Food For Thought

“I’m very offended. I - I can be the responsible adult, thank you.” he huffs in mock-indignation, but a smile pulls at the end of his mouth. “I mean, I wouldn’t reach my age if I didn’t know how to be responsible.” he pauses with a shrug. “I think.” 

“I’ll take your word for it.” Cedar said with a toothy smile to follow. “I can’t imagine you being an adult. I don’t know why, it’s not like I knew you face-to-face when we were kids.” She began to ramble, trailing off at the end of her sentence. “I’m tired.”

“Not exactly a dream job, no. Though I’ve never been quite sure my dream job is,” he admitted with a shrug. “Oh, no. Never made it to college myself. Most days I feel it’s a miracle I got through high school.” 

Cedar nodded, suddenly unsure of what to say next. “Well,” she started, not sure where she was going to end. “Just because you don’t know now, doesn’t mean you’ll never know.”

“Can you just… not look at me? I’ve been having a rough week. Do you happen to have a hat I can borrow? I’ll pay you back in… well, my attention. Which is a gift not many people receive, I’ll have you know.”

Cedar couldn’t help but crack a smile. “I can tell. I don’t think I have a hat.” She said rummaging through her bag. “I have this scarf, though I doubt you want to try and rock a headscarf right now.” 

“Depends on the night, I suppose,” Austin decided with a soft chuckle. “That is definitely true. You never know who’s gonna show up. But the girls are all sweethearts, even if the boss is an asshole.”

“”That’s always good.” Cedar said nodding. “I can’t imagine that it’s you’re dream job, but not bad by any means.” She said smiling. “Did you go to school for anything specific?”

“You know me so well.” he sarcastically jokes. At her answer, he pinches the bridge of his nose, head slightly shaking, before lifting his head gaze at her once again. “As promising as getting hammered outta my wits sounds, I feel the need to be the responsible adult tonight.”

Cedar smiled. “I know.” She laughed at his next comment. “You? That’s a change. I don’t think that you’ve ever been the responsible adult. Are you sure that you know how to be responsible?”

“Well, I’m working at a strip club and living in a one bedroom apartment, but it is certainly better than the streets. I can’t argue with that.” He shrugged nonchalantly, forever unsure if he was really where he was supposed to be. 

“Do you enjoy it there?” She asked, ready for a change of topic. “I bet you see a lot of different people every night.”

“You can pass out on the comfort of your own bed, it is your place after all.” he flashes her a wide grin at the way she nudged him. “I’ll be sure to prepare some aspirins and water for you in the morning. How much have you really had to drink tonight?”

“How sweet.” She said rolling her head back and looking at the ceiling of the cab. “I lost count after ten.” Cedar said shrugging. “So more than that. You should definitely catch up, this is a lot more fun when we’re both hammered.”

His eyes lit up a little bit. He knew the arena was constructed in an odd fashion like most of the buildings he’s seen here in Town. Really it had only been built there since the owner of the team threatened to take them elsewhere if the city didn’t let them have a nice arena. “Yeah everybody gets lost in here though I have to stay I’m quite impressed you managed to wander beyond security. Maybe you look like a reporter, eh?” He nodded, “yeah I am actually. Noah Park. And you are?”

“Uh, yeah.” Cedar said, a little embarrassed. “I’m not sure why they didn’t stopped me.” She peaked up when he introduced himself. “I thought you looked familiar. You had a pretty rough night, are you feeling okay?” She asked. “Oh, I’m Cedar Rennolds.” 

“Yeah. Guess I can pass out on your couch for another night.” he grins as he answers to Cedar’s question, taking a seat next to her in the cab, closing the cab door at his side, simultaneously giving the driver directions. He returns the sentiment by hanging an arm over her shoulder while he ruffled her hair. “You’re welcome, Ceddy.” he smirks at her playfully. “But you gotta promise me we are never gonna talk about this in the mornin’.” he tells her while a finger pokes at her cheek in the same playful manner. 

“I was planning to pass out on the couch, but I guess you can have it.” She said nudging him. “I’m probably not going to remember this in the morning, or I’ll be way to hung over to talk about it.”

Austin had mixed emotions about the confession. He couldn’t deny there was a bit of jealousy, but he had to give the girl credit at the same time. “Well, I’m still impressed that you made that effort. Not many people would’ve. I, unfortunately, didn’t have much of a choice. But we’re all dealt our own hands. It just matters what you do with it.” He smiled at the and let out a small  chuckle. “That’s nice to hear. It’s always nice to be seen for the true teddy bear I am.” 

Cedar nodded as he spoke, glad that he didn’t attack her about her past. “That’s very true. It looks like you’ve done pretty well for yourself, so that’s a plus.” She chuckled with him as he made his next comment. 

“Together.” he repeats, smiling back at her with a nod. “It was a pretty stupid project, innit? But hey, I wouldn’t change a thing ‘bout it. We got lucky.” he says with a slight laugh as a cab drives by the curb they were standing on and parks in front of them. Carter opens the door, still holding her steady though, cause he’s still convinced she’s drunker than she lets on.

Cedar slid into the cab, still leaning on Carter for support. “Thank you.” She said sincerely. “Really, for everything, thanks.” She gave him a wide smile and adjusted herself into the seat. “Will you be joining me?”