Tristan was our mutual university friend and Kendrick's best buddy.
They had a gathering today and Kendrick didn't even tell me, which made me feel a bit suspicious.
After hanging up the phone, I drove to Revolver Bar. Just as I reached the private room's door, I heard a commotion inside, "Hey, Kendrick, Maya is about to arrive. While she's not here yet, dare to do something exciting?"
"What exciting thing? You're always full of bad ideas ..." Kendrick's speech was slurred, it seemed he was truly drunk.
Just as I was about to push the door open, I heard Tristan laugh slyly again, "Elliot is passed out drunk. Dare to kiss Nikki? If you dare, I'll cover the bill tonight!"
"Don't wimp out, Kendrick. Everyone knows you've been Nikki's backup boyfriend for seven years. If you don't dare to kiss her, you're not a man!"
"Hurry up! Kissing Nikki in front of Elliot won't hurt. She won't get pregnant from it! You coward!"
Through the crack in the door, I saw Elliot passed out on the sofa, deeply asleep.
Kendrick's drinking buddies were all hyped up, eagerly watching him and Nikki as if they were on something.
I saw Kendrick grit his teeth and stand up, walking toward Nikki. She didn't shy away at all, even curling her finger to provoke him, "Kiss me in front of my fiancé if you dare, my Backup Boyfriend No. 1."
"Damn it! If I don't kiss you today, I'm not a man!" Kendrick looked determined, tossing his jacket aside and grabbing Nikki's head to kiss her.
At the moment their lips touched, his eyes met mine through the crack in the door. For a second, time seemed to freeze.
I calmly pushed open the door and walked in. Kendrick let go of Nikki, looking slightly awkward. He forced a laugh and said, "We were just playing a game. It was just pretending, I didn't actually kiss her." His lips, still smeared with Nikki's lipstick, betrayed his words.
Tristan and the other friends quickly tried to cover for Kendrick, "Maya, blame me for the bad idea. Don't be mad at Kendrick. Blame me! I'll punish myself with three drinks to apologize!"
Nikki wiped her lips where Kendrick had kissed her, smiling provocatively, "Maya, you're here. When are you and Kendrick getting married?"
Kendrick glanced coldly at me, then turned and smiled at Nikki, "That's not happening." With that, Kendrick guided me to sit beside him, but his eyes never left Nikki.