the above is one of patrick's chest tattoos

"Kaleb, man, can you take my shift tonight?" Dan asks me. I can imagine his puppy dog eyes and poked out lip from over the phone. I roll my eyes and huff. "Please," I realise that he isn't going to leave me alone unless I say yes, so I might as well get this over with.

"Yeah, sure," I tell him, wincing when he yells in my ear. I hold the phone away while he continues to freak out and say he loves me and everything like that. "Down, danboy," I say, making him laugh at the nickname.

It's funny because he's in love with a youtuber named Phil, so I call him danboy instead of fanboy. I think it's quite hilarious.

"Alright, thanks, Kale. I'm gonna meet my one true love today," He gushes, sighing in content. "He's going to fall in love with me, we're going to get married, and--"

"Stop right there. I don't want to hear about the wild sex you'll have, alright? I have a job to do tonight, apparently," I say, making him laugh. We exchange goodbyes before I hang up.

I have to make myself presentable. I grab a dark blue v-neck that reads 'McCoy's' on it and a pair of black, ripped at the knees, skinny jeans. I pair it with my glasses and a pair of black boots.

As I look in the mirror, I realise that I don't look half bad. You can see a bit of one of my chest tattoos peeking out. I actually look okay.

I decide not to wear my fedora, letting my blue hair flip to the side messily. I don't really care. It's not like I'll see someone that I know.

I grunt when I see the alert on my phone that says, 'Low Battery.' I don't bother to read the details, already knowing what they say, so I just dismiss it. Oh well. If it dies, it dies.

I grab my car keys -- which are attached to my 'Go Army' lanyard -- and stick them in my pocket, regretting having an apartment on the top floor. I have to walk, like, half a mile to get to my car.

As I shut and lock the door to my apartment, I walk to the elevator nearest to my door. I upgraded to a much nicer place when I got my inheritance money. Guess my douche of a father was good for something.

"Hey, Kaleb, you might want this," Gabe says, handing me his umbrella. I take it with a nod and run a hand through my hair. At least I'll have an excuse to look shitty tonight.

I met Gabe the first day I moved in. His rich father doesn't like the fact that he is openly bisexual, so he bought him a place here to get him out of his hair.

I continue to walk to the elevator, hitting the button as soon as I get there. Gabe pops his head out and says, "Didn't you hear?" I feel my eyebrows furrow. "Elevators are out. Everyone in the building has to take the stairs,"

I groan, realising I'm going to be late for my -- ahem, Dan's -- shift, if I'm not careful. I'll have to drive over the speed limit to get there right on time.

"Thanks, Gabey," I smack a kiss on his cheek as I pass by, jogging down the stairs.

I hear him laugh and yell, "Love you too, Kaleb Robinson!" I smile wide as I continue to go down the stairs.

I open the umbrella, mentally thanking Gabe again for saving my ass from the rain. If it weren't for him, I'd look even worse right now.

As I get in my car and finally closed that damned yellow umbrella, I shake off the water and turn on the heat and radio. Immediately, a Blink 182 song comes on and I hum along until I make it to the car park.

"Kaleb, you're late," Travie calls out right as I walk in. I cringe and grab my McCoy's SnapBack from its hook, placing it backwards on my head. A few pieces of my hair stick out, but I don't mind.

As soon as I step behind the bar, there's people everywhere, calling out for me to make them drinks, but I ignore most of them until I can get my station ready to serve. I just got here.

As I finally set my glasses up and get the taps on to where they're set right, I turn around and come face to face with Pete. Well, more like face to hair. And then he looks up, and I see it. A big blackish blue bruise on his cheek.

"Pete," I whisper, reaching out to touch it. He winces as I run my fingers across it.

"Kaleb, don't," He warns, grabbing my hand and placing back on the counter, keeping his on top of mine. I sigh and grab the bottle of whiskey and two shot glasses as I come around the counter and sit next to him.

Travie passes by with a questioning look, but when I nod to Pete, he just walks around to where I'm supposed to be, taking my spot. I owe him big time.

"Tell me about it, Pete," I say, pouring the first two shots. "Every time you tell me something you don't want to say, we both take a shot. It'll help numb the pain, alright?" I grab the first one, downing it in no time.

"Okay," Pete finally says as he grabs his own, throwing it back. The burning sensation that goes through my body makes it all worth it. "It all started when Patrick left. I felt worthless. Until Rian called and told me he heard about the news and he was sorry," I stop him from going any further by pouring the whiskey in the glass.

"Keep going," I say after I finish the one I just poured. He looks at me and takes his before he continues.

"Rian was so nice the first month. I had no issues with him or anything. But one night he came home drunk right after the tour had ended. He said that he cheated on me with a guy whose name he didn't remember, and I got mad and yelled. He said it was my fault and that I deserved to be hit," Pete says in a quiet voice. I begin to pour the next glass as he says, "That's the night I met you, my saviour. You're going to save me from all of this. Somewhere, somehow,"

I pat his back as we take the next ones, getting used to the burning and pain as it shoots down our throats by now. It numbs the pain. It helps.

"I always knew you were a superhero," He says, pointing at the bit of my spiderman tattoo peeking out. "My superhero," I smile but instantly freeze.

"You!" I hear a voice, making me jump. I almost drop the bottle when Rian comes walking up to Pete and I. He grabs Pete by his collar and then turns to look at me. "Don't fucking talk to my boyfriend again, you dipshit! He is mine and only mine!" He yells again, poking my chest. He's attracting attention now.

I stand up, and sure enough, he's a whole hell of a lot taller than I am. I should be intimidated, but the alcohol is kicking in by now. I'm a bit of a confident drunk.

"I'll kick your ass!" I slur, poking back at him. Pete tries to step in between us, but Rian pushes him back.

"I'd like to see your short, pathetic ass try!" Rian shouts back. Pete grabs Rian and tries to pull him away, but Rian just pushes him back harder. I get closer to Rian.

"Kaleb," Pete says, a pleading look in his eyes. I bite my lip before sitting back down, turning the bottle of whiskey up, drinking it.

"Gentlemen," Travie says, stepping up to Rian and Pete, "I'm going to have to ask you to leave. You're causing quite the ruckus," He gestures to the forming crowd.

Rian finally looks like he's calm as he and Pete leave. I can't imagine what's going to happen to Pete tonight. All I can hope is that he stays safe.

THE INTRO TO 'Something's Gotta Give' IS OUT RN GO LOOK