I sat alone at Sage and I’s kitchen counter and ate slowly while scrolling through social media. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook. After a few minutes of going back and forth between apps, I locked my phone and set it on the counter. My eyes closed and I breathed in deeply. I did not want to go to work tonight.

I patted my back right pocket, checking for my phone and made sure I had my bags for work as I locked the door to our apartment. I hadn’t heard from Sage in three days and I was starting to really worry. I know, I know. I shouldn’t worry about her because she’s an adult but she’s really not. Hell, she’s barely a year out of high school. She very obviously doesn’t know how to handle all the freedom she’s been given, and is honestly going a little buckwild right now.

“Fuck,” I whispered to myself as I drove the snow packed roads to work. I forgot I agreed to meet that guy and his buddies for drinks after work. Brad? Brandon? Shit, what was his name again? I shake my head to myself and attempt to give the road all my attention, but whats-his-name is still lingering in my mind. I can’t believe I agreed to go on tour with these guys I didn’t even know. I rolled my eyes, mentally punching myself as I pulled into work.

“Chels!” I heard a squeaky voice exclaim before nearly being knocked on my ass by a bear hug. I immediately recognized the wavy blonde hair in my face. It belonged to none other than my roommate, best friend, and non-blood sister.

“Sage,” I said as I let her feet touch the ground before leading her away from the crowd of girls. “Where have you been? I’ve been trying to call you, I need to talk to you.”

I looked back at her under the dim lights and my heart instantly shattered. Her eyes were fluttering, sporting dark circles underneath. She sniffled and looked up at me, showing a faint smile.

“What did you need to talk to me about?” She replied, but her voice was distant and unheard. I couldn’t stop staring at her in horror. I looked down at her body, her clothes practically swallowing her. As soon as she noticed me looking down her body, she crossed her arms over her chest. I gulped hard to keep the tears from flowing and glanced up at her. She was nodding off again, then came to as I began to speak.

“I’ll tell you later,” I managed to utter behind the tears blurring my vision. She shrugged her shoulders and sauntered back to the dressing room, me following suit.

I sat down at my mirror, attempting to put the image of Sage’s self destruction in the back of my mind. I heavily lined my eyes and coated on mascara, trying to not let my tears ruin my fresh makeup. I prepared my natural hair for my wig as Sage walked out the door towards the stage. Fuck, I hope she’d be able to stand, let alone perform.

“Hey,” I felt someone touch me on the shoulder and I jerked away quickly. “Sorry, just wanted to make sure you were okay,” my boss Alex explained.

I looked up at him and nodded. “Yeah, I’m good. Thank you,” I smiled.

“What about Sage?” I felt my defensive wall go up instantly.

“What about her?” I snapped back.

“Well, is she okay?” he asked, sounding genuinely concerned, something he rarely ever was.

“She’s great,” I lied. Flat out lied. I wish I could tell someone she needed help, someone who may be able to talk her into going somewhere. But I couldn’t. She would hate me for years to come. I could just hear her: Why would you tell someone I need help when you don’t even know my situation? It’s for fun, you act like I’m addicted or something.

Alex shrugged and walked away, leaving me to continue getting ready. Then whats-his-name crossed my mind again. Fucking fuck, I still have to meet with him later. I sighed, just wanting to go home and go to bed. Whatever.

---

An hour later, I was undressing from my slutty clothes and pulling my wig from my head. Nobody will ever know how good taking these ridiculously tall heels off feels. Unless you’re a stripper too, of course.

I glanced over at Sage’s makeup table, noticing everything was gone. She already left. She already fucking left. I rolled my eyes so hard, they nearly ended up across the room. I sighed deeply and laid on my outfit to go out to the bar in.

I saw whats-his-name in the crowd, along with some other similar looking gentlemen, so I assumed the date- excuse me, business meeting, was still on. I know I agreed to go on tour with them, but I wanted to talk to Sage before I gave them the final answer. But of fucking course, she left before I was even done with my set. So obviously, she doesn’t care.

I glanced down at my outfit and mentally high fived myself. I looked hot. A pair of light blue skinny jeans, a cute Army green top under a leather jacket, with suede black wedges to complete the outfit. I slipped in black earrings with a matching black necklaces and gave myself the final okay.
‘
I ran out to my car, throwing my duffle bag filled with clothes and money in the passenger seat, before making my way back into the building. I sauntered up front, searching for the tall, dark haired gentleman I had the pleasure of meeting last night. He spotted me before I spotted him and made his way over to me through the crowd, his friends following.

“Hey!” he hugged me sweetly, and I returned the favor. He smelled of beer, cigarettes and bad decisions. I like it.

“Guys, this is Ruby. Ruby, this is Matt, Johnny, Jimmy, Zack, Matt and Jason,” he pointed to each individual man as he named them off. They all waved and said their hellos. They were all attractive in their own unique way, and I couldn’t wait to see which one I hit it off with best.

“So, you wanna get out of here and go somewhere else? I’m sick of being here,” I laughed, playfully touching his arm.

“Yeah, for sure! Let me tell the guys,” he diverted his attention from me to his buddies.

“C’mon Brian! We just got here! I wanna see this next one, she looks hot as fuck,” the tall, lanky one groaned like a child. Brian! That was his name. I remember now.

As Brian was attempting to convince all the men to leave, one of them who seemed uninterested in the commotion, approached me.

“I’m Zack,” he yelled in my ear over the thumping music and held out his hand. I shook his hand as he lifted it to his lips, kissing it lightly on the back. His snake bites were cold, causing me to let off a noticeable shiver. He let my hand fall gracefully at my side and flashed a mischievous grin before walking away. Forget Brian, I want this one.

“Okay, I think I talked everyone into you. We’ll follow you,” Brian said as I began to lead them to the front door.

---

A few blocks and a few cigarettes later, we arrived at a popular bar just down the road. I walked through the crowd towards an empty table in the back when I felt a gentle hand on the small of my back. I turned around the meet the green eyes that was so graciously introduced themselves to me earlier. I grinned and rolled my eyes. I give him credit for trying, I really do. But he’s about to be my boss, so no thanks.

The waitress approached us and took our drink order and we began talking about our business arrangement.

“So, we’ve all watched you dance a couple times, and we really love how you draw everyone’s attention in. You’re really great,” the man with short hair and dimples, Matt I believe, spoke genuinely. I smiled and thanked him.

“We really want you on tour with us. You’re a blast and you’re awesome on stage,” the shorter of the group said. He seemed goofy but passionate about what he does, so I had a feeling we would get along great.

“So, it’s unanimous. Now it’s all up to you,” Brian said and I felt all the eyes land on me. I played with the rim of my Jack and Coke as I thought of a response.

“When would I leave? I have some things to take care of before I go,” I said, not making eye contact with any of them.

“You’d fly into California on Monday,” Matt said. I quickly looked up at him. Monday? As in three days from now? I can’t do this.

“I will really need more time than that. Sag- I mean, Leslie, she really needs me…” I trailed off, trying to not let them see the tears welling in my eyes.

“She’s an adult, Ruby,” Brian placed his hand on top of mine that was resting on the table. The rest of the men glanced around at each other, wondering how he knew what they didn’t.

I sighed deeply and closed my eyes.

“Alright, Monday it is.”

Notes

Ugh, it's been too long! Sorry guys, thank you soooo much for sticking with me! And a special thank you to @Red-Lips-Like-Razors for commenting and reminding me that I had to update!

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Title credit: NOFX "Leave It Alone"