Page 6
Story: Hit Me With Your Best Shot
6
Austin: You kissed the glass.
Gio: You made the sign! We had a deal.
Austin: For HIM not for you!
Gio: Okay that makes no sense—because I am him. Ha ha.
Austin: This isn’t funny. I’m horrified. The entire place was staring at me like I was part of the halftime show.
Gio: You’re welcome! Don’t think I didn’t see you smiling.
Austin: Why were you watching me, you had a GAME TO PLAY!
Gio: Obviously you’re good luck. I didn’t play like total shit this time. Coach thanks you.
Austin: You’re not funny.
Gio: You’re overthinking this. Besides, you’re texting me, so I can’t be that bad.
Austin: I’m texting you because I need answers.
Gio: Answers about what?
Austin: YOU LIED TO ME ABOUT WHO YOU WERE!
Gio: Not technically. I told you my name and you have my phone number—not many people can say that.
Austin: Not the point.
Gio: Actually that IS the point.
Austin: The point is, you conveniently left out the part where I’d been insulting you to your face.
Gio: Didn’t think it was relevant.
Austin: Not relevant? Are you kidding me right now????
Gio: What—you wouldn’t have insulted me if you knew?
Austin: Of course not! I’m not an asshole!
Gio: I liked that you don’t hold back. It was… refreshing.
Austin: Refreshing?
Gio: Yes. Most people kiss my ass. You didn’t. It was a nice change.
Austin: I can’t tell if this is some twisted ego thing or if you’re insane???
Gio: Why can’t it be both?
Austin: Oh my od! You are twisted.
Gio: Some call it twisted, I call it flirting.
Austin: Is this how you pick up ALL women?
Gio: No. LOL. It’s been a long time since I tried to hit on someone.
Austin: Oh REALLY? And why is that? Enlighten me.
Gio: My relationship with my sister sometimes suffers—I’ve chosen the wrong women in the past. Or they’ve chosen me I should say. And I told myself I wouldn’t date women who see dollar signs when they look at me…
Gio: Hence, it’s been a long fucking time since I’ve dated.
Austin: I… am so sorry. I don’t know what to say. I…
Gio: There’s a reason I was at the bar—that wasn’t a coincidence.
Austin: What do you mean?
Gio: Nova told me about you.
Austin: Nova? Your sister? I don’t understand.
Gio: Yeah. She met you last week, during the game you watched at the bar.
Austin: Last week at the bar….
Gio: The dark haired chick who was laughing at everything you said? We live in your neighborhood. I’ve gotten pretty good at spotting the red flags but every once in a while, Nova likes to play matchmaker and I’m keen to let her.
Austin: So, she scouted me for you?
Gio: More like gave me a heads-up. I’m not on any dating apps. You impressed her.
Austin: I can’t tell if I should be flattered—or if this is stalking.
Gio: Flattered. Definitely flattered. NOT STALKING good god.
Austin: Easy for YOU to say that’s not what this is—you had all the info going in. I was taken off guard.
Gio: It’s not like I knew your life story. All Nova said was “She’s funny and unrelenting and doesn’t put up with crap. Maybe you need someone like that.”
Austin: … Still deciding how I feel about this.
Gio: Well. Take your time. My goal was to make you happy with the tickets and I did, so—maybe I’ll see you around. You know, since we’re mostly in the same neighborhood.
Austin: Wait. Are you breaking up with me??
Gio: I’m giving you space LOL