Beast and the Harlot

As I pull the curtain closed on the boys' bunk after a lengthy discussion with them, I let out a deep sigh and rub my hands over my face in frustration. This isn't the first time that Miles and Cash have played this little prank on their babysitters, but I was hoping that they would have known that I don't find it funny.

"Hey man, are you ok?" Brian says as he makes his way towards the kitchen to grab another beer.

I shrug my shoulders because I'm not entirely sure if I am, "Yeah I guess...the divorce is really hard on the kids, and I think that they still believe that Kelly and I will get back together"

"Well, do you blame them? When I was younger I used to hope that my mom and dad would work things out, but as time went on I realized that two people who aren't in love anymore shouldn't stay together just for the sake of the kids because it will only make everyone else miserable." Brian says and hands me a beer, "Are you still in love with Kelly?" he questions and I nod my head slightly.

"It's hard not to be when we were together for so long-" I sigh and take a swig of my beer.

"So...try to work things out. I'm sure she still feels the same way but she's just angry about the long tour" he says optimistically and I can't help but let out a sarcastic laugh.

"It's more complicated than that.." I say and Brian gives me a confused expression, "I can't talk about it here...things are tense enough with the kids acting out. They don't know the whole story, and Kelly and I agreed that it's best to wait" I say and Brian looks disappointed in the lack of personal details I'm willing to share.

"Well you're no fun" he chuckles and takes another gulp of beer, "And your kids are great.. I don't know why you're stressing out"

I roll my eyes at him, "Tell that to Emilee...they thought it would be funny to scare the crap out of her tonight and now she probably hates me more than she already did" I say sadly and Brian pats me on the shoulder.

"Emilee hates everyone since Jimmy died, so don't take it personally" he assures me, "And the boys are just being boys. I'm sure they didn't mean to scare her"

I let out a deep sigh, "That's the thing, Brian....they did. This isn't the first time that they have done it. I know why they are doing it, but I can't seem to convince them that they are just seeing things that aren't there again."

"Again?" He questions with a quirked eyebrow and I know he's not going to let me walk away without explaining further. I motion for Brian to step outside with me and he quickly follows. Once we are outside, I lean my back against the side of the tour bus and Brian lights up a smoke.

"So...tell me everything"

Emilee's POV

After Fuckface, I mean Brooks, storms away from me, I decide to head to the bar by myself. I knew I shouldn't have offered to help him out and I'm still confused as to why I did. I guess I just felt bad telling him off in front of his kids.

"What can I get you, beautiful?" the bartender says with a smile. Normally I would spit back some rude remark about how hitting on me won't get him a bigger tip, but this guy is gorgeous so I'll keep my sarcastic mouth shut for once.

"Fireball. Make it a double, please " I reply and he starts making my drink with a small smirk across his lips as he sets the glass down in front of me, and I quickly down it and motion for another.

"So, did your boyfriend bail on you or do you always consume large amounts of strong liquor?" he grins and I let out a laugh.

"I'm not an alcoholic and I would never date that asshole" I seethe through gritted teeth, and the bartender just quirks an eyebrow at me.

"Damn girl, you need to work out some of your...frustrations" he teases and smoothly leans over the bar and whispers in my ear, "I'm off in 20, if you need some help with that"

I bite down on my lip and ponder his proposition for a few seconds, as the alcohol I've consumed further impairs my normally good judgment. "Fuck it" I shrug, "Sure, why not?" I reply and he grins widely at me before turning to help the other bar patrons. Suddenly, I get this uneasy feeling in my stomach but I shake it off...it's probably just from drinking on an empty stomach. I came here to have fun and forget about Brooks blowing me off, so I intend on doing just that.

What's the worst that could happen?

Notes