Open Flame (Alycia Debnam-CareyXyou)

4

I pulled up to the pub just as the sun began to set, instantly regretting my decision given the amount of cars in the parking lot. When I finally found a parking place, I sat in my car a moment, contemplating driving away. This was a mistake, I wasn't in a good position to be drinking, but at the same time, I wanted to. I used my desire to numb myself as motivation to step out the car door, and as soon as I did, I was met with Joel. 

He stood at the entrance to the pub, waving obnoxiously to get my attention. I gave him a quick nod and made my way inside.

The bar was just as loud as I thought it would be. It was packed with people in nearly every seat, country music blasting through the speakers with the compliment of the crowd's chatter. I scanned the room, looking for a spot when I got lucky and two people got up from their bar seats. I snagged the spot, looking over my shoulder to Joel who followed.

"Two vodka shots, please," Joel spoke to the bartender, tapping the table before taking the seat next to me. "Damn, this place is packed."

"That's for sure," I responded, "too many people, if you ask me."

He turned to me and gave me a weird look as two shots were slid across the table toward us. He tapped the glass on table and quickly through it back, knocking it back on the table.

"Drink, kid. You need it," he rolled his eyes at me, and I shook my head smiling. I quickly lifted the glass to my lips, letting it burn going down. "Another round," he called out and I put my face in my hands.

I lifted my head, looking over the sea of people scattered around the room. There were a lot of familiar faces in the room, other firefighters and first responders, but it didn't surprise me, this was where a lot of us came during hard times. It wasn't necessarily the best coping mechanism, but despite that, we all found ourselves sulking in here from time to time. 

We had a few more drinks, each one making me more and more drowsy. It just wasn't helping me today like it used to. Almost like it was making the feeling worse.

"Jesus, man. Don't look so bummed out, that's not gonna do anything for you." I turned to Joel, giving him a look and he raised his hands in defense, "I'm just saying." I rolled my eyes again, turning my body back toward the room and scoffed, noticing a bald man with a stupid look on his face.

"You've got to be kidding me," I spat out. Joel gave me a confused look before turning his body to try to follow my gaze. "What?" he said looking around.

"Fucking Ricketts.. God I can't stand him. Always rubbing it in my face whenever he's with-"

I paused and Joel shook his head, confused. I pointed over to the booth he sat in and Joel followed my gaze.

"That's... that's not Alycia." We watched as he put his arm around the girl in the booth, tilting his head over to eat her face. A girl who was not Alycia.. I always knew he was a cheat, and I think deep down, she knew it too. But to see him in the act, actually screwing her over, that enraged me.

"Oh, he's a dead man." I hopped out of my seat, the swiveling chair knocking against the bar table. Joel shot up from his seat after me, grabbing me by my shoulders to hold me back.

"Dude, stop. It's not worth it, just let it go and tell her tomorrow," he begged but I pushed him off, the alcohol in my blood giving me confidence. I charged my way toward the booth, anger burning through me as I lifted an arm and swiped it across the table, crashing their drinks to the floor. 

The couple immediately broke from each other, Guy's glare darkening as he noticed it was me. He shot up from the chair, giving me a shove back.

"The fuck is your problem, man?!" he shouted, pushing me again. The room began to quiet down as eyes trailed their way toward us. I shoved him back, ignoring all the people watching. "Where's Alycia, huh? Does she know you're a fucking sleaze bag, you asshole?!"