When Griff replied with nothing but a cold stare, she said, "I knew exactly who you were, maybe not at first, but I totally got there – and way beforeshedid." Apparently, the "she" was me – a clueless yokel, judging from her tone.
Griff gave her a long, scornful look. "Yeah? And I knew whoyouwere, too."
She brightened. "Really?"
Griff held up a finger. "Correction. I knewwhatyou were."
From across the room, Tammy gave a loud scoff. "Yeah, me too. I just said it." She practically cackled. "And I got a few more where that came from."
It was my turn to snort. I wasn't even sure what amused me more – Griff's mom on the warpath or the fact that she was also the customer named Tammy who had rented Disco Bike.
Either way, I was more delighted than I should have been, especially when Sierra turned to Devon and practically spat, "And you!"
Devon swallowed. "Me?"
"Yes, you! You're just gonna stand there and let her insult me?"
Devon shifted from foot to foot. "Well…you sort of started it."
Sierra's jaw dropped. "You are such a pussy!" She whirled to face Griff. "Youwouldn't let someone talk to me like that."
Next to Disco Bike, Tammy gave a loud guffaw.
Sierra whirled to face her. "What areyoulaughing at?"
Tammy pointed. "You. You really think he's gonna takeyourside over mine?" She hitched a thumb in my direction. "Or her?" Tammy beamed. "He's in love with her, you know."
"He is not!" Sierra said. "He's just playing her. Everybody knowsthat."
"Who's everyone?" Tammy laughed. "You and the dipshit at your side?"
Sierra's nostrils flared. "He's not a dipshit." She whirled to Devon and said, "See?That'show you stick up for someone!"
"Fine," Devon said. "You're not a dipshit either."
Sierra glared daggers at him. "But nobodycalledme a dipshit."
I spoke up. "CanIcall you that?"
She whirled to face me. "No, you may not."
I couldn't help it. Under my breath, I muttered, "Dipshit."
"I heard that!"
Tammy called out, "Me, too." She gave me a thumbs-up. "Good one, Baby Doll!"
I beamed.Griff's mom – I was half in love with her already.And just like that, I had visions of comfy Thanksgivings and card games around the fire.
As for Sierra, she looked ready to pop. With her fists clenched, she marched closer to Tammy and gritted out, "Just who do you think you are?"
Tammy smiled. "You can't guess?"
"Why would I? You're a total nobody." Sierra extended an arm and pointed at Disco Bike. "You're just somebody with bad taste and too much sparkle."
"Oh, honey," Tammy drawled. "You canneverhave too much sparkle." She grinned. "And if you don't believe me, ask my son."
Sierra rolled her eyes. "And why would I do that?"
