2 - Whiskey Haze

~Livie~

I’m not here for a social visit.” I speak with determined purpose.

“Do you think I’m a moron?” He interrupts me.

My eyes roll at the question. I swear he sets himself up for failure on purpose. “It’s a controversial subject.” 

He walks over to a hidden cabinet and pours himself a shot of whiskey. “Let me clarify for clarity’s sake. I don’t believe for one goddamn second you are here because you miss me.” He swallows the shot with the ease of a seasoned pro.  

I heard the rumors circulating about him, that he is a heavy drinker among other things. When he offers the bottle to me, I scrunch my nose and waive it away. 

His eyebrow quirks up. “That’s new. Going with the good girl act?” 

I am pissed. “Act? You don’t know me anymore. Save your judgments. Some of us have priorities in life. You know, responsibilities?” 

His hand freezes in the middle of pouring another shot. “You’re going back to home tonight?” 

“I’m not here to talk about my schedule.” My foot taps on the ground. When his eyes focus on my boots before traveling upwards, I stop.  

“I’m surprised you didn’t avoid the commute and simply leave me a voicemail.” His hand shakes as he continues pouring his drink. 

Ouch. Nice dig. I broke up with him over voicemail. Yes, it was cowardly and I am ashamed.

“Is seeing me come undone worth the drama?” He asks. He pinned me with his accusatory gaze.

I shrug and pick non-existent lint off my dress. “I don’t have your number anymore.” I sigh. “This doesn’t have to be complicated. I’ll just say what I have to say.” 

“So spit it out,” he says between clenched teeth. “I’m damn curious what made you drag your ass all the way here to see me.” 

Strength, Livie.  

“I’m here for your autograph.” Those words do the trick. The scowl returns to his face. 

“I’m not signing the fucking divorce papers, Olivia.”   

“You’ve been avoiding my lawyer for the past six months!” I say, exasperated. When Abel slams his glass down on the poor, hapless table, I try a different tactic. “Don’t want to talk about that yet? Okay. I have a message for you from Anna.” 

“Uh-uh. Do not bring up that bitch! She robbed me of the one thing in life I wanted.” 

My anger dulls a little. “What about all the positive things that have happened to you? The hardships you endured fueled the fire to get your music career going.”

“You think I wouldn’t trade my fame to go back to that day and fix things? Don’t tell yourself pretty lies to cover the fact I lost everything. I lost you.”

My teeth tug on my bottom lip. With all the women in the wide world, he still thinks I am the one for him. We went down that road before and it ended in catastrophe. Sometimes the road less traveled is less traveled for a reason.  

“Talk to her. Let’s move on from the ugly stuff.” I say gently.

“Fuck her. I don’t give a shit what she has to say.” Giving up on the shot glass, he chugs straight from the bottle. 

I take the bottle from him and set it down. “You will talk to her. You owe her that.”  

He erupts with fury, his eyes blazing with a whiskey haze. In two steps he stands in front of me, his fingers digging into my arms. “I don’t owe her a goddamn thing! She took everything from me! Everything!” 

My fingers tremble as I pry myself free. “She asked and I forgave her. Now she’s asking you to do the same.” 

“How? After everything she did, how can you forgive her?” He yells, getting louder with each word.

“Anna is my cousin, Abel. And she’s dying.” I give him a second to absorb the shocking news. “Whether you forgive her or not, listen to her apology. Give her peace.” 

“Jesus.” Abel has a stunned expression on his face. “I’ll think about it.” 

I nod and pretend Abel watching me with those piercing eyes of his has no effect on me. No effect? Ha! 

“I really need a shower. Do you want to join me or wait here?” 

“Um. No to both. How about an autograph instead?” I push.

“Why the rush now?” He corners me by the door. “What’s your hurry?” 

A spark of anger flickers in my soul and ignites. I lash out. “How about because I deserve closure? I am tired of living in limbo. Who wants to be married but not a wife? Do you know how hard it is to date and then have to explain that technically you are still married? Guys do not dig that shit.” 

“You think I give a damn if your dating life is in shambles?” His laughter is cruel. “I’m fucking ecstatic to know my wife can’t keep a guy.” 

Tears sting my eyes. Why does he have to be such an asshole? “Dammit! I am swallowing my pride and begging.” Yeah. I’ll beg if that’s what it takes. “Please, Abel. Just a few signatures and then I’ll be out of your life for good.”

He shakes his head, a sad smile plays on his lips. “That’s not gonna work for me, babe.” 

“W-what? What part?”  I stammer.

“I’m not going to let you walk out of my life. I can’t do that. Sorry if that messes up your plans.”

“If it’s money you’re worried about, I’m not asking for anything.” I continue hurriedly.

“You think I give a fuck about money?” He steps forward, totally invading my personal space. 

I retreat until my back hits the door, warding him off with my Jedi mind powers. He leans in, his face lowers to mine. So much for wishful thinking.  

“Tell me you don’t miss this.” His breath is warm against my skin, his kiss feather-light. “Tell me to stop.”

Knowing I am too fucking weak to deny him, my knees go weak. My loser status is heightened when he chuckles quietly. Damn him. No doubt he senses an easy victory. I feel the threads of my heart being sucked back into Abel’s vortex. What a tragic turn of events. 

I have to get the hell out of here and quick. Omigod! He grinds his hips against mine. His nose travels up my neck like he’s trying to inhale me. 

“I’ve fantasized about this moment every minute of every pointless day.” His lips brush against my neck. 

He picks me up and sets me on the bed. My Abel fog clears enough for me to realize I’m in deep and sinking fast. 

“Wait for me. I stink and for what I have in mind, I wanna be clean. For now.” He smirks and shuts the door behind him. 

Jeez, he’s freaking sexy! When I married him, I hit the hot guy jackpot. I want to obey his orders and wait for him. WTF? I’m not thinking rational. My breathing is erratic. My girly parts tingle with excitement. Already I am picturing him naked and panting over me. I don’t stand a chance against the magic of Abel. What is a helpless girl supposed to do?  

Run, dummy. 

My composure hangs by a rapidly fraying thread. As soon as I hear the shower turn on, I make my escape. I stomp past Raze who is lounging on the sofa. 

“Leaving so soon, beautiful?” Raze is grinning. 

Did he hear my conversation with Abel? My cheeks heat up. “Bye, Raze. It was nice to meet you.” 

“What about me?” Gabe has drumsticks in his hands, pounding out a beat on the edge of the table.  

I open my mouth, probably to say something insulting, but am interrupted when a trio of slutastic women hop on the bus.