VALERIE

Thirty Three

// a week later //

As she held a small bag of cocaine in between her finger tips, Valerie watched Nick as he was cleaning up his station, washing his body of any chemical that had fell on him while he was finishing up the batch.

Valerie who had patched things up with Wesley a day or two ago was happy again. But not because she was back with her boyfriend but because she was constantly high.

She stood beside Nick examining how quickly his hands moved as he worked since he's done all of this before.

One that caught her eye was a rather small one on the back of his hand. She hadn't noticed it because it was really small but in between the black ink the colored swallow stood out.

"That swallow on the back of your hand, what does it mean?" She asked dipping a finger into the bag then slowly rubbing it onto her gums, she loved the numb feeling and when Nick would tell her she's making a mistake she'd bat her long eyelashes and pout and then he'd turn around and become hot, he'd blush and curse under his breath in desperation that he can't stop her and even when he did try she'd always find a way to get herself another bag.

"In England it stands for a legend in street fighting." He murmured looking for his shirt.

She cocked her head, and walked away. Her sneakers squeaking on the linoleum as she sauntered towards another one of the workers.

Nick watched her and the other worker named Liam laugh up a storm together, he tilted his head and she smacked his shoulder.

Feeling a clammy hand on his bare shoulder Nick felt alarmed to see Jesse standing beside him watching Valerie too.

"She yours?" Jesse asked, Nick shook his head.

"No." He replied simply and coldly.

"Good, then you won't mind if I hit that." Jesse licked his bottom lip sexually.

Nick pushed Jesse away and proceeded to put his shirt on, Jesse laughed like a hyena.

"Have you hit?" He asked,

"No, she isn't like that."

"I'll make her like that."

Nick glared over at him, "And what the fuck is that supposed to mean?"

Jesse once again draped his arm once again Nick's shoulders and they both walked towards the stairs slowly.

Nick ignored Jesse as all he could see and hear was Valerie.

She couldn't talk right, she drooled a bit but that's because the cocaine had made her throat and mouth numb.

His heart clenched, and his chest tightened at the site of Valerie kissing Liam on the cheek as he handed her something. A bag.

Nick stayed silent and turned a head nodding at whatever Jesse was saying to him both of them ended up stairs at the fighting ring where Marco was seated with a large bottle of Jack in his hands, he held it out in his hand for Nick who broke away from Jesse and took it.

He missed the taste of Whiskey so bad.

"So, Nick I hear you know how to cook." Marco said nonchalantly as he was watching Jesse head towards the bar alone.

Nick nodded, "When I was 14 I needed money so I learned how to make cocaine from my neighbor and then I began to sell." He said plainly.

"Ever been arrested?" Marco asked.

Nick nodded his head, taking another drink or the whiskey, savoring the taste.

"Lord help me." Marco murmured watching all the workers come up stairs including Valerie who had a small plastic bag hanging out of her bra that was visible through the sheer white top she had on.