They Vowed: 'Til Death Do Us Part?

Chapter 3: Burning

Jaxon

I threw back my head to take the shot. I mean the double shot. I started to lose count after my sixth one. The warmth started to spread from my chest to the rest of my body. I embraced it. All the evasive thoughts suddenly stopped. I was beginning to float and that was comforting.

The music was swelling around me. For a second I felt like one with it. I'm not sure what song was playing, but it was some new country song.

The bar was smooth and made of oak. It seemed impeccable and sturdy. The seats were tall with soft black cushion. The whole place had a rustic vibe. The darkness set the scene, making it seem almost mysteriously poetic.

Just one more shot. After that I should probably call it safe and send for an uber. Once I start drinking it's hard for me to stop. The main vice I inherited from my father.

"Another shot, please," I yelled towards the bartender, who was flirting with the girls at the other end.

He poured it and set it in front of me.
I said thank you and then downed it. As I set the glass on the bar the door behind it opened. The woman from earlier came through the door.

When I first saw her earlier, I was mesmerized. She was on stage singing so perfectly. It was a shock that such a bold voice could come from someone so petite. She couldn't have been more than a little over five feet tall.

Her deep auburn hair flowed down to the small of her back. Her skin was flawlessly ablaster. Her skin was a beautiful contrast against her burning hair.

When I saw her again behind the bar I asked her for a drink. Thats when I saw her striking emerald green eyes that shone in the dim lights. Her lips were big and pouty. They reminded him of the pink petals of a soft rose.

It was hard to look away from her. I had to remind myself that I shouldn't be staring so longingly at another woman. I had Mel to think about, but just thinking of her made him wanna drink some more.

She said her name was Clare and I had told her mine in return. I'm not sure why I did it. I just was curious. I had to know her name.

She wore a simple midnight blue, skintight dress with black leggings. She wore flats which showed just how short she was. It somehow complimented her. She was curvy and definitely inviting in it. Somehow she still seemed almost innocent and modest.

Clare had clearly been crying. Her eyes were bloodshot, which made her eyes seem more green. She went over to another customer and started making a drink for them. I waited for her to finish then I called her over for another drink. I felt the need to know what was wrong.

"I'd like a Jack Daniels on the rocks," I tried to seem earnest. I wanted her to know she could talk if she needed to. I'm not sure if it was the alcohol, but I felt obliged to help her.

Her eyes met mine and she gave a half-hearted smile. It made my heart jump a bit. I wasn't sure what to say now that the opportunity had come. If I was sober I would have took my drink and not said a word; however, I'm way past my limit by now.

She set the drink down in front of me. I picked it up and leaned towards her some. She seemed to freeze. I was closer than I meant to be at first. I moved back some.

"Sorry. I think I've reached my limit," I smirked up at her and took another drink.

"I think I can see that. I'll just go get your card for you then," she was about to walk away when I placed my hand on top of hers. It was instinctive. Her hand was soft and warm. She seemed shocked but didn't move her hand yet. She just stared at me for a few seconds confused.

"Why were you crying?"...

She pulled her hand away from mine and really smiled this time.

"I reached my limit too," she said it almost sarcastically as she walked away.

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Outside I leaned against the front of the bar. It was chilly out. It was the new moon so it was dark out, which left it up to the street lights to provide illumination. The city air was crisp and refreshing and it felt like it would rain at any second. That would do my mind some good. Between the burning of alcohol and Clare's sweet red hair it was blurry.

I kept forcing my mind to cease the thoughts of her, but it was inevitable. I guess alcohol plus loneliness equals unwanted emotions. After lighting a cigarette I pulled out my phone. The uber would be here in a few minutes.

Upsetting Clare had not been my intention. I think I struck a cord on something that was obviously none of my business. Now that my buzz was slowly fading I realized I crossed a line when I touched her. I wanted to apologize but wasn't sure how to. I just decided not to say anything. It was better that way, besides I would most likely never see her again.

The rain finally started to fall. At first it fell slowly as if it was starting at a jogging pace. It gradually picked up after a couple minutes, and eventually it was pounding the pavement furiously. The sound was deafening and thankfully I was protected by the bars roof.

As my uber pulled up I flicked my cigarette away, put my phone inside my pants pocket, and headed for it. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a flash of red emerge from the bar door. I didn't turn around. I got in the backseat and told the driver which hotel I was staying at. As my uber drove away I saw the flicker of a lighter and a cigarette burning.