“I hope next time you feel – well, retarded – about yourself, you’ll remember that I think you’re…”I looked up into his eyes. They were drunk, yes, but still absolutely mesmerizing.He didn’t finish his sentence. Instead he said, “Sorry I licked your face.”

“Who the hell is Old Roddy?” I said angrily. I was sick of feeling like I wasn’t being told the whole story. Dex was silent. I shined my light in his face, causing him to squint harshly.“If you don’t know then I don’t have time to explain,” he sneered in the brightness. He eyed my hand on his bicep. I didn’t let go. “Make time,” I said.”

“Dex,” I whispered.“Mmmm?” he grunted.“I hope you never stop feeling alive.”I could have sworn his heart skipped a few beats. He tensed. Then relaxed.“As long as you’re around,” he said softly, “I’ll be alive.”

“You still with your floozy girlfriend?” Ah, there is was. The elephant in the car…He gave her an incredulous look. “Obviously not.”She smacked him on his arm. “Don’t look at me like I asked a stupid question. Because it not a stupid question at all, and you damn well know it.”“Fine.”“So you broke up with her?”“Yes,” he said sharply.“Way to find your balls, man,” Ada congratulated him and sat back in her seat.”

“I shot him an unimpressed look. “Do you really think you’ll win me over by having sex with me?”He scratched at the side of his chin. “Well, they say the way to a woman’s heart is through her vagina.”

“You’re the light in all this madness. You’re my light. I should have been with you...” The thought hit him as his face crumpled in amazement. “Oh God, why am I not with you?”“Because you’re an idiot,” I said.”

“Frankly, I don’t think I could hang out with you if you weren’t the vice type of guy.”“Well then, you’ll be pleased to know that I’m still drinking and I’m still wanking to porn.”“That’s my boy,”