“So,” Nico said, “it was my brain that decided I should go to Drink and Dive and take the annoying, arrogant, asshole, prick for all he’s got. And I had no say in the matter.”
“What do you mean you had no say in the matter? What— Your brain belongs to someone else? Or maybe it’s not even in there”—Charles poked Nico’s forehead—“behind that thick skull of yours. Maybe it’s floating in a vat of ginger ale in a scientific lab in Duluth or Brainerd.”
“Why Duluth or Brainerd? Why couldn’t my brain be in a lab in Paris? Or Monte Carlo?”
“Anybody who’s stupid enough to think their brain is floating in a vat of ginger ale doesn’t deserve to be in Paris or Monte Carlo.” Charles heaved a big sigh. “We are going off track here. My point is, if your brain is making decisions, it’s making decisions for you and as a part of you. It’s not floating in a vat somewhere where Dr. Wily pokes and prods your gray matter, making you do all sorts of wicked things.”
“Is this another video game reference?”
“The Dr. Wily part is.”
Nico shook her head, exasperated. “How did we get here? I don’t know what in the hell we’re talking about.”
“You were the one who wanted to talk metaphysics.”
Nico found that hard to believe, given she wasn’t even certain what metaphysics was.
Charles handed Templeton another kernel of popcorn.
“Does it really matter if you’re on the same team? You said it yourself. When it comes to Formula 1,teamis an oxymoron. The drivers don’t compete like a team. Although I suppose it means you’ll probably have to see him more—up close and personal-like—and you’ll have to stop that social media war with him.”
“I will if he does.”
Charles laughed. “I bet he’s saying the same thing.”
Nico got up and walked over to the shelf of DVDs. “So, what do you want to watch?”
Tuesday was movie night.
She pulled out one—10 Things I Hate About You.
Maybe.
“His cousin sounds nice,” Charles said.
“Dario? He is.”
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.
Maybe.
Nico smiled. “He told him not to be a tool.”
Charles laughed. “He did?”
Never Been Kissed.
Um. Uh-uh.
Nico nodded. “When annoying, arrogant, asshole, prick wouldn’t shake my hand.”
Isn’t It Romantic.
Definitely not.
Charles picked up his phone and began scrolling while Nico continued perusing the DVDs.
The Little Mermaid.
