“I’m not knocking it,” she shot back defensively. Her shoulders twitched with the unintended tone. “Just not used to getting things and not having to ask for them.” Apart from her family and Caitie, Brandon was the only one who offered her things without having to be asked. Jokes were a lot easier to deal with that an honest confession, though, so she happily went along with the jibe at the Stripper. “Once a stripper, always a stripper. Isn’t that how the phrase goes?”
Maddie nodded her exaggerated agreement. “Oh, don’t worry. There will be no more compliments, accidental or otherwise, coming from my direction. You’re safe.” She saluted him. Snorting and raising an eyebrow, Maddie’s thoughts instantly went to Brandon’s niece. Sort of implied he insulted that kid, but Maddie didn’t say anything. She was wholly uninterested in that smiling, giggling, blonde little monster. “Insulting anybody is fun.”
Her jaw dropped slightly and she tilted her head back when she heard the accent that came out of his mouth. “If that accent was your way of making fun of me, I think I should be insulted. I don’t sound like that.” Or maybe she did. Whatever. A lot of people in New York made fun of the Tennessee accent. For that reason, being used to it, she wasn’t really offended by his teasing.
Maintaining a straight face while Brandon shouted the word should’ve earned Maddie a gold medal. It was not easy to keep her laughter in, but fortunately she had the distraction of food to keep her from bursting into giggles. She waited until they’d reached the end of the line, grabbing a roll from the guy — Kenny, Kanji, whatever the hell his name was — on the other side of the counter.
She turned to face the people in the cafeteria, scrunched up her face and yelled, “PENIS!” Her eyes never left her tray, and she walked calmly over to two empty seats and sat down in one.