Chapter Text
Reggie thought he had never felt so awkward in his life. For one, Veronica insisted that Betty sit up front in her convertible, which of course was a two door, so he's folded up in the back and his neck is starting to hurt only 2 miles out.
Also, Veronica is hissing whispers so quickly they might have been gunfire. Veronica's new ride is a convertible, natch, so he can only catch bits and pieces. He only lived maybe 10 minutes away from the Lodge mansion so Veronica's whispers became super loud as they screeched to a halt.
"...answered your phone? Reggie Mantle, seriously, Bets, what were you thinking?"
Veronica turned her head and gave Reggie a pitying smile. "You look like a sardine back there, Reg, I'll let you out."
Reggie rolled his eyes for Betty's benefit, and even though one corner of her mouth rose, she looked worried.
Adam's Audi was already there, of course. Reggie had a brief image of breaking out the back window as they passed, but he restrained himself.
"He's out by the pool. He's all aflutter, poor thing," Ronnie said, piling it on, and Reggie took her elbow.
"Why don't we hang out in the den, Ron? Give them some privacy?"
Veronica scowled. "Well that's no fun at all." Defeated, she passed the pool and went down into the den.
Reggie started to follow her and Betty grabbed his arm. He put his hand over hers. Her blue eyes were bloodshot and already tearing up.
"Don't worry, Bets. Whatever happens, we'll be okay. We'll still be pals," he forced out to take that awful look off her face.
"Pals, huh?" She smirked at him. "Ok, Reg. I'll be back. Stay in here, ok?"
"I didn't figure you wanted a chaperone."
"It's not like that, Reg. I just don't want - I don't want a fight."
"Aw, not from me, Bets. I'm a gentleman."
Betty snorted at that, a real laugh, and he smiled at her. He watched her walk off with a wistful ache in his chest, and then descended to the den.
Ronnie was perched on the leather couch like a bird, wild eyed. "Reginald Mantle, you just must give me the scoop!"
"Ronnie-"
"Unless you want to watch on Daddy's security cameras first?" She pulled out her IPhone and Reggie put out a hand to stop her. "No, Ronnie. Give her some privacy."
His palms itched to take her phone and watch, but he knew Betty wouldn't like it. And since of late he'd pretty much ONLY been concerned with what Betty Cooper would want him to do, he should refrain from his old ways.
Ronnie was looking at him quizzically, her head cocked.
"What is it, Veronica?" He asked tiredly.
"This is not like you at all. What's wrong with you?"
Reggie laughed and tried to channel Mr. Ego for the sake of his reputation, at least. He shrugged.
"Didn't want to see him get his feelings hurt."
"Liar! You lying liar who lies! You got it BAD for Betty! When did this happen? I know you two hooked up at the party but I honestly just thought that was the hunch punch and trying to piss off Archie, which worked for a minute but -"
Her brown eyes sparkling with excitement, she put her hand on his arm.
He turned to look at her, summoning a half grin.
The sparkle in her eyes faded. "Reg, you really like her. You've never really liked anyone. Not even me!"
Reggie couldn't help but smile at her narcissism. "I know. It's weird, right?"
"Super weird, Reg, but I mean what's wrong? Why the long face and the fake smiles?"
Reggie gave her a quizzical look.
Ronnie rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. We are the same, Reggie Mantle. We put on this big front because we come from money and our parents taught us to put on that million dollar smile while they ignored us or threw money at our problems. Don't act like I don't know you."
"This is why we never worked out, Ron, it'd be like dating ourselves."
She waved her hand at him to dismiss him. "Don't change the subject."
Reggie ran his hand through his hair and sighed. "I don't know, Ron, I'm just not used to this."
"Used to what?"
"I don't know, all of it! Really liking a girl and especially her maybe not liking me back and competing with someone else- look." He turned to face her, pivoting his back and shoulders. "I am ALWAYS the better guy. I'm better looking; I'm better at football."
"I can see that falling for Betty hasn't hurt your ego," Ronnie said dryly.
Reggie ignored her. "For the first time in my life, I'm scared about what happens next. I mean if she comes back in here all sad and trying not to hurt my feelings because she chose him, I just...I don't know what I'll do. I don't know what comes next."
Ronnie smiled, a rare, real one, and put her hand on his shoulder. "That's what falling in love does, Reg. You think I put up with Archie because I just have a thing for freckles? I never know what's coming next. He can't go to Harvard with me, he doesn't have the money or the grades. He could fall in love with some bimbo that transfers from the Southside for all I know, but I stay around anyway because I love the dolt. It's not a bad thing, you know."
"It feels bad."
He pulled her into a hug and Ronnie rubbed circles on his back. "Yeah," she said softly, "sometimes it does."
He pulled back a bit to look at her. "So...wanna fool around?"
She smacked him, but not too hard, and took out her Iphone again.
"Should be over by now. You wanna check on our girl?"
Reggie took a deep breath and nodded.