Ravensong (Green Creek 2)

Not smashed, but beyond tipsy.

I felt good.

The beer was heavy in my stomach.

“Gotta take a leak,” I told them over the din of the crowded bar.

They nodded, not looking up from their electronic trivia tablets. The notepad had been put away, and there’d been no further talk of pros and cons.

I pushed myself up from the table. My head was swimming pleasantly. I made my way through the crowd, feeling hands slap my back, hearing my name said in greeting. I smiled. Nodded. But I didn’t stop.

There was a line for the women’s restroom.

Small-town women, all.

The urinal was in use in the men’s room, a hand propped against the wall as the guy pissed. The stall door was shut, and from inside came the sound of retching.

The bathroom felt too warm. It smelled of piss and shit and vomit.

I went back out into the bar.

It was warmer now.

Things were starting to spin a little.

I needed air.

The front of the bar was too crowded.

I went to the side of the bar.

Bambi winked at me as she poured drinks.

I tilted my head toward the back door behind the bar.

“Go for it,” she shouted over the noise. “Still looking for you, if you know what I mean?”

I did. I didn’t care.

The night air was a shock against my heated skin.

The door shut behind me, the sounds of the bar muffled.

I took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

The alleyway was empty. It had rained while we were inside. Water dripped down from gutters stuffed with dead leaves. A car drove by out on the road, the tires rolling against wet pavement.

“Fuck,” I muttered, rubbing my forehead. I was going to feel like shit tomorrow. I was getting too old to spend a night out drinking without paying for it. Once upon a time, I could have pounded back beers until one in the morning and then been up and ready to get into the shop at six. Those days were long past.

I walked down the alley, away from the street. A dumpster sat to the right against the wall of the bar. The hardware store was to the left. I trailed my fingers against the brick, damp and rough.

I stood on the other side of the dumpster and pissed against the wall.

I groaned at the release. It went on for ages.

I shook myself before tucking my dick back into my jeans.

The thought of going back inside was terrible.