By seven-fifteen, I revved Cuba up to Gin's place. She stood at the entrance of the dainty starter home in a striking red coat which went in blend with her stiff leggings. Her wispy brown curls were pulled back, exposing the noticeable hollowness of her once vibrant cheeks. She got into the car, muttering a greeting then kept silent for the rest of the ride.
We greeted a couple by the door, letting our eyes survey the scanty din. Perhaps it was always like this most Saturdays.
"He's not here yet," She whispered in relief. She turned to me. "We'd have to wait. Let's get something to drink first."
We scaled over to the bar, sitting farther from everyone else.
I sat in uncomfortable silence, cautiously taking soft swings of the fizzy drink. Gin downed her first bottle of lemon drop and kept on asking for more. It was a leeway for her to get drunk and I hated thinking I could do nothing to stop her.
"Gin that's enough," I attempted whipping the bottle out of her reach. She giggled, her eyes a bloodshot red.
"You're drunk already. I should get you home."
"No! We just got here!" She screamed, causing people to turn and stare. The restaurant was gradually filling in bit by bit and it made the dimness more suffocating. "He'd be here soon."
"But it's already late. You should have held the meeting a lot earlier. We could get robbed."
"Relax and sit down," She coaxed playfully, taking out her cell and punched in a few buttons.
"What are you doing?" alarmed, I moved closer to snatch the phone away from her. "You're sending a message to Freddie? Is he the one we're about to meet?"
She kept mute, grinning at me.
The words were slurred and if Freddie saw this he'd become suspicious of her safety. Lord help me, I never imagined there would come a time when I'd need Carter. He could handle this, he'd be in Gin's place once.
I felt helpless when she tipped off the stool, unto her butt; reciting gibberish. She looked miserable.
"Another drink!" She yelled at the bartender.
He smirked darkly, beginning to turn away when I stopped him. "No, no more please."
"COME ON BABY LET'S HAVE SOME FUN!" She stood up straight and began to sway her hips to the music the jukebox produced.
I held her down. "Come on now, this is crazy. You're pregnant! You shouldn't drink much or be in this state. Face it, no one's coming."
"Have some faith lover boy, Charlie will forever be yours," She slurred, wriggling in my arms. I felt a light blush lit up my cheeks. "Not the best minute for that." I muttered.
"Forever and ever! You t-two shall be wedded!!" She held onto the bar-stool for support.
"Yes, I know that —"
A low seductive whistle sounded from the doorway. Gin turned sharply, the sudden fear in her eyes alive as the din brightened a little to reveal someone tall. I backed away slowly — the negative energy becoming pulsating enough to keep my heartbeat racing. His aura was stifling as he curled up his large hands low on her waist. "Now there goes my precious prima donna"
"You know him? Is this the man — " a violent hand struck my left shoulder, cutting me off mid-sentence. I went all down at once, writhing and panting. The large man loomed over me, his mustache trimmed at their edges. He had eyes the color of burning coal and leaning down a bit, he said through clenched teeth. "Well, what do we have here? Who's he?"
"Oh, that's just Carlie," Gin giggled, leaning onto him this time. "He's a friend."
"Why, but I told you to come alone dearie," he said in annoyance though his smile doesn't waver.
"Hey bunny, the important thing is I'm here now. Let's go." She pulled him farther into the darkness.
The music from the jukebox increased at this. I groaned, tossing about in pain. It hurt, it always did. I'd never received a punch before.
I tried sitting up but got pulled up instead into a hard body. I clung to it, subtly moving my hands up his sides. It felt rigid and muscular — a man's.
I lifted my face, meeting Charlie's blue eyes halfway. They crinkled like always. "Carlie? What are you doing here, where's Gin??"
I held onto him as my life depended on it, familiarizing myself with his flowery smell of peaches. It reminded me of Summer or Autumn. I loved Autumn.
I pointed towards the surrounding din, at least to the direction I thought they headed to. Angling us both through the gathering dark, he stopped suddenly. I wiggled my head sideways as though getting something off before following his gaze.
My lips fell open at an instant.
Gin leaned downwards, half-stripped at the tall man. He smirked in pleasure, snaking his left hand up her bosom giving it a light squeeze. She moaned as he pulled at her hair.
Anger coursed through Charlie's eyes. He stepped forward towards them, pushing Gin off the stool. She yelped, her knees almost grazing the floor. The man stood calmly. "You shouldn't interfere in people's businesses. You just ruined a good moment."
Gin rolled her eyes back at Charlie. "Ugh, why did you have to show up now? We forever belong to each other. You're much too blind and chickeny to be with Carlie."
He ignored her babble. "Gin, you're out of your mind right now, you have to come with us."
"No, I want to stay back with Freddie for just a few minutes pleeeeeeeeese?" She whined.
Charlie snarled at the man. "What did you give her? Tell me now!!"
I'd never seen him so angry, so annoyed at anyone before. It made me scared to the point that I just had to take a step in between them. "This isn't necessary. Let's leave."
The bastard latched his grip unto my wrist. "You do look peculiar heh? With curt bony cheeks and the right type of voice. Smh, gay I presume." he sneered violently.
It happened so fast, faster than light. Charlie lunged at him, ramming their bodies into a wooden table behind. The din's tempo darkened even more with the noise. Charlie rained punches down at his face, gutting his lower half.
"Don't you dare call him that you random piece of shit!" he grabbed at me out into the open. Going back in again, he returned with Gin. She was sobbing, sweat trickling down her temples.
"Get in," he ordered, popping the passenger door open. His sedan gleamed effusively under the silver moon, it's metal shade a bright green. I hesitated — dense. "Wait, what about my —"
"Carlie get in!" he barked. I slipped in immediately.
Throughout the ride back, silence turned to torture. It'd been a rough evening. An evening so unexpected I could have sworn it never happened. Charlie halted the sedan by the other side of the road, then helped Gin into her house. I didn't bother coming out in order not to annoy Charlie. He was already too mad at me for one night.
He resurfaced, trotted around the car, and got behind the wheel.
"What on earth were you both thinking! How could you let her be so irresponsible?"
"I did nothing," I replied calmly. "She'd simply requested me to accompany her there. I was simply doing her a favor. Don't shout at me, you saw me knocked out clean."
"You do know she'd have gotten raped tonight right? Couldn't you have inquired what sort of person you both were to see?"
"She didn't tell me anything and I've never seen her with that man before," I yelled, my forehead throbbing. He made it sound like it was my fault. That I was to be held accountable for all that happened back there. I couldn't allow it. "Forget it, I'll walk instead." I got out and began making my way down the quiet street, letting the cool air comfort me. He came after me. "Carlie! Why are you angry? I'm sorry for being hard on you."
"You believe I forced her to go there, don't you? You think I'm too naive and reckless to take care of myself or her."
He frowned. "That's not true."
I pressed a finger lightly against his lips. He stared down at it in a new kind of wonder, like he'd never expected me to be so bold. "Look, Charlie, don't explain the obvious. I can feel your heartbeat and I know the truth. You know it too but won't budge. I need space, I told you to stay away from me. Let there be time for me to heal and I promise after that I'd have nothing to do with you."