Drunk On Emotions

Make me drunk on emotions.

High without smoking.

Stay when the mourning comes.

Make me lose all my focus,

Done being broken.

Tired of feeling numb.

Drunk On Emotions - Clara Mae

"Can I get another?" a customer call from down the bar.

"Sure thing," Mila calls as she takes a bottle of beer and pops off the cap. The redhead has been working in a small bar for a couple of years as she attempts to move up in her MMA career.

"I saw your last fight," the dark haired young man tells her as he takes a sip. "That other girl didn't stand a chance."

"Thanks," Mila answers. "It was a good one."

"Keep up the hard work," he says. "I am sure you can go far."

Mila moves down the bar to help another customer when the door swings open.

"What a day," comes a southern accent from the entryway. "I need a drink."

Mila turns her head and watches the owner of the voice make her way into the bar.

"Hey," the man says. "It's Tina Armstrong."

"Armstrong?" Mila questions. "Does she know Bass Armstrong?"

"She is his daughter."

"Please don't call me that," comes Tina's response as she takes a seat. "I am my own person."

Mila can't hide her excitement. "Wow an Armstrong is sitting right here in front of me," she says a little starstruck. "What can I get you?"

"Just Tina is fine," the blonde answers. "And I will just have a beer please."

"Sure thing," Mila responds. "I'm Mila by the way." She pops the cap and passes it to Tina. "There you go."

"So Mila," Tina says as she takes a sip. "You look like a fighter yourself. WIth that cut above your eye."

"Oh this," Mila responds, moving her hand to the bandage on her forehead. "Yeah, but I am in MMA." She looks over to Tina. "Where people actually hurt each other.."

"That's not good," Tina says. "Wouldn't want to mess up that pretty face."

"P…" Mila studers as she turns away. After she takes a quick breath to calm herself, she turns back to Tina. "It's fine," she says. "Maybe I could show you sometime."

Tina takes a drink. "Well," she says. "If you are offering. Maybe I will."

"If I may," the man says. "Say what you will. But people do get hurt. Especially when they fall off a ten foot ladder. I don't care who you are, that has to hurt."

"I even have some scars to prove it," Tina adds as she begins to lift up her shirt. "Want to see?"

"N-no," Mila says as she starts to blush. "I am good."

"You sure," Tina responds as a smirk forms on her face. "I got a real good one on my…"

"I'm fine."

"Last chance," Tina teases the redhead.

"What about me?" comes an answer from down the bar. "Can I see."

"Nope," Tina answers.

Mila continues to work the bar as she chats with Tina. In no time she announces last call and prepares to close up shop.

"This was fun," Tina says as she pays her tab. She turns toward the door and begins to walk out.

"Are you going to be back?" Mila asks, trying not to sound too hopeful.

"I just might," Tina answers.

-XX-

A couple days later Mila is again working the bar and greets Tina as she makes her way through the door.

"Welcome," MIla tells her. "Back again?"

"Yup," Tina answers as she takes a seat. "Y'all got such a nice place."

"Why thank you," Mila tells her. "I do try my best to provide a nice place for people to go."

TIna takes off her jacket and sets it on the back of the chair. "I'll have the same."

"You got it," Mila answers. She takes a bottle and slides it across the bartop.

The blonde grabs it and takes a sip. "Busy night," she says as she takes a look around the room.

"Yeah," Mila says as she makes a drink for another customer. "But I am making good tips."

"I'm sure you are." Tina tells her.

"So," Mila says. "Did you just come for the booze?"

"I don't know yet," Tina answers. "You might have to show me something."

"How about this." The redhead takes a glass and flips it into her hand. She then spins a bottle of alcohol on her other hand and fills the glass. She spins the bottle again and sets it back behind the bar, then slides the glass to Tina.

"Not bad."

Mila leans her hands on the bar. "I can do better though."

Tina grabs the glass and takes a drink. "This is pretty good."

"Thank you. I try my best."

"You know." Tina takes another drink. "With skills like that and drinks like this, I bet y'all have the fellas fawning over you."

Mila starts to become embarrassed. "Well actually," she says. "I'm not really interested in guys."

"Oh," Tina says with surprise. She thinks back to the other day. "Then I bet my last visit made you uncomfortable." She realizes something and moves in close to Mila with a serious look. "Wait," she says. "Mila. Do you like me?"

The redhead begins to fidget as she eyes the counter. "Um," she says finally. "Well…" She takes a deep breath and makes eye contact with Tina. "Yes Tina. I do."

Tina stares back and takes a moment to process her thoughts. She takes a drink and opens her mouth as the door swings open and a tall dark haired man wilks in and calls at Mila for a drink.

"Don't answer me now," Mila says to Tina. She grabs a napkin and writes her number on it. "Just think about it," she finishes as she places the white cloth next to Tina's glass. The redhead moves down the bar to help him, leaving Tina staring at her glass. She picks it up and swirls it around. Just like her thoughts.

-XX-

Tina takes a few days to figure out her emotions and makes her way down the sidewalk toward the bar. She comes up on the front door and slows to a stop. After taking a breath, she opens the door and makes her way inside.

She finds Mila hard at work once again serving customers. Tina makes her way across the room and takes a seat at the bar. Mila notices her and gives a big smile.

"Oh look," someone says at the bar. "Another hottie."

"What'll it be Miss?" Mila says as she leans on the counter. "Usual?"

"Yes please," Tina answers. She watches Mila take a bottle and slide it to her. "You know," she says before taking a sip. "I have been thinking about what you said."

MIla feels her pulse quicken as she stares at the blonde. "And…"

"I'm not fully sure yet." She takes another drink and brings the bottle up to Mila's face. "I might need more persuasion," she says as she shakes it.

"Why don't you finish that one first," Mila tells her.

Mila begins to have a warm feeling in her chest as she goes about her business. She throws the blonde the occasional glance. A couple hours and beers later, things slow down.

"I need a break," Mila says as she wipes the bartop.

"Now looks like a good time," Tina answers. She looks around the room and then leans on the counter. "Especially since we need to talk."

The redhead throws the towel over her shoulder and leans toward Tina. She feels her heartbeat quicken. "Yes we do," she says.

"Well hopefully it isn't the alcohol talking," Tina responds as she finishes off the last swallow. "But I like you too Mila."

"What?" Mila can't believe her ears. "Really."

"Yes," Tina says. "I like you." She pauses. "I love you."

Mila takes the towel from her shoulder and wraps it around Tina's neck. She pulls the blonde in and gives her a deep kiss. After a moment, she releases her grip and the two separate.

"I love you too," Mila says. "Will you be a regular now?"

"Of course," Tina responds. "Any excuse to see the cute redhead behind the bar."