Intoxicated

Matt Sanders stepped out of his bathroom, towel wrapped around this waist, beads of water dripping from his shoulders and down his back. He beelined straight to the bottle of Jameson sitting on the dresser, pouring a hearty shot and downing it. The sound of the glass hitting the wood as he set it back down seemed to echo in his hotel room, only amplifying to him how empty it was.

He wasn't used to silence. He didn't like it.

Matt couldn't remember the last time he was alone in a hotel room. When the band first started they couldn't afford multiple hotel rooms -there were years they could barely afford one at all- so they were doubled up. As more success came so did the ability to have his own room, but still he never slept alone. Usually his wife was with him, and when she wasn't… He didn't have a problem finding a substitute.

A pang of pain filled his chest when he thought about his wife, or his ex-wife as she would be known as in a few weeks. Matt was so used to having her by his side on tour; sharing a bunk, seeing her standing side stage, exploring the world together. It hurt more now that he had his sons. They were too much for Matt to handle on his own while on tour, it wasn't something he could do. So they had to stay back in Huntington Beach with her.

Pouring himself another shot he used it to swallowed down the lump in his throat. He didn't want to think about his family issues. There wasn't anything he could do about it. He had to get used to this or he would become miserable and resentful of his job. He was determined to have a good time tonight. The hotel they were staying in had a casino and nightclub and he was going to take advantage of both.

The digital clock next to the bed showed he had about fifteen minutes until he was supposed to meet the others. His bandmates knew he was having a hard time and they planned a guys night. Matt was excited but a little anxious; it had been quite some time since it was just the guys and no wives. He knew the antics they used to pull in their younger, single days was not something that would be happening.

At least not for the others.

Matt dressed in jeans, sneakers, and a sleeveless shirt with a flannel over it. Throwing on a backwards hat and putting his wallet in his back pocket he left his room.

“Good timing,” Matt turned to see Zack approaching. His wife and son were back home as well. Matt knew he was missing his family as well. “You heard from anyone?”

“No,” Matt replied as they walked down the hall. “We can check Johnny’s room.” His room was only two down from Matt’s. With a quick knock the door opened.

“Hey,” Johnny greeted, a beer in his hand. “You guys ready?”

“Yeah,” Matt and Zack replied in unison.

“Shots before we go?” Johnny motioned towards the liquor on the table in his room.

“Sure,” Matt gladly accepted. He didn't mention his earlier shots. It had been a while since he had been good and drunk -kids really change your life- and tonight he planned on doing just that. Their next show was two days away so he’d have all of tomorrow to nurse his hangover.

The three friends toasted before slamming back two shots each. As they walked to the elevator Matt began to feel the warmth of the alcohol fill his body, a sensation he very much invited.

“The wife told me to watch my gambling,” Zack laughed as they waited for the elevator.

Matt chuckled at the sarcasm. “Yeah, I’m sure you'll have a hard time doing that.” They all knew Zack wasn't much of a gambler. Usually he gave himself a limit, a couple of hundred dollars, and once he had spent it he stopped, gain or lose.

Matt on the other hand, enjoyed gambling. He spent a lot, but he also won a lot. It could become a problem if he let it, but luckily he had self control.

The elevator chimed and they piled in, hitting the button for the ground floor.

“Brian’s at the bar waiting for us,” Johnny read the message from his phone. “Ordered some shots.”

“Good man,” Matt smirked.

The elevator had only gone a couple of floors before making a stop. Feminine voices and laughter were heard before the doors opened to reveal the source. Zack and Johnny stepped aside to make room for the group. The four women were dressed up, clearly going to the casino and club as well. They were all attractive but there was one that caught Matt’s attention.

She dressed differently than the rest. The others wore tight clothes with cut out and crop tops. None of them looked trashy, but it was clear they wanted to be seen. But she was different wearing black skinny jeans, a striped top with a well fitting black blazer, and high heeled ankle boots. She looked sophisticated and mature, her confidence radiating off of her without having to ask for attention.

Colorful tattoos on her left arm reached all the way to her wrist. Typically Matt didn't go for women so heavily and noticeably tattooed, but she wore them well. Her deep chocolate hair hung in curls around her face, contrasting her pale skin and making her hazel-blue eyes pop.

Her polite smile faded when their gazes connected. Eyes widening before shifting to the ground and a red tint to her cheeks. She knew who he was. He had seen that reaction before. She quickly regained her confidence, taking in a deep breath before continuing conversation with her friends.

Matt stood next to her in the now full elevator. She was tall, and with the heels on her boots she was only a few inches shorter than him standing at six foot two. Her soft scented perfume filled his nose. He didn't know what it was but he liked it.

Zack and Johnny continued with their conversation, paying no mind to the women. Matt absently listened while the elevator descended the rest of the way until it stopped and opened with a chime. Holding his hand out, Matt gestured for the women to go first.

“Thank you,” she smiled at him. Matt followed her out, taking the opportunity to check out her backside.

“Bar’s this way,” Zack headed in the opposite direction of the group of women.

“Nice ass,” Johnny said of the brunette once they were far enough away.

“Yeah,” Matt agreed.

Johnny could see the way Matt watched her. “Go talk to her,” he encouraged.

Matt faltered at the suggestion. “She’s out with friends. I’m not going to be that guy.”

“Yeah, with the way she’s smiling at you and looking back here I’m sure you’d really be a bother to her.”

Looking in her direction Matt caught her eye and surprisingly she didn't look away. He was the one to nervously break eye contact.

“It’s guys night,” Matt stated as he led Johnny to the bar. “No chicks tonight.”

Johnny felt bad for his friend. Matt’s divorce had been going on for over a year now and in that time he hadn't slept with anyone. They all knew even before the divorce had started it had been months since Matt and his wife had sex. Johnny was sure Matt had gone at least two years without. And that was no way to live life.

“Maybe you'll get lucky,” Johnny encouraged.

Matt decided to laugh off the comment instead of telling Johnny the truth. It had been so long since he had had sex and with everything going on in his personal life he really had lost his drive for it. But he didn't want to share that. He didn't want to be seen as less of a man for his lack of sex drive, or worse, be pitied because of what he was going through.

So instead he laughed. “Lady luck is the only thing I want tonight.”

Notes