Don't Threaten Me With A Good Time

Chapter One

How many nights has it been since he'd had a proper drink? God, it felt like forever since he'd felt the harsh burn of the whisky down his throat. So much had changed since then.

'Look at you, beginning to follow in your father's exact footsteps. First a lawyer and now an alcoholic.'

His mind tugged at him as he sat at the bar.

'No. I deserve this. A drink once in a while won't hurt me.' 'Did you deserve what Haley did?'

And that is why he was sitting at this busy bar, in a casino, in Las Vegas. Sin City. Anything could happen.

After a case he had in Saint George, he drove the two hours to Vegas. He was exhausted emotionally and physically. Though it had been weeks since Haley left with Jack, Aaron has just had time to mourn the downfall of his family. He was moving out as soon as he got home. It all seemed so unreal. The day before they left had been full of nostalgia. Aaron had a two-week suspension after a harsh case with a suicidal teenage girl. It went terribly wrong. Haley thought it as an opportunity to reconnect them. It had been a blissful night but he got a call in the morning, and made the choice.

His job or his family.

He hoped he made the right choice. Now sitting here, made him question his decision. He loved Haley, he loved Jack, he really did, but he was dedicated to his job. It had felt as if he'd become his father at the time though he knew it wasn't true. He was better than him. He'd always be better than him. He wasn't going to let himself become him.

"Tough night or tough life?" The bartender asked as he slid past him to take the glass of the guy next to him.

Aaron looked at him. "Hard to tell," he answered honestly.

The bartender laughed. "Been down that road more times than I needed to."

"Yeah, me too," Aaron looked down and looked into the glass, slightly seeing his reflection as he gently swayed it left to right.

"Need more?" The man offered.

"No thanks, I'll take the check," He looked back up.

"Really? You barely drank a glass, you sure?"

"I'm sure," Aaron answered as he looked back down at his faint reflection in the whisky.

"Whatever you say," The bartender shrugged.

Aaron took his wallet out and laid a ten on the bar, leaving before the bartender could get there with the check and stuffed the faux leather wallet back into the inside pocket of his black blazer.

There was so much to do in Vegas other than drink. He knew a little wouldn't hurt but he couldn't risk slipping into alcoholic depression. He should just sleep and try to find a place. But he needs a distraction. Anything would be better now; gambling, lap dances, late night breakfast. Whatever. A crowd that had gathered earlier clapped with amusement at some guy who was too young to have a cane. It was hot in the building, too hot to be wearing a suit, but that didn't stop him, the pimps and the wannabes of this city from wearing one. God, there were so many gamblers with suits on. Someone could mistake him for one.

Another crowd groaned loudly with sappy disappointment at a nearby roulette wheel table. Maybe that could be fun? He didn't even know how to play. He wandered around the second floor. Just gambling and good-old lottery machines. Third floor. Crowed strip club. Fuck it, there was nothing else to do that he was interested in. Back to the first floor and a good glass of scotch. Drinking for a night didn't make you an alcoholic. Right? He'd just gotten divorced and didn't want a bankrupt notice as well. A lap dance was too soon and the last resort was clawing at his throat.