Free Unstoppable by Scott Hildreth

scent.
    “Nope. I came here to tell you they were perfect ,” I pulled my hands from the hoodie rubbed them on my shorts.
    “And as I sat and admired your eyebrows, I couldn’t help but notice you have good…uhhm, gestures,” I waved my hands in front of me in circles.
    “Gestures?” she rested her hands on her waist and cocked her hips.
    “You use your hands when you talk. You’re…what’s the word I’m looking for?” I scanned the area where her friends stood and then fixed my eyes on hers, “theatrical. You’re theatrical.”
    “And that is what you came here to tell me?” she chuckled.
    “That and I want an opportunity to get to know you,” I explained.
    “Well Ripp , I just might give you one. Are you a bad boy all of the time?” she asked.
    “Only when I have to be,” I said matter-of-factly.
    “Interesting. Well, I’m Vee,” she sighed as she extended her arm and offered her hand.
    “Have you a phone?” she asked as I shook her hand.
    “No, I left it in the booth,” I responded as I released her hand.
    “Well, I’m here for lunch with some associates from work, and we’re going to have to return soon,” she paused.
    “I work at Simon, Simon, and Simone, right around the corner under the Bat Bridge. It’s easy to remember. Google it. Call me there at the office. Just ask for Vee. We’ll proceed from there,” she turned to face her friends, who were both watching intently.
    “Sounds great, Vee, I’ll do that. Pleasure to meet you,” I said softly.
    I felt like running back to the booth and telling Dekk what had happened. I struggled to walk slowly and carefully, so I didn’t look like a damned fool. Something about this woman was exactly what I never looked for in a woman, but for some reason felt like I needed. As I slid into my seat, I couldn’t contain my smile.
    “Getting out the gold for this one, huh?” Dekk laughed as he took a drink of his water.
    “Huh?”
    “That big assed smile. Your gold tooth. It’s everywhere,” Dekk laughed as I settled into the seat.
    “Yeah, well, I didn’t smile really big while I was talking to her. Didn’t know what she might think about Goldie . And, I was too busy being suave,” I chuckled.
    “And, just so you know. I was like Don fucking Juan over there. Hell, I didn’t even stumble or say anything stupid,” I bragged.
    “Well, that’s good. Give me my hoodie back,” he said as he gestured across the table.
    “Not just yet. I want to wait until they’re gone. They’re leaving now,” I said as I peered out of the booth toward the women.
    As the three women walked toward the exit, Vee turned and looked back into the bar. As her eyes met mine, she raised her hand, waved, and smiled. I formed a soft closed-mouth smile, and waved in return. As soon as they cleared the doorway, I pulled off the hoodie and dropped it in the center of the table.
    “So, you going to drunk Chuck fuck her?” Dekk laughed as I leaned back in to the seat.
    “Chuck Fuckin’ and Fuck Drunk. They’re two separate things, get it straight. One’s fuckin’ and one’s a state of mind. And I might. We’ll just have to see. Maybe you should step on Shorty’s head, dude. She might like it, rumor has it chic’s dig it,” I said as I took a drink of my beer.
    The temperature of the beer reminded me of how long I had gone without taking a drink from the bottle. The warm beer, once in my mouth, expanded to about five times its original size. As it swelled into a ball of liquid foam, I attempted unsuccessfully to swallow it. Nervously, I looked for a place to spit it out. As I considered running to the bathroom, Shane responded.
    “I already stepped on her head, and she loved it,” Dekk grinned.
    And after that remark, I no longer needed to look for a place to spit the beer. It shot out of my mouth and nose, and sprayed all over Dekk’s hoodie that sat on the center of the table.
    “Well fuck, Ripp. Seriously?” he said as he stared at the beer