Find Me by A. L. Wood Page A

Coke, my friend,” Zepp says, this being his choice of buzz fuel.
    Jack can be a tough fuck going down, if alone. But the added smoothness of coke mellows the burn out. Jason’s up next.
    “ What’s your choice of ammunition?”
    “A Long Island Ice Tea,” Jason replies.
    “Harsh, my man, harsh.”
    This isn’t a drink you down in four seconds, this is one that you continuously sip off of. It’s rough on your gut and even rougher to your intoxication level. Jason made a damn good choice.
    “So, tell me what exactly is in a 100 proof. I have never made or heard of it before,” Layla says, while stirring her straw in the alcoholic tea.
    “ It’s just 100 proof shots, in a cocktail of sorts. Cinnamon schnapps, vodka, peppermint schnapps, scotch, and tequila. It’s delicious and will get you hammered before you can finish it.”
    “Well I guess that’s the perfect choice, since tonight is about forgetting for you.”
    “I never said that, it’s just a night out. Get drunk, be fucking merry, and have a good time. That’s all.”
    “You didn’t have to say it , Liam. I’m not blind, and earlier you wanted nothing more than to disappear. Frankly, I’m surprised that you even came back.”
    “I really don’t want to hash this out right now, or at all even. Let’s just have fun and forget it.”
    “That’s always the way with you , though, isn’t it?” Always running from your shit and ‘forgetting’ it all like it never happened.”
    “Layla, really I don’t want to go over this right now. It’s not the time, or the fucking place. Please, just drop it.” I beg of her.
    “Fine. Whatever,” She says , finally brushing it off.
    I’m not, nor have I ever been into emotional drunks. When I go out , I want to have fun, with laughs all around. I want to get so beyond a buzz that I forget every single emotion I have zinging through my body, that I forget all of the pain I’ve caused others and myself.
    I want to get so damn drunk that I can’t stand when I walk through my door and all I can do is lay down on my bed and pass out. I want to get so fucking drunk that I have the worst hangover in the morning, that I’m declaring abstinence from alcohol, promising never to drink it again. That’s what I want for tonight.

Chapter 10
    Layla
    The buzz is coming on pretty strongly and the guys are talking about getting another round already.
    “I’m good for right now, but you guys can go on ahead.”
    “Oh no , Lals. You’re doing this with us.” Gage says.
    “I’m already feeling it and I want to dance. You guys can grab a few more drinks and meet me out there on the floor.” I say, ignoring Gage’s comment.
    I stand up and begin to walk away, when I feel a hand tugging on my elbow. Glancing to my arm, I see it’s Liam’s hand.
    “You coming to dance?” I ask , trying not to sound so hopeful.
    “Only because the bartender’s eyes are on you. I’m not giving him a chance to get you alone.”
    “Oh,” I say , hope instantly deflated.
    I make my way to the dance floor. It’s a huge thirty by sixty foot area with tables surrounding on all side but one. The bar is located at the foot of the dance floor, to make it easier for customers to run up grab a drink and go back to dancing.
    Leaving the area , I am free for Carls’ eyes to roam. The lights are dimmed down in the entire establishment, but the dance floor has the extra strobe lights beaming off of sweaty bodies. The bar is packed tonight, not unlike any other night.
    I shimmy my way through bodies grinding on one another to Ushers’ Love in this Club . Myself? I would prefer to sing and dance along to some Tommy Tutone or The Outfield any night. But as of right now, I will take what I can get. I just want to dance.
    I start swaying my hips to the beat of the melody swirling around me, so loud that I can barely hear my own thoughts. I do not consume enough alcohol to get drunk on a regular basis, rarely often. Tonight, when the