Full Court Press

“Shit. Tequila? Damn, this stuff brings me way back,” Cliff said with a shake of his head once he got a whiff of the strong smell of the alcohol. “Man, there were nights when the smell and the taste of that is the only thing I remember about the night before,” he shared as a chuckle escaped his lips as he remembered those wild nights he seems to always get himself into whenever he’s not in Charming. “Nah, you keep talking shit but you just think you can drink me under the table because I act drunk all the damn time,” Cliff laughed. “How have been things been going for you, man?”

Preston pulled his best bottle of anejo tequila and poured them each a shot. “Oh I know those days and remember them well.” He laughed thinking of the past and nights that he couldn’t remember how he got home.. He drank a lot to forget and not think about his truth. “I seem to remember a few times having to call...someone to come pick you up off my floor.” He said with a chuckle, almost saying Jordan but stopping himself doing so. “I’m doing ok. Just working through.”

“A prince? I think it would depend on what country. That’s a tough gig. I mean, all the fame and fortune, but constantly being in the public eye.” Preston thought about that for a moment and shook his head. “Nah, I like my privacy.”

Preston didn’t like hospitals. He felt bad he didn’t visit Sawyer when he was there. He picked up dinner for him and the kid to have together at La Luna. He also grabbed a few groceries in case he needed them. 

Preston grabbed the groceries and meal and headed up to the door knocking on it. “Sawyer, I brought food.” He said holding up the bags so he could see them through the peep hole.

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“I don’t suppose you have Sapphire Revelation?” His eyes scanned the shelves behind him, “I suppose not. I’ll just ask for something in a clean glass. And strong, if I’m going to be sitting in this place… I need something.” That was possibly an understatement. That was part of why he couldn’t stand this town. There was nothing here of any importance or quality.

Preston was taken back by the request from the other man. “Actually I don’t have the $200,000 a bottle Gin. But I do have its younger more attractive, less expensive brother Sapphire East.” He said as he poured him a glass dropping in few ice cubes. “Did you want to see the menu?” He asked holding it out for him if he wanted it.

                            Lev didn’t think life would fall back to its normal routine after the shooting as quickly as it did. Yet there was Hoopers again, filled with customers at its every corner. A wrestling match played in the flat, wide screen, drawing the attention of most sports fans who usually inhabited the bar on a nightly basis. On the outside, not much seemed out of the ordinary. But if his own behavior was any indication, everybody in the little town tried to forget; to move forward. If he stayed in an empty apartment after what he experienced — what he did — he’d lose his mind down a rabbit hole. So he tried; tried to find his energy, his spirit. “Hey man,” he greeted Preston. The other man’s question was simple, expected, and Lev opened his mouth to order his usual but found himself stopping before he did. “Y’know, I’m not sure. I’m not feelin’ the scotch tonight. You got any recommendations for me? ‘s long as it’s strong.”

Preston nodded. Since the shooting things had been busier than normal at Hoopers since the shooting. He wasn’t complaining, but it seemed as though half the town were trying to self medicate and get passed what had happened. “Well, I just got in this new tequila that is smooth you will hardly believe it is tequila.” He said as he pulled out the bottle and set up the glasses. “Ill join you..” He told him as he poured them each a drink.

Drinking was already something that he enjoyed, he tried not to get drunk, as to him, it had never been fun, but he had been so stressful, that he didn’t really care enough if he ended up wasted or not. One more day, after his shift was over, he headed to the bar, and sat on his usual stool. His wife and his daughter, helped to decrease his stress, but the booze helped even more. He didn’t want to worry them, so he tended to just put a brave face, “Coke and rum,” it was what he started with most days.

Preston nodded picking up a glass and dropping a few cubes of ice in it before adding the rum. He picked up the glass and poured in the coke, sure to get his ratios right. He handed it over to Edward. “Fourth straight night this week officer. Everything ok?” He asked as he leaned against the bar back talking to the other man.

It was nice to be out, especially when the bar was busy. His wife and granddaughters were having a ‘girl’s night’ so he left them to their fun. Rather than settle at the clubhouse, the advisor had opted for Hoopers. Seeing Preston behind the bar had brought a smile to his face and he’d waited patiently, knowing full well that he’d be taken care of in good time. While he waited, he listened, keeping an ear out for anything of potential interest. “Tequila añejo over ice, please,” Mauricio answered when the younger man got to him. “How are things going on the fun side of the bar?”

Preston looked up and saw who it was.. “Mauri!” He said loud enough over the music for the other man to hear. “Tequila  anejo it is.!” He said as he poured the alcohol over the ice for him. “Things are good. Busy as you can see.” He waved his hand to show the bar. “How are you? Things good? How is the family?” He asked as he set the glass in front of him.

“Think it’s about time the two of us get to do some shots, huh?” Cliff said, a smile forming on his lips as he saw one of his brothers behind the bar. “Come on, you own the damn place so you deserve to have some of fun of your own tonight, and besides, I feel like we could all make use of being a little buzzed after all the shit we’ve been through the past couple of days,” he said, the smile turning into a smirk as he leaned over the bar. “Or you just too chicken? You getting too old to do shots with me?” Cliff playfully taunted him.

  Preston looked up to see Cliff sitting at the bar. “You’re not wrong.” He told him as he set up two shot glasses. “Whats our poison tonight?” He asked his brother. “The shit that has been going on around here lately, honestly, I’m surprised any of us our sober.” He shook his head. “No fucker. I can drink you under the table any day.” He told him. “You lost your choice. Tequila.”He told him.

Preston was working the bar tonight. Things were pretty busy and he needed to keep things moving. So he moved two of the bartenders to the floor to work with the wait staff. He started at one end of the bar and worked his way to the end. He saw someone sitting at the end waiting patiently and approached them. He pulled out a drink napkin, setting on the bar in front of them. “What can I get ya?” He asked the person, without looking up to see who it was.