Steve Randle smirked, nudged Evie's ribs and jerked his head towards the bar at Buck's.
"Steve, don't be an ass." She warned
"An ass? Me?" His voice dripped with indignation, as he pulled her over to where his prey was sitting. Three empty beer bottles in front of him. "Hey, Curtis." He kept his voice friendly. "So, am I gonna tell your brothers about this or are you gonna get your drunk ass home?"
"Shit, Steve, you ain't the boss a'me." Fucking wasted.
"No, I ain't, but I'm tellin ya now, Curtis, you go on home 'fore you get yourself into some shit I gotta leave my girl to get you outta, huh?"
"Be nice, Stevie." Evie said exasperatedly.
"Yeah, Stevie." Fucking Curtis.
It wasn't the first time Steve'd caught him doing this, just last week, he got 'imself into trouble. Drunk and wobbly, Curtis starts giving shit to Shepard and his boys. Bad idea. Curtis is tough, one of the toughest guys he knows, but drunk and heartbroken with a sprinkle of badass ain't enough against the mighty Tim Shepard. Or any of his boys for that matter. Maybe sober, he could take three of 'em. But he looked ready to pass out, and there were six of 'em, not even counting the leader of the pack. Curtis starts mouthing off to 'em. Shepard just gives it right back at first, till he starts to really be an ass. Starts saying stuff 'bout Dallas and asks if Timmy Shepard misses his partner in crime. Calls him Timmy. Curtis is just drunk and angry, Steve knows. Probably Tim knows it, too. But, Curtis struck a nerve, and the whole lot of them feel it. Except Curtis himself. The Family Smile stays plastered to his face. Same smile that hooked him up with that blonde the other night. Same smile that gets him and his brothers out of trouble, a lot. No one can resist the Curtis charm. But Shepard can. Gets ready to clock Curtis's head, when Steve steps in and tells him to lay off, he's had a tough year, and don't really know what he's saying. Tim backs off, but throws a menacing glare at both of 'em. Curtis owes Steve one, and Steve owes Tim.
Last thing Steve needs is a repeat of that night.
"You go on home. Can you walk, or do I gotta drive you, too?"
"I ain't leaving, Randle."
"Oh, yes you are, kid. You take one more sip and Darry'll find you out."
"Darry's asleep by now, he'll never know."
"Ain't you ever had a hangover before? You're gonna reek of the beer all night long. I suggest you stop now, go home, shower, and go the fuck to bed before your brothers wake up."
"Why would you help me, huh? You hate me."
"Christ Ponyboy, I don't hate you. C'mon I'm a'take you home. Evie, you comin' with?"
"Yeah, you can take me home, too." Shit. Now he ain't getting laid tonight, and he owes Shepard.
And people think he doesn't give a shit about the kid.