#escape extras

She is completely thrown off by the answer.  If he was traveling that far away for long it could hinder her plans with Chris for sure. She needed to get more details about it.

NICOLE:  What?

CHRIS:  What?

NICOLE:  Indonesia?

CHRIS:  ?

CHRIS: What about it?

NICOLE:  You tell me 

CHRIS:  About what?

As she typed, she dramatically and slowly said aloud the word again.

NICOLE:  In-do-ne-sia!  Are you going there for something?

CHRIS:  WTF are you talking about?

Now she’s getting pissed and finds herself gritting her teeth as she types back to him.

NICOLE:  🤦🏻‍♀️ How the hell should I know? You brought it up!!!!

CHRIS: Brought up what?! 

NICOLE: ‍‍ Indonesia FFS!! 

CHRIS:  😡

After taking a pause to take a deep calming breath, she sends another text in the hopes of stopping this from escalating.  There was no sense in fighting over text. 

NICOLE: Are you going there for work?

CHRIS:  WTF is going on?  

CHRIS:  Wait a min, you think I’m going to Indonesia?

NICOLE:  IDK, are you?

CHRIS:  Nicole…. Are you drunk?

NICOLE: Excuuuuse me?  What?!?!

CHRIS: You aren’t making any sense

NICOLE:  Wait a sec… Me!!!??? 

CHRIS:  Are you pissed at me? Why are you mad?

NICOLE:  I’m not mad, but I’m def getting there

CHRIS:  I don’t understand Nic, where are you getting this info from?

NICOLE:  What info?  You’re the one that said Indonesia!

CHRIS: No, I didn’t! You’re going crazy for nothing! 😤

NICOLE:  Yes, you did!

CHRIS:  Why would I?

NICOLE:  Do me a favor before I lose my shit, please.  Scroll up and see if i’m crazy.

CHRIS: I don’t have to scroll to know that 😚

NICOLE:  🖕🏼

CHRIS:  

NICOLE:  LMAO  

CHRIS:  Got you to smile?

NICOLE:  Maybe just a little, but I’m still pissed.

CHRIS:  Ok, Ok, let me look and see wtf you’re talking about.

Nicole waits with a clenched jaw, although not as tight as it could be as she’s also suppressing a smile.  Things would be so much easier if they could just speak over the phone and avoid this kind of confusion and bullshit. 

CHRIS:  Fuck! I’m so sorry babe.  I meant it to say “I don’t know what it is” and Indonesia came out instead.  It must have autocorrected 🤯

NICOLE: JFC! I’m glad you’re not going there and one more thing….. FUCK YOU AUTO CORRECT!!!!  🤣

NICOLE:  So no travel plans there, phew!

CHRIS:  No travel plans there.  

NICOLE:  Oh THANK GOD! YEAH!!! 

NICOLE:  I was worried it would delay me seeing you even more. 

CHRIS:  Nah, we’re good for a weekend.  I promise. Now put down the bottle you drunk and get back to work (adds GIF of woman drinking from a large wine bottle)

NICOLE:  Drinking at work is mandatory.  I do my best work with tee martoonies … I mean two martinis 🍸

CHRIS:  I love you, my crazy ass drunk

NICOLE:  Love U2

CHRIS:  Indonesia 😉

“Oh thank God!” he said, bringing a hand to his chest and letting out a light laugh.  “I mean, you’re a grown woman and all, but I was hoping that wasn’t why you were out so late with him.”

The way he said the “him” made you raise a brow. “What are you not saying? I hear that tone in your voice.”

“Nothing, it’s just, he’s a nice guy and all, but he’s an actor.  I don’t want you getting all swept up by his fame and shit. A guy like that isn’t used to hearing the word “no” and is probably used to getting whatever he wants out of women.”

“He’s not like that,” you said a little defensively.  

Your brother rolled his eyes and stated flatly, “He’s a man.  He has a penis.  He’s into you.  Trust me, he was thinking about it.”

“Trust me, women think about it to.” You delighted in the grossed out face he made, not wanting to think about his baby sister knowing about sex.  You would be a virgin in his eyes, even after you had babies of your own.  “Chris was a gentleman.  Respectful.  He’s surprisingly normal for an ‘actor’.”  

The mood shifted and Ryan was no longer your parent, but reverted back to being your brother.  Your friend.

He gave you loving smile and asked, “Did you have a good time tonight?”

There was no stopping the blush that took over your face and chest.  

“It was amazing.  Truly one of the most memorable nights of my life,” you said, practically swooning.

Ryan chuckled at you, smiling to match your own. “What did you guys do?”

“Well, first, he took me to the to Prudential Center and we watched the sun set from the observatory level at the top of the building. Then we went to an Italian restaurant for delicious steak and dancing.”

Sounding surprised and impressed, he asked, “Dancing?”

“Yes! Can you believe it? They had an outdoor patio for it.  It was so romantic,” you told him wistfully.

“Dinner must have been hours ago, though.  Where did you go after?”

“To a park along the water.”

He sat up straight and turned his upper body towards you.  An air of protectiveness surrounded him once again.  “You’ve been at a park for all this time? At night?”

“Yes, Ry, it was fine-”

“Not the safest idea though.  This is Boston, you could’ve been mugged! Or worse yet, he could’ve-”

You cut him off there.  His hand was flying all around as he got himself worked up, and you placed your own on top of his, lowering them to the sofa as you interrupted his tirade.  “I’m ok, it was perfectly safe.  He wouldn’t let anything happen to me and he wouldn’t do anything wrong to me.  There were lights, he’s strong and knows how to defend us.  And, most importantly, I know how to defend myself now, thanks to you and dad. I’m okay, Ryan.”

“Balls, throat, eyes and knees,” he confirmed with a nod.

“Yes, I know how to reach and debilitate a man from all of those spots.  But you know if my gut was telling me to be worried then I never would have gone out with him. Period.  Let alone to a secluded spot like that.”

“I know.  I trust you, I trust you instincts.  It’s everyone else with you that I don’t trust.”

You let out a light laugh and ran a hand through your hair, then rested your elbow on the back of the sofa.  Pinching the bridge of your nose, you sighed, “And you’re the easy brother.”

“Damn straight.  If Erik was on this trip you could kiss a date with Captain Perfection out the window.”

Now you played into it, giving a dramatic sigh and clutching your heart.  “He really is Captain Perfection, isn’t he?”

Ryan teased you with a disgusted moan, then paused and cocked his head to the side as if thinking.  He pursed his lips together for a moment, then nodded his head and said, “Yeah, I guess he kinda is.”  He shrugged and added pensively, “I’d do him.”

“RYAN!!” you exclaimed with a laugh, looking around to make sure you hadn’t woken the children.  You both dropped back onto the sofa in quiet hysterics.  

Your big brother held out his arm and you took the invitation, tucking into his side and resting your head on his shoulder.  He kissed the top of your head and squeezed your shoulder.  

“I love you, kiddo.  You know it’s my job to be a dick about things sometimes.”

“I love you, too.  You know it’s my job to give you reasons to be one.”

You sat together in silence for a minute or so, then he asked, “You really like this guy, huh?

“I do. He’s different from anyone else I’ve ever met.  And it’s got nothing to do with who he is, it’s just a feeling I get when I’m around him.  The chemistry is unreal.”  Your heart was racing as you thought about Chris.  It was one of those nights in life that you wish never had to end.

“Think you’ll see him again?”

In a shy voice you admitted, “He wants to get together before we leave to say goodbye to everyone.”  You couldn’t stop the happiness from spreading across your face at the thought of seeing him again in just a few hours.  

“And after?”

“I think I will,” you said, feeling confident in that statement.  Something told you that this was far from over.

“Just be careful, I’d hate to see you get let down.  If he breaks your heart, it’s not going to be easy to break his face.”

“Because he’s far away, or because he’s famous?” you asked.

“Nah, because he’s so damn pretty,” he joked, setting you off into a fit of giggles again.

“It’s getting late.  We have a long ride tomorrow with plenty of time to get the real story out of you.”

“Hey!” you said, turning on him incredulously.

“I’m kidding, I’m kidding!” he said, throwing his palms up and laughing.

You stood up and he followed suit, giving you a quick hug and saying goodnight.  He held you at arms length for a moment and his eyes grew wide as he looked at you.

“Wait a second! Is that a hickey?”

CHRIS EVANS @sfreeborn @patzammit @shaddixlife @humandasaster @awesomemonkeyfudge

The truck came closer and Chris waved it over.  He told everyone it was his treat and to get what they wanted.  The two of you got the kids into a line so they could place their orders, and you took the wishes of the youngest ones so you could help.  The children went first, some getting cones, others packaged ice cream sandwiches or character pops.  You lifted Stella so she could order for herself, “like a big girl.”  Once all the little ones were finished, the adults placed their requests.  You and Chris went to the back of the line after helping with the kids, and when it was your turn you ordered a cone with chocolate ice cream covered in chocolate sprinkles.  

Chris pulled out his wallet to pay for everyone’s ice cream after ordering his own, a cone with vanilla ice cream and rainbow sprinkles.  He thanked the driver by name and was thanked by name in return.  

You both started walking slowly back in the direction of the house, taking licks as the treat was already melting in the July heat.  

“Should I be worried that you’re on a first name basis with the ice cream man?  Guess you’re a regular, huh?” you teased with a smile.  

“What?  No, not really.  He had a name tag, didn’t you see it?”

“No. I didn’t notice.  You’re quite observant, aren’t ya?” you replied, then paused and questioned, “But he knew your name?”

Chris looked at you puzzled, took a lick of his ice cream, then shrugged, “Yeah, well, he probably recognized me.  I’ve seen him here a few times and people know I’m from the area.”

You were confused for a few more seconds before realization hit.  “Oh god! I’m such an idiot, sorry.  It didn’t even occur to me, I totally forgot, you’re….. You!”

Chris stopped walking, watching you for a moment as you tried, and failed miserably, to keep up with the ice cream and it’s eagerness to keep away from your tongue.

“You forgot?!” he finally said, shaking his head as a wide smile took hold of his face.  “Nicole, do you have any idea how much I adore the fact that you forgot my fame?”  

Your heart was leaping as you watched his face, the softness and pride showing on it as he spoke.  He leaned in and gave you a quick kiss, then bent his head to lick the fresh trail of ice cream that had made a run for it down the back of your hand.  

Before you had a chance to register the moment, it was broken by Dodger.  He was a smart pooch and he knew when opportunity was knocking. From the corner of your eye you caught him as he jumped up and took a bite of his dad’s ice cream when it leaned his way.  The bite knocked the ice cream out of Chris’s hand and he quickly turned towards it, but it was too late to stop the chaos.

“Dodger!  You little thief!!” he chastised.  Immediately, the dog dropped down, knowing he had done something bad.  Chris couldn't’ stay mad at him, not with those big, apologetic eyes looking up at him.  He placed a hand on his hip and seemed to count to ten, then blew out a breath and said, “It’s ok, it’s just ice cream.”  He pointed to his fur baby and told him sternly, “It’s okay today, but don’t do that again.”

The truck was long gone, so you offered to share some of yours.  You knew you had it bad for the guy when you were willing to give up some chocolate ice cream.