life is a highway ♥ lacey

[∂яινє му ωσℓƒ ωιℓ∂ ♥]

London was different from Tennessee, but that was to be expected. While walking through the small town he lived in, hands in black jacket pockets, he reflected on this. The wind was biting, powdering his face pink, though it was fresh. He had spent most of his life in Tennessee, yet it had never felt like home as it did here.

That was his last thought as he entered the pub, needing a good pint.

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

The small pub was relatively quiet, with a few men and women scattered throughout, mostly gathered by the bar. The bartender was an older man, his dark hair slicked back. He had a friendly face, smile wrinkles creased by his eyes and mouth. He was the first to look up and wave in greeting to this newcomer.

One of the three baristas closest to the door stood up with a couple mugs in hand, "Welcome, sir," She flashed him a kind smile. She balanced the dirty glasses with ease and nodded to the bar, "You can either head straight up to the bar and Albert will take care of ya, or me or one of the girls will find ya. Your pick," She spun and walked away, toward the bar, her heels clicking against the floor. She was dressed in shorts and a well-pressed with blouse, her red hair pinned up neatly. Seemed like she knew her way around, a natural at doing her job.

[∂яινє му ωσℓƒ ωιℓ∂ ♥]

He nodded silently in acknowledgement and stood. He was never too smooth with the ladies, so dealing with the male bartender sounded like a more relaxed choice. Standing, he walked over and leaned against the counter, ordering a Bud Light. The only way to get drunk, in his opinion.

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

Albert smiled and turned to get the man's ordered drink, "I haven't seen you 'round here before. New to town?"

[∂яινє му ωσℓƒ ωιℓ∂ ♥]

He hummed. "You could say that." He looked at him. "Lived here for two years, but yeah, you could say that. This is my first time coming in here so."

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

Albert handed him a mug and smiled, "Well, welcome. It's not too often that we get new people here. I hope to see your face more often."

[∂яινє му ωσℓƒ ωιℓ∂ ♥]

He grunted. "I don't make it a hobby to drink." He lifted the mug to his lips. "Only rewards with horrid consequences." He took a swig.

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

"Ah, well, you can still drink without getting drunk," Albert winked at him, "Not all nights have to have bad consequences."

The red haired barista sauntered up and set a tray on the bar, "I need two gin on the rocks, Albert."

[∂яινє му ωσℓƒ ωιℓ∂ ♥]

He glanced at her before taking another swig.

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

She looked over to him and smiled, her expression kind, "It's nice to see a new face. I'm Emma," she introduced herself, leaning against the bar as she waited for the drinks to be made.

[∂яινє му ωσℓƒ ωιℓ∂ ♥]

"Luke." He nodded to her. "Is it usually this busy?"

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

Emma shrugged, "Depends on the night. We're usually pretty slow."

[∂яινє му ωσℓƒ ωιℓ∂ ♥]

He hummed and turned back to his drink, halfway done with it.

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

"You a big drinker?" She asked. Her tone was curious, but not nosy.

[∂яινє му ωσℓƒ ωιℓ∂ ♥]

He shook his head. "Only a few times a year."

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

Emma laughed, "Wow, never heard a man say that before."

[∂яινє му ωσℓƒ ωιℓ∂ ♥]

He shrugged. "Guess I'm one of a kind."

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

She grabbed the drinks and winked at him, "Yeah, I'll say. Enjoy yourself, okay?"

[∂яινє му ωσℓƒ ωιℓ∂ ♥]

He lifted his glass in cheers before taking another swig of the refilled substance.

[нαℓƒ~мσση]

Albert chuckled, cleaning out a glass with a small grey rag, "Most men that come in here are big drinkers. It's nice to see someone who isn't wasting his life on alcohol."