Leather and Lace (Editing)

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Ian gently shakes me out of my thoughts by my arm.

"This is your stop." He mumbles hesitantly, giving me a look of uncertainty.

Looking around I can see why. Under the bridge isn't the most usual places to meet someone. I'm sure he can probably sense something dodgy going on but I really doubt he understands the reason.

"Yeah.. thanks. I really do appreciate this, and thank your mum for letting me stay the night. I won't be needing your guest room anymore though." I hear a small chuckle in return.

"Well.. You didn't really even stay in the guest room." He eyes me cheekily, giving me a wink.

"Whatever." I mumble, trying to act mad but I can't seem stop the treacherous laugh from escaping my lips. "Thanks again." 

"Oh and don't forget about tomorrow."

I frown in confusion. "What's happening tomorrow?"

"The assignment.. You’re coming to mine. Remember?"

"Oh! Yeah that. No problem, I'll be there."  

With that I open the door and step out. I was about to shut it but he stops me.

"Anna..." he hesitates.

I looked back at him in question.

"Uh... what Stacey said... well, was it true?" He asks while looking at me curiously.

I pause before answering. It's obvious what he means, am I a drug addict slut that gets beat at home, as Stacey so kindly put it.

"No. It's not true." I mumble and close the door before he has a chance to see through my lie.

He doesn't need to know the truth. It doesn't matter.

I don't know if I believe that or am just trying to convince myself.  

Either way, I'm sticking to it.

As I walk under the bridge and Oz comes into view I let my thoughts trail off. He's around his fifties with balding hair and a wrinkly ageing face, small scabs dotting his cheeks. Unrecognizable tattoos going up his arms, scars wrapping over them from scratching. That's what happens when you do ice for as long as him. It ruins you. But behind it all, kind brown eyes look at me and its not hard to tell hes a good person, just dragged into a shitty place like the rest of us.  

"Hey Oz. Sorry I'm a little late."

"It's not like you to be late Annabelle. Who was with you in that fancy black car?" He asks curiously.

I looked at him confused for a second "How did you see..?"

He laughs a hearty bellow like I've just said something funny. "When you've been in this business as long as me, you tend to pick things up easier. So who was it?"

"Just a friend." I stare blankly, even with Oz, someone I relatively trust, I don’t want to bring Ian into my life anymore then he already is.

"Whatever you say...”

"Yeah well anyway, I need to get this over with.. I need to go down to Ethan's soon." I say quickly, feeling the need to change the topic. 

Ethan isn't expecting me but I should drop in before I go home. He doesn't like it when I get my stuff off Oz and don't at least share a bit.

"Alright, here." He mumbles while looking around quickly as he slips me mine and Reece’s drugs and I slip him his money.

It's was almost second nature to me.