Autumn Haze

22: 'The one with Lonely Jack's part 2...'

Nausea waves over me harshly as I inhale a sharp breath as I walk inside Lonely Jack's with Sammy trailing close behind me.

'I know this is probably the wrong thing to say, but do you think that they'll have male strippers here?'

I narrow my eyes as I elbow him the inside, 'You were right that is the wrong thing to say.'

He sighs slightly as he glances around, 'Which one is he?'

'Ryan said that we was the one with the leather jacket, with spiked up blonde hair.'

'Bingo.' I mutter as disgust spikes down the back of spine, he's sat there chatting aimlessly with the bartender, two shots laid out next to him.

'Autumn.' Sammy says weakly as he grabs my elbow gently, 'You don't have to do this.'

I shrug my elbow out of his grip, 'If I wink at you twice, get me the fuck out of here.'

I try my best to push down the overwhelmingly anxious feeling that is running through my veins as I strut over to 'Xavier', I squeeze my eyes shut as I place a sheepish smile onto my face, I reach out and grab one of his shots.

'Is this for me?'

He blinks before turning his head to face me, 'It can be if you want sugar.'

I give him a curt nod before taking the shot, I grimace before slamming it down on the bar,  I plop myself down next to him, I hide my hands under the table, so that he can't see them trembling.

'Thanks.'

'What's a girl like you doing in a place like this?'

I force out a flirtatious laugh, 'Looking for a guy like you.'

He eyes me up for a moment before a small smirk etches onto his face, 'I was hoping you'd say something like that.'

'I'm...Quinn, what's your name?'

'Xavier.'

I mock a noise of surprise, 'Oh my god, I've always had a thing for Xavier's.'

I don't think I've felt this fucking nauseous in my entire life, I allow my mind to flicker back to Lucas' hazel eyes, the way they crinkle when he smiles or the way they light up when he talks about his dream boxing gym.

Autumn, you're doing this for him.

He's worth fighting for.

He chuckles darkly, 'Good to know, you know what can I ask for a favour?'

I tense for a moment. '...Sure.'

'Can we take a picture together?'

'W-What? Why?'

'Because babe, none of my buddies will believe I'm sat drinking with such a hot piece of ass right now.'

'Oh...right.'

'Come on babe, just one picture. Next round is on me if you do.'

I clench my jaw before relaxing it, '...Sure, fine.'

I try my best to conceal my flinch when his slimy hands wrap around my shoulders, as he snaps a picture of us on his front camera.

'Thanks, I really appreciate that.'

I shrug, 'It was no problem at all, really.'

'So...Quinn.' He drawls out, 'What is it that you do?'

I study his facial expression as I try my best to keep mine from crumbling, 'I work at a small café', what do you do?'