Page 27 of Don't Look Down
“Don’t encourage him, Sky. Luc. Fuck off.”
“You’ve been saying that a lot lately, hmm? He’s protesting too much, right, Sky?”
“He so is,” I agree.
“I don’t look at you naked, bro,” Landon denies. Uh-oh, please tell me this isn’t thebroto enhance and stress his straightness. My train of thought vanishes, though, because my brain is itchy.
Something about their back-and-forth is so familiar. Like I’ve heard them arguing before. I can’t quite pinpoint where. Part of the puzzle is missing. It’s right there waiting for me to grasp onto and fit into place.
It has to be a coincidence. Deja vu. The full picture becomes more elusive the longer I try to focus on it.
“I didn’t say you actively look, but you have, in fact, seen me naked. Before you get defensive again, just answer this. True or false? You have seen me naked.”
“True, but-” He’s cut off mid sentence when Luc talks over him.
“Listen, Sky. You know that skit, where she’s singing about needing a big boy?”
“Oh for fucks sake, Luc. Not this shit again.”
We both ignore Landon and I answer, “Yes, boo, but of course.” My face hurts from smiling.
“What you don't know is she wrote it about me.” After dropping this steaming pile of bullshit, Luc starts singing a dreadfully off-key rendition of it.
My abs burn, and I can barely breathe from laughing so hard. There are actual tears rolling down my face.
“You’re an idiot, bro,” Landon says. Looks like the verdict is in, and it’s safe to say, Landon and Luc usebrovery frequently.
After that, our conversation centers mostly on the game. Bits and pieces of conversation take place. But it’s mostly watch-your-back, flashbangs, air strikes, headshots, and accusations of camping.
Eventually, we decide this round of deathmatch will be our last.
“We have to do this again. You two are hysterical, and we make a great team on here.”
“Yeah, man, for sure. I’ll add you as a friend,” Luc says. A friend request from iamNOTyourfather pops up on my screen, and I accept his invite.
It’s official now. “Perfect. Just let me know when.”
“Awesome, alright, I’m out, boys. Catch ya later.” And just like that, Luc is gone.
“I don’t think I’ll make it on anytime soon. I’ll be out of town for a bit, but I’ll message you when I can.” Tension has hardened his voice.
“Okay, cool. Wait. Shit. Does that mean flying?” I whisperflying, hoping it won’t send him spiraling.
A shaky sigh leaves his mouth along with his, “Yes.”
“Well. Don’t you worry. I got your back. I’ll make sure to entertain you with all of your faves while you’re gone.”
“My faves?”
“Yep, my faves are now yours. Resistance is futile. You know you’re defenseless since you find me so charming.”
He doesn’t deny it, which draws a larger grin to my mouth.
“Just so you know, I’ll be randomly blowing up your chat with jokes, useless trivia knowledge, or random science facts. It’ll be like a Russian Roulette of faves. What’s Sky going to share today? You’ll never know what to expect.”
“Oh, joy. I can hardly contain my excitement,” he says in the most deadpan tone I’ve ever heard.
It cracks me up. He’s full of shit. He enjoys it as much as I do.