“I might.“ He succumbed to her theory, pinching his bottom lip between his thumb & forefinger as he did so. He may or may not have volunteered there before. He may or may not go to Mass. He may or may not help little old ladies cross the street. It was all fodder for Cass’ entertainment in the end. So he’d leave it like that, ambiguous despite the fact that he figured she was on to him regardless. It wasn’t the worst thing, to be considered a do-gooder. At least he wasn’t an asshole.
“You could’ve saved your money, or given it straight to me & just walked up on us in Jackson Square.“ He offered with a small shrug. “I will, however, blow you away. So at least you’re prepared even if I’d rather slit my wrists than have you milling around behind me with a group of strangers. No doubt talking smack.“ Just talking about it was making the nerves ride up in his stomach.
“Are both of those things not a race?“ He asked, satisfied as she drained the glass. “Oh, I can do that much.“ He insisted, eyes shifting to the bartender on the tail of Cass’ challenge. His next drink was that of a fish. Gulp. Gulp. “So what if I am?“ He asked, his breath fogging the glass he still held to his mouth. “At least you won’t be alone in the plight.“ He insisted, draining the rest & slamming the glass down, sliding it with just a bit too much gusto. His hands went up in victory just before Cass’ drink came but in an instant he was scrambling to catch the glass that slipped over the bartender’s side of the bar. Mortified, PJ leaned over the bar, too little too late to make a difference. The bartender had managed to side step the spashback as PJ flooded him with apologies. “Christ, y’all need to cut me off evidently. I’m so sorry, Rick. That was my bad.“ His apology & rounding his stool was met with a hand up to stop him. The other was used to set down Cass’ drink. “No, PJ. Don’t you dare come around this bar. It’s just ice.“ PJ’s eyes were pleading but Rick had already collected the still in-tact glass from the floor. Reluctantly, PJ found his seat again. “Can’t believe you made me do that.“ He said, side-eyeing Cass. “I’m a monster.“ He said pathetically, though he was only half joking. “Honestly, I need to be stopped.”
❝They’re both races, but totally different.❞ With loosening the muscles in her neck and extremities, Cassandra had no problem with deeming the current situation a philosophical debate. For effect, she nodded solemnly and presented her case, ❝It’d be like asking an MMA fighter to take on a boxer. Totally different disciplines. I’m disappointed that you don’t know that, PJ.❞
But she was not disappointed in his ability to demolish his drink in a few gulps. In fact, Cass looked entirely impressed with the display and even went out of her way to applaud him very quietly and in a terribly forced-posh manner. ❝Color me impressed! You might catch up after all.❞ He would and she knew it; PJ was the only person she met who could give her some stiff competition when it came to drinking, and he was still just a slight margin above herself. This was something she attributed to his build, but it wasn’t going to stop her from trying to outdrink him.
Then again, at least she wasn’t spilling drinks all over the goddamn bar.
As soon as the glass began to tip, Cass flinched and PJ leaped into action. She continued to nurse her own drink while she watched the chaos unfold, eventually having to sit her glass down in favor of letting out a peal of absolutely delighted laughter. Poor PJ was floundering and even the bartender felt sorry for him (though she attributed that to potential familiarity between the men). ❝You might need to slow down. You’re a mess, spilling your drinks and shit.❞ Cass, on the other hand, picked up her drink after she managed to compose herself, ❝Have a few more! You’re already this far gone. May as well be shitfaced before we take it back to yours or mine.❞ She winked in his direction, completely shameless even as she tossed a fair portion of her drink back and placed the glass back on the surface of the bar. ❝I'm gonna have to slow down and let you catch me, actually.❞ Meaning that she’d be having a water and a little something to eat soon, and it was definitely so she wouldn’t be falling over herself by the time she left the bar. ❝S’what should I expect on this tour? Gimme a taste of what you do for Boobs & Booze or whatever it is.❞