Into the Wild...Boyz

Savannah felt a little guilty as she drove away and decided to shoot Johnny an apology text but it’d have to be later. Right now she was in the Hollywood Hills. She pulled up to a nice, contemporary structured house and double checked her phone to make sure she had the right address. Yup, she arrived at the right place. She got out of her car, smoothed out her skirt, squared her shoulders and headed up the stairs to the front door. Once she got to the front door she took a cleansing breath and rang the doorbell.

“What the…” said Rob as he looked up at the flat screen security monitor. The image of Savannah on the screen made him scratch at his pool game he was playing with his security guard. “What time is it?”

“Seven o’clock”, replied his security guard.

“Are you serious? I think my blind date’s here. Check her out.” He waved at the monitor.

“Well lookie there. Definitely not a dirty girl.”

“Gee ya think?” Rob tried to hide his laughter as he went to answer the door. “May I help you?” he asked Savannah.

“Are you Rob?”

“Yes I am.”

“I’m Savannah. Casey’s sister.”

“Really? You’re Casey’s sister?”

“Yes.”

“Well please come in.” Rob stepped aside as Savannah entered. “Guys, this is Savannah. Casey’s sister. Savannah, that’s my head of security, Christopher “Big Black” Boykin and that’s my cousin Drama, my assistant.”

“Nice to meet you all”, said Savannah.

“You too”, said Big. “She’s so polite.” He fluttered his eyes and smiled.

“Isn’t she though? Wow”, said Rob. “So I have a question.”

“Okay, I have an answer”, replied Savannah.

“And I’m sorry if this might seem rude but are you sure this isn’t a practical joke? I know who Casey works for; she does have a sense of humor.”

“What do you mean, Rob?”

“Well Casey, your sister, is smoking hot, I’m not gonna lie. She’s a dime.”

“A ten”, said Big, to clarify.

“Exactly”, said Rob. “I didn’t think she’d have a nickel for a sister, to be honest.”

Savannah’s eyes went wide and she blinked a bit, processing the little insult and the smart ass smirk on Rob’s face. “Wow. Well, she didn’t exactly tell me I was going on a blind date with a wanna be thug either.”

“Whoa. I’m not a wanna be thug. I’m a professional skateboarder.”

“Really? That’s pretty cool. My little cousin calls himself that. But he’s twelve. And how old are you?”

“Uh oh”, said Big as he sat down next to Drama. “This is getting good.”

“Okay, okay”, said Rob. “But does your little twelve year old cousin have his own clothing line? Or his own signature DC shoes? Three times over, but who’s counting?”

“Well he doesn’t have all that but his is your height.”

There was a collective “whoa” from Big Black and Drama.

“Wow. How are you gonna come into my house, on a blind date, knock my profession and my
height when you’re the same size as me. In heels, no less.”

Savannah kicked off her shoes, “feel better now?”

Rob paused, “yes, yes I do. Okay, grab your shoes. We’re going upstairs.”

“What?”

“For dinner. Calm down, wild cat. Not on the first date.”

“Not on any date.”

“So hurtful.” Rob shook his head.

“Well that’s what you get for calling me ugly.”

“But I didn’t say ugly. You’re a nickel. That’s half way to a dime. You’re getting there.”

“You gotta give the girl at least two pennies, man”, coaxed Big. “She’s earned it. She’s got personality.”

“Okay. Deal. I’m going up. You coming, Savannah?”

“Well”, Savannah looked at the door then at Rob. “I don’t know.”

“Can I say something, Miss Savannah?” asked Big.

“Sure, Big, go ahead.”

“Allow me to apologize on behalf of my boy, Diesel here. He likes dirty girls. He really doesn’t know anything else.”

“Dare I ask what that is?”

“Strippers”, said Drama, quietly.

“Not just strippers”, said Rob, “party girls too.”

“Oh, fake bitches”, said Savannah.

“DGL”, said Rob. “Dirty girls for life.”

Savannah just shook her head. “Should I call Casey now and yell at her or wait until after dinner?”

“How ‘bout after dinner we’ll both yell at her ‘cause then that would be dessert?”

“Sounds like a plan.”

“Ladies first then”, Rob gestured to the stairs. Savannah picked up her shoes and followed him up.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Johnny eyed his own image in the mirror before him curiously as he studied his right eye. It was already starting to turn black and blue underneath. The ice that Darcie got him did keep the swelling down though. He chuckled a bit. He did not expect Savannah to react like she did. He was just trying to keep the conversation light between them and tease her a little about her blind date since they were in mixed company. He honestly didn’t think she’d get as upset as she did. Now he had no one to hang out with tonight. Ever since the separation from his wife started he hated being by himself with a royal passion because being alone meant he had time to think and let everything sink in unless there was alcohol involved but it’s never fun drinking alone he thought as he slipped on his Aviators and left the bathroom in search of Jeff. He found him in his office. Johnny stuck his head inside Jeff’s open door and cleared his throat to get his attention.

“Gee, Knox, hanging out kinda late, aren’t ya?” asked Jeff while he shut down his lap top.

“Well”, said Johnny as he came in and sat across from him, “I kinda had plans but they fell
through.” He started thumbing through his phone. “What are you up to tonight?”

“Oh now you wanna hang out huh? Is Savannah busy?”

“Casey sent the poor kid on a blind date.”

“Let’s go grab a beer or three somewhere then.”

“Yeah that sounds like a plan.” Johnny put his cell phone away in his pocket.

“Dare I ask what’s with the sunglasses?” Johnny sighed then took his Aviators off. Jeff could clearly see the shiner that was beginning to stake its claim around Johnny’s eye. “My god. How’d that happen?”

“Uh, well, I was picking on Savannah about her blind date and she threw a rubber band ball at my head. I kinda deserved it.”

“You two need to just hook up already.”

“No, we’re just friends, Jeff. She’s a wonderful person and all but we’re just friends. So are we going for that beer or what?”

“Way to change the subject.”

“Well I’m ready to drink. Let’s go if we’re going.”

“All right. Let me pack up and we’ll go.”

Meanwhile, in the little common area of the office, Darcie hung up her desk phone and smiled, satisfied with a job well done for the day. What a long day it was. She looked up at the clock on the wall and it was already well past 7:00. She silently cursed. She hopped up from her chair and started quickly putting her bag together. She didn’t notice Steve-O had walked into the common area and sat down on the couch. She shouldered her bag and walked out of her cubicle then stopped when she saw him.

“Hey”, he said.

“Hey”, she replied. “I didn’t think you were still here.”

“I noticed you hadn’t left yet. I almost thought you were ditching me.”

“No, not at all. I got wrapped up in my phone calls. Sorry about that.” She gave him a shy smile. “So, are you ready?”

Steve-O got up from the couch and gestured for her to go first. He soon fell instep next to her as they left the common area and headed out to the parking lot.

“Now let’s hope this works”, said Steve-O as he jiggled the keyfob in his hand and hit the button.
They heard a chirp a couple cars away from them and saw the lights flash on a sleek, black BMW. Darcie was surprised to say the least.

“Is that yours?” she asked as they neared the vehicle.

“I wish. It’s a friend’s. I’m just borrowing it for a bit.” He held open the passenger door for her and she quickly got in. While Steve-O rounded the car, she reached across and pushed the driver side door open for him. He smiled at her as he got in and started up the car. It definitely was a sweet gesture on her part he thought as they pulled out of the parking lot. Soon they were mingling with highway traffic and heading north on Pacific Coast Highway 1. The ride had been quiet between them except for a little small talk here and there.

“So where are you taking me?” asked Darcie.

Steve-O smiled. “Well, I know a place I think you’ll really like. I just wish we hadn’t left so late but that’s okay. It’ll still be fun, I promise.”

Ten minutes later they pulled into the parking lot of a beachside park where there was a carnival going on. Darcie got out of the car faster than Steve-O could get around it to let her out. Her eyes were huge with amazement and wonder as she cast a glance his way. He shyly shuffled at the pavement with his feet.

“So I might’ve made a few notes while we were texting back and forth”, he told her.

“What sort of notes?” she asked.

“Well”, Steve-O gave a small shrug, “guess you’ll just have to follow me and find out.” He started walking towards the brightly lit pier.

“Hey now!” Darcie exclaimed and followed him. “Don’t I get any hints?” They started navigating through the small throngs of people that were around. Darcie gently took ahold of the back of his shirt so she wouldn’t get lost and he just smiled even though she couldn’t see it. He soon came to an abrupt stop which made her bump into the back of him.

“Tah dah!” He announced with a flourish as he stepped aside and gestured to the skeeball game in front of them. “I got a pocket full of quarters that says I can kick your ass.”

“Have you ever even played?” she asked as he dropped a quarter in the slot where she was standing and paid for his game too. Before all the balls rolled down he picked one up.

“Of course I have. Who hasn’t played skeeball?” But instead of rolling it up the alley he tossed it awkwardly. It banked off the wall and flew back at him, hitting his thigh. “Fuck!” Darcie did her best to hide her laughter behind her hand.

“Way to show off, son”, laughed the old man that ran the game. Steve-O sort of glared at him then picked up the ball and put it back with the rest of them.

“I’ll give you a demonstration”, said Darcie. She picked up a ball, rolled it up the alley and made fifty points on the first try. “Nothing to it.”

Steve-O nodded and copied the way she had rolled the ball. His aim was good but it bounced all the way down and disappeared behind the little ramp leading to the point cups which didn’t get him any points at all.

“You still have eight balls to play with so there’s still hope.” Darcie flashed him a smile.

“Smart ass”, he said as he picked up another ball to give it another shot and still failed miserably but as long as she was having fun with it, which she was he noted by the huge grin on her face; that was all that mattered to him.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Savannah was in a fit of laughter as she sat on the couch on Rob’s patio. Rob was sitting in a nearby chair.

“Why’s that funny?” he asked with a smile on his face.

“Because it just is. What was Casey thinking?”

“I have no idea. We should call her and find out though shouldn’t we?”

Savannah lit herself a cigarette. “Absolutely we should.”

“You should call her and act all weepy. You know, explain that it was the worst idea ever and why.”

“Oh I can do that with no problem.” Savannah went through her phone and connected to her sister’s number, making sure the call was on speaker. Less than two rings and Casey picked up.

“Uh oh”, said Casey. “You’re calling kind of early aren’t you?”

“Not early enough”, Savannah faked a sniffle. “What were you thinking?”

“Oh no. Was it that bad?” Casey sounded very sympathetic.

“It was horrible. You didn’t say he was a wankster skateboarder.” Rob raised his eyebrows at her over that but she just dismissed him with a wave.

“But he’s sweet though.”

“Sweet nothin’”, said Savannah. “He called me a nickel with a dime sister.” She did her best to bring out the fake tears in her voice.

“What? No he didn’t. And are you crying?”

“Yes, I’m crying.” Savannah sniffled again for effect. “I was humiliated.”

“That asshole. How dare he. Hold on, I’m going to get us on three-way and I’m going to let him have it. No one hurts my baby sister’s feelings like that. I should…oh hold on, Savannah, he’s beeping in.”

“Hey, Casey”, said Rob then he immediately pulled the phone away from his ear because of Casey yelling on the other end.

“Don’t you ‘hey, Casey’ me. You reduced my sister to tears, you jerk! I thought if anything you two could at least be friends. I can’t believe you, Rob. No wonder why you can’t find a decent woman.”

Rob returned the phone to his ear, “I get decent women all day every day.”

“Strippers and hoes aren’t decent. There’s no such thing as a hooker with a heart of gold. You better call my sister and apologize.”

“I’ll send her some DCs, what’s her shoe size?” He grinned at Savannah.

“You better do a lot more than that, Buddy”, said Casey. “You better send her the best flowers money can buy. I knew I should’ve gone with my gut on this and introduced her to Berra instead.”

“Wait what? Berra? As in Steve Berra?”

“Yeah. He would’ve been much nicer to her.”

“I was nice. I walked her out.”

“You call that nice?” Casey roared.

“Hey. Neither once of us asked to be fixed up, you know.”

“Fix it, Rob. I’m warning you. Fix it or else.” Casey hung up on him and switched the call to Savannah. “Still there, Chipmunk?”

“Yeah”, Savannah gave a fake sniffle.

“He’ll be sending you flowers to apologize, I promise.”

“Or else what?” asked Rob loudly, hoping that Casey heard him.

“What?” Rob repeated himself. “Rob?”

“Yeah?” He got up from his chair and joined Savannah on the couch to be closer to the conversation.

“Oh you guys!” Rob and Savannah laughed.

“Your sister’s a good actress, Casey.”

“But he did call me a nickel”, said Savannah.

“At first but she’s making her way to dime status. Personality wise at least.” Savannah punched him
in the arm for that one.

“You still owe her flowers”, said Casey. “That was rude.”

“It probably was outta line but she got me back, trust me”, said Rob as he rubbed the spot that Savannah punched.

“So it was an okay night?”

“Yeah.”

“Not so bad.”

“Are you two going to get together again?”

“Not like that.”

“Yeah once was enough. But I might put her on the list for parties. I believe we’re friends now.”

“Maybe.” Savannah eyed him cautiously.

“Maybe?”

“Screw flowers”, said Savannah. “I think he should send me some swag over this.”

“Fair enough”, said Rob. “I can do that. I think you earned it.”

“Okay”, said Casey. “You guys enjoy the rest of your night. Call me when you get home, sissy.”

“I will. Bye.” Savannah ended the call.

“She was going to set you up with another friend of mine. I could put in a good word for you.”

“No thanks. After this, I’m good for a while as far as blind dates are concerned.”

“Me too. But I have a question.”

“You can send the DC stuff to my apartment. I’ll give you the address.”

“Okay but that wasn’t my question. What’s with the Chipmunk nickname?”

“We’re friends, Rob, but not that good of friends.”

“At least not yet.”

“True but it’s just a silly nickname. There’s no history about it whatsoever.” That was a white lie but Savannah would be damned if she let anyone in on that secret so she changed the subject. “Well, it’s getting late. I should get going.” She stood up and stepped into her shoes.

“Changing the subject but I’ll be nice and walk you out.”

They walked back through the house and as soon as Rob got a glimpse of her beat up LTD he couldn’t help but laugh. Gee, there were a lot of people having laughs at her expense today she thought but she was too tired to scowl at him so she let it go. Finally Rob regained his composure and tried to give her a genuine, friendly smile.

“Be honest, does this thing even pass inspection?” he asked while doing his best to stifle a laugh.

“It does, actually. I just can’t seem to part with it for some reason.” Another white lie, working for Casey did have its decent kick-backs just not decent enough to get her a more reliable vehicle at the moment. “Anyways, it was nice meeting you, Rob.”

“It was nice to meet you too, Savannah.” He gave her a quick hug. “We’ll get together again soon. Maybe I could even get you on my show.”

“Your show?”

“I’m in talks with MTV about a reality show. This probably would’ve made a great episode, to be
honest.”

“Oh I hope you’re joking.” She got in the car and quickly rolled the window down so they could continue their conversation.

“About the show? No. Jeff Tremaine and I are working on something. We’ve already filmed some stuff around town.”

“I know Tremaine. How is it that we have just about the same circles but never have met?”

“That’s Hollywood for you.” Rob gave a little shrug. “You’ll learn that the longer you’re out here, I’m sure. Have a good night. Be careful driving home too. Call me if you break down.” Rob couldn’t help but laugh as Savannah pulled away.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Darcie and Steve-O had spent so many quarters at the skeeball game that the old man stayed over an extra hour for them so they could continue to play. They left him with an extra hundred dollars in his pocket and were loaded down with prizes from his booth. Darcie was carrying a huge, green gorilla that was just about as tall as she was and Steve-O was carrying a stuffed giraffe on his shoulders as they walked back to the car.

“So that was fun”, said Steve-O. There had been a peaceful silence between them as they got back to the BMW. “I think the kids are tired though.” He chuckled as he hit the keyfob and opened the back seat of the car. Carefully he took the giraffe from around his shoulders and loaded the stuffed animal into the backseat, making sure to belt it in as well. He did the same thing with the green gorilla then he opened Darcie’s door for her. While Darcie sat in the car and watched Steve-O slide into the driver’s seat she was sad that their night had to end. Even if it wasn’t a date she had so much fun with him and she was still dreading the end of the evening as they pulled into the parking lot in front of her little apartment.

“I had a great time, Steve”, said Darcie as she unbuckled her seatbelt.

“Yeah me too. I think I finally got the hang of skeeball thanks to my kick ass teacher.” He smiled at her and she smiled back. “So…” he sort of trailed off as he looked at her. Her eyes were so pretty and so blue he thought. “Uh”, he sort of smiled and cleared his throat then his face turned a bit serious. “What do we do about the kids? Do we split custody or what?” He chuckled a bit as he nodded to the backseat where the green gorilla and giraffe were safely belted in.

“That’s a good question. What do you think?”

“I guess I could maybe take them on the weekends depending on my busy schedule. Not that I don’t love them but”, he sighed dramatically. “Are you even sure they’re mine? They look nothing like me.” They both laughed at that. “Come on, I’ll walk you to your door.”

“You don’t have to do that, Steve”, said Darcie as they both got out of the car.

“Sure I do”, he said as he opened the back door to let the “children” out. He handed her the giraffe. “The gorilla’s just about as tall as you”, he grunted as he pulled the gorilla out and closed the car door. “Unless you’re concerned I’ll stalk you or something.”

“Would you?”

“Are you asking me to?”

“Yes, please.”

Steve-O just smiled and in a friendly gesture, put his arm around her as they strolled to her building.