tình yêu and Denial
Courtney heard a loud bang from the front door. She quickly opened it to see Bridgette on the floor, rubbing her head.
“You know, if bạn send me a frantic message in my answering machine, saying that I have to be here ASAP, bạn could at least make the door unlocked so I won’t smash my head!” Bridgette shouted, taking Courtney’s hand to stand.
Courtney smiled. “Sorry, Bridge, I forgot,” she đã đưa ý kiến sheepishly.
Bridgette gasped dramatically. “This situation must be serious. bạn never forget anything!”
Courtney rolled her eyes. “Oh, ha-ha, Bridge.” She headed towards the kitchen, yelling, “Do bạn want some coffee?!”
Bridgette yelled, “Yeah!” and plopped herself on the couch.
After making their coffee, Courtney gave one of it to Bridgette, taking a ghế, chỗ ngồi tiếp theo to her.
Bridgette took a sip. “So…what was so important?” she questioned. “You almost broke my answering machine bởi your loud shrieking voice.”
Courtney ignored the last sentence. “There’s this guy…,” she started.
“Oh, my gosh! bạn like someone?! You’ve never had a crush since pre-school! This is impossible, Court!” Bridgette shouted.
Courtney glared at her. “Will bạn just let me finish my sentence?”
Bridgette grinned sheepishly. “Yeah, sorry. Go on.”
“As I was saying, there’s this guy who was suddenly inside my apartment! He came from the window, and was obviously a criminal. He was freaking hitting on me! It was so eerie and aggravating at the same time! He obviously doesn’t comprehend the term ‘personal space’ either! It was so unbelievable! Then bạn know what he did?! He kissed me on the lips! Totally vile, am I right?!” Courtney shouted in one breath. Her fists were clenched tightly, and she was red with anger—or was she…?
Bridgette didn’t seem shocked hoặc anything Courtney predicted a regular human’s reaction would be after hearing that implausible story. She was looking mischievous and had a knowing look on.
“Wh—What?!” Courtney shouted, outraged. “Why are bạn looking all roguish?! You’re supposed to say something like, ‘Oh, my gosh, that actually happened?!’ hoặc something correlated to that!”
Bridgette smirked. “You like this secret criminal, right?” she asked slyly.
Courtney gasped out loud. “How could bạn think that, Bridge?! I just met him a ngày ago, and bạn actually think I’m attracted to that—that—that illicit?!” she sputtered out.
“Courtney, Courtney, Courtney,” Bridgette sighed. “Look—it’s pretty obvious that bạn are attracted to him whether bạn like it hoặc not. bạn can’t control your heart; it controls you.”
Courtney was perplexed. “Bridgette, why are bạn suddenly speaking like a tình yêu doctor?! I’m telling bạn that a perverted criminal was in my apartment flirting with me, and bạn suddenly have this conception that I’m attracted to him?! Is there something wrong with you?!”
“It’s not a conception, Court; I know that you’re attracted to this mysterious criminal.” Bridgette smiled mischievously. “Is he hot?”
“No way! He’s a criminal, so he’s obviously not attractive! And how would I know?! I didn’t spend my leisure time staring at him!”
Bridgette rolled her eyes at her. “Not all criminals are unattractive—some are pretty hot. So, I’ll ask again: Is he hot? bạn better answer it and not give an evasive answer.”
“Well, bạn watch too much television,” Courtney mumbled. “And…I guess he was…hot. He was really muscular, but not too extreme. He had a green mohawk, which wasn’t all too stiff-like. He had multiples of piercings—three on his left ear, one on his right, a piercing on his left eyebrow, and a nose piercing. He was about 6’2” hoặc 6’3”-ish. To narrow it down, he looked like a bad boy.”
Bridgette laughed. “You contradicted yourself, bạn know? bạn đã đưa ý kiến bạn didn’t spend your free time staring at him when bạn actually did! Nobody who doesn’t stare at the opposite sex can describe somebody with that long description, Courtney.”
Courtney blushed. “I made bạn too smart.”
“Yeah, I learned from a little up-tight girl,” Bridgette retorted, receiving a glare from đã đưa ý kiến person. “And I have another thing to say: bạn are in denial. Since you’re the most stubborn person I know, it’ll probably take a long time for bạn to finally get out of that denial state.”
“I don’t like him. He’s a criminal, who forced himself upon me. That could be regarded as sexual harassment. I could báo cáo him, because I know an accurate mô tả of him. And”—Bridgette smirked, remembering that I contradicted myself—“Shut up. And he could be sent back to jail where he belongs.”
“It wouldn’t be labeled as sexual harassment if bạn liked it.”
Courtney growled. “I did not enjoy those contaminated lips on mine at all! I was completely caught off-guard, so I couldn’t hit him where the ‘sun don’t shine.’”
Bridgette smiled. “Like I said, you’re in denial.”
--
Duncan was lying down on the guest giường of Trent’s house. This guy wasn’t rich, but he had a humongous house! It was almost like a castle.
He sighed and looked out the window, thinking of Princess again.
Why can’t I get her damn face out of my head?! Yeah, she’s hot. Big whoop. But come on! She’s just a regular girl who’s freaking hot! I’ve seen hot girls like her, and I never have their faces glued to my brain! he shouted internally.
He heard a knock on the door.
“Come in, Trent,” Duncan đã đưa ý kiến lazily. “This is your freaking house—you don’t have to knock.”
Trent came in, smiling. “I’m just being polite,” he answered, holding a tray of delicious food.
Trent is the complete opposite of Duncan. He gets good grades, the teachers like him, he’s athletic, both of his parents like him, he plays the đàn ghi ta, guitar professionally, and he’s polite to girls. bạn could say he’s considered as the “Man of Every Girl’s Dream” and “The Boy All Parents Want.” But even though he’s the nicest guy ever, he still has his man hormones.
The reason why he’s Những người bạn with his antithesis is because he’s good to talk to. Although he’s never experienced what Duncan has, in a way, he understands. He empathizes with you. And he can be a little bad once in a while, bạn know.
“Dude, since when were bạn my wife?” Duncan joked, referring to the khăn, tạp dề on Trent and the tray of food. It also has a freaking flower!
Trent blushed. “Don’t tell Gwen about this,” he pleaded. “I don’t want her to see my un-manly side. And I like wearing aprons. I don’t know why, though.” He set the tray on the nightstand.
“That smells delicious, Elvis,” Duncan complimented. “I never knew bạn were a good cook.” He grabbed the tray and took a bite from the egg. He groaned in satisfaction. “This is amazing.”
Trent smiled sheepishly. “Um, actually, my mom made that for you. I told her bạn were sleeping over in the guest room, and she immediately ran to the kitchen, looking excited.”
Duncan grinned. He always knew his mom had a crush on him even though she’s married. It was pretty apparent, but there was one time when she confessed to him:
--
Duncan rudely came in the house, and he automatically plopped himself on Trent’s couch. Trent’s mother, Veronica, came out from the kitchen, knowing it was Duncan, holding a plate of sandwiches.
“’Sup, Veronica,” Duncan greeted, taking a sandwich. “Where’s Trent?”
Veronica giggled. “He’s at the video store. We’re going to watch some phim chiếu rạp together. Max is currently in a business trip—again,” she informed him, taking a ghế, chỗ ngồi tiếp theo to him.
“Damn, how many times will he go on business trips?” Duncan inquired incoherently; his mouth was full.
She sighed sadly. “Apparently his boss is so demanding. One thing after another. I pretty much never see him now. When he comes home, he’s dead tired. He tries to make up his absences bởi treating us to fancy restaurants, but that’s all he can do.” She looked like she was about to cry.
Duncan hated it when people, especially girls, cry. He never knew what to do. He awkwardly patted her knee.
“Er…it’s, um, okay, Veron,” Duncan muttered. “At least bạn still, uh, see him…?” He made it like a question.
Veronica sniffled, and then smiled fondly at Duncan. “Yes, you’re absolutely right!” she exclaimed. She pinched Duncan’s cheek. “You are so nice, Duncan!”
He chuckled nervously. “Uh, thanks…”
“You know, bạn always reminded me of Max when he was your age. He wasn’t a bad boy hoặc anything, but your appearance reminds me of him.” Veronica giggled quietly. “It’s like déjà vu.”
“Your husband had a green mohawk and piercings?”
“No. Your face is similar to his. bạn are a very, very, very handsome boy, Duncan. Despite your behavior, I’m pretty sure girls are attracted to bạn physically, right?” she teased.
Duncan blushed. He wasn’t used to polite compliments like these—he only heard hot, sexy, and all those other impolite adjectives.
“Th-Thanks, Mrs. Martinez,” Duncan stuttered.
Veronica grinned. “Why are bạn diễn xuất all polite now? Max wasn’t a bad boy like you, but he wasn’t polite either. He never knew how to be polite.”
“Why are bạn telling me this?”
“Because you’re amenable like him.”
--
He had to use the dictionary to find out what that meant.
Okay, maybe she didn’t really have a crush on him. He just exaggerated a bit. But she was fond of him, because he was like her husband when he was young.
“You okay, man?” Trent asked, taking a chair tiếp theo to the giường and sitting on it. “You look…troubled. What’s on your mind?”
Duncan sighed, running a hand through his mohawk. “There’s this girl…,” he started, “and…she’s…hot.”
Trent was confused. “Um…okay, then—what about her? She was bad at giường hoặc what?” he teased.
Duncan chuckled a bit. See what he was talking about? “No, man. I didn’t get it on with her than I usually do. I was in a…predicament.”
Trent knew this was serious. Duncan had horrible grades, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t smart. He learned things in prison; he just doesn’t use his brain sometimes since he’s lazy. Whenever Duncan is serious about something, he occasionally uses acute words. It just naturally comes out, and Duncan doesn’t even know it.
“Duncan, bạn have to be thêm specific,” Trent said, still confused.
Duncan took a deep breath. “I escaped a ‘highly guarded’ prison,” he đã đưa ý kiến sarcastically.
“As usual.”
“I stayed—or hid, being the better word—at Geoff’s apartment for a while yesterday. We were just chilling and talking, and then we heard the fatties coming door to door, checking if I was here. I escaped, and jumped through a window.
“There was an amazingly hot girl in a towel. At first she wasn’t there, so I just looked around her apartment. She was freaking hot, dude, I swear. I started to hit on her of course, but…inside of me didn’t want to…have sex with her… I mean, I wanted to—who wouldn’t want to? It’s just…I felt like it was wrong, bạn know?
“Surprisingly, she helped me escape. I kissed her as a reward since she didn’t want other things if bạn know what I mean—I was just joking, though. She was inexperienced, but they were the softest lips known to man, dude. It’s just…wow.” Courtney’s face appeared yet again in his head.
Trent grinned. “That was a long story,” he noted.
“Well, what am I going to do now? Princess’s face keeps popping up into my head. It’s getting annoying.” Duncan scratched his head roughly.
“Princess?”
“I named her that. I don’t know why—probably because she looks like those prissy little daughters hoặc somethin’.”
Trent laughed. “Well…I guess it’s tình yêu at first sight, Duncan.”
Duncan snorted. “What the hell, man? What’s with this tình yêu crap? I just met her, and I don’t believe in all that ‘love at first sight’ trash.”
“It’s pretty believable to me. You’ve met other pretty girls, and bạn never have this situation. It’s obvious.”
“That’s what I’ve been saying, man! I can’t get her out of my mind! It’s like I’m losing my mind over some princess! It’s just not right! I am so freaking confused!” Duncan clutched his head.
“That’s what bạn get for not using your brain much,” Trent teased.
Duncan glared at him. “You are so freaking lucky you’re one of my best dudes hoặc else I would’ve stuck your head in the microwave.”
“How do bạn feel about her?” Trent questioned.
“What do bạn mean how do I feel about her?”
“Do bạn feel any attraction towards her? Do bạn feel contempt towards her? What?”
Duncan rolled his eyes. “Trent, I just met her. I don’t feel anything towards her. Nothing thêm than a little physical attraction. Sure she seemed fun to tease, but that’s it. She’s like my little toy, but I Mất tích that toy.”
“Simile, huh?” Trent muttered, smirking. “You contradicted yourself.”
“Eh?”
Maybe he wasn’t really that smart. “You đã đưa ý kiến that disagreed with what I just đã đưa ý kiến earlier, and now look at Mr. Hypocrite. bạn do feel something towards her. Physical attraction is related to the word attraction.”
“Just because it has the word attraction doesn’t mean they are related,” Duncan grumbled childishly. “And it’s not the same thing! It’s not love.” He grimaced.
“Dude, I got one thing to say: you’re in denial.”
“I’m never in denial.”
“Never say never.”
Courtney heard a loud bang from the front door. She quickly opened it to see Bridgette on the floor, rubbing her head.
“You know, if bạn send me a frantic message in my answering machine, saying that I have to be here ASAP, bạn could at least make the door unlocked so I won’t smash my head!” Bridgette shouted, taking Courtney’s hand to stand.
Courtney smiled. “Sorry, Bridge, I forgot,” she đã đưa ý kiến sheepishly.
Bridgette gasped dramatically. “This situation must be serious. bạn never forget anything!”
Courtney rolled her eyes. “Oh, ha-ha, Bridge.” She headed towards the kitchen, yelling, “Do bạn want some coffee?!”
Bridgette yelled, “Yeah!” and plopped herself on the couch.
After making their coffee, Courtney gave one of it to Bridgette, taking a ghế, chỗ ngồi tiếp theo to her.
Bridgette took a sip. “So…what was so important?” she questioned. “You almost broke my answering machine bởi your loud shrieking voice.”
Courtney ignored the last sentence. “There’s this guy…,” she started.
“Oh, my gosh! bạn like someone?! You’ve never had a crush since pre-school! This is impossible, Court!” Bridgette shouted.
Courtney glared at her. “Will bạn just let me finish my sentence?”
Bridgette grinned sheepishly. “Yeah, sorry. Go on.”
“As I was saying, there’s this guy who was suddenly inside my apartment! He came from the window, and was obviously a criminal. He was freaking hitting on me! It was so eerie and aggravating at the same time! He obviously doesn’t comprehend the term ‘personal space’ either! It was so unbelievable! Then bạn know what he did?! He kissed me on the lips! Totally vile, am I right?!” Courtney shouted in one breath. Her fists were clenched tightly, and she was red with anger—or was she…?
Bridgette didn’t seem shocked hoặc anything Courtney predicted a regular human’s reaction would be after hearing that implausible story. She was looking mischievous and had a knowing look on.
“Wh—What?!” Courtney shouted, outraged. “Why are bạn looking all roguish?! You’re supposed to say something like, ‘Oh, my gosh, that actually happened?!’ hoặc something correlated to that!”
Bridgette smirked. “You like this secret criminal, right?” she asked slyly.
Courtney gasped out loud. “How could bạn think that, Bridge?! I just met him a ngày ago, and bạn actually think I’m attracted to that—that—that illicit?!” she sputtered out.
“Courtney, Courtney, Courtney,” Bridgette sighed. “Look—it’s pretty obvious that bạn are attracted to him whether bạn like it hoặc not. bạn can’t control your heart; it controls you.”
Courtney was perplexed. “Bridgette, why are bạn suddenly speaking like a tình yêu doctor?! I’m telling bạn that a perverted criminal was in my apartment flirting with me, and bạn suddenly have this conception that I’m attracted to him?! Is there something wrong with you?!”
“It’s not a conception, Court; I know that you’re attracted to this mysterious criminal.” Bridgette smiled mischievously. “Is he hot?”
“No way! He’s a criminal, so he’s obviously not attractive! And how would I know?! I didn’t spend my leisure time staring at him!”
Bridgette rolled her eyes at her. “Not all criminals are unattractive—some are pretty hot. So, I’ll ask again: Is he hot? bạn better answer it and not give an evasive answer.”
“Well, bạn watch too much television,” Courtney mumbled. “And…I guess he was…hot. He was really muscular, but not too extreme. He had a green mohawk, which wasn’t all too stiff-like. He had multiples of piercings—three on his left ear, one on his right, a piercing on his left eyebrow, and a nose piercing. He was about 6’2” hoặc 6’3”-ish. To narrow it down, he looked like a bad boy.”
Bridgette laughed. “You contradicted yourself, bạn know? bạn đã đưa ý kiến bạn didn’t spend your free time staring at him when bạn actually did! Nobody who doesn’t stare at the opposite sex can describe somebody with that long description, Courtney.”
Courtney blushed. “I made bạn too smart.”
“Yeah, I learned from a little up-tight girl,” Bridgette retorted, receiving a glare from đã đưa ý kiến person. “And I have another thing to say: bạn are in denial. Since you’re the most stubborn person I know, it’ll probably take a long time for bạn to finally get out of that denial state.”
“I don’t like him. He’s a criminal, who forced himself upon me. That could be regarded as sexual harassment. I could báo cáo him, because I know an accurate mô tả of him. And”—Bridgette smirked, remembering that I contradicted myself—“Shut up. And he could be sent back to jail where he belongs.”
“It wouldn’t be labeled as sexual harassment if bạn liked it.”
Courtney growled. “I did not enjoy those contaminated lips on mine at all! I was completely caught off-guard, so I couldn’t hit him where the ‘sun don’t shine.’”
Bridgette smiled. “Like I said, you’re in denial.”
--
Duncan was lying down on the guest giường of Trent’s house. This guy wasn’t rich, but he had a humongous house! It was almost like a castle.
He sighed and looked out the window, thinking of Princess again.
Why can’t I get her damn face out of my head?! Yeah, she’s hot. Big whoop. But come on! She’s just a regular girl who’s freaking hot! I’ve seen hot girls like her, and I never have their faces glued to my brain! he shouted internally.
He heard a knock on the door.
“Come in, Trent,” Duncan đã đưa ý kiến lazily. “This is your freaking house—you don’t have to knock.”
Trent came in, smiling. “I’m just being polite,” he answered, holding a tray of delicious food.
Trent is the complete opposite of Duncan. He gets good grades, the teachers like him, he’s athletic, both of his parents like him, he plays the đàn ghi ta, guitar professionally, and he’s polite to girls. bạn could say he’s considered as the “Man of Every Girl’s Dream” and “The Boy All Parents Want.” But even though he’s the nicest guy ever, he still has his man hormones.
The reason why he’s Những người bạn with his antithesis is because he’s good to talk to. Although he’s never experienced what Duncan has, in a way, he understands. He empathizes with you. And he can be a little bad once in a while, bạn know.
“Dude, since when were bạn my wife?” Duncan joked, referring to the khăn, tạp dề on Trent and the tray of food. It also has a freaking flower!
Trent blushed. “Don’t tell Gwen about this,” he pleaded. “I don’t want her to see my un-manly side. And I like wearing aprons. I don’t know why, though.” He set the tray on the nightstand.
“That smells delicious, Elvis,” Duncan complimented. “I never knew bạn were a good cook.” He grabbed the tray and took a bite from the egg. He groaned in satisfaction. “This is amazing.”
Trent smiled sheepishly. “Um, actually, my mom made that for you. I told her bạn were sleeping over in the guest room, and she immediately ran to the kitchen, looking excited.”
Duncan grinned. He always knew his mom had a crush on him even though she’s married. It was pretty apparent, but there was one time when she confessed to him:
--
Duncan rudely came in the house, and he automatically plopped himself on Trent’s couch. Trent’s mother, Veronica, came out from the kitchen, knowing it was Duncan, holding a plate of sandwiches.
“’Sup, Veronica,” Duncan greeted, taking a sandwich. “Where’s Trent?”
Veronica giggled. “He’s at the video store. We’re going to watch some phim chiếu rạp together. Max is currently in a business trip—again,” she informed him, taking a ghế, chỗ ngồi tiếp theo to him.
“Damn, how many times will he go on business trips?” Duncan inquired incoherently; his mouth was full.
She sighed sadly. “Apparently his boss is so demanding. One thing after another. I pretty much never see him now. When he comes home, he’s dead tired. He tries to make up his absences bởi treating us to fancy restaurants, but that’s all he can do.” She looked like she was about to cry.
Duncan hated it when people, especially girls, cry. He never knew what to do. He awkwardly patted her knee.
“Er…it’s, um, okay, Veron,” Duncan muttered. “At least bạn still, uh, see him…?” He made it like a question.
Veronica sniffled, and then smiled fondly at Duncan. “Yes, you’re absolutely right!” she exclaimed. She pinched Duncan’s cheek. “You are so nice, Duncan!”
He chuckled nervously. “Uh, thanks…”
“You know, bạn always reminded me of Max when he was your age. He wasn’t a bad boy hoặc anything, but your appearance reminds me of him.” Veronica giggled quietly. “It’s like déjà vu.”
“Your husband had a green mohawk and piercings?”
“No. Your face is similar to his. bạn are a very, very, very handsome boy, Duncan. Despite your behavior, I’m pretty sure girls are attracted to bạn physically, right?” she teased.
Duncan blushed. He wasn’t used to polite compliments like these—he only heard hot, sexy, and all those other impolite adjectives.
“Th-Thanks, Mrs. Martinez,” Duncan stuttered.
Veronica grinned. “Why are bạn diễn xuất all polite now? Max wasn’t a bad boy like you, but he wasn’t polite either. He never knew how to be polite.”
“Why are bạn telling me this?”
“Because you’re amenable like him.”
--
He had to use the dictionary to find out what that meant.
Okay, maybe she didn’t really have a crush on him. He just exaggerated a bit. But she was fond of him, because he was like her husband when he was young.
“You okay, man?” Trent asked, taking a chair tiếp theo to the giường and sitting on it. “You look…troubled. What’s on your mind?”
Duncan sighed, running a hand through his mohawk. “There’s this girl…,” he started, “and…she’s…hot.”
Trent was confused. “Um…okay, then—what about her? She was bad at giường hoặc what?” he teased.
Duncan chuckled a bit. See what he was talking about? “No, man. I didn’t get it on with her than I usually do. I was in a…predicament.”
Trent knew this was serious. Duncan had horrible grades, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t smart. He learned things in prison; he just doesn’t use his brain sometimes since he’s lazy. Whenever Duncan is serious about something, he occasionally uses acute words. It just naturally comes out, and Duncan doesn’t even know it.
“Duncan, bạn have to be thêm specific,” Trent said, still confused.
Duncan took a deep breath. “I escaped a ‘highly guarded’ prison,” he đã đưa ý kiến sarcastically.
“As usual.”
“I stayed—or hid, being the better word—at Geoff’s apartment for a while yesterday. We were just chilling and talking, and then we heard the fatties coming door to door, checking if I was here. I escaped, and jumped through a window.
“There was an amazingly hot girl in a towel. At first she wasn’t there, so I just looked around her apartment. She was freaking hot, dude, I swear. I started to hit on her of course, but…inside of me didn’t want to…have sex with her… I mean, I wanted to—who wouldn’t want to? It’s just…I felt like it was wrong, bạn know?
“Surprisingly, she helped me escape. I kissed her as a reward since she didn’t want other things if bạn know what I mean—I was just joking, though. She was inexperienced, but they were the softest lips known to man, dude. It’s just…wow.” Courtney’s face appeared yet again in his head.
Trent grinned. “That was a long story,” he noted.
“Well, what am I going to do now? Princess’s face keeps popping up into my head. It’s getting annoying.” Duncan scratched his head roughly.
“Princess?”
“I named her that. I don’t know why—probably because she looks like those prissy little daughters hoặc somethin’.”
Trent laughed. “Well…I guess it’s tình yêu at first sight, Duncan.”
Duncan snorted. “What the hell, man? What’s with this tình yêu crap? I just met her, and I don’t believe in all that ‘love at first sight’ trash.”
“It’s pretty believable to me. You’ve met other pretty girls, and bạn never have this situation. It’s obvious.”
“That’s what I’ve been saying, man! I can’t get her out of my mind! It’s like I’m losing my mind over some princess! It’s just not right! I am so freaking confused!” Duncan clutched his head.
“That’s what bạn get for not using your brain much,” Trent teased.
Duncan glared at him. “You are so freaking lucky you’re one of my best dudes hoặc else I would’ve stuck your head in the microwave.”
“How do bạn feel about her?” Trent questioned.
“What do bạn mean how do I feel about her?”
“Do bạn feel any attraction towards her? Do bạn feel contempt towards her? What?”
Duncan rolled his eyes. “Trent, I just met her. I don’t feel anything towards her. Nothing thêm than a little physical attraction. Sure she seemed fun to tease, but that’s it. She’s like my little toy, but I Mất tích that toy.”
“Simile, huh?” Trent muttered, smirking. “You contradicted yourself.”
“Eh?”
Maybe he wasn’t really that smart. “You đã đưa ý kiến that disagreed with what I just đã đưa ý kiến earlier, and now look at Mr. Hypocrite. bạn do feel something towards her. Physical attraction is related to the word attraction.”
“Just because it has the word attraction doesn’t mean they are related,” Duncan grumbled childishly. “And it’s not the same thing! It’s not love.” He grimaced.
“Dude, I got one thing to say: you’re in denial.”
“I’m never in denial.”
“Never say never.”
