced her before heading off. "Come find me at the grill when you get hungry." She was grateful she didn't have to approach anyone new on her own, although she was definitely more confident about that then her younger self was, and she made small talk with the group for a while before deciding to grab some food. She had started filling her plate from the veggie tray when she heard her name being called.
"Mac! Mac, come here!" Dick was shouting at her with a big grin on his face and she looked down to see he was wearing an apron that said Kiss the Cook with a large arrow pointing… not up. She rolled her eyes while walking over - if Dick could act normal, well, so could she.
"Yes?" she said, raising her eyebrows expectantly.
"Grab a bun, I got you a portabella yummy burger coming off." Mac did as instructed and held her plate out.
"Thanks," she said slowly, never knowing Dick to have a non-meat selection available at any party.
"It's my first one so let me know how delicious it is," he gave her a wink. She smiled, a bit confused by his sudden bff behavior, but taking the food and wandering off to try it out. It was amazing, of course. Seriously, was the universe against her? Did Dick really have to be awesome at everything except showing up? As if on cue, the blonde swept into the seat across from her.
"Good burger?" She nodded, trying her best to look noncommittal. He smiled anyway. "Cool, hey come 'ere I want to show you something awesome." He hurried over to a small corner near his speaker setup. "Ok, see those lights hanging over there?" She nodded again, her neck was going to start aching soon but she was having trouble coming up with any words. He didn't seem to mind though, continuing to chat away like they were best buds. "Watch this." He played with some settings on the phone, and Mac watched as they danced to different patterns at his request. He wiggled his eyebrows at her, clearly proud of his new toy. "And watch this," he said, putting on some new tunes. Now the lights danced to some pop breakout song Mac was sure she should know, but couldn't place. Dick was dancing along, his fancy lights twinkling behind him. It was a funny sight and Mac couldn't help but laugh. Sure, the lights weren't exactly the most technologically impressive thing, but Mac didn't have any and they were pretty cool.
"Very impressive, Dick," she said with a smile. A real own grin grew wider as he shimmied a little closer to her, drawing her to some pop music booty shakin'. She went along, giggling, feeling his arm reach around her waist, his breath suddenly close on her ear, his smell- Mac froze, suddenly very aware of her position next to Dick.
"I, umm, I'm gonna go grab a beer," she stammered, walking away slowly.
"I can get it for you," he offered, afraid to be left standing alone without her once again.
"It's fine," she insisted, "I need to talk to Veronica about something anyway." And with that, she was gone.
Mac found her much needed alcohol and headed off in search of Veronica. What the hell? Sure, she didn't want to waste time hating Dick but that didn't mean she needed to spend time bumping and grinding with him. Ok, maybe it had been a bit more innocent than that but she was moving on from the hurt he had caused her, did she really want to stir that up again?
Yes. Maybe she needed a brain check up because right now she was inclined to abandon her search for Vee, turn around, and see what might happen if she met Dick back on the dance floor. Thankfully, (maybe?), Veronica appeared right in the midst of her indecision.
"Having a good time, Q?" Veronica had a plate full of food on her, unsurprisingly.
"Not bad, Vee, not bad. Considering how far above this lifestyle of luxury and debauchery I typically live." Veronica snickered.
"Seriously," she nodded behind Mac, "Speaking of, looks like Dick has found his latest victim." Mac whirled around to see Dick playfully smiling with a busty blonde in what could barely be classified as a bikini. Mac felt her stomach drop, and an involuntary flush spread up through her neck. She took a deep breath to regain control of her body before turning back to Veronica.
"Mmmm," was all she said, taking a deep swig of her beer. "You know, I think I'm gonna go ahead and head out," she added, glancing at her watch.
"Already?" Veronica asked.
"Yeah," Mac handed Veronica her barely touched beer. "Go crazy, I'll talk to you tomorrow." Veronica watched her friend leave, hoping the rest of the evening would improve Mac's mood.
A few minutes later Dick wandered over to where Veronica now sat, looking around. "Ronnie, you see where Mac Attack went? I want to finish showing her this light setup I got."
"Sorry Dick," the blonde responded, "she just left to go get ready."
"Ready?" Dick asked, confused. "Did she not know it was a pool party?" he leered. "Please tell me she is going to get some itty bitty -"
"Just stop there, please," Veronica interrupted. "She actually has a date tonight." Veronica turned to find Logan, leaving Dick with a strange feeling in his chest he didn't want to spend time examining. Instead, he headed for the bar.
A few hours and many shots later, Dick approached the blonde who had been drooling over him earlier. Knowing Mac was around and willing (if hesitant) to actually talk to him, he had tried to escape the vapid and desperate girl as quickly as possible. Dick usually found these traits convenient in a woman, but lately it hadn't seemed worth the minimal effort to get them into bed. He staggered up to the girl, not sure of her name. She turned to him giggling as he reached for her waist.
"So, you wanna fuck?" She froze at his slurred words, mouth agape. "I mean, if you don't maybe you could just suck my dick in the bathroom or something?" He leaned forward, whispering in her ear, "You don't mind if I call you Ghostworld do you?" The girl finally recovered from her shock and reached up and slapped him hard on the face, turning heel and stalking off while Dick stumbled back. A few minutes later a slightly drunk Logan ushered him up to bed.
Mac hadn't wanted to say yes when Josh had asked her out, but she also couldn't think of a reason not to. At least, not a good reason. He was tall, dark, handsome. Attractive by any standards, and an electrical engineer who designed many of the hardware parts she made use of in her own work. He was not Dick. He was definitely not Dick. But he did surf, and when she closed her eyes and smelled the ocean on him she came twice when they were in bed later that night.