Page 13 of Lying Hearts

Without coming up from thumbing through Facebook, he says, “You can rest easy.”

Jenny holds up her cup of punch. “You want some?”

I stare into the ice-cubes. I’ve had more than enough. I’m not a heavy drinker and Corinne really did a number on me with those gallon-sized shots. “There’s not much left. What is it?”

“Punch.”

I stare at her. “No shit, Sherlock. Is it spiked?”

She rolls her eyes. “Of course.”

“Gimmie it.” I finish it off. Moderation shmoderation.

“I’ll go get some more. Hold my space?”

“Sure. I’ll defend it to the end.” My arm goes up like there’s a sword in it.

Jenny leaves and I look around for Corinne. Can’t see her, but it’s jammed up, people everywhere, and I don’t have a good visual vantage point from here anyway. I close my eyes again and lay my head on the wall. “Hurry up!” I yell to the line.

I’ll find Corinne later. I’m not worried. She’s been my friend ever since I moved here from Illinois. We ditched our lame-ass dorm assignments to move in together. That was almost immediately after we met. With some people, it’s just easy. You don’t have to explain yourself. You don’t have to tiptoe on eggshells. It just… works.

It’s nice to be able to rely on someone.

The line moves. I’m next. There is a God.

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