It was later that night and James and I were at the bar. It was my first time at a bar but not my first time drinking since sometimes Chris and I had a few sips of wine at his place. James looked very nice in deep blue. I was in a form fitting yellow and purple dress on my 2nd Malibu which was ordered with cranberry juice. While ordering it James had told the sexy bartender "hey get me another one for my girl. On me," to which the bartender said "you're not tryin to get her drunk are you?" "hey we've agreed that 4 drinks is her limit. Right babe?". I smiled shyly at the bartender saying "yeah. 4 drinks is m'limit". One thing I was good at was southern charm even though our family had lived in Ohio for the last 60 years and still was.

A popular r&b song came over the loudspeakers and my brother's face lit up: "aw man I love this song."

"Go ahead and dance you have fun," I told him dismissing him with my hand.

"I'll see if I can find you a dance partner though you surely don't need it."

He left going out on the dance floor.

As I listened to the song I realized it was Jamie Foxx's 'blame it on the alcohol'.

"Girlfriend ello hola!" a familiar Spanish voice called.

I turned and there was santanna in this adorable red black and white polka dot dress. She was with puck.

"Hey yall," I said smiling.

"What are you doing here?" puck asked.

"Nice to see you too. Geez puck be nice to the chick," santanna said punching him.

He bent over clutching his stomach.

The bartender looked at him. Puck looked back, bringing one of his hands up and in the direction of the bartender: "I'm good man I'm good."

"oh, my brother took me out. We haven't had the best – and you?" I asked interrupting myself.

"We needed a night out."

"Oh."

Puck stood behind me and put his hands on my shoulders: "dang girl you need to loosen up."

"I know way she'll loosen up," santanna said as puck began rubbing.

"And what is that?"

"megage trios."

"omygod. You guys," I giggled.

"Well it's true sex cures everything."

"You don't have to tell me that."

"Yeah you were in love with the mayor of gaytown over there."

"I did not know that when I was in love with him. Hey how'd you get past the front door guys?"

"Please honey with this body? Not a problem," santanna answered.

"Oh that's right."

She was one of the hottest chicks in school.

"So which one is he?"

"My brother?" I asked.

"Yes your brother who the hell do you think James dean?"

"He's right…there," I answered leaning in and pointing him out.

"oooh he is fine if I do say so myself."

"Go ahead and dance with him honey."

Santanna left going out onto the dance floor.

"Your, brother?" the bartender asked eyeing me.

"Oh you know how it is among black folk," I said gesturing with my hand.

"I gather he'd be none too happy about yall hangin out," he said, referring to puck and i.

"We're not exclusive."

"Oh. I haven't seen you 2 kiss yet."

"We're both too shy to make the first move. Pour me another drink."

"Yeah and this ones," puck said appearing beside me, looking at me, "on me."

"Well that's awfully nice of you."

"Least I can do. So really dollface what's eatin you?"

"Since when is this the '40's?" I countered.

"If you want we can talk outside. I'm pretty sure you can bring your drink with you."

"Yeah since it's…." I looked around, suddenly nervous, "quieter."

"Yeah, a lot quieter. Cmon. I'll get your drink."

Puck picked up my Malibu and led me outside.

-XXXX-

Once outside we noticed it was quiet and lighter than the bar which had moving lights. The night was warm but windy and the summer air smelled of lilacs. Puck took my cold hand in his warm one and led me across the parking lot away from the building. The parking lot lights were lit and stationary. I was surprised by how quiet it was.

We sat on a car stop not the most comfortable thing. I leaned against puck who put his arm around me and held my drink in the other hand.

"So he's like," he began."

"Yeah?" I asked.

"Actually your brother?"

"Oh. Yeah.

"Ok. Want your drink?"

"Sure. Why the hell not? Things suck anyway."

He handed my drink to me. I took it. He squeezed my shoulder.

"shit it's quiet," I said taking a sip of my drink.

"Yeah….not so many distractions here."

"Yeah….and I'm not sure that's a good thing," I said annoyed.

"So you want to be distracted?"

"Yeah."

He sucked in his breath.