A Story Of Him (INK ME SERIES) Book Two *Standalone*

Chapter one

Cancer Sticks

The bar smelled of booze and a hint of smoke. Recently I made it clear to everyone, if you want to light one up they either go outside or it gets shoved down their throats. Their choice, not really my problem. "Hey Dean, you think Em can make me one of them smelly things she likes to make now? I need this smell out of my damn bar." Dean is a good friend of mine. I've known him and Jackson for a few long years now. They're good people, my little sis is hitting it with Jackson. At first I wasn't comfortable with it considering what we do but I knew better than to tell her that. She's how you would say ..crazy, but in a sweet way. "You mean a candle dumb-ass." I blink at him as a smirk forms his mouth. If he wasn't my friend I would have already killed him more than likely. Not many people talk to me like they do. They're lucky I love them or they would have a cancer stick shoved down their throats like the new comers who cant read a damn sign.

"Yea yea whatever the damn thing is. I need like fifty of the fuckers for this place." Throwing his head back with a laugh he walks off muttering "an open flame with booze. Dumb-ass." Shit I didn't think about that, I just need this smell gone. Every time it hits my nose all I can think about is starting up again and it took a hell of a lot of will power to stop such a nasty habit. Now to knock the edge off I've turned to alcohol and nearly beating people to their death.

Wiping down the bar, getting ready for closing time I notice I will probably have to kick out Mr. Jenkins again. He's a regular and I try not to be too hard on the guy with everything he has been through but damn I want to go home. "Alright man it's closing time. You need me to call you a ride?" The old man just grunts as he throws some bills on the table and stomps out the door like a toddler. "God why must everyone get on my last fucking nerve."

Walking into my apartment never felt so good. After a long day at the bar and a stupid run Jackson had me do today, all I want is a shot of something strong and my head hitting the pillow. Walking over to my small kitchen I pull a glass down from the cabinet and pour a healthy amount of Jack. Pulling my phone out to dial my sister I take a quick swallow. The liquid burning my throat, making my stomach warm. After a few rings she picks up as per usual. "Hey Alec, how was your day?" I grunt, she knows her husband sent me on a stupid run alone today. I'm also pretty sure she knows he did it because I pissed him off last week. You see I have a mouth on me and sometimes I may or may not get in trouble with boss man.

"Oh you know same old thing, different fucked up day. How's my little nephew doing?" My sister became pregnant not too long after they got married. I was surprised to say the least. She never really talked about kids but I guess love can change a person. Not that I would know. My last relationship crashed and burned and took my expectations with it. "He's kicking my ribs and making me pee every five minutes so I guess he's just acting like his father." I hear Jackson laugh in the background and that brings a small smile to my lips. Her happiness makes me proud. This girl has been through hell and she deserve everything she has right now and then some. "Well I'm glad everything is good, it's been a long day so I'm going to crash Em. I'll see you soon?" She snickers at something Jackson said, I couldn't make out. I'm sure it was something sarcastic, yet he gets on to me about my mouth. Mentally I roll my eyes. "OK Alec I'll see you soon, I love you." Her voice gets soft and I know she's in her head right now so I end the call with a soft Love you.

Ember use to always get on to me about not calling or texting her enough. She has always needed reassurance that I and everyone she cared about was safe. I get it and I understand. When I was with my ex I didn't call or text as much as I could have. That whole relationship was fucked. I didn't realize how messed up the guy was until he fucked someone and asked me to join in. Don't get me wrong a threesome is cool and all but not when you're in a committed relationship and you walk in on your partner with someone else. Unfortunately that doesn't even cover how fucked this guy was. Now I find myself alone again wishing I had someone to curl up with at the end of a long day.