Page 5 of Kisses

We click our shots together and consume them. The smoothness of the liquid slithers down my throat. The taste is familiar but not overkill. It is like smooth Irish whiskey.

I comment, “That was good.”

He replies, “It should be.”

“What is it?”

“Writer’s tears.”

“That’s an interesting name.”

Sully hands me my beers and smiles, “Do you need help taking these to your table? I can protect you from idiots like me bumping into you.”

“Are you trying to be my hero now?”

“No. Just concerned about you wasting beer.”

“If you feel the need.”

Sully smirks at me as we walk toward my group of friends. This is the part I am semi-nervous about. This whole thing about not looking like a college girl is going to combust soon. He is going to see the group I am with. Homeboys and their women. Yeah, this is kind of embarrassing, but I am just going to roll with it.

We walk up to the group. Kandace spots me walking with this debonair of a man. Her eyes go wide. She then smirks. She starts to walk over to me. She says, “Hey, girl.” Her attention goes to Sully, and she asks, “And who is this?”

Sully smiles, “I am just a random guy who saved the day.”

I roll my eyes. He is doing the hero thing.

Kandace laughs, “How is that?”

I state, “It’s nothing.”

Kandace jokes, “Clearly, it's not nothing. Okay, explain.”

Sully grins, “Your friend doesn’t know how to walk holding two beers. She was struggling a bit. I decided this poor gal needed some help.”

I glare at Sully, “Excuse me. I needed help?”

He continues, “You ran into me while struggling and spilled beer all over me.”

What the hell is he telling my friend?

Kandace starts laughing harder, “Lyla, you are such a clutz.”

I rebut, “Um, I believe Sully is mistaken. He ran into me.”

Sully comments, “She’s in denial. I get it. Admitting you spilled beer all over some random guy can be embarrassing.”

Annoyed, I say, “Are you fucking kidding me?”

Kandace remarks, “You’re funny. This is so typical of Lyla. I swear, she needs a bodyguard from herself.”

Sully laughs.

Mr. Debonair is not looking so hot right now. I don’t even know why he feels the need to throw me under the bus. Then Kandace playing along with it.

I interrupt, “Okay, Sully, thanks for the help. It’s time for you to go.”

He squints his eyes at me and comments, “Wow, someone is snarky.”