#Cowpokes for life is my new motto

[ratcatcher0325]

Nobody’s Fool (Chapter #45)

Chapter #45. Penn takes a bite out of the Big Apple and gets some incredible news. 

Previous: Chapter #44

Next: Chapter #46

CW: Adult language ________________________________________

NOBODY'S FOOL

Chapter #45: Mariposa 

Word Count: 1,774 Read Time: Approx. 14 mins

[Eveline's POV]

We piled into our trusty van the morning after, and we were back to being one big, happy family. Dani drove, I sat passenger side and the boys were in the back. Penn sat on the console, leaning against my hand, legs crossed in front of him. I rested a few fingers around his ribs just in case we hit a bumpy patch in the road. He seemed comfortable and relaxed. His right arm was propped up between my finger and thumb, his hand resting on the base of my thumb. I was practically beside myself with giddiness every time he showed me he trusted me again. A sweet little kiss on the pad of my finger, the way he would absentmindedly wrap his hand around one of my nails, or when I could feel him looking at me, dreamily, and I’d pretend not to notice. I was so ridiculously in love with him.

In this moment, he was locked in a heated debate with the guys. They were trying to decide, all things being equal and if Penn were human sized, who of them would win in fight, Penn or Riley. Boys were always stupid, even if they were only as big as your hand. He leaned forward emphatically pointing at Riley, “No, dude, fuck you! I could so easily kick your ass! You’re literally high all the time!”

“No way! No fucking way. I’d break that pretty face of yours before you had time to swing back!” Riley retorted as he shadow boxed, looking absolutely laughable. I was pretty sure he’d never scrapped a day in his life. “I mean, c’mon, look at these guns!!” He flexed his arm and then pulled up his shirt. I hated to admit it, but there was more muscle definition than I was expecting for a man who smoked weed and ate a steady diet of Doritos everyday. Travis laughed of course, knowing that he could have taken either of them with his eyes closed.

“Oh is that how we’re doing it? Alright!” Before I could hold him back, Penn leapt up and ripped off his t-shirt too, spreading his arms and flexing. He wasn’t muscle bound by any means, but he certainly had quite a bit more definition than Riley. There was no denying this and Riley realized he was losing ground. He sighed.

“Whatever, man! I’d love to see you try!”

“So that’s settled then! I’m clearly the winner!”

“I didn’t say that!”

“Don’t need to, it’s obvious enough as is!!” He beat his chest like a proud and very very stupid gorilla. Before he could bask in his so called victory, though, Riley’s finger pressed into his middle, making him stagger backwards, “Hey! No fair!” The finger came at him again but this time he was prepared. He leapt onto it, wrestling the whole of Riley’s Index finger trying to bend it backwards. He couldn’t, of course. But it was pretty fun to watch him try. Finally, out of breath, he tapped the surface of the console. “I’m out!” He heaved. Travis and I locked eyes with each other and soon we were all busting up, tears welling in our eyes as we recognized how goddamn stupid that whole thing had just been.

I pinched his shirt between two fingers and held it before him, “Want this back?” He looked up at me and nodded, taking it from me and pulling it over his head. “You guys are such idiots!” I shook my head at them. Penn made puppy dog eyes and threw himself on top of my hand.

“Yeah, but we’re your idiots and you’re stuck with us forever!!” He curled up into the crook of my hand, kissing my skin and looking up at me with big, adorable eyes. He was right. I wrapped my fingers around him and lifted him up, holding him close to my face.

“Ugh! I’m way too easily manipulated by you, you know that?”

“It’s the one advantage I have: being cute and winning your heart! Can you blame a guy for trying his best?” He looked up at me sheepishly through those sweet brown eyes. I couldn’t win, not with an adorable face like that! I kissed him on the cheek, before lowering him back down.

************

When we arrived in New York, I was immediately reminded of just how minuscule I really was. This place was crawling with humanity in every possible square inch. My jaw dropped at the sheer scale of it all. The gang took me to Times Square and my eyes were aglow with all the insanely bright digital billboards bursting with color, while people swarmed around each other, the sound of grinding brakes and tires on pavement as traffic moved at a painfully slow shuffle, the buzz of conversations in all different languages from around the world, vendors selling cheap commercial art, records, souvenirs, hot dogs and tacos. Eveline kept me on her shoulder, wrapped up in her scarf to keep warm. “This place is insane!!” I whispered into her ear. She laughed, gingerly resting a finger on my knee.

“I know! Welcome to the Big Apple!!”

“Big is an understatement!” I chuckled in pure awe. She laughed, turning her head to kiss me.

“C’mon, let’s get settled in, yeah?”

I soon found myself on a hotel bed as Eveline unpacked a few things. It was moments like this where I wished I could help her, let her relax while I carried her stuff and organized the space. Instead, I fiddled with my guitar, seated cross legged in the exact center of the bed.

As soon as she was done, she crawled on the bed toward me, then leaned down to press her lips into mine, my body shivering with joy as she touched me. I kissed her back, grateful to be alone with all her attention on me… that is until her phone began to ring. I still hated those things. She pulled away, much to my disappointment, to look at the caller ID. Her brow furrowed. “Who is it?” I whispered.

She shook her head, “Don't know…” she answered the call. Her hand resting gently on my body, as I sat up, curious to see what was going on. “…. This is she…” she locked eyes with me, her expression brightening, “Yes, of course! He’s right here, give us just one moment…” a smile painted her features as she muted the phone call, and placed the device at my feet. She brushed my cheek with the pad of her thumb. I leaned in to her, practically trembling with anticipation… What is it, Eveline? “The woman on the line is from a major record company… she wants to meet with you about an offer…. A solo offer.” My jaw hung open. Was it possible? Me? What would this mean for the band? Was I even ready for something like that? My face flushed, as I managed to nod my head. She caressed my spine and shoulders as she unmuted the call.

The voice through the speakers was melodic, soft, “Hello? Am I speaking with the world’s most famous pet?” I squirmed from embarrassment, chuckling.

“Uh, that’s, that’s very kind of you. This is Penn, yes. Who do I have the pleasure of speaking with?”

“So polite! My name is Naomi Delgado, and I am a representative of Mariposa Records. I happen to be in our offices in the city today, and I’d like to invite you to come see me. You’ve made quite the stir in the indie music community and we couldn’t help but notice your exceptional talent. Would you be available this afternoon?” I locked eyes with Eveline, she was nodding emphatically, playing with my hair. I kissed her finger.

“Yes! Certainly! It’d be an honor.” She gave us the address of the office, and we freshened up and I packed my guitar as Travis entered our room. We’d asked him to come up to discuss this sudden and unexpected change. Eveline had placed me on the surface of the desk while Travis sat in the office chair, leaning on his elbow propped up close to me. “What do you think?” I stood with my arms crossed over my chest, genuinely curious about his response.

“You want my honest opinion?” I nodded my head, “I think you should go for it.” I let out a sharp breath I’d been holding on to, “I truly believe you’ve got the talent to pull it off, and I think you’ll be able to do more to advocate if it’s just your voice. I’m so proud of you, man. It was such an honor to go on this journey with you.” His voice cracked slightly with emotion.

I couldn’t help the tears welling up in my eyes, “Don't talk like this is goodbye! I’d wanna open for you and keep collaborating…”

Travis smiled as he placed a massive finger on my shoulder, “Penn, I promise, pretty soon we will be opening for you, not the other way around…” I smiled, pressing my hand into the bed of his nail, my eyes bright with amazement. Travis always seemed to have his finger on the pulse of where I’d head next, even before it had registered as a possibility for me. He cleared his throat, “Besides, Spence called and said he’s finally healthy enough to travel, he booked a flight and wanted to come jam with us. Now, I suppose it’ll be his first show back headlining and your last show as  an official member of the band… what do you think??” Good, if I went independent, Spence would have his place in the band again, all seemed to fit into place.

Still, I chuckled and shook my head, “Well, I think I have to still meet with this woman first! Let’s not get ahead of ourselves!” Trav shrugged. I loved when he got that passionate glint in his eye, enthusiastic for the future.

“I’ve got no doubt in my mind, Penn, you’re gonna do incredible things.” Tears welled up in my eyes, as I slipped under his thumb, wrapping my arms around the flesh of his palm and squeezing as hard as I could. He wrapped his fingers around me, warmly embracing me in return.

“No matter what the future holds, you’ll always be my brother…”

He beamed, “Cowpokes for life, man!” I caught Eveline’s eyes as she watched this scene unfold. She was bursting with pride and love. I couldn’t help the warm tears that streamed down my cheek. I loved these two humans with all my heart.

Now, to see where I was taking them next!

#Big Apple #Cowpokes for life is my new motto #Should I make t-shirts? #g/t related #g/t #g/t community #g/t au #giant/tiny #g/t fluff #sfw g/t #oc:penn #size difference