Katie pushed on Joan's shoulders. "Woah, hey! Slow down there, tiger!"
"What? A guy can't make out with his girlfriend?" Joan was clearly quite drunk by now.
"A guy can, but you're not a guy!"
Joan held Katie's hands in his hands. "I am on the inside. I might look different on the outside, but I want you to know that I'm still me in here. Don't push me away!"
Katie felt a little guilty and leaned in. "Oh, John. I do still love you. I'm sorry. I guess I was surprised. I didn't expect to be kissing a girl tonight. At least you're a cute girl."
Joan grinned and hummed a sigh. "You're pretty cute too!" He poked her nose and giggled. Turning toward the bar, he took the new drink and started sipping through the tiny straw.
Katie took the drink from his hands. "Oh, no. I think we need to cut you off. You're drunk. I definitely don't want you throwing up on my clothes."
Joan laughed. "That would be gross." She mimed throwing up.
Katie shook her head and laughed it off. She only had a slight buzz and was done drinking for the night. The buzz would likely wear off in half an hour and she'd be okay to drive. Now she just had to keep Joan under control until then.
While Katie contemplated Joan's blood alcohol level, a couple guys walked up behind her. "Hey there! Looks like you two are having a fun night."
Joan and Katie turned to see the guys from the high-top table who sent over the drinks. Joan greeted them. "Yeah! This night has been... SO FUN!"
The guy standing closest to Joan laughed. "Yeah, sure has! What've you been drinking?"
"Oh...my god! Danny makes the best Long Island iced teas!" He clapped toward the bartender. "Wooo! Danny!"
The guy near Joan laughed and looked at his friend. "Hey, my name's Mike. What's yours?"
"Hi, Mike! I'm John." Joan stuck out his hand to offer a handshake.
Mike hesitated for a moment in confusion and then accepted the handshake. "Did you say 'John'?"
"Joan. This is my friend Joan," Katie interrupted. "I'm Katie."
The other guy greeted her. "Hi, Katie. Nice to meet you. I'm Steve."
"Hey Steve, thanks for the drinks. I'm sorry though, I've got to drive this one home soon, so I'm done drinking for the night." She took her new drink and slid it toward Steve. "I haven't touched it though if you'd like it. Midori sour."
Steve accepted the drink. "Aah, I see. Well, it'd be a shame to let it go to waste." He took a sip. "Oh, that is sour!"
"Ever had one before?"
"No. I like it though. You've got good taste," complimented Steve. "Hey, if you two need a ride, my car's right outside and I'm okay to drive. ...or I know this great place down the block where we could go."
Katie grinned and put her hand on Steve's shoulder. "Steve, I'm gonna stop you right there because you seem like a nice guy, but I've got a boyfriend. Sorry."
"Oh," replied Steve while nodding in understanding. "Okay, sorry to bother you."
"It was no bother, really. I just didn't want to lead you on. It was nice to meet you though." Katie smiled as Steve stepped back.
Meanwhile, Joan was pointing at the TV above the bar. "No! Mike Trout is the best player in baseball. He's who I'd want at the plate on my team. Mookie Betts?! Mike, you're insane."
"No way! Last season he had 117 runs scored. Trout can hardly stay off the injured list."
Steve tapped Mike on the shoulder. "Hey, I'm gonna head back to our table."
Mike turned to Steve. "Oh, I'll be over in a bit. This chick thinks Mike Trout is better than Mookie Betts! Do you believe that?"
Steve laughed. "Between those two? She's right."
"What?!" Mike looked dumbfounded as Steve walked back to his table.
Joan put his hand on Mike's shoulder. "Two against one. Hey, thanks for the drink." He tried to pull the glass toward him, but Katie intercepted it.
"...but she's done drinking for the night. You're welcome to have it, Mike."
Mike shrugged. "Nah, that's okay. You know, it's not often I get to talk with a girl who knows so much about baseball. I don't suppose I can get your number? Maybe we could go to a game sometime."
"Oh, you're sweet..." Joan wobbled a bit on his stool and grabbed the bar. "I'm already seeing someone though." He winked at Katie, but wasn't subtle at all.
Mike became visibly disappointed. "Oh, okay. Well it was very nice talking to you and maybe I'll see you around."
"Maybe!" Joan waved as Mike walked off.
Katie shook her head. "Looks like you made a friend! Will you even remember this in the morning?"
Joan shrugged. "If I do, I'll remember he talks big but doesn't know shit about baseball."
Katie laughed as she took her phone out of her purse. She looked at the time. "Oh, shit. I didn't realize how late it was now! We've gotta get you home!"
Joan glanced at Katie's phone. It featured a photo of Katie with John taken on a hike. Just above their heads was the current time: 11:12. The panic made Joan sober up a little. "Oh, shit! Let's go!"
Katie flagged down Danny. "We need to settle up." He brought over their bill which was just their first two drinks. Katie pulled a ten and a twenty out of her purse. It was a very generous tip, but he deserved it and she didn't have time to wait for change. She put the money under the shot glass that contained the bill, grabbed her purse, and helped Joan get down from the stool. "C'mon. Let's get out of here."
Joan stumbled a bit walking toward the door and they made it outside. As they got outside, they found Jason there. His friend Stan was leaning against the front of the pub, clearly too drunk to stand unassisted. They started walking toward Katie's car when Jason stepped in their path.
"Hello again, ladies."
"Excuse us," replied Katie, not making eye contact. "We need to get to my car." She tried to go around.
Jason moved to continue to block them. "I could give you a ride. Whadda ya say?"
"No thanks," said Katie as she glanced up at him and tried to get past.
"C'mon. The night is young! We could go back to my place." Jason reached out and put his hand on Katie's shoulder.
Joan grabbed Jason's hand and pulled it off Katie's shoulder. He spoke with his old male voice. "GET YOUR FUCKING HANDS OFF HER!"
Jason's eyes opened wide with shock as he took a step back. Joan and Katie quickly hurried to Katie's car, got in, and drove away.