Tyler
I ran my hand through my hair, digging my other hand into my breast pocket to pull out a pack of Marlboros. I didn't know if smoking was allowed in the shithole strip club, but I couldn't give two fucks. I needed a nicotine fix, and luckily I had a full pack. Maybe I would die from lung cancer. It could be worse—like dying from heartbreak.
No, nothing is worse than that.
I inhaled the smoke deep into my lungs, feeling the burn and taste of tobacco on my tongue. I watched Mallory just walk away, sauntering off to who knows where. The girl was just that—a girl. Not even legal. Not even a woman, yet she surely looked like one. I felt like a pedophile when I watched her toned ass walk off, but I couldn't help it. She was a sight to see.
No, nothing was more beautiful than Ally.
I liked blondes. I liked Ally. Loved, I corrected myself. Past tense. She was untouchable now, as her father was a cop. I became her safe harbor for weeks after the man beat the hell out of her, but she always ran back to him. Ally needed help I couldn't give her. I felt guilty for not giving her what she needed, like it was my fault she was so fucked up. Maybe her insanity rubbed off on me. It felt like it.
I heard Aidan's voice yell behind me. I turned around, and he was directly in front of me. "Hey, fucker, you missed out while you were moping. Angel in there," he pointed towards the back of the club, "is wicked talented."
"Is she now? Because I don't want to hear about it."
"Right. I forgot. You're deprived. She's cheap, man."
"I'm not going to get head from a herpes infested mouth."
"Suit yourself." He shrugged. "What'd you do while I was gone?" Aidan wiggled his brows suggestively.
"Forget it. Buy me a beer. You promised."
He lead me to the bar where he ordered two shots, sliding one towards me. I gave him a pointed look, wondering when I'd get my Heineken. "One shot. One." He held up a finger. I sniffed the shot. Why not? I downed it, finding the burn to be much more satisfying than that of a cigarette.
But it was like eating a chip: you can't just have one. Especially with Aidan around.
"You're buying, asshole! I'm not getting hammered at my own expense." Besides, I'd already given too much to Mallory that night. I had more money, but someone had to pay bills and it wasn't going to be the irresponsible Aidan and I would have rather died then let Charles Hawkins lift a finger for me.
The shots kept on sliding, and I kept on drinking. Aidan was picking up girls while I downed more and more liquor. I was drowning in my sorrows, and I couldn't sink far enough. I couldn't resurface. I didn't want to. So I threw my head back again.
I was hunched over the bar with a pounding headache when Aidan nudged my side. "Chloe and I are getting out of here. You with me?" I looked up, seeing double. I had tolerance for alcohol, but not for that much. A stack of shot glasses were towered in front of me, threatening to tip over. I breathed in my hand, smelling my breath. It was all Jack and Jager. The scent of cigarettes no longer lingered.
"Sure," I slurred. I was fucked out of my mind.
We left the club, a petite blonde attached to Aidan's side. I snickered, doubling over in drunken laughter. The girl was just another fuck to him. She was oblivious. I wondered what line he used on her or what lie he told. Maybe the one where his father had a penthouse apartment in the Upper East Side, but that was surely a lie. That was my dad, not his. I wasn't even sure Aidan had a father.
"Pencil dick! Stop, asshole! Give me my fucking money!" I heard a familiar voice from an alley screech. I was curious so I moved towards the sound, still laughing at Aidan's girl.
"Tyler, what are you doing? It's just another whore. C'mon, man. It's late. Right, Chloe?" Aidan called as I walked away. I didn't turn back. I stepped into the alley, seeing Mallory all frazzled up next to a grimy thirty year old. His hand was on her inner thigh, and he was smiling mischievously. I watched as his fingers trailed up her skirt. Mallory's eyes widened, panic-stricken. I staggered towards them, ending up before the man, blocking his view of Mallory. I slapped his hand away from her legs, pushing Mallory back against the other wall as far away from the man as possible.
"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" He stuck his finger on my chest. I swatted it away.
"She said stop, didn't she? Fuck off."
"This is none of your business, kid."
"Kid? Me? She's no more than seventeen, you sick fuck." I pushed him against the wall. His hand left my chest and went to my throat. He throttled it, and I used my hands to reach his. We had each other choked, but his grip was stronger. I was dizzy already from drinking, but now I was so lightheaded I felt like passing out. Mallory's screams in the background were far away, fading. I let go of his throat in one last attempt to distract him. I pulled my hand back and punched him straight in the jaw, hearing a satisfying crunch of bones. His grip loosened, and I took it as an opportunity to kick him directly in the balls. It was a bitch move, but it made him fall to the ground. I fell to my knees, bending over him. I grabbed his neck to make his eyes meet mine. With a smile, I pulled my fist back one last time and hit him square in the nose. I wiped his blood off on my pants.
"Tyler! Stop!" Mallory grabbed my shoulder and pulled me off of the man. "It's ok." Her hand cupped my jaw. "I'm ok. Don't worry about me. I'm a big girl." She patted me and pulled her hand away.
"You're just a child-"
"And you're acting like one. I'm fine. Go to your friends." She nodded to the end of the alleyway where Aidan and his one night stand were waiting. It looked like Aidan was fighting with his girl. His hands were gesticulating manically, and I heard his yelling.
"You did what? Why the fuck would you do that?"
I turned toward Mallory who was rubbing her arms like she was cold. I started taking off my jacket, but she stopped me. "I'm a big girl," she reminded me.
"Right."
"Your friends are still waiting."
"Right."
"Am I going to have to force you to leave?"
"Right," I said for a third time and smiled. "I'm going. I'll see you around, Mallory."
"I hope not." My heart sunk. "This guy's a regular." She pointed at the man who was still passed out. "And he has a temper."
"I'm a big boy."
"Ty! Hurry up. We need to go. Now."
I spun and walked to Aidan's voice. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Mallory bend down and snatch the man's wallet from his back pocket and pull out a few bills. I shook my head, deciding to not intervene. He deserved it.
"Shit," Aidan cursed when I finally reached him. "Chloe left. She called the cops. We need to go."
"What? Why the fuck would she do that?"
"She said she thought you were getting attacked."
"What a bitch. You sure do pick the good ones."
"Says you," he countered, nodding in Mallory's direction. She was bent over the guy still. I saw her spit on him. I grinned, then remembered the trouble ahead.
"Take a cab?"
"You're buying."
We half-walked/half-ran to the street. I hailed a cab, opening the door as soon as it stopped for us. I hopped in, leaning back on the seat and telling myself to never forget this night.