A/N- Sorry for taking the absolute biscuit in updating, will try my hardest not to leave it this long next time! Enjoy and let me know what you think :)

Joey's POV.

Sharon didn't sack me; took a lot of persuading though. She gave me a chance cos before this, I were a model employee. Her words, not mine. Bartending; not exactly rocket science is it? I still drink every night to fall asleep and I still call Lauren. Not gone round Max's again though; maybe that were bordering on stalker-like behaviour. No maybe about it actually, it definitely were. I prepare myself for the inevitable as the drunk as fuck bird who's been hitting on me all night, comes over to the bar.

"You're really fit." She slurs at me for the third time that night, steadily sounding drunker each time.

"Do you think maybe you've had enough?" I ask her, politely.

"Do you think I've had enough?"

"Maybe you should call it a night."

"Maybe you should take me home." She leans over and grasps my collar, fumbling with my shirt. I slowly get her hand off me and move out of her reach.

"Look, I'm working, yeah? You should get your mates and go home."

"I'll wait till you finish." She chews on her straw. She's alright, I guess. A year ago, I wouldn't have said no. But that was before Lauren. Everything's different now.

"Let me save you a whole lot of bother. You don't wanna do this."

"I do."

"You really don't."

"I really do."

"I'm flattered an that, but it's not gonna happen."

"You look sad."

"And that does it for ya?"

"Just pointing out that you look sad."

"Well, thanks for that charming sentiment."

"I think I could cheer you up."

"You know, at one time you could have. But not these days."

"I accept that challenge." She winks and saunters off, back to her mates.

"Told ya I'd wait till you finish." The girl from earlier pops up out of fuck knows where when I'm about to close up.

"Din't think you actually meant it."

"Least you can do is pour me a drink." She says, matter-of-factly.

"I need to close up."

"You can close up after we've had a drink." So I pour her a drink and myself one while I'm at it. I don't know why because even when I'm doing it, I know it's a stupid idea. That's what I do though, init? Stupid shit.

"Here's to you and me and drunken sex with strangers." She giggles and bangs her glass with mine, then downs its contents in one.

"That's not gonna happen." I tell her again as I top us up.

"Again, challenge accepted."

An hour later, I'm nearly as drunk as her. I still don't know her name. I know the name of her ex though. It's Rob. He were a prick; he slept with her sister and expected her to forgive him. She didn't; that's why she ended up at R&R tonight. I told her about Lauren. She thinks I've still got a shot. Although, she is pretty wasted so she's a not a very reliable agony aunt.

"I know I'll regret this in the morning but I'm really attracted to you."

"You've told me. Four times, now."

"Are you attracted to me?"

I don't answer her, choosing to crack open another bottle instead.

"Charming." She snorts and elbows me in my arm.

"I told ya; you don't wanna do this. If you want random, revenge sex, you picked the wrong bloke."

"And yet, here you are, getting me drunk."

"Getting myself drunk; you just happen to be here, also getting drunk."

"I didn't happen to be here. You let me be here."

"You stuck around; I didn't ask you to."

"You didn't kick me out either."

"Don't speak too soon."

"You wouldn't."

"Full of yourself aren't ya?"

"Nope, I just know blokes."

"Not this one."

"Why would you be here then? Why aren't you going after her?"

"Cos she doesn't want me to."

"So? If you want her, you have to show her."

"She's better off without me." I laugh, dryly.

"You don't really believe that."

"Just shut up, alright? I don't want relationship advice."

"You don't want advice and you don't want guilt-free sex; what do you want?"

"I want you to go home so I can close up and get really drunk."

"You would have kicked me out as soon as you saw me, if that's what you really wanted." "If you're such a know-it-all, then you tell me what I want." "I think you want me, because for however short a time, you'll forget about her." And with that, she leans up and kisses me. I don't close my eyes; I look at her while I kiss her back. Before long, she's nearly naked on the bar and all I can think about is how that breaks so many health and safety rules. And Lauren, of course. And that time, on the bar when health and safety never crossed my mind. Fuck, fuck, what the fuck am I doing? When she goes to unbutton my shirt, I stop her.

"I'm sorry. I can't do this." I shake my head and turn away from her.

"You really love her." She says, amazed. When she leaves, I call Lauren, again, and again, it goes to voicemail:

'Babe, I hope you're okay. I miss you, that's all I wanted to say really. I miss ya. Come back soon. Please.'

I leave her a message and pour myself yet another drink.