Despite the entertainment, Savvy grew impatient and tired of being there. She glanced at the time on her cellphone and determined she would give Olivia fifteen more minutes before they left the guys behind.
“Boy. Wake up.” Nell had fallen sound asleep at the table. His head lay on his folded arms where he snored from time to time. Brinson thumped him with his finger. “Wake up, man.”
Startled, Nell jumped from the seat and rubbed the back of his neck. “Why are you thumpin’ me? I’m gonna hurt you for waking me up.”
“You’re being rude to the ladies. Plus, it’s time for another shot.” Brinson waved to the bartender to order more shots of tequila.
“None for me. I’m the designated driver.” Savvy’s disapproving glare remained unnoticed by Olivia. Although glad her friend was relaxing and having a good time, Savvy recognized the signs of her drinking too much. Her eyes were half-closed and she swayed in a happy stupor. A brown stain spread across the front of her yellow dress. Every time she laughed, she brushed Brinson’s leg or arm and he kept doing the same to her.
“Me either, man. I’m done. I need to go home to bed. It’s almost ten o’clock and we gotta get up early to hit the road. It’s time to go, dawg.” Nell rubbed his eyes, stretched, and yawned like a lion.
“Olivia. I know you’re good for one more. Right? I can count on you to hang with me for our final drink.” Brinson beamed his drunken smile at Olivia. His left eye seemed lazier the more he drank and drifted in the opposite direction of his right eye.
“Olivia. You don’t need another drink. This is the fourth one and you’re wobbly. It’s time for us to go.” Savvy said. Olivia’s eyes were glassy from alcohol.
“Yeah. I know I shouldn’t.” Olivia’s words slurred. “Okay. I’ll have another shot, too. For Brinson. Only one more, Savvy. I’m good.”
“Alright. Make it two shots of tequila.” He produced a wallet and removed a ten-dollar bill. “Keep the change.”
“Thanks, man.” The bartender grinned and set the two shot glasses filled to the brim in front of Brinson.
“Are you ready?” Brinson handed Olivia one of the glasses.
“Yes. You do the toast this time.” Olivia shook salt on the back of her hand and grabbed a lime slice.
“Okay.” Brinson stood in front of Olivia with his glass raised. “Take everything in moderation…including moderation. Lick, suck, drink,” he shouted and clinked glasses with Olivia.
“Cheers,” Olivia yelled. They threw back their heads and took the shot in one gulp.
Brinson laughed and wiped his tiny lips on the back of his hand. “Girl. You took your shot like a pro. A real woman. I’m impressed.”
“Well, thank you,” Olivia slurred. “I’m a pro at everything I do. Don’t forget it.”
Savvy took Olivia’s bold statement as her cue for them to exit. “And now, we’re out of here.” Savvy stood from the barstool and picked up her purse. “Nice to meet the two of you. We have to go.”
“Aww, Mom,” Olivia whined. “Why you have to be a party pooper? The night is still young. Let’s go sing karaoke.”
Nell spoke up. “Naw. The night is old. I need to sleep. We gotta go, too. Don’t forget we’re heading to the casino tomorrow. If you expect me to go, we need to leave now.”
“Alright, man. I guess I’ll give you a break.” Brinson helped Olivia stand. He held both of her hands in his and gazed into her drunken eyes. “Let me get your number. Maybe we’ll get together before I leave town.”
“Okay. Hand me your cellphone. I’ll put it in there.” Olivia held out her hand and Brinson gave his phone to her. She typed in her number and passed it back to him. “There you go. Call me.”
“No doubt. I will.” Brinson looped his arm through hers. “Let us go with you to your car.”
“Thank you. You’re such a gentleman,” Olivia purred and stroked his arm.
Relieved, Savvy led the way to the car. Nell opened the door for her and waved a sleepy goodbye. “Thank you, Nell. I hope you’ll get some rest.”
“Me too. It’s always like this whenever Brinson comes to SA. It will be at least ten days for my liver to recover. Nice to meet y’all. Have a good night.” Nell closed the car door.
Savvy glanced at the passenger side expecting Olivia to get in. Instead, she got an eyeful of Olivia’s behind covered in yellow fabric pressed up against the window with Brinson’s hand around her waist.
Savvy opened the door and jumped out. She marched to the other side where Olivia and Brinson were slobbering on each other. “Olivia. Stop it. Get your butt in the car, now. Otherwise, I’m leaving you here.”
Olivia and Brinson stopped kissing. She had a childlike guilty expression. “Oh. Savvy. Girl, I’m sorry. I guess we got
carried away.” She placed her hand on Brinson’s chest and smiled at him. “Ooh. We’re in trouble.”
Brinson laughed and kissed her forehead. “Yeah. I better let you go before your Mom whips your butt.” He tapped her behind with his hand.
“Boy, stop playin’.” Olivia slapped his hand away and batted her eyelashes.
“Okay, this is it. Get in the car. Bye, Brinson.” Savvy opened the door and waited for Olivia to enter.
“Nice to meet you, Savvy.” Brinson did a slight bow before turning to Olivia. “I’ll call you later, babe.” He gave her another kiss on the lips before holding her in a tight embrace. After releasing each other, he helped Olivia into the car.
Olivia blew kisses at him. “Bye. Thanks for a fun time. Call me.” Brinson waved as he and Nell staggered away.
Savvy got back into the car and started it up after slamming the door. She paused and turned to glare at Olivia with contempt. “What were you thinking? I know you have to be drunk to be kissing on him.”
“What? I wasn’t expecting him to kiss me. He started doing it
