Modest Delusions - Book 3 (Larry Stylinson AU)

Chapter 28 - Now I wish I could forget

Now I wish I could forget

Three blocks from the hospital, nestled between a neon strip club called 'Kittens' and a comedy club was a small run down jazz bar. Behind the red rope and bouncers, through the corridor lined with gold and red wallpaper, ornate lamps with black fringe dangling off the lampshades and a woman handing out cigars a crowd of people gathered. Each of them hiding from life beyond these wallpapered walls, behind the haze of smoke that danced through the air, they drank away their sorrows in the shadows of the club as music filtered into their ears and reality faded away. On stage furthest from the entrance sat a grand piano and a beautiful woman with short red hair, pin curled to perfection against her face as she sang sad melodies into the night. The club was exclusive, it yanked people from the modern world directly into the nineteen twenties, escape was exactly what Porter needed as he stepped through the door. 

He rubbed his tired eyes as they immediately started burning from the thick smoke that swirled around him, he lit up a cigarette as he smiled at a blonde dancer draped over some very drunk business men. He rolled up the sleeves of his white shirt and tore off the tie, discarding it to the ground as he made a beeline to the bar. He unbuttoned his shirt so it sat open revealing his bare chest and let out a loud groan as he sat down at the bar. 

He ordered Scotch, then decided three would be better and inhaled his cigarette as he took in his surroundings. The woman on stage leant against the grand piano with her bare legs in the air as she sung melodies about heartache and cigarettes, murder and forgotten lovers. She was in a glittering gold dress draped with beading and fringing, the gold jewel that hung on her forehead a contrast to the flaming red of her hair. Her lips were plump, crimson and a black beauty spot above her lip gave her a very traditionally beautiful feel. The piano picked up and he tapped his foot as the singer burst into song, he blew out the smoke between his lips creating rings. 

Porter relaxed into the barstool as his gaze was drawn to a girl sitting with her back to him. Her back was soft, her skin bronzed and she rested her hand on her head as she stared at the dancers littering the floor of the bar. Her honey blonde hair was pulled tightly above her head, she was wearing a backless black dress and Porter bit his lip. She was beautiful and suddenly he didn't feel so hopeless as he watched her slowly tap her slender fingers against the bar. 

The scotch arrived on the bar, the bartender gave him a smile as he placed the napkin on the black bar. "Rough night?" He asked, his voice husky and the way he was looking at Porter made him realise, he was being hit on. There was a raw sense of hunger in the way his eyes locked onto Porter's and as Porter wen't to take the drink the bartender brushed his hand. 

He smirked and nodded, "Yeah."

"Need to talk about it?" The bartender was cute, short brown hair with a square face and a distinctive jaw. His hazel eyes were locked onto Porter's and his smile was genuine, he slid another drink over. "On the house," he winked. 

Porter smiled, "Thanks," he cracked his neck and laughed. "Trust me, if I started talking about it, I'd never stop."

The bartender smiles, "well, if you change your mind..." he raised his eyebrows. 

"I'll know just where to go," Porter finished with a smile and the bartender seemed chuffed as he walked away. 

Porter looked over at the lone girl, her back was still to him and as he forced all thoughts of Rachel far from his mind he threw down his drink and stood up. He walked towards her, the singer's voice echoed through the bar and with each step he thought of Rachel. He stopped, lingering a few steps behind the tiny blonde, her hair was tied tightly above her head, it looked so soft. His phone was vibrating in his pocket and he ignored it as he took in a deep breath, smiled and sat down.