CHAPTER TWELVE
DINER DRAMA
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In the days that passed, Chris had been working at Andrew's construction site and making himself money. Having gotten his first paycheck and making him feel like a man now. Able to say that he didn't get it handed to him on a silver platter from the Blossom's, which said something.

But within those days, things had happened. Chuck and his butt buddies had been cut from Riverdale High. Dilton Dollie, a scout had come clean about him being the source of the gunshot. Except, he had seen Ms. Grundy's car at the Riverside on the same day of July 4th. Only chasing suspicions to arise since Archie had been there as well.

Most importantly, the drive-in was being closed. Sure, might not seem that bad, but when Jughead is living there, it causes problems about where he's going to go. Chris had given the option to Jughead to just stay with him, but Jughead shut that idea down, not wanting to be a burden.

That was what made Chris scold him for because he never saw his younger brother as a burden. Never in his seventeen years did he ever think that and he never would. He cared for his brother and nothing would change that. Chris had a job that paid well and he could pay for the rent with both of them living there. To be sure, Chris had stayed up nights going through the numbers of how much he would have to pay and it was within the range he could. He would even have cash on the side to spend for them.

But Jughead being stubborn, had continue to reject the offer and wanted to fight for his home. Which lead to Chris, Betty, Jughead, Veronica, and Kevin all sitting in a booth at Pops listening to Jughead rant.

Chris was sitting between Kevin and Veronica with his arms propped up on the top of the leather seats. His fingers mindlessly dancing across Veronica's exposed shoulder. Not noticing the blush on her face whenever they made eye contact.

"The drive-in closing, it's just one more nail in the coffin that is Riverdale." Jughead snapped before tapping his hand on the table and shook his head. "No. Forget Riverdale. In the coffin of the American dream." He corrected and Chris sighed as hung his head low in annoyance.

Hearing the snicker of Veronica beside him. A smile of his own appearing as he looked to her and winked. "As the godfather of indie cinema, Quentin Tarantino, likes to say-" Jughead continued but was cut off by Kevin abruptly. "Please, God, no more Quentin Tarantino references." The Keller pleaded, earning a laugh from Chris.

Jughead frowned. "What? I'm pissed." He snapped. "And not just about losing my job. The Twilight Drive-In should mean something to us. People should be saving it." He complained and Veronica sighed.

Smoothly sliding one hand onto Chris's thigh while the other grasped his hand on her shoulder. "In this age of Netflix and VOD, do people really want to watch a movie in a car? I mean, who even goes there?" She asked as Chris stared at her in slight shock from her bold moves. Slowly grinning as he removed her hand.

A frown crossing her features before Kevin spoke. "People who want to buy crack." He whispered and Jughead glared. "And cinephiles and car enthusiasts, right, Bets?" He asked turning to Betty who was in her own world. Looking up and raising her eyebrows and nodding. "Totally."

While they were talking, Chris had decided to show Veronica wasn't as clever as she thought she was. His hand rest on her thigh as he brushed his hands over her gently smooth skin. Smirking when he felt Veronica grab his wrist and gasp. Clearing her throat to hide the fact that she had gotten turned on quite easily by Chris' touch.

"Anyway, it's closing because the town owns it but didn't invest in it," Jughead explained. "So when an anonymous buyer made Mayor Mccoy an offer she couldn't refuse--" Before he could finish, Veronica spoke up. "Anonymous buyer? What do they have to hide? No one cares." She squeaked out earning weird looks from everyone. Chris gave her the same look as his hand slowly travelled up under her dress. "I do." Jughead snarked.

"Also you guys should come closing night. I'm thinking American Grafitti. Or is that too obvious?" Jughead said as Veronica took a sip of her milkshake to hide the moan wanting to escape her lips.

She felt like she was in a haze from the way Chris's fingers were moving as they brushed up against her panties. Feeling her grip tighten only made Chris smile as he pulled away. A flustered and frustrated look appearing on Veronica's face as she tried to place his hand where it once was, but had no luck as Chris leaned down by her ear. "You've become bold recently." He whispered in her ear before turning to Jughead.

"I vote for anything starring Audrey Hepburn. Or Cate Blanchette." Veronica suggested with a groan as her mood completely dropped. "Or The Talented Mr. Ripley," Kevin added as Chris raised a hand. "I'm thinking The Godfather or even Bonnie and Clyde." He suggested earning a smile from his brother. One thing Jughead absolutely loved about his brother was his great taste in movies.

"Betty, your choices?" Kevin asked as the girl seemed to come back to reality. Chris knew what she was thinking about an didn't blame her for having it all over her mind. With her being able to piece together Archie's and Ms. Grundy's forbidden relationship, she's been fighting demons and trying to understand it. "Everything okay, B?" Veronica asked softly as the blonde nodded. "Yeah, yeah. I'm just thinking. Um..."

Her voice trailed as she tried to come up with a suggestion. "Maybe a Rebel Without a Cause." She suggested as her Jughead made eye contact. Both chuckling as Hermione came over with their food that Chris was paying for.

"Here you go, kids." She said as she placed the food down. "Mrs. Lodge." Chris greeted with a smile. "Still looking as beautiful as always." He told her as he held out a $20 dollar bill for her.

As the days went on with Chris coming here for food, he and Hermione Lodge had talked quite a bit. With them talking, Chris had tipped her every single time he was there. So, as many times Hermione tried to reject the money, the boy always convinced her.

Hermione smiled. "And you are a sweetheart as always." She complimented as Veronica was slightly surprised by the pair's interaction. "Thanks, mom." Veronica thanked as Hermione nodded.

When Hermione began walking past Cheryl's table, she made the attempt to grab the money Cherly left out to pay for the food, Cheryl stopped her. "Be sure to put all that cash in the register. You are a Lodge, after all. And Lodge's are known to have sticky fingers." Cheryl insulted and Veronica was quick to her feet to defend her mother as Chris watched and listened.

"Cheryl," Veronica warned as she was about to defend her mother, but Hermione stopped her. "Honey, I got this," Hermione reassured before putting her hand on her hip. "Cheryl, I went to school with your mom. She didn't know the difference between having money and having classes either." Hermione insulted before taking the money and taking it to the front.

Chris clapped as Veronica approached. "Oh, now I definitely see where you get that feisty side of you." He chuckled as she slid into the seat beside him. "Yeah, well, us Lodges don't like when people disrespects us." She told him as she rested her head on his shoulder.

The familiar sound of the bell above the door of pops dinged alerting people who were coming in. "Now, that's an odd combo of people." Kevin stated as the group's eye went to see what he meant. Archie, Fred Andrews, Riley, and Ms. Grundy were all together and went into a booth. Both Chris and Jughead made eye contact of worry as Betty started getting up. "I'll be right back." She told them and Jughead reached out to stop her. "No, Betty. Don't."

It was too late as the blonde was already making her way over. "Wait, what's happening?" Kevin asked quickly as both Archie and Betty stepped outside. Chris leaned forward with his arms supporting himself as he scratched his beard unsure of what to do. The secret was supposed to be only between him, Jughead, and Archie, but with Betty now knowing. It could cause problems and soon the entire group would know.

Placing a fry into his mouth, Chris watched intently outside. "What's happening out there? Do we know? Is it about me?" Veronica questioned both Jones and Chris didn't respond as he continued eating. "I have a strong inkling. And no. Also, I'd let it go." Jughead told her.

Veronica pursed her lips. "Yes, but you're you, and I'm me. You do you, girl. I'll be back." She told them before getting up. "No, Ronnie. Please don't-- And she's gone. Great." Chris sighed as he leaned back in his seat.

"What was it like before she got here?" Kevin questioned as neither sibling spoke. "I honestly cannot remember," Kevin stated and Chris huffed. "Yeah, but I prefer her being here than being bored all day." He grumbled as he took a sip of his Coke.

A few minutes went by and the three hadn't come inside yet and Chris was getting bored. Finishing his food, Chris used his napkin and wiped his hands before tossing it onto his plate. "Well, I'm gonna head home. Gotta get ready for work tomorrow. See ya." He told them before exiting the diner and going to his car.

Making his way over, he spotted his father drinking a beer as he leaned on Chris's car. "What are you doing here, dad?" Chris questioned as he began unlocking the door to his car. FP sighed as he turned to his son. "I need some money."

That made Chris chuckle coldly as he shook his head. "Oh, you are un-fucking bearable." He sighed as he opened the door to his car. Only having it slammed shut by his father that had an angered look in his eyes. "Come on, CJ. Just a hundred then I'm gone." FP tried to persuade, but Chris sent him a glare. "Get. Your hand. Off. My. Car." He growled as his hand clenched.

The pair kept eye contact as FP removed his hand from the door allowing it to be opened. Chris getting inside and starting up the car. Backing up and watching his dad rest his hands on his hips before he left.