PROLOGUE
"Don't worry, kid. We'll get a drink right after I get off work-"
A stifled giggle filtered through the speaker.
"You used-" Laughter came full force through the mobile phone. Its volume made the man holding the black device cringe and put it a good distance away from his ear, though he grinned slightly as he waited for the sound to subside to softer tone. The girl on the other end of the line could really be a child at times.
"You do know that I'm not a kid any more, right?"
"And you weren't one, even when we met." The man's voice overlapped the one coming from his phone. Another short guffaw came.
"I've repeated that line too many times... Anyway..." A sigh came through the speakers before the voice continued. "You know I've been waiting all week for this. Roy already agreed- Hey! -"There was a shuffle before a different voice drawled through.
"You know, that dick is insecure about you." A shrill, indignant yell echoed in the background.
It was the man's turn to let out a short laugh. "I know..." He shook his head. "The guy's an ass. But don't tell Al I said that."
" Sure thing."There was a moment of silence before the first voice came back, sounding slightly annoyed.
"Sorry about Elliot. He's being a bitch again."
The man shouldered through the side door of his workplace, while the two on the other end argued for a while. The noises of the city were replaced by the thrum of music that reverberated through the walls of the back room he now stood in.
He waited for a moment more before speaking, "Come on, the guy looks out for you when I can't. You should appreciate him more."
Looking to the side as he brushed some dirt off his jacket, he cracked open the door that lead to the sleek counter he worked behind. A new group of people was pouring in through the entrance of the nightclub. Friday nights really were one of the busiest.
His time was limited.
"Look, I'll see you in a few hours." He held the phone between his cheek and shoulder now as he pushed up his sleeves. "Then you can finally have your first Shirley Templar." He smiled at the thought.
The man could almost imagine the wide grin on his friend's face when she said, "I'll hold you to that!"
He could barely hear her over the music blaring loudly through the club. His fellow bartender looked pointedly at his phone, subtly gesticulating to several patrons that were now taking seats at the bar.
"See you soon, Als." He said distractedly.
"I'll see you then. Take care, Des."
The phone was in Desmond's pocket before he heard the goodbye.
A/N: Okay, let's see how this goes over, shall we? Reposting this story for reasons.
Word Count (excluding ANs): 480 words