Heavyweight

Sawyer was one of the lucky few who loved her job, however, that didn’t mean there wasn’t the odd aspect she hated - like the socialising. As an attorney Sawyer working for a couple of law firms, including a non-profit one. Somehow Sawyer had been roped into trying to get a couple of bigwigs to donate. They must have been desperate if they asked Sawyer. Standing by the bar Sawyer watched as her colleagues chatted up the potential donors. Unless asked about her role directly Sawyer kept her distance. Trying to wave down the bartender again Sawyer let out an audible sigh of annoyance. “You’ll be lucky, I’ve been stood here for ten minutes trying to get a drink,” She commented, hearing the comment made by the man stood next to her.

Glancing around at the brunette’s comment, it became apparent that the place was filling up and the queue for the bar was only growing. Whether they were searching for liquid courage or something to dull the whole experience, people seemed to have taken advantage of the break in proceedings. “Guess it’s a busy night.” Leaning forward, he did his best to catch someone’s eye, hoping that the fact that he had become something of a regular would serve him well. “I’ll see what I can do. Kinda know one of the bartenders here.” Briefly, his gaze flicked back to the woman, not wanting to leave her stranded without a drink for any longer than needed. “What’s your drink?”

Logan waved a hand again, the one holding the coffee and not the one that had Shelby tucked underneath his arm. “Nah, it’s cool man. Maybe this is the universes way of tellin’ me I drink too much of the stuff.” Pointing off a bit, he said, “Have you checked out the park yet? It’s not that big but the trail through it is pretty nice.”

“Maybe.” He nodded slightly, knowing that life had a funny way of supposedly giving people messages. Or at least things that people took to be a higher power speaking to them. “Or just confirming that the more important thing is in your other hand.” Head tilted towards the dog under his arm before his gaze lifted to follow where the other man pointed to. “I’ll check it out, thanks. Might at least stop me repeating this.” 

“Seriously you’re paying me to do this you shouldn’t have to help. What kind of event planner would I be if I took all your money and your help?” She told him with a laugh. “I’ll keep your offer in mind though. Especially when it’s time to move the tables.” Giving him a wink before she picked up her notes, she put them in her bag. “I will I promise. It’s what I’m here for.” Promising him that he would be reminded the closer it got, that she had a handle on all of this. “Local? Maybe? I can maybe ask Jasmine what she has and if anything I’ll do some research.” She offered, knowing what it truly meant to give back to the community; she wanted to make sure that this event did exactly that. “Although I’d love to hear the ones you have in mind? It might save me bugging Jasmine? I’ll still research if you don’t mind, but mostly just to make sure that they’re actually giving back and not running a scam.” She promised. “Good. If you want maybe when you’re free we can go try out a couple places I have in mind for food? Whichever you like best we can have cater. Plus it might be fun going around town and trying food.” She suggested softly, she half expected him to just turn the offer down point blank. “Yeah, that’d be awesome. We can totally do that. If you want we can sit down and write all your ideas out? I’ll make sure your vision comes true.” 

“A smart one.” The corner of his mouth turned upwards at his quip, hoping that helped her see it for the joke it was. He knew she had far more morals that to ever con someone by getting them to do half the work and it was part of the reason he had been so quick to hire her again. “Good. I figure it’ll be easier for me to move the heavy things than you.” After all, he spent most of his days in a gym, weight lifting was something of a skill for him. Bern hesitated slightly, silence hovering between them before he spoke again. “There’s a lot of guys out there who didn’t come out of it as well as I did. Just want to give some support to those brothers who need it.” He shrugged slightly, downplaying his idea when it revealed a little more of his inner thoughts than he might have liked. “But I figure split it with something local to get more people in. Not an animal charity though, they’ve got that cute factor to help them out.” It wasn’t that he didn’t deem animals a worthy enough cause but he often felt that they got support far more easily than other people. Perhaps just because they were all ashamed that so many people needed help. It hardl reflected well on their society. “I’d appreciate that. I’ve looking into some before but all their data doesn’t always mean much to me.” He nodded at her suggestion. “Sure. I haven’t gotten around to trying that many. Be a good way to see what Santa Monica has to offer.” With a glance at his watch, he confirmed that he had at least an hour before his next client. “Do you have time now?”

Karaoke night was one of Georgie’s favorite nights in Alex bar. And even though sometimes she got a bit way too shy to let loose in front of strangers at first, she always found ways to end up having fun to the maximum. Still waiting for her turn, or at least, for the moment the courage would kick in, Georgie was appreciating the good — and bad — renditions by her stool at the bar, making small comments with her sister about the poor choices that were being made. “You know, you did a pretty good rendition back there. I think the only thing missing was a good partner to spicy things up.”

Leaning on the bar, gaze was cast over his shoulder as someone spoke and he raised a brow. “Think you must have gotten me confused.” Scoff escaped him at her words, little hesitation in shaking his head in reply. “I’m not getting up there with or without a partner.” The words were brusque, instantly dismissing the notion that he would ever be someone to belt out a song in front of a roomful of people. But he felt somewhat guilty for being so short with the brunette and extended a somewhat penitent query.  “How about you?”

“Oh man so much. Natural disasters, life threatening situations to the Russian and American presidents, among other things. I swear it’s all doom and gloom these days.” He replied, scrolling through the post some more until he put it on the table, face down. “Breaks my heart, honestly. Australia’s so beautiful – if you see the pictures now of everything being burnt down .. It’s unreal.” 

“Can’t remember the last time there was anything good.” Shrugging slightly, the man tried to remember any positive news but the bad news seemed to outweigh it. “I think it’s worse when it’s stuff we’re causing.” It seemed to him that years of people denying climate change had only made things worse. He wasn’t that surprised that nature seemed to be fighting back. Some kind of karma for them taking and taking for so long. “Can’t say I’m spiritual but maybe it’s what goes around comes around.”

Kalina wasn’t sure why she’d agreed to go to this, but she’d been dragged here by friends in the hopes that she’d sing— which wasn’t ever going to happen. Sitting her purse on the bar top and she slid onto the nearest empty stool. Hearing the man next to her and she gave a soft laugh. “You can say that again.” She told him. “Have they been this bad all night?” She questioned, she looked back towards the stage to see a rather drunk girl singing. “If so we’re going to need more than just one drink.” 

He was almost relieved when he saw that it was a familiar face who had replied to him, and a welcome one at that. Broad shoulders shrugged slightly, not wanting to dismiss those who actually had the confidence to get up on stage. “I’m no critic.” But he could at least tell when someone was in tune. “Some haven’t made me want to cover my ears.” Head shook slightly, figuring he could be honest with Kali about it. “I don’t think there’s enough liquor in this place for me to enjoy it.”

“I’m not going to actually get you one.” Turning back to him to let him know that she hadn’t been serious and it’d been a joke. “I didn’t figure those were your types of medals.” She pointed out with a smile. At him holding up his hands she shook her head disapprovingly. “You’re right I am.” She announced proudly. “You can pay normal since you accused me of being soft. Although if you do it again I will make sure you pay double from now on.” She warned with a finger pointed in his direction. “Do you want bottle or draft?” She asked, she headed behind the bar. Grabbing the rag from under the counter, she wiped off the bartop that was in arms length of her for him to set at a clean place. 

“Don’t think any are my type.” He’d never been one to need physical rewards or reminders for anything. “Never again.” The words came out like a promise and he meant them when he hated the thought of having to find another place to be a regular at. It had taken him long enough to settled at Lucky’s, he didn’t want to have to repeat the process elsewhere. “You’d still be the toughest bartender I know, even if you did go a little soft.” While their personalities didn’t always mesh flawlessly, he still found plenty to admire about her. Anyone who could run a business like she did, without compromising, was worth respecting. He took the stool at the spot she’d cleared, “Bottle is fine, thanks.”

Erin had been dragged by a group of friends to go out for a night of karaoke, which happened to be an activity that she loved greatly. Of course, nothing was better than being able to watch various people go up and have the time of their lives without any worry of making a fool out of themselves. Moving up to the bar, she couldn’t help but smirk at the male who had the same sentiment that she did. “I need a drink for this, too. I’ll have whatever he’s having.” She told the bartender and peered over at the male. “What’s your next song gonna be?”

Brow raised at the woman next to him and her ease of joining him in drinking to make the night more bearable but he supposed he didn’t have a monopoly on disliking karaoke. With a lift of his chin he caught the bartender’s attention, dutifully ordering two of his preferred drinks. “Two scotches.” Head shook at her question, figuring she’d gotten confused when he wouldn’t be caught dead on the stage. “Guess I must have a lookalike in here.” With their drinks quickly arriving he handed a glass to her, shrugging slightly as he did. “I don’t intend for there to be a first, let alone a next.” 

A chuckle escaped him and Josh nodded his head, understanding completely. Apparently they were in the same position. “Never done me any harm, but then, what the masses say goes, right?” He didn’t agree, but then, sometimes you just needed to go with the flow and do what everyone else told you to. As he took a seat, his gaze moved back, observing the bar for a moment or two and the other people there. “Any beer’s good,” he responded. “Whatever they’re toting tonight works for me.”

Huff of laughter left his lips, while he was amused at the other man’s words he was always less than amused by society’s expectations and demands. The apparent need to not be alone was one that had been parroted at him time and time again but in truth it only made him want to seek his own company even more. “And that many people can’t be wrong, can they?” The words came out practically as a scoff, making it perfectly clear where his opinion on it all lay. “Not sure, I went right to the hard stuff.” He lifted his glass of scotch slightly before shrugging. “I’ll just get too specials.” He leaned forward on the bar, trying to catch the bartender’s attention once more.

“It’s not putting me out. I’m literally working it’s happening with or without you.” She told him with a laugh. “Just figured you’d want a beer so I offered.” Shaking her hair as she walked out of the office, she did a quick check to make sure she looked presentable. At his words she rolled her eyes. “I try to be nice once and this is the attitude I get? Would you just prefer I charge you double?” She asked, she put her hand on her hip. “I’m not going to say no to money ever. I was just trying to do my good deed of the day, but hey if you don’t want it I won’t fight you on it.” 

Shrugging slightly he turned back to her. “I meant about a medal. I wouldn’t wear it.” He’d always been understated after all and while he knew it had been a joke, he was pretty sure he wouldn’t be able to humour her by wearing it even in private. He held his hands up slightly, half serious and half joking in the hope that he could take his foot out of his mouth. “Hey, you’re in charge here. I’ll pay what I’m told.” As he straightened up his own clothing, he gave her a nod and the smallest flicker of a smile. “A beer sounds good.”

When he told her that he thought she knew best Safiye smiled happily, she was thankful that he didn’t seem to hate the idea. She worked hard to make sure that she knew her clients as much as possible so when she planned events that they actually fit the person, Bern had became no exception. “Aww that’s sweet, but really you’re hiring me so I should probably do most of the heavy lifting.” She told him with a laugh. “If you want though when I get ready to pick everything out and do the menu you can help? Unless that kind of thing would bore you?” Giving him an out in case he wanted to take it. “Hey totally. I would be here to see a tournament and eve donate to it.” Letting him know that she liked his idea, it was something that she’d be sitting front row and center at. “Yep, the best thing about gambling is the house always wins, which you’ll be the house.” Smiling from ear to ear with amusement. “If you want maybe we could even do a prize or two? Something not too costly like two free sessions with you or maybe a meal?” Trailing off with her ideas, she wasn’t sure what else would be an inexpensive idea for them to use. “I’ll think of something else not so lame I promise, but those are starter ideas.” 

It wouldn’t take someone who knew him well to guess that he would be out of his depth when it came to this kind of thing and it was why he was glad he had Safiye there to make it seem almost easy. The first anniversary was still months away and it would have never occurred to him to start planning so early. “I’ve got the time if you change your mind.”  He shrugged slightly, still more than happy to lend a hand if it became necessary. “Can’t say I’ve got a lot of experience with it. Let me know nearer the time.” While it wasn’t something he thought he’d have much of a knack with, he was reluctant to be one of those people who just paid her and made her do all the legwork to turn their event into something amazing. “Sounds like we’re onto a real winner then. Do you know anyone from local charities? I’ve got a couple in mind but it’d be nice to give back to the area.” Head shook slightly when the ideas were better than something he would have come up with on the spot. “Nah I like them. Who doesn’t like a free meal?” The corner of his mouth flickered up slightly in a flash of something close to a smile before he continued, unsure whether his suggestion would be something feasible or not. “Maybe a raffle or something as well? See if anyone else local wants to sponsor something.”

He’d been a coffee man before moving to California, but now he was even more of one. Logan couldn’t start his morning without a cup from the local cafe just down the street. With Shelby tucked under his arm, the mechanic finished his routine, stepping out of the shop with a steaming cup in hand — only to just narrowly avoid hitting the man rounding the corner. “Whoa, whoa,” he managed, spinning reflexively out of the way before coming to a stop. “Nah, no worries. I should’ve looked.”

He had never been someone who found it impossible to take the blame or admit that they were wrong if that was the case but what he had always found difficult was the finese needed for smoothing such situations over. “So should I. I don’t really know the streets well enough to be hurling myself round corners.” It was only then he spotted what the other man was carrying, feeling another wave of guilt that he might have caused a spill. “Didn’t make you spill did I? I can get you another.”

“Do you need a seat?” Issy asked, she barely looked up from her notes at the person. “I promise I don’t bite.” Well at least she didn’t bite strangers who didn’t ask her to. “This one is open.” Pushing out the chair across from her with her heel so it moved back from the table. “Just don’t be a Joe Goldberg, because if so I’m going to need you to sit somewhere else. I don’t have time to be stalked by a serial killer.” She told them with a laugh before taking off her glasses and putting them on the table. 

It was a rare day that he decided to grab himself a coffee but after falling into a pretty tiring routine of the gym and then busying himself in the evening, he had found himself needed it more and more. He hadn’t really intended to stay but when a brunette pushed a chair out, he figured it’d be rude to say no when he didn’t have anywhere else to be. “Thanks.” Nod of acknowledgement was given as he sat himself down. “Joe who?” Taking a sip of the coffee he tried to make his words come out a little less blunt but he knew he’d fail. “And I don’t have time to stalk you.” 

When a night out had been suggested to him, he had been hesitant to say yes when it felt like his whole life at the moment was a mixture between the gym, his mom and hitting up some bar so he wasn’t sat home alone. But he’d made a promise and if nothing else he was true to his word. Except what he had counted on was a quiet night tucked away in a corner somewhere and instead had been greeted by the full on extravaganza that was karaoke night. Two drinks in and he had yet to feel himself finding any enjoyment in it. After a particularly poor rendition of Total Eclipse of the Heart he found himself reaching for his beer again, only to find it finished. Slight shake of his head was given before he muttered to himself as he turned to catch the bartender’s attention. “I need another drink for this.”

special delivery for → @carverberncrd​

location: lucky’s bar and grill (alex’s office) 

time: january 7th

“As always I appreciate your service to both your country and me.” Alex joked as she picked up her shirt off the floor and started to button it back up. “Maybe one of these days I should get you a sex medal to wear around.” She teased, she quickly buttoned her pants. “So you going to head out or want to stick around for a beer? I’m bartending tonight so you’re welcome to keep me company, but you’re still paying for drinks.” She warned playfully. “I’ll give you them half off though as a thank you for the sex.” Opening the door to her office once they both were situated, she held it up for him. “What do you say?”

Small huff of amusement was given to her words, though an honest warning followed when he knew that last thing he’d do was wear it. “I wouldn’t put yourself out.” He couldn’t help but stop to consider the offer, always cautious of the two of them spending time together in what he considered to be a more intimate way. But so far the brunette had been true to their promise of ‘no strings’ and so he chose to go with it. Better than sitting in alone. “Sure.” As he grabbed his own shirt off the floor, shooting a raised brow her way. “Half off? Not going soft on me are you, Aldridge?”

special delivery for → @carverberncrd​

location: bern’s gym

time: january 8th

“So I’m thinking maybe something kinda low key for the members and community for the one year anniversary.” Saf told him with a smile before handing over the small binder she’d made. “I know you guys have never been about being flashy so I tried to make sure everything had a nice home feel to it.” She explained. “What I did think might be fun is to do a poker night or maybe a boxing match? This way it would help raise money and maybe even give back some?” Offering up the idea to see how he liked it. “I can get the tables for free since I still have some favors. We’d just have to get some table cloths and decorations, which I probably have a connection or two for.” She rambled on for a long moment. “So what do you think? Is it too much for the anniversary?”

As he flicked through the binder, the boxer found himself impressed by how much she’d nailed the atmosphere that he’d wanted. Though it shouldn’t have really surprised him given how well the opening had gone. With a satisfied nod, he turned back to the brunette. “I think you know best.” The words were simple, easy to say when it seemed obvious which of the two of them had more experience. “I’m more than happy with it. Just let me know when you need help with any of it.” While he knew it was her job and she was getting paid, it didn’t change the fact that he didn’t want her to have to do it all by herself. Not when he had the spare time to do some of it. “I might save the boxing match. Maybe even make it a tournament and get some of the people who come in here involved later on.” He shrugged. “A poker night would be something different. More of a celebration. Might raise some more money too.”