WHY THEY LEFT (#Wattys2015)

2. Tough Lover

Danny
Tough Lover by American Jazz

I rolled off the edge of the bed, careful not to jostle to much. At no point did I want to wake Ashley, but leaving was mandatory. I tussled my hair and searched for my shirt. Clothes were strewn around the trashed apartment mixed with crushed beer cans and vodka bottles. I looked over to Ashley, whose hair messily framed her face. Oh shit, is she wearing my shirt? I sighed, pulling my jeans up to lowly hang off my hips. My gaze shifted to the alarm clock on her bedside table. One in the fucking morning? I have work tomorrow. Belt in hand, I slipped out of her apartment silently, picking up my Chuck Taylor's from the floor in the process.

I jogged down the stairs of her apartment complex, looping my belt through my jeans as I did so. Muffled laughs sounded behind me as I stumbled around on one foot, trying to put my shoes on. I held up my middle finger with my back still turned and they silenced. I laughed a little under my breath, pulling my left shoe fully on. Digging through my pockets, I found my keys and began making my way to my car.

I got in the trunk first, pulling a plain white t-shirt and my leather jacket from a stash of clothes I kept there. I pulled it over my head and slid into the jacket before shutting the trunk back and walking to the driver's side. Pulling open the unlocked door, I ducked my head and climbed in. In the console, a can of beer was sitting in the holder. I grabbed and took a swig of the remaining liquid, only to crush the can and throw it out the open door. I pulled it shut and jammed the key into the ignition. Swinging my arm over the back of the passenger seat, I looked over my shoulder as I backed out of the parking lot. I grabbed the gear shift and pushed up only to have it stick in first gear. "Piece of shit," I mumbled, trying this time with more force. The car jolted forward and I smiled slightly, increasing my speed. "Good piece of shit."

As I drove, pellets of ran sporadically hit the windshield until it turned to a downpour. The second I turned into my driveway, I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. Ashley. Sighing, I shoved my hand in my pocket and pulled out my phone. "You know I'm not one for sleepovers, Ash-"

"Danny. You're awake, great. I need you to come to the shop. Tow a girl's car out of a ditch just at the county line. The trucks unlocked, keys in the visor. I know it's late, but I'll pay you overtime," my boss from the auto repair shop interrupted. Catching me by surprise, I was silent for a second.

"Wait, so you're saying I need to tow some chick who can't drive out of a ditch in the pouring rain at what-" I glanced to the clock on the dashboard. "Almost two in the morning? What the hell, Hank?" I finished. I heard him sigh on the other side of the line and we were both silent for a moment.

"Please just do this for me, Danny. This girl needs help."

"And driving lessons," I said under my breath, letting my forehead fall against the steering wheel. "Alright, Hank," I said, letting out a breath. "I'll do it." I hung up on him before he could express his thanks and pulled out my driveway, the water on the road splashing as I peeled away. I turned the radio on loud enough to be heard over the rain as I drove to the shop, windshield wipers on high speed.

When I pulled in, I jumped out of my car and jogged to the tow truck through the rain that beat down on me. Just like Hank promised, the doors were unlocked and the key in the visor. I looked down at my soaked shirt that clung to my chest and mumbled profanities as I turned the key in the ignition and laid on the gas, the faster I get this over with the sooner I get home. One hand on the steering wheel, I pushed my wet hair out of my eyes as I drove towards the county line.

As I got closer, I dug around in my pocket for my pack of cigarettes. I pulled one out of the pack and held it between my lips as I lit it, tossing the pack and the lighter into the passenger seat. Taking a long drag and squinting my eyes, I saw the outline of a gold Bentley sitting in a ditch and a girl. I blew the smoke from my lips as I pulled up to it. I parked on the side of the road and took one last drag from my cigarette before opening my door and getting out.