Chapter 4

I blew a puff of smoke into the air as I rubbed my hands together gingerly, cigarette hooked under my index finger, as I waited for Ryan. I squinted up at the sky, sitting astride my bike, and took another pull.

A few moments later, I heard Ryan's bike roar up behind me.

"Took you long enough, " I said as he took off his helmet.

"I had to eat, dude. You probably don't know what that word means but it's when you put nourishing stuff in your mouth so you can survive and be nourished. "

I grimaced. "Yeah, I know I haven't been eating well. "

Ryan gave me a once over. "I can tell. "

I shoved him. "Shut up dude, I'm massive! " I flexed to prove it.

Ryan paused for a moment. "Denver's bigger. " He jumped back, out of reach of the second punch I aimed at him, then ran away.

I frowned. Although I did have muscles, I couldn't deny Denver was more ripped than me. Probably cos he spent all his time in gyms for pussies or something. At least I was a bit taller than that little shit.

I caught up with Ryan, instinctually placing an expressionless mask over my face. Glancing at Ryan, I saw he had done the same, smoothing over his features and hardening his jaw as we rounded the large grey building to the back door. The place reeked - it honestly smelt like shit each time we came. It looked like shit too, the concrete walls were bare - if there was paint, it was peeling like dead skin. I fought the urge to cover my nose. We climbed the stairs to the crusty looking back door.

Ryan knocked firmly, once, twice.

I swallowed my apprehension and leaned against the wall.

The door swung open to reveal a skinny dude with stringy hair down to his shoulders. A yellow tank which once might of been white covered his grubby torso. He wore baggy jeans that were too big for him - they didn't look like he'd taken them off for years.  A wave of his B.O washed over me and I held my breath. Without looking down, I could see the gun tucked into his pocket.

His small eyes regarded us from his greasy face.

"Got the stuff, mate? " I asked loudly and slowly. Show them you're scared and you're dead. There were no such things as security cameras in this part of town.

Another greasy dude appeared from behind him and stuck out a crumpled brown paper bag.

Ryan took it from him and peered inside. "If it's not legit they'll come for you. " He growled.

The first dude grinned, showing blackened teeth. "You little fuckers. It's fucking legit."

Ryan met his eyes, pulling out the cash and counting it slowly in front of them. He pressed it into Yellow Tank Top's waiting hand.

"So how's the old King Cobra going? " The second dude greased his way to stand beside Yellow in the doorway.

"He's just lovely. " I muttered, backing down the stairs.

I followed Ryan around the side of the building, the two men watching us the whole way.

---

The Basque's neon lettering glared in the dark, electronic music pulsing from inside.

I weaved between the cars, Ryan close behind. We flashed fake IDs at the bouncer - and then we were in.

Bodies writhed and twisted to the music - which was suddenly loud. Ryan and I made our way through the crowd where Greg, the barman, was serving drinks.

"Howdy, boys. " He winked. "What can I get you two today? Drinks on us - anything for our special guests. "

I grinned, leaning over the bar and slapping him on the shoulder, raising my voice over the buzz of the crowd. "I'll just have a beer, thanks, babe. "

Ryan gestured from beside me. "Me too, baby. "

Greg pretended to be scandalised at our "flirting" and placed two beers on the counter. He blew us a kiss and then disappeared around the other side.

I took a swig from my beer, leaning my back against the counter to survey the crowd. Ryan nudged me and motioned that he was going over to the other side of the room and I nodded in affirmation. He vanished into the crowd, leaving me alone.

I drank from my beer again. My eyes landed on a shortish girl wearing a miniskirt and a tight top in the midst of all the people.

She was swaying unsteadily to the music, hands held above her head. Her makeup was smudged - like she'd been here long enough to get properly drunk.

Perfect.

I made my way over to her, pressing up against her back, sliding my hand down her arm.

She turned her face towards mine. "Hi. " she laughed, staring up at me.

"Hey, darling. " I bent my mouth down to her ear. "Do you want to have some fun? "

She smiled dazedly at me. "I am having fun. "

I moved my hand down her hip, onto her thigh, a small plastic packet clenched in my fist. "But do you want to have more fun. "

She bit her lip, probably thinking she looked sexy doing that. "Will you have fun with me? "

She reeked of alcohol as she pressed closer.

"Of course. " I murmured, stroking a hand down her face. "That will be $50, honey. "

She stared at me as she slipped me the money, the look on her face kinda gross. She thought I was hot. She was probably five years older than me or something - she wouldn't be able to tell in the dim lighting though.

"I'll be back in a second. " I muttered, and detached myself from her. I wouldn't.

After wandering around a bit, I spotted my next target. He was sitting on a barstool, sipping his beer - not his first one either, judging by the empty bottles lined up in front of him.  He was tall, and looked kinda built - but the way he held himself and his vacant expression told me there wouldn't be any trouble.

I slid into a stool next to him, my drink in hand. "Hey. " I grinned at him. "Rough night? "

He looked up at me, startled. He was good looking dude - not more than me of course - but he wasn't too bad.

The corner of his mouth pulled up into a grin - not one of happiness.

"Yeah, " he breathed, chuckling in a way that told me I had got him exactly right.

I leaned towards him, showing him the plastic packet in my hand. I met his eyes.

"Sixty bucks, " I grinned. "And it will be a good night. "

His eyes stayed on the packet as he brought his beer to his lips and took a swig. He swallowed, considering it.

"Yeah, why not. " He sighed, pulling his wallet from his back pocket.

"That's my boy. " I laughed, thumping him on the back and slapping the packet to his chest.

His eyes were trained on me now. He paused.

"Hey - do you want to, like, get out of here? " He asked haltingly.

I cocked my head, quickly generating an excuse. "Sorry, dude, can't leave my friend. " What the hell did he want?

"Oh. " He replied. "That's a shame. " His eyes swept up and down my body.

I drew my head back. What the fuck? Did he just check me out?

"Dude - dude I'm not fucking gay, or something. " I said, laughing unsurely. "Wait - are you a fag or whatever? "

Realisation dawned quickly in his eyes. "No! What are you on about? "

I raised my eyebrows, shaking my head. "Dunno. Forget about it. Have a nice night. "

I slid off the barstool back into the fray, feeling his eyes on my back the whole time. What the fuck was that? I shook my head, running a hand through my hair. I went back to the bar, grabbed another beer from Greg. I saw Ryan's tall figure in the crowd, and made my way towards him. Before I got there, he turned to me and motioned to the girl beside him, then made a questioning thumbs up sign and pointed to the exit, eyebrows raised.

My eyes landed on the girl. She brushed her hair behind one ear, eyes glued to Ryan.

I did a thumbs up sign back, and mouthed "beast".

He grinned and waved, and then they disappeared from the night club.

I turned back. Ok, the fucker left me for a girl.

I walked aimlessly through the crowd, looking for targets. Wow, nightclubs are boring as shit - never coming here to do anything but sell drugs.

That's when I saw him.

Dickhead Denver - dancing with some purple-haired chick.

So Denver was ditching school to go to nightclubs. Huh. His strict-as lawyer parents or whatever would love to hear about this.

Or maybe he was spying on us. Maybe he knew about our deal with the Basque manager and he was here gathering info on us before reporting to the Wolverines.

Nah - that couldn't be right - they didn't know where he was either.

Maybe he was gathering info to rat us out to the police!

That fucking dickhead.

Before I knew it, I was grabbing Denver's arm and pulling him away from the girl.

"Fuck do you think you're doing, dickhead! " I hissed at him.

A dude who was not Denver stared back at me in shock.

I stumbled back. "Shit - sorry. I thought you were someone else. The hair or something. "

The Not Denver laughed awkwardly. "All good, dude. I thought you were going to be like my girlfriend's other guy or something and neither of us knew about each other ... "

His girlfriend swatted him, openmouthed, and they laughed.

"Hahaha, " I said, backing away.

Not Denver turned to me again. "Hey mate, are you sure you're OK? I can call a cab or something... "

I suddenly realised I may of had a few too many of those free beers.

"Nah. " I burp. "Nah, I'm good bro, thanks tho. "

I patted him on the shoulder and turn back into the crowd. I should probably go home.

But something kept nagging at me. What the fuck is Denver tho? What if he actually is getting info on us and that's why he hasn't been in school? Or is he planning some huge prank on me?

What a fucking asshead.

I don't remember doing it, and I probably shouldn't have been riding my bike, but suddenly I was out in the cool night air, speeding down quiet roads in the dead of the night.

Towards Denver's house.