“Sleep, baby, sleep
Peace is just a dream away
Let it go and release your fears
For tomorrow’s another day.”
––––––––
I grabbed the shot glass out of Candi’s hand before she could set it down. After Luke finished his song and sang a few more, I was starting to feel the effects of the alcohol. Giselle and Gretchen walked over and sat down at the bar next to me.
“Why didn’t you sit with us at the table?” Giselle asked.
“I wanted to sit here; I didn’t feel like getting up.”
“Are you ok, Lily?” Gretchen asked.
“Sure,” I said. “Everything’s just dandy. My mom, who’s dead to me, is trying to track me down. The boy next door kissed me, then apologized and left me sitting on the bed, looking like an idiot. I found my fiancé and my sister fucking in a closet on my wedding day, and best of all, my mother knew they were seeing each other for a long time. Cheers to my awesome fucking life,” I said as I held up my beer bottle.
“What’s going on?” Luke said as he walked up behind me.
“Hey, Luke, great show,” Giselle and Gretchen said at the same time.
Sam and Lucky walked over, grabbed their girls, and kissed them. I rolled my eyes and turned back around towards the bar.
“Let’s dance,” Giselle said as she grabbed Lucky’s hand.
“Awesome idea! Come on, Lily,” Gretchen said.
“You go ahead; I’ll join you in a while.”
“Come on, let’s go sit at a table and talk,” Luke said as he lightly touched my arm.
I got up from the stool, grabbed my beer bottle, and walked with Luke over to a table.
“You were really amazing; I want you know that.” I smiled.
“Thanks.” He smiled as he looked down in embarrassment.
A waitress, named Deb, came over to the table and set down two napkins. “Great performance as always, Luke. You want the usual?”
“Thanks, Deb. Get me a beer and whatever Lily wants.”
“What can I get you, sweetie?” Deb asked.
“Two shots of vodka and make them doubles, please.”
“Ok, two shots of vodka and a beer coming right up.” She smiled.
“Switching over to the hard liquor?” Luke asked.
“I need it tonight,” I said.
“Why’s that?”
“I really don’t want to get into it.”
Suddenly, two girls approached the table. I recognized one of them; she was the one giving Luke a blow job that night I walked in on them.
“Hi, Luke.” She smiled. “You were so awesome tonight.”
“Thanks.” He smiled.
“Would you like to get together later and maybe talk or something?” she asked.
“No, not tonight.”
Deb walked over with our drinks and just in time. She set the vodka down in front of me and handed Luke his beer. I slammed the first shot and then the second.
“Aw, come on, I promise that you’ll have a really good time,” she whined.
“Back off. He said no! Now, take your little slutty asses and get away from my table!” I yelled.
Luke looked at me in surprise as he drank his beer.
“Who the hell are you?” she asked.
I got up out of my seat. “I’m someone who’s trying to have a conversation here, but instead, I’m being bothered by some little groupie who thinks she’s going to get laid.”
Luke stood up and lightly grabbed my arm. “Lily, sit down.”
I jerked my arm away. “Don’t touch me!” I snapped.
Giselle and Gretchen came running over to the table with Sam and Lucky following behind.
“Go down the street; I’m sure there’s a very profitable corner with your name on it. If you’re going to blow random strangers, then you might as well get paid for it.”
“Bitch!” she snapped as she turned on her heels and walked away.
Giselle clasped my shoulders, and Gretchen picked up the shot glass and smelled it.
“Shit, she’s drinking vodka.”
Luke looked at me and then at Gretchen. “Is that bad or something?” he asked.
“Yeah, it is,” Giselle answered.
“Lily tends to get mean and violent when she drinks vodka. It’s the only alcohol that affects her that way. She can drink anything else, get drunk, and have fun, but vodka turns her into a different person,” Gretchen answered.
“Oh, fuck off! I can drink whatever the hell I want. Who are you? My mother?”
Luke leaned over the table. “Watch your mouth.”
I leaned over until I was inches from his face. “Fuck you too! I want everyone to just leave me the hell alone!” I exclaimed as I got up from my seat.
Anger washed over his face. He got up from his seat and followed me to the bar. “You aren’t drinking anymore tonight.”
“I’m going to the restroom; I’ll be right back,” I said.
I just wanted to go home. At this point, I was drunk, and I didn’t feel good, so I left the bar and started walking down the street. It wasn’t too long after when I heard Luke calling my name.
“Are you crazy? You told me you were going to the bathroom. Why did you leave, Lily?”
I stopped, and as I turned around, I started to stumble, but he caught me. “I just want to be left alone. I want you to leave me alone, Luke.”
We were by a dark alley with only a dimmed light post to provide some lighting. Luke pushed me up against the brick and pinned my hands with his to the wall. “I don’t want to leave you alone, Lily.”
We stared into each other’s eyes before he leaned forward and forcefully pushed his lips against mine, forcing my lips to part. He kissed me as if he wanted to devour me. Our tongues were tangled as the alluring scent of him engulfed my senses. I felt helpless, and I couldn’t move because he was too strong. My heart was racing. Moments later, he broke our kiss and stared at me.
“I hope you don’t remember this tomorrow,” he whispered.
Luke let go of my hands and picked me up. He carried me to his Jeep, set me in the passenger seat, pulled the seatbelt over me, and buckled it. I closed my eyes and fell asleep.