**David**

Lex wolfed down her second burger and the remaining fries in minutes. I gave her half of my burger and we split the cherry pie. After we'd finished eating, Lex muttered something about Olympian beer so I went to talk to the bartender. Thankfully, he had some in a back room, and I brought four bottles back to the table.

Lex's eyes lit up when she saw the beer and she thanked me. We tapped bottles together in a toast and she drank half the bottle in one gulp. I drank mine slower, savoring the buzz it gave me.

"I need a smoke."

I searched my pockets for cigarettes or a lighter but found nothing. A guy pulled up a chair and sat down next to Lex. He had black hair and bloodshot watery-gray eyes. He pulled a pack of smokes out of his pocket.

"Cigarette, hon?"

Lex took a cigarette and leaned close to the guy who lit it with a lighter. "Thanks."

"No problem, hon," the man smiled greedily and placed his hand on her thigh. I felt my fists clench in anger and jealousy.

Lex took a few thoughtful puffs on the cigarette as if giving the man a chance to move his hand. When he started inching his way higher, she grabbed his wrist and twisted it sharply to the left. I heard a crunch and the man screamed in pain. Lex let go of him and he fell to the floor, swearing and whimpering, cradling his broken hand. A few of the bar's patrons glanced over at us when the man began screaming but turned back to their food or beer.

"Hands to yourself," Lex looked down at the man with disgust.

He eventually dragged himself away, muttering curses under his breath. Lex turned her attention back to me, her cigarette held loosely between her forefinger and middle finger. She noticed my clenched fists and a shadow of a smile tugged at her lips.

"Jealous about something?"

"That guy was a creep." I opened my fists and rolled my beer bottle between my palms.

Lex shrugged and took a sip of her beer, "I've dealt with my fair share of creeps."

"Just out of curiosity, do you always break creeps' hands? Or was that guy lucky?"

"Usually the arm, whether that's wrist, hand, or fingers. Sometimes if the guy pisses me off enough, I'll smash a nose or crack some ribs," Lex explained, as if accustomed to these types of conversations.

"I see. Remind me not to ever get on your bad side."

Lex blew a cloud of smoke, watching it float lazily through the air. I looked at her, simply enjoying not being attacked or threatened. She finished her first beer, popped the lid off the second and downed half.

"Take it easy. I don't wanna have to carry you back home."

"You calling me fat?" Lex stubbed her cigarette out in her hand, not a flicker of emotion passing over her face.

I held my hands up in mock surrender, "No way. I'd never do that. I like living."

"Good answer." Lex drank the rest of the beer in the bottle and snagged my second one. "You gonna drink this?" she asked, then took a gulp.

"Guess not," I chuckled, finishing my first beer.

Lex finished the third beer, pulled a twenty out of her pocket, and tossed it on the table. She stood then walked to the bar and paid for a six pack of Olympian beer. She jerked her head toward the door and walked outside. I followed her and stood on the porch beside her. We were standing so close together that the sleeve of her jacket brushed mine.

"You know what would be awesome?"

Lex glanced at me, "What?"

"Get a big pickup, lay down in the truck bed and watch the stars."

"I'm game. You got a truck?"

I smiled, "Actually, I do. C'mon."

Lex grabbed my shoulder and I teleported to my father's non-Underworld mansion. We walked around the enormous house until we got to the garage. I led Lex inside and she let out a low whistle when she saw all the fancy cars. I found the keys that I was looking for and into the bright red 2015 Ford F-150 pickup. Lex hopped into the passenger seat and I started the truck. I backed out and then floored it.

We drove for about an hour until I found the perfect spot off the main road. I followed a rarely used dirt trail that lead to a natural clearing in the woods. I parked and we got out. I found a blanket under the back seat and spread it out in the truck bed. Lex climbed up into the bed and opened a beer. I laid down next to her and helped myself to a beer as well.

Lex scooted a little closer to me and rested her head on my chest. I could smell her wild cherry blossom shampoo. We laid like that for what seemed like forever. I would've been content to lay there for the rest of my life watching the stars. Lex had lain quietly for so long that I thought she'd fallen asleep. Suddenly, she raised her head up and looked at me.

"Thank you," she murmured softly.

"I didn't do anything. I just-"

Then she kissed me. Warmth exploded through my body. I could taste the beer on her lips. My mind froze and my body acted of its own accord. I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her close then I kissed her back, deeply. Lex made a pleased noise and broke the kiss. I felt my heart pounding in my chest. She looked at me, the bottomless pools of her eyes swirling with indecision. I buried my fingers in her long hair and captured her mouth with mine. Lex put a hand on my chest and gently pushed me away, a small smile on her lips.

"You definitely taste better than that burger."