Step-by-step (Book 1. Of The Fumes Series)

~chapter three~

⚠️drinking and smoking⚠️

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It was the next morning. Toxic hadn't drank too much but he could feel the alcohol lingering in his system. He woke up feeling groggy. His eyes felt heavy. His head ached. He groaned as his door opened slowly. Al rubbed his head and stood in the door way. His head hung low in exhaustion.

"So...son... day off I take it.."

Toxic nods and al nods and closes the door. Just because they were taking the Saturday off it didn't really mean they were off. Just closed for customers. Al often used the days the shop was closed to the public to catch up on some client cars. Well the ones that needed to be finished sooner rather than later. Toxic layed in bed. He was in his boxers. His arm draped off the bed. All of a sudden his phone rings. His ear rings and he quickly answers the phone. Eager to get rid of that noise in his ear. His voice was thick with sleep. His eyes barely open.

"toxic speaking..."

The line was silent for a moment before a female voice came through to him.

"Hey toxic, this is nelli. The bartender you met last night."

Toxics eyes widen slightly and he forces himself to sit up with a groan.

"Oh right right right.. the...the chick who I helped from those k9s.....didn't think you'd actually call if I'm being honest."

The girl giggles lightly on the other end

"well sometimes... to have friends u gotta be willing to make them.... Actually I was calling about that date."

Toxics memory is sorta hazzy. He remembers but he doesn't remember if they settled on a place to go or not. He stayed quiet for a moment. His phone slipping from his hand. He nods off. The female speaks again.

"toxic-"

"uh huh.. yea.. yea the date.. sorry.. uhm.."

He quickly sits on the edge of his bed and rubs his face trying to wake up.

"Did we uhm settle on a specific...thing.."

The female answers

"no. But I might take you up on maybe a six pack and the tailgate of your truck."

Toxic nods and closes his eyes as he goes to nod off. He mumbles into the phone something un-legible. The female speaks up again.

"Huh?"

"Uhm.. that sounds good. I'll uh.. you know that shop off kindly street.... Grizzly auto. Go there around 7 and we can go have that date..."

The female sounds a bit excited. Her voice is slightly higher than it was before.

"Alright, I'll be there. See you then"

"You will.."

They hang up and toxic stands up. He takes his medication and walks to the bathroom. This is it. He has a date with the bartender, the night after he drank. He looked in the mirror and rubbed his face. He sighed heavily and washed his face. He's in his own world. His gard being down for a moment not thinking about his surroundings-

"hey son you-"

The door swings open and toxic jumps. His claws bare and the light shatters in the bathroom over his head. Al stands there looking at him.

"Whoops sorry son didn't mean to scare you. Was coming to ask if you saw my wallet."

Toxic closes his eyes and sighs. His claws retract.