*Ashley’s POV*
“CHUG CHUG CHUG!”
Everyone in our booth was chanting as Jake and Jinxx were seeing who could down a cocktail jug the quickest.

“Down in one! Go on Jake!” Myah squeed excitedly. Jake slammed his jug down and threw his arms in the air triumphantly.

“Bow to your King, Jinxx!” He put on a British accent. “As your punishment, you must go and fetch the next round of drinks!”

“Oh come off it dude! We do not sound like that.” Dan pulled Jake back down into his seat and mimicked the American stereotype accent. “Y’all need to work on your British accents.”

Everyone broke down into fits of laughter, then the general chit chat started again. Jinxx was asking everyone what they wanted to drink; which reminded me that Krystal should be here in a minute. Sure enough, I looked up to the bar and she was there with Ethan, talking to another young lady. This new girl looked about Krystal’s age, with really long brown hair and wore jeans and an off the shoulder top with little skulls all over it. They were chatting away, so I presume they know each other. I slide out of my space and approach them.

“Hey darl’ want me to carry the drinks over?”

“Oh, hey sweetie! No that’s okay.” Krystal looked at the other girl and they were both giggling at one another.

“What? What am I missing?”

“Ash, this is Hayley; she works here at Whisky a Go Go… As a waitress.”

“Hi Hayley, nice to meet you. As Krystal just said I’m Ashley, Ash, Outlaw, Purdy and Dumbass apparently, whatever you wanna call me.” I nodded at her and smiled before turning back to Krystal. “What’s her being a waitress here got to do with all the giggling, huh?” I teased as I sloped around behind Krystal slipping my hands around her waist, planting a soft kiss on her neck.

“Well, you just asked if I wanted help carrying a tray of shots for everyone, with two Malibu and cokes, a pint of lager and a JD and Coke.”

“Yeah?”

“You’re with two waitresses who have been carrying multiple drinks over to tables for a living for quite some time. You just take it easy, petal. We’ve got this.” She may have been patronising me, but I knew it was all in jest; she then gave me a cheeky little wink, and then the two ladies picked up our drinks, expertly so I might add; and we were all back at the table.


*Jake’s POV*
Something wasn’t right with Jinxx. He’s been acting funny for a few months now. He never talks to us anymore, he is still part of the group, he still hangs out with us… He just seems very vacant. Very distant. He probably just misses Sammy. They would always make a point of seeing each other, but they haven’t in quite some time now, it must be so hard having a wife that travels around with her band too. It’s bad enough that when we go off on tour we have to leave all the people we love and care about behind, but to have a wife that is in the same field as us, also having to go off and leave, it sucks man, it really fucking sucks.
I’m going to talk to him. He’s my best friend, and I don’t like this version of him. Something isn’t right.

“Hey dude, you wanna head out front with me? Want a bit of air, think it’s the smoke machines in here, clamming me up.”

“Nah I’m good thanks.”

“Oh, okay then, no worries.”

Damn it. I’ll need to ask for some help…

Jake: Hey Myah, can I ask a favour please?

Myah: Of course Jakey, sup?

Jake: It’s Jinxx, he’s been really off lately. Wanted to know if you could try and talk to him?

Myah: Take it you’ve already tried?

Jake: Well kinda, I’ve tried getting him alone, but he doesn’t wanna know.

Myah: I’ll work my magic, hang on. You want a drink?

Jake: A drink? Thought you were going to help me help Jinxx?

Myah: I am. Want a drink or not?

Jake: Uh- Yeah sure, okay. Just a beer please?

Myah: On it :) Don’t worry honey, I’ll make sure he’s okay :) Wouldn’t want one of my big brothers to be down now, would I? xx

Jake: Thanks x

*Myah’s POV*
“Hey, does anyone want another drink?” I took people’s requests for drinks and then turned to Jinxx. “Hey sweetie, can you help me at the bar?”

“Oh! Hey I’ll come help!” Krystal said from where she was sitting on Ash’s lap. My eyes widen and I give her the look of ‘No no no no no no.’ “Well, I’ll come and help if Jinxx wants to stay put.”

“Sure course I’ll help.” Jinxx smiled at Krystal, “Thanks anyway though doll.” Jake got out of his seat to let Jinxx slide out of the booth, then Jinxx and I walked over to the bar.

I ordered everyone’s drinks and then I started plan ‘Get Jinxx alone’ let out a sigh, and leant my head on Jinxx’s shoulder. “Oh man, it’s so hot in here.”I held my fringe out of my face and fanned myself with a cork drinks mat that was laying on the bar.

“Hey, are you okay, Myah?” Jinxx put his hand on my shoulder and gently pulled me away from him so that we made eye contact.

“Yeah, I’ll be fine, it’s just really fucking hot in here. Feel a bit dizzy, probably just the drink.” I laugh a little and he let go of my shoulder and lifted my chin so I was looking up at him. It made me feel strange.

“Let’s get you some air.” He dropped his hand and turned to face the woman behind the bar. “Excuse me, yeah. Can you get this round of drinks taken over to the second booth over there by the dance floor please? Yeah. Thanks.” He grabbed my hand and led me towards the door.

Jinxx and I were sitting in silence out on the curb round the side of Whisky for a good ten minutes.I was sat to the left of him. I put my hand on top of his.

“You okay?” I squeezed it gently.

“I’m fine.”

“Why don’t I believe you?”

He didn’t reply. He just sat there. I really didn’t know what to do with myself. Um. Think, Myah! Think! I drew circles on his hand with my finger, tracing up and down his fingers and back into circles again. There was a slight tan line on one of his fingers… Oh shit! His wedding band.

“Jinxx?” I choked.

“What? Are you okay? What’s wrong?” He twisted slightly and held my hands in his. “Myah?”

“Um, yeah I’m fine… Can I ask you a question?”

“Oh jeez. I thought you were going to pass out or something on me then! Yeah sure, what’s up?”

“Um- I know this is probably really out of place for me to ask, and really not any of my business, but um-?”

“Um… Um what?”

I sighed, “Where’s your wedding ring?”

“Oh. Yeah… Well it took you all long enough to fucking notice.” He stood up and started walking away from Whisky… away from me.

“Jinxx!” I called after him and ran to his side, grabbing his arm. He lurched himself away from me, snatching his arm out of my grip.

“Just fuck off.”

“Jinxx?” I moved quicker this time and stood in his path, right in front of him, his eyes glazed over with tears.

“I SAID FUCK OFF!” He pushed me away again, harder this time. I stumbled backwards, where my heel slipped off of the curb, causing me to fall.
My eyes filled up with tears, and a bouncer came running over.

“What the hell is this all about?” He reached out and offered me his hand, pulling me back up to my feet. I straightened myself out, brushing my dress off. “Are you okay ma’am?” he asked concerned.

“Yeah, yeah I’m fine. I slipped, I’m a ditz.” I laughed, a tear falling down my cheek. Jinxx only looked at me blankly.

“Hey man, look after your friend better, ok?”

“Yeah” was all he replied.

“You sure you’re okay ma’m?”

“Yeah honestly, I’m fine. Need to handle my drink more.”

The bouncer nodded and walked back to his post, leaving a very awkward Jinxx and me.

“You didn’t even drink that much. I’ve seen you drink way more and still hold your ground.” He glared at me. “Why did you lie? Back at the bar? Now? Why lie?”

“If you must know it’s because I was worried about you! I wanted to get you alone so I could talk to you. Make sure you were okay. Everyone has been worried sick about you but every time they’ve tried to talk, you shoot them down! So don’t you dare even make out that we haven’t noticed and that we don’t care!” I couldn’t stop myself from crying. “But fine. You take yourself off and you go be an ass somewhere else. I tried to help you Jinxx. We all tried.”

I broke away from him and I headed back towards the entrance. ‘Stupid fucking asshole. Why can’t he realise I wasn’t trying to hurt him, I was only trying to help!? Some people actually care, and he’s just being so’- My thoughts were interrupted when I was spun around and taken into a tight embrace. His chest was heaving up and down, he was crying! I may not have seen his face, but I didn’t have to. I wrapped my hands around his waist, and I held him.

“I’m sorry” he whispered.
“Hey, hey it’s okay. You didn’t mean it” I pulled away from him and looked up to a red faced Jinxx, tears escaping from his eyes. “Hey, c’mon it’s okay. It’s all going to be okay.” I cooed as I played with his hair. “You wanna just go back home?” He nodded into my neck and then we called a taxi and headed back.

Notes