2020-04-14 - Spring Chillin'

Spring has proven to be rather busy for both Joey and Nicole with various business ventures, remodeling the salon, and keeping Joey from adopting another puppy, of course. Tonight though, is more relaxed for the pair. Sitting upon the couch, Joey is in charge of the television while Nicole has her laptop on a small table before her, editing some photos for one of her side hustles. She's dressed for lounging in a pair of heather grey sweats cut into shorts, the waistband rolled down and an oversized pink sweatshirt with the neckline cut wide. She wears a pink and white striped fuzzy pair of socks upon her tootsies, which she wiggles on occasion.

Joey is slowly keeping order among his fellow anarchists on the East End, but even them mini bosses need a down night. Sprawled out on Nicole's couch with one puppy occupying all the real estate of his foot and lazily using Nicole's shoulder for a pillow splitting his attention between watching TV and her screen as blog-mavenry.

He asks, "Soooo, exactly when you learn to do all this stuff? With like the computer and the pictures and shit. You have to take a mandatory class before you're allowed to be a teenage girl or some shit and get your social media starter kit or what?" His eyebrow arches, but his head tilts up listening for the actual answer.

"Are you calling me a teenage girl?" Nicole looks down towards her shoulder and Joey's face. "Should I start snapchatting more? I can download the app on your phone and we can snapchat each other." She grins, adding, "you'd look adorbs with teddy bear ears and hearts floating around your head, oh, and long lush eyelashes." She looks at his eyes and hmphs. "You already have those... Not fair." Turning back to her computer she responds to his question. "I just sort of taught myself. I am not the best, by far, but I do well enough. I started it when I was in beauty school. Thought it would help me get started, attract customers and what not."

Joey blinks and looks up and just stares. "Well No. I'm saying you seem to have, at some point, been successful at doing so over like 8-10 years." There's a blink. There's silence and a murmur as his attention goes back to the screen and Ripley starts to puppy snore. Someone's comfy. "Jesse's not allowed to grow up."

Reaching over he extends his hand and his phone jump into his hand. His thumb taps the 4-digit pin and hands it back to her. "Yeah, a'ight." It's some new level of trust that he's just handing his phone to her. Rule number 1 is never let your woman go through your phone. These are also the rules if you're an insecure asshole. "Yoooou wnat to make my phone take Joeybear pics for you make it happen." Curious he asks, "Did it work? I mean that before or after Duder McAsshole?"

Nicole laughs and extends her leg to nudge at Joey's hip with her toes. "You do know I was teasing you, right?" But, he brings his phone to her his hand with little to no effort and hands it to her after unlocking it. It is her turn to blink, but then, with a crooked grin and an arched brow, she goes to the app store to download Snapchat. Why not? She can have fun with this... And of course, she has to set up his account. "Your password is Eche, zero, tee, dollar sign, tee, you, eff, eff. Cuz that's what you are." She winks, then makes sure she turns notifications on, otherwise, he'd likely never know if she sent him something. She takes a selfie with a filter that gives her a flower tucked behind an ear, those long, lush lashes and sparkling eyes Snapchat is famous for, and a sprinkling of freckles across her cheeks, then hands his phone, unexplored otherwise, back to him after saving it to his Memories.

"Who wouldn't want Joeybear photos? I have a secret Joey Shrine full of all kinds of photos, it would just be another one to add to the collection." She waggles her brow at him then looks back to her computer. "Yeah, it worked, once I started getting a following. I started with facebook, then made a blog... It was before, and during, Duder McAsshole. Good name for him... After, well... I came here. I have my insta but the rest is buried in some internet graveyard somewhere... "

The shadow of a wry grin with a waggle of eyebrows to the compliment. When she jokes about a whole shrine of pictures on a wall to him in shrine format even he can't help but laugh at that quietly, fingers rubbing his eye counters, "Heh, yeah you and the whole GHPD." He arches an eyebrow and says, nudged, "Some day, baby, I'll be in the Post Office and really be famous. That's how you know you really made it.. and gone done fucked up." Shifting he informs, annoyed, "You know I talked to a guy like that in County. Turns out they do not forward your mail if they's got you on their wall. Cheap bastards."

He considers Duder McAsshole and tilts his head thinking over what's on his mind. Failing to be an eloquent man (Seriously there's another reason he lets Byron do all the talking whenever possible) rough hand scratches his short scruff beard, "Nicole, I don't like stickin my nose into shit without being asked, but he comes back and you want me to translate reasonable request into Asshole for you so you don't have to? Like... lemme know."

Arching her brow, Nicole looks to Joey again. "I mean, babe. I love pictures of you but uh... I am gonna kinda hope you stay off the Post Office wall. You just... keep on being excellent and not fcking up." She smiles at him then tilts her head. "What, a most wanted guy, or whatever? Should be a crime to not get your mail forwarded or something.... Put the whole post office in County."

She seems a bit surprised by his words about Duder McAsshole. "Um... he's... he's not coming back." She shakes her head. "I... " She takes a breath. "Like... he's dead. Did I not tell you that?" Her brow furrows, lines wrinkling between them. "I um... I dunno. He... he's dead." She may have killed him, maybe.

Joey squirms insofar as the back of his head falls back against the top of the couch, "Nooo then we got more shit to sort and I don't trust my fellow assholes with people's credit card applications." Never you mind most of that is online now. The request to not get arrested by the Feds wins the response of him reaching over and giving her foot poking his hi[ a squeeze of agreement.

She mentions Duder's deadness and he pauses and looks to her, level, even as he ever is and gets Gray Harbor real, "Yeah. So's my ma. I'm just saying if it happens." Looking up to her he admits with hesitation, "Look wouldn't be the first time I had to put down a dead guy. I don't care if they're alive or not, Nicole. I only care that you are and that he leaves you the fuck alone." It's hard to form up into words, and yet it's really not. There's a lot he leaves out and for now holds her foot. "Whatever happens, I got you. You know that right?"

Nicole smiles at the squeeze of her foot, but what Joey says about his mom really hits her. Her face falls somber very quickly. "Oh...." Now that possibility is stuck in her head. Oh shit.. what if he did? What if he came after her. Nicole isn't afraid of much, well, unless it's giant cat like creatures in the park threatening to eat people, or trees attacking her man, or french speaking crustaceans... but right now, she falls a paler shade of her that looks downright concerned. She looks into his eyes as he holds her foot, and perhaps it is a good thing he is, his touch helps her keep her focus on controlling her emotions. Her eyes are very glassy though and she nods. Lips part to speak, then close with a small wobble of her head. She sets aside her work and pulls her foot out of his hand, only to replace it with her entire body, curling up against him. After a long moment of just listening to his heartbeat as she holds onto him, she whispers, "I know."

Joey is not the guy you go to who will ell you everything's perfect in the world. Joey is the guy that tells you how fucked up it is and get a game plan. Joey is a guy that sees the problem a ways out and gets shit done. Sometimes it's in these small truths the c problem is also created. This shift in his very pragmatic companion is not lost on him and priority stops so the world can go fuck off elsewhere. Here? Here he pulls his arms around her and pulls her into his lap and sighs. Way to fuck some peaceable shit up Joey. only you can ruin zen so spectacularly. Quietly, maybe even apologetically, he murmurs in that gravel tone, "Shit, Nicole I didn't mean it like that. Hey, you and me. No one's laying a hand on you ya don't want. That asshole got no power here.Besides," There's a small smile tugging at one corner of his mouth "Ma likes you better. I figure things would have to get though her first and good luck."

Nicole stays where she is, curled up against him, head on his chest, as his arms come around her. He pulls her closer, onto his lap, and she adjusts, resting her head now on his shoulder. "It's okay," she assures him. "I just never considered that happening, but here, I mean, I should have. Here is where shit like that happens." Lifting her head she looks into his green eyes. "He has no power. I took away his power long ago. I know this. And I know... You and I... I got your back, always, and you have mine. There's nothing we can't figure out how to handle." She smiles softly, looking to Ripley. "Right, Ripley?" The dog is still sleeping, but is living proof of what the pair will do for each other, and endure. Turning to kiss his cheek, her smile grows and she uses a fingernail to trace around his ear gently. 'Are you saying your mom approves?" She knows Ma approves, or at least, does not disapprove. If she had, she would have made it very clear Nicole wasn't welcome in her home. The mere fact Nicole spends nearly as much time there as she does in her own trailer shows approval. "If I were a stupid Duder McAsshole ghost, I'd be afraid of her. I'm fine, Joey. Really. I am okay. I..." She pauses, and like him, there are words left out, but says. "Thank you. And whatever happens, I got you too."

Joey holds her for now. She's fine. no more ghosts and the dog is still asleep, so... cool. He looks up at Nicole and listens finally asking curiously, "Hey, You said you are cool with me like... taking over the family business," he means shore side crime in Gray Harbor. You know, family business r whatever, "But what would you say about maybe now that it's warmer you... and I build a house for Ripley and we maybe work on fixing your studio up more?" His jaw sets and the concern is there so far to the fact he expects a reasonable decline, but ti is offered all the same for him in a way that's still difficult all the same. "Look I know you're like this strong independent woman and I want you to know I find that sexy as hell, but if you will let me I'd like to help you throw money at fixing up your business how you want. The studio's goin pretty well and the gym too and now I got pretty liquid.. but what's the use of having cash if you don't have somethin worth spending it on? Felix wants this empire... shit I just wnat my people around me to be happy."

"For your Uncle, right?" Nicole asks, meeting his gaze. She lets him talk and smiles when he looks concerned. It's a warm smile, one that has a hint of 'oh goodness, he's adorbs' in it as well. She doesn't interrupt his awkwardness, but rewards him getting through it all with a soft kiss to his lips after. Not until she pulls back does she answer. "Hell, let's build two!" She smiles and cuddles closer. "One for Ripley here, one for your place. Maybe three! One for Harvey... or one big huge one... and look, I am good with my hands, and I do tend to be independent. But... there's a difference between being independent and doing all the shit on your own because you have a chip on your shoulder and some point to prove... I like to think I am the former rather than the latter. AND!" She takes a breath and smiles, "no one said a woman can't be strong and independent and work beside the man she ... cares about. I would love to do things with you, especially this!' She kisses him again and whispers, "just so you know... you make me very happy. I never could have imagined before, being this happy with someone. Just... so you know."

Joey takes the agreement that things are okay at face value. Being a crime boss wasn't exactly what she signed up for and he'll leave her an out if she needs one. She's part of the old guard. Others may have moved on, but it's important to him. She's important to him.

The kiss gets that hungry grin lighting up his eyes. His hands scoop under her fantastic ass to help her move over more. He's helping. This isn't selfish at all. Really.

Ok it's a little selfish and he's loving life right now. He listens and nods letting that amusement hold. Finally he admits, "Yeah, you don't annoy the shit out of me either." Highest compliment really.

"Felix sent someone up to help me out cause Poe's back in Cali or whatever. Il introduce you. She's your neighbor, but I asked her to help me make sure my business doesn't become your problem." Taking in a deep breath he considers this and looks up to her at too close range to look her in the eyes and going from one to the other. "Something happens to you I dunno what I'd do, so...yeah."

It's okay to be a little selfish sometimes. Especially when that selfishness is shared by the selfishness of the person you are with. Mutual Selfishness. Nicole seems quite happy to have Joey's hands on her, his lips against hers. His oh-so-high compliment makes her laugh lightly as the kiss ends, but she doesn't part from his lap, or his hands. "That is good to know, babe. You don't annoy me either. I am pretty proud to like, be your girl or whatever." Cuz like, she is entirely her own person that does not -belong- to anyone like property but... You know, semantics. She's his girl.

"A neighbor?" She leans to peek through a crack in the curtains. "Which one? What's her name? Also," she smiles at him. "You are adorable. I think we've done well so far for your business not becoming my problem. How could she help with that?"

She truly does think he is adorable sometimes, but that look in his eye after he takes a breath makes her pause. After he says those words, she has to swallow back a bit of emotion, but she manages to keep it in check.

Placing her hand against his cheek, she nods. "Yeah," she says, nodding. "I can relate to that." Her too, Joey. Her too.

While you can buy this level of attention as Joey had been for years (ask him where and how) the affection and closeness on a genuine level cannot be beat. He takes his time getting to the answer rather more interested in the Amazonian stylish in his lap for now.

"Yeah. Vic's got the Airstream that pulled onto the lot. Felix asked her to come in and fill in for Poe so I got someone on ready if shit gets crazy. And I asked her toooo keep an eye out for you in case someone gets really dumb so they don't bother you, baby. " There's a pause and he informs in brief, "Because Felix is diversifying and asked me to take care of everything on dry land soooo... fewer 2 am raids on people being dumb with our shit and more time with you, and the studio, and the gym. But I'll need someone to do for me what I used to have to worry about. Cannot do all the things alone."

Tracing one of the tattoos on his arm as she sits on his lap, Nicole keeps lavishing all that attention on him. She seems happy to lazily sit with him, touching, caressing. She appreciates all his hard edges, in all honesty, some of what makes her so hot for him are those edges. She likes how he can be an explosive with the fire on the fuse getting close at any given time, but not once has he pointed that volatile nature towards her. The Boxer is well known for his temper and his physical power, but she gets the more rare side of him. This side.

"Oh, I did see that. I love Airstreams. Classic look." Nicole nods and says, "I should go over and introduce myself sometime. Bring a bottle of something, or cookies or... beer and nachos? Something." She kisses his cheek when he speaks of Vic keeping an eye out for her. "Thank you. I've not been bothered, but if you are stepping up the ladder, I suppose that might change, huh?" Smiling, she lifts her hand to trace his jaw with a fingertip again. "More time for you to do things you want to do. For you too." Smiling at him she whispers, "look at you. Becoming a big boss man. Like, bigger than before." She probably shouldn't be happy for him about that; it is after all far less than legal, and more dangerous for him. But, he is Joey Kelly. She knew what she was getting into when she started tumbling for him. She wouldn't change him at all. Crime boss or not, he's Joey and she is crazy about him.

Joey cracks a grin, "Beer and nachos always wins." It's not often the brawler can see something in the world and be just fascinated by it. Small miracles, that smile, and the fact that she's still around after all the killer trees and bullshit. He lets her optimism fill the space and shakes his head, "EH, more reason to be careful. But yeah, look at us. I dunno if it's all a good thing, but it's definitively a thing."

"Beer and nachos it will be then," Nicole says, pausing after. "Man.. now beer and nachos sound really good." She cuddles in and says, "it's a thing. Hopefully a good thing. I mean... Maybe it's not the dream, but it might help, you get the dream someday." She looks up into his eyes and asks, "what would your dream be? Like... if you had all the means you needed... at this point in your life, what could you feasibly declare as your dream?"

Joey arches an eyebrow looking at Nicole like she grew a second face on top of her face. Dreams? Shiiiit. That's a hell of a thing to ask in Grey Harbor. This might be the second hardest question he's ever been asked right after What the hell were you thinking, Kelly? His spine slacks and his brow furrows considering many things that never make it to surface, the crease between his eyebrows growing more pronounced. "I dunno. You seen the shit I dream about."

There's a frown and he breaks eye contact with her. It shouldn't be an uncomfortable question but it is. "What you want me to say? You, kids, repaint the fence, get a fishing boat? The things that chase me ain't ever gonna stop chasin me. Wish they would, but they'll always come back. there's always gonna be something. Trying to pretend it ain't is.. I dunno." Shifting a bit he guesses, "Not getting shot again would be kinda nice. That always sucks."

The look while confused is a little hopeful and almost immediately followed by the feint, "This about your birthday coming up? What'chu wanna do for that? Tell me, I'll make it happen."

Nicole's eyes stay on his, though her brows lift slightly. She knows it is a tough question for a lot of people. Especially people he didn't think having hopes was an option. Lifting her hand to cup his cheek in her palm, her head tilts slightly. "Not those kinds of dreams, babe. The like, what do you -want- to do kind."

He breaks eye contact, looking away. His question is a bit melancholy in tone, but she can't help but laugh a little. "I know you know me better than thinking I want to stand behind some white picket fence with a baby on each hip.... a boat could be fun though, but not the fishing sort. Look, I know there's always going to be something. That's the case for everyone, really. It's just the level of crap that something is that varies. They will chase, we will beat them down... no reason to not enjoy the in betweens. It's not pretending everything will be Unicorns that shit sparkles... It's just, what do I want?"

There is a pause of breath. "Well, yes... you not getting shot again would be super. I want that too."

Shaking her head she laughs again. "My birthday is a few months away. Uh.. As for what I want to do? I'll think about it and come up with the perfect idea. But no. It's like. Improve your gym? Become a boxing promoter in like, the big leagues? Just live a quieter life where you spend lots of time with Jesse? Perform as a dancer on a big stage?" She smiles. "Like, what would you enjoy, if you weren't being chased right in that moment."

There's another pause and a grin. "Not that I would be opposed if I was in the equation somewhere. I think I would be okay with that, you know, still being the hot girl at your side ready to put on leather pants and kick ass."

Joey gives this a lot of thought for a while and remains silent while she elucidates to him what was intended vs. interpretation. He listens and lets her finish without waiting to speak again. His knees bounce twice with a lift of his heels to jostle her in that way of letting her know he's listening, but also, hey it's amusing.

She handle his demons so damn well that she really should get a cookie for this shit or some sort of regular reimbursement like Xanex and a bulletproof vest. She'll have to settle for his erstwhile appreciation. "I guess..." this one's not easy, "I'd like to get Duarte up to competition grade. I wanna find some way to run the big business in a way people just... won't be dumb about shit and... I don't want to see these kids get shot because they ain't using their head. I..." His brow furrows trying to grasp the concept and apply it to application. "I want to get the fans fixed I guess and... I dunno. I'm not good at this shit. This is what I have you for. I mean I guess start with getting the garage rebuilt so that's fixed and maybe get you a bike so we can go riding. If you want. Or a sidecar for mine and put the doggo in there. Finish up the salon. That'd be good?"

He doesn't elaborate on what the garage business i s about exactly.

Nicole gasps a little when he bounces, her arms going around his shoulders to hold on and not be bounced accidentally right off her lap. "Brat," she comments, playfully sticking her tongue out at him.

Perhaps she handles his demons so well simply because she sees them, or at least sees that he has them. Demons aren't as powerful when they aren't hidden in the dark. Or maybe it is even more simply that... she has demons of her own, even if they are different than his own.

When he eventually begins making his list, she smiles, listening. She waits until the very end before commenting. "See. I knew you had things you would like to do. These are the good dreams. And yours, yours are ones we can work on. Salon is under way, what should we work on next? You got some time now right? That's part of this new gig, more time.. so you can take more time with Duarte, training. You tell me what I can do to help, and I will help."

"But you aren't getting rid of me that easy. I like riding behind you, arms wrapped around you... So, sidecar for doggos. I vote for that."