Chapter Five: Peanut Butter Life

Windows down, music blasting, a blonde surf model in his passenger seat, this felt like a dream that teenage Duncan would've had before his Total Drama days. However, times have changed and his tastes have changed. Now all he could think about was what was the next step in getting the angry lawyer brunette to acknowledge him again.

"Um... Duncan?" Bridgette asked, ten long, awkward minutes into their drive. "Can we talk?"

Duncan sighed and turned down the volume of the stereo. "What's up, Malibu Barbie?"

"Was it weird to see Courtney again?" Straight to the point, Duncan flinched.

"Nah, not really. She's grown up. I've… matured somewhat. We're both going to be a part of your wedding, no big deal," Duncan rambled a little more than he had to.

But this was Bridgette, who was engaged to Geoff, who definitely told her everything in their late-night cuddles, so she was not going to fall for it.

"At the end of the day, Courtney is my BEST friend and she was…. Really messed up after your break up. I can't see her hurt again so if you're just messing around to mess around…"

"Calm down, Bridge, I'm not going to do anything to her," Duncan interrupted. "I… I'm going to make things right. No more fuck-ups. I swear."

Bridgette smiled at this. "Good, because Courtney deserves the best, and despite my efforts, somehow you might be the best for her."

Duncan's face reddened. He might have asked Bridgette what she meant by that if he didn't have his pride. Just kidding, what pride? He was in prison a few years ago and had to work as his best friend's waiter because no one would hire him at first. "What do you mean by that?" he asked, avoiding eye contact because he was driving and no other reason.

"It's kind of like peanut butter and jelly. You two are very different, but when you guys are together, it makes something special," Bridgette explained, rather poorly with a simile that made very little sense to Duncan.

But it reminded him of the night of their first kiss.

"Hope you enjoy a peanut butter-less life," he had said at the time.

"Hope you enjoy prison," she had retorted. Man, did she call it, but no, he did not enjoy prison.

"Does that make me peanut butter?" he joked, savoring the memory that had stirred up.

"Sure?" Bridgette replied. "Or you could be jelly, I don't know. But you get what I mean."

"Yeah, yeah… Anyway, tell me about what's going on with you," Duncan said to change the subject. He forced himself to somewhat pay attention as Bridgette began to talk about Geoff and how she should've known that he would forget about their appointment if she didn't drag him there herself.

Afterward, they continued the rest of the drive, talking about whatever was on their mind. At least it wasn't awkward anymore after they cleared the air.

Once they arrived back at Geoff's and Bridgette's place, Geoff was already there, sitting on the front porch. "Babe! You're back!" he shouted with a sweet smile. He was also waving really enthusiastically as if he had been waiting for her all day.

"He's making it hard for me to stay mad at him," Bridgette said, her heart already softening as she saw his puppy dog eyes.

"Remember. He ditched you because he forgot about your plans for YOUR wedding," Duncan emphasized, trying to fan the flame. He wanted Geoff to have some sort of consequence for making him go all the way there just to be iced out by his ex.

"You're right. I should give him a piece of my mind." But as soon as she got out of the car, Geoff was already running up to her to give her a big bear hug.

"BABE! I MISSED YOU!" he said while giving her a spin.

Duncan groaned, knowing that Bridgette's resolve had officially crumbled with that move. Geoff was really good at getting Bridgette to forgive him. That, or Bridgette was really bad at staying mad at Geoff.

"I missed you too, babe," Bridgette chuckled, already forgetting that she was upset with him in the first place.

"Anyways, how'd it go, dudes?" Geoff asked, after putting Bridgette down and finally acknowledging Duncan's existence.

"Yeah, thanks for telling me Courtney was going to be there," Duncan said with a glare. "A heads-up would've been nice."

"Oh shit, I forgot. Sorry," Geoff apologized half-heartedly. "But hey! You got to see her again. How was it?"

"She still hates me," Duncan replied. "But that's how she felt when we first met, so who knows if that'll change again."

"Aw man, that's the spirit! You got this, dude," Geoff said. "Anyways, wanna stay for dinner?"

Duncan decided to stay over for dinner because he was tired from all the driving. Feeling too lazy to cook, Bridgette made the executive decision to order pizza. The three of them split two large pizzas, a veggie lover for Bridgette and a meat lover for Duncan, while Geoff just ate whatever he could get his hands on.

As Duncan watched the two blondes eat and talk, he was reminded of the reason why he didn't hang out with the two as a pair that often. They were too intoxicatingly sweet. Bridgette would wipe the pizza sauce off of Geoff's face and Geoff would say something stupid that only the two of them would understand just to make her laugh.

It made a tight knot in his stomach that made him want to hurl. And it also made him jealous. He could've had that if he didn't fuck up.

And so even though he was tired and wanted nothing more but to stay at their place for the night, he felt like he overstayed his welcome. Despite Geoff's and Bridgette's insistence, Duncan drove himself home.

Author Note:

Sorry for the late and super short update. I've been busy with my paper and work, and then I also had some writer's block with this chapter. I'll try to keep it up and finish the story. I appreciate you all for reading.