Chapter 5

Evan could always help Cheer me up and get me through these moments. Especially the parent moments. I wasn't big on comforting hugs and big emotional displays. I guess because I never really had any growing up.

Evan, Roseline? Dinner is ready." My mother's voice rang out from down the hall. I pulled back out of Evan's arms.

"Coming!" I shouted back. "I'm going to need another drink," I whispered. Looking longingly at the whiskey bottle, mentally working out if I had long enough to drink the entire contents before either of them came to get us.

"Nope, come on. There will be some at the table, you'll only Start a fight if you walk in with that." Evan took hold of my upper arm steering me away from the bar and towards the dinning room.

"I might not make it that far." I sighed dramatically as he chuckled softly, pulling me further along the hall. "Promise me something."

"Anything."

"If it starts to look dark for me in there, just kill me."

"Don't be silly, you'll be fine. Just look forward to the drink you'll get later, I may even throw in a cookie."

I rolled my eyes turning to face him, then muttered begrudgingly as I entered the kitchen, "Better be a big one."

My mother and father were serving up the dinner as we entered. I couldn't help but notice that there were only four plates set.

"Where is Melody?" I asked as I took a seat at the table. Immediately at the mention of her name my parents faces shone with happy smiles.

"She couldn't make it this evening, she has an important case that she's working on."

"Of course she does," I muttered under my breath, secretly cursing how lucky she was to avoid tonight's fun-filled evening.

The dinner passed in the usual manner.

Questions about my job and more remarks about me failing to achieve my full potential. Along with a side of concerned comments regarding my lack of a stable and healthy relationship. Thanks to my mother removing the wine from my reach, I couldn't even get lost in the alcohol to make it more bearable.

Eventually, it was over and we made our excuses to leave. After receiving the usual simple and half-hearted goodbye from my parents, we left, climbing into a taxi and making our way towards the club.

*****

The crowd outside of the club was large, everyone slowly making their way inside. Evan and I made our way Infront of the line. Joey, the club's doorman did a double-take at first when he saw us, noticing our unusual clubbing outfits. With a small chuckle, he waved us inside.

The beat of the music pulsed through my body, I could already feel the stress from the dinner ebbing away as I took in my familiar surroundings. The dance floor was full and lively. We made our way through the crowd until we reached the bar.

"Right, first ones on you remember," I smirked leaning against the bar and turning to face Evan.

"Oh crap, why do I feel like my wallet is about to take a serious hit?" He groaned half-heartedly. I chuckled as I turned to the barman, just as I was about to call him over a voice sounded on my other side.

"What can I get you this time Rosy?" I turned around to see Richie, standing there placing a bottle of vodka back on the shelf.

"Six shots of tequila please."

"Ah straight to the shots tonight, long day?"

"Yeah, but it's looking up." I smiled as I slipped my hand into Evan's back pocket and pulled out his wallet.

"Hey!" Evan called out as I handed over the card, Richie laughed, taking it from me.

"Too slow for my ninja moves." I winked.

"Your ninja moves have nothing on me."

"Alright you two, you really want to find out who's fastest?" Richie handed back the card, grabbing the tequila bottle and six shot glasses. Pouring them quickly he lined them up in front of us, "How about a good old fashioned race. Whichever one of you finishes those shots first, gets drink on me for the rest of the night."

I and Evan exchanged a glance before turning back to Richie. "Okay, deal."

Straightening up, we got ready as Richie counted us in... "Three...Two...One...Go!"

I grabbed the first shot, throwing it back and feeling the familiar burn as the alcohol slipped down fast. I'd barely managed to swallow it when I chuckled back the second then third. As I slammed the last shot glass down on to the bar, Evan was right there with me. I wasn't sure which of us had made it, it was definitely close.

"Rosy, you just got it," he smiled. Evan let out a groan as I threw my hands in the air in mock celebration. "Weldone, what will it be?"

"Hope you're ready Richie, she'll drink you right out of your wages for the month mate."

A few drinks later and Evan had wandered off. A couple of girls nearby had caught his attention and he'd decided it was his duty to go and keep them entertained. I'd stayed behind watching him as he took up his usual routine with them. At least, until someone more interesting, caught my eye.

As a group of people vacated the dance floor, moving towards the exit, I noticed a guy sat on his own in a corner at the end of the bar. He tilted a glass of drink in his hand, looking like he was deep in thought before draining it in one. As I watched him, he turned slightly and my eyes met his for just a second before he turned away once more.

I wasn't sure why, but I wanted to go over. I'd never been shy and usually, I wouldn't even give a second thought to approaching a guy. Not that I usually needed to. But with him, I couldn't miss the "Fuck off" vibe he was giving off and I couldn't help wonder if my presence might not be welcome.

Evan though I'm a confident person and don't look for acceptance in others, rejection still stings. And in a way, I guess it's one of the reasons why I don't do relationships. The idea of letting someone know me. All of me, then choosing to not accept me and just throw me away, it hurts. Before I could decide for myself wether to make a move or not, Richie spoke up from behind me, making me jump.

"You might just be wasting your time with that one?"

"Huh?"

Turning to face him, he inclined his head towards the stranger at the end of the bar. "Been here for a few hours now, kept to himself over there. I must have seen about four women going up to him so far, he's turned everyone of them away."

So I was right about the lone wolf vibe then. Still, there was something about him that kept me intrigued. Finally deciding to brave it, I stood up.