Whatever you do, do it well

Hayden’s curiosity reached its peak with Ava’s response to the whole situation. There was a flair in her tone that intrigued him into thinking that pursuing this somewhat threat could lead to a much better time than drinking solo in the bar. He smirked, his eyebrow lifted as he scoffed and nodded. “The dude has been filled in by the other regulars here more times than I’ve had shots and he still comes around preying on women,” he knocked back the rest of his drink. “I’ve called the cops on him a bunch of times, but they don’t wanna fuckin’ know. But, I mean, I can show you to his favorite alleyway if you wanted to teach him a lesson one-to-one,” Hayden offered. “Save my knuckles getting anymore bloody than they already are.”

She saw the smirk, out of the corner of her eye, but kept her eyes trained on her drink, she was replaying the last couple minutes in her head. Going over where her drink was and where that guy’s hand had been. Had it been near her drink? she didn’t think so. He hadn’t gotten that close to her. “Sounds like he never learns,” she said with a grumble. “I mean. I wouldn’t have a problem hurting someone, especially if hes been praying on women. I’d be happy to teach him a thing or two.” She was tiny, 5′2″ to be precise, but she was mostly muscle. It came with being on camera, being what people desired. She had to keep herself trained and in shape so, one of her favorite things to do was Judo. Her eyes moved from her drink back to the man who swooped in to help her. “Thanks by the way.”

He’d known his impression was horrible, but he was endearing at least. Right? If not, he hoped she would drink enough to forget he’d even done it. Hopefully he would as well. He ordered her another drink, and then decided to scoot his stool closer to hers, as if that was even necessary, but he truly couldn’t help himself. No one should be surprised. “Whereabouts in England are you from? I’m from Manchester, that area. I’ve lived in London though, and a few other spots near Liverpool.”

She sat with her martini watching a man in an ill fitting navy blue suit start his conquest. It was cringe worthy but the his prospect had taken the bait, causing Andi to roll her eyes while taking the last sip of her cocktail. With how busy the bar seemed to be it looked as if the bartender wouldn’t be getting back to her for a bit so her focus was pulled to the pair. Quickly it went from an easy chat to something Andi just couldn’t handle it anymore, instantly going from a quiet wallflower to ‘that bitch’. 

“Hey, do you have to be one thousand percent creepy?” she asked the guy, leaning back on her stool and making fiery eye contact with him. Andi softened her expression and gave the brunette woman a small smile. “This guy seems like he has a small dick, babe. Let me buy you a drink instead?”

Was he dreaming? He really questioned it for a second before nodding his head, “I’d really appreciate that,” he said with a smile. Maybe this place wouldn’t be so bad after all. “Fair enough,” he said pointing at her as he followed behind her with the bag in hand. He watched as she walked backwards, wary at the sight and getting ready to catch her just in case even though she looked very confident as she did so. “Durham. North Carolina. So far the weather’s a lot better and the company isn’t half bad,” he teased. “Have you been here long?” 

Brandon rose his eyebrows before a smile appeared on his face, “I can get behind that,” he said as he watched the brunette. He didn’t know if it was the alcohol or because it was true, but she was stunning. “I thought you’d never ask,” he chuckled as he moved his way through the crowd as he made sure the woman made her way without trouble. As he got the bouncer he let her go in front of him before going up the stairs behind her. He pointed to his table before sitting next to her. He filled a glass for both of them before handing one to her. “So, what’s a beautiful woman like you, doing here?”

Amber felt like she could breath the second that the other woman wrapped her arms around her. There was strength in numbers and at least she didn’t have to deal with that creepy guy. “She really does love to go the extra mile,” she exaggerated so hopefully they could be left alone. Amber smiled softly at the brunette whispered her name, “Amber,” she said back softly as she nodded her head and put a smile on her face. “You’re an actual life saver, Ava, thank you,” she said following closely behind the other as she let out a sigh of relief. Amber ran her fingers through her hair as she smiled at the other, “Sorry for dragging you into that.” 

Ava had been in to many situations over her lifetime to not know how to defend herself. And, well, when one was a sex worker -- one learned how to defend themselves just in case. And in this moment, she was very glad she knew how to protect herself and this other woman. When she was sure the other man had left them alone she released her grip on Amber and smiled. “Never a problem Amber, and now, were actual friends.” she chuckled. “I’m just happy I was there to help in the first place. Don’t want to even think about what could have happened if I hadn’t been.” she said with a shiver. 

Roman was pretty much in a constant state of hitting on people - it’s like he couldn’t help himself. Jesus, like…it was like a disease. That sounded a lot more dramatic than it probably was. “What can I say, I jus’ naturally have hella game.” He tried to say as seriously as possible, his British accent rolling out Cali lingo like an awkward dad at his daughter’s party in an attempt to look cool. He ultimate ended up laughing though, and then finished off his drink before looking at hers, which seemed to be nearing it’s end. “Nother drink, love?” He asked with a lopsided grin.

Hayden couldn’t help but listen in to conversations happening around him. Even though he tried to shut the rest of the world out whenever he was having a drink, the saying ‘curiosity killed the cat’ was so true for him. He just could never help himself from eavesdropping. He noticed one of the regulars approach the woman who up until he disturbed her seemed to just be minding her own business like he was. If he didn’t know the guy had form for taking advantage of drunk women, Hayden would have probably let them be, but as soon as the dude dropped a pick-up line, he decided to intervene. “I wouldn’t go there,” he spoke up as he lifted his beer to his lips and took a sip. “He’s quite literally used that line a hundred times this week, then when it doesn’t work I’m sure he just goes around to the back alleys and waits for women who are too drunk to understand pick up lines, don’t ya, prick?” Hayden raised his eyebrows at the other man with a smirk which caused him to huff, stick his middle finger up with a few choice words and walk away. 

Ava was about to tell the man to fuck off, that today was not about hooking up -- or at least that moment wasn’t and certainly not with the likes of him. He had a bad vibe, radiated bad energy and when Hayden chimed in she was glad he did. Glad to have someone else there for her, even if Hayden wasn’t there with her, she appreciated that he was looking out for others. She nodded her head without saying a word. But as Hayden continued on it got harder and harder not to either a) throw up or b) kick the other guy’s ass. Either one seemed appropriate. “Sounds like someone might need to lose their balls,” she muttered, it was a threat in some extent, but also just a dark wish by a woman who had been hurt more than she cared to admit. “Were you serious?” she asked, eyes moving to the man who was flicking off the creeper “Because if so...I think we need to find a more appropriate punishment for someone like him than just running him off.”  She did know this guy, sure, but well -- she needed to indulge her dark thoughts for just a second. 

When she saw the girl, she knew she had to talk to her. A couple of Laurel’s friends have moved out of Dayton recently and that made her very sad. So what did she do? She headed out to one of the many bars in town on the hunt to find more friends. Unfortunately, whenever she tried to talk with someone, they immediately started to flirt with her and continued flirting with her even after showing her wedding band. So so far, this was a huge bust. But hopefully, this girl won’t think she’s flirting with her. Oh shit- nope, she spoke too soon. “What? Oh… Oh, no, I wasn’t trying to hit on you! I’m married,” she clarified, showing her ring off. “I just wanted to see if you’d like to share some drinks with me and talk for a bit. You know, become friends or something.” Sure, the girl is very beautiful and under very different circumstances, she might have flirted with her. But she loves her husband very much and just wants to make some more friends.

Dylan was spending her evening the way she typically did: coked up, drinking, and trying to find which lucky lady she was going to take home for the night. Some may think its sad, being almost thirty and still picking up people at bars to have a wild one night stand. But Dylan didn’t like doing normal things like getting to know people or relationships. Life was more fun this way. Less strings attached. “It was,” she replied with a smirk. “Is it working?”

She eyed the woman, giving her a quick once over. The other woman was fucking pretty and it sorta bothered her how.... bothered she was by her. Her smile grew and she shrugged, “It’s starting to.” she said swirling the whiskey in her drink, “Maybe try another or some other flirting and you’ll get what you desire.” Ava said looking over to her as she set her drink back down, “I feel like you’ve got some great lines in you.” she smirked.

Aaron snickered to himself at her theatrics, “That’s still pretty impressive, even for someone that’s cute.” He had moved around quite a bit to a few different small towns and one of the few things that they had in common was drive-in movie theaters, but he wouldn’t be surprised if Dayton did not have one. Maybe it was good for a change, to let go of his past. “I just got here literally two days ago, so I really don’t know,” he admitted. Aaron shoved his hands in his pockets as he nodded, “Yeah, if you don’t mind having me over. It sure as hell would beat the cold.” He had hoped that he hadn’t given away his age by his comments, but he truly just wanted to forget about his problems for a little bit. 

“you’re way too fucking hot to be down here,” brandon couldn’t help but smirk as loud music played throughout the club. “join me up there,” he said, pointing to the private vip box that he had rented upstairs away from all the sweaty people. “no more shitty vodka either,” he said, waving a bottle of don julio 1942. clubs weren’t really brandon’s scene, but he needed to be around people for once. he had a super shitty meeting with his father that he just needed to forget about his life and just hang around someone that was not as fake as him and his family. 

kenny couldn’t help but notice this beautiful,  older woman appearing slightly uncomfortable  - –  as if she’s trying to hide it to avoid hurting the feelings of some drunken moron.    perhaps it’s due to the couple of shots he’s taken,  he finds himself compelled to butt in,  derail the awkward situation.

‘  sorry,  babe,  i had to piss my brains out.  ’     he announces rather loudly,  boot clad feet guiding him toward where the two sat at the bar.     forced smile fades at the sight of this strange man who had been blatantly hitting on her  (  why yes,  he overheard  ),  sitting a little too close.     ‘   she’s taken,  buddy.     better luck next time.  ’     lying through his teeth  &  doing a damn good job.     if you’re going to play the part,  you might as well get into it.     give them a show.     fortunately the guy believes it,  walks away with a roll of his eyes.

‘  wow,  he actually bought it.     what an idiot.     you good?  ’

Ava had gotten very good at hiding her feelings of disgust, she had to do it all the time for work, but --money was involved there, the incentive to keep a neutral or happy face at requests was profitable. There was nothing profitable from being hit on by a hideous and rather drunken guy.  She clenched her jaw, a small twitch in the muscles would be the only real giveaway at her uncomfortableness. But apparently, it was enough. 

When another man, a rather cute one, started to talk loudly and took a seat next to her she slipped into a character. A smile quickly appearing on her lips and she leaned into him. “Totally fine babe,” she said, she reached out, pressing a perfectly manicured hand to his chest. Doing her best to look as if she was just happy her boyfriend had returned. With a devilish smile, she used her other hand to wave the other man a ‘toodles’. When she was sure he wasn’t paying attention and had wandered far enough off she let out a breath and leaned away back to her drink. 

“Thanks.” she said lifting the glass back to her lips and taking a long sip. “I’m great now, thanks to you. You really didn’t have to do that, but I do appreciate it. Lemme buy you a drink as thanks.”  she said a second later as the bartender neared. But before he could say anything or try and turn down her offer she leaned in towards the bartender “Next drink for him is on me.” she said. He nodded and looked to Kenny with an expectant glance.

Aaron bit his lip nervously before he saw the brunette walk out with way more than twenty bucks worth of alcohol. “How the hell did you manage that?” he said, slightly confused although he wasn’t complaining. He reached out for the change and the bag of alcohol, he couldn’t help but take a quick peek inside of the bag before smiling. “Is it too cliche to say the park? I don’t know Dayton very well, but I doubt you all have a drive-in movie theater, that would be a great option.” It was at this moment that Aaron wished that he hadn’t been living with his grandparents, but there was little he could do about that at the moment.