violet + riley

I had been trying all day to get into the fucking memory card, with no luck.  The pressure from Gabe had lit a (literal and figurative) fire under my ass, prompting me to figure out some actual proof before our meeting Wednesday.  I didn't want to go in empty handed, but mostly I didn't want to take the chance of turning Clo in without proof.  

When I finally packed up for the day and headed out of the office, I made the executive decision to go to Dominic's.  The coke cravings were still real, despite the caning I'd received earlier.  I silently wondered if it would be possible to get a few bumps without anyone ever finding out.  Maybe I could even just get a little baggy?  I could hide it in the inner pocket of my suitcase... 

My thought was cut off by a text message.

What time are we meeting?

Ugh Gabe... setting me up a meeting with Toby as if I didn't have better things to do.  But I had to go, otherwise he would be suspicious of me and beat the truth out.  I hurriedly typed out a response — can i come now?

I didn't wait for a response before descending to the train platform heading in his direction.  At least maybe Toby could get me a prescription for Molly.

x-x-x-x

"You and Gabe all chummy now?  It's fuckin' weird, bro.  What's up with that?"

Toby's expression remained flat as he closed the door behind me.  "We're here to talk about you."

I rolled my eyes, turning to him in protest, but he directed me to sit on the couch, then sat across from me.  "There's nothin' to say.  Yo can you get me more Addy?  I can't focus for shit."  I impatiently checked my phone, regretting that I'd blown up on Gabe earlier.  Now I'd have to endure a Toby-lecture, potentially guilt trip.

"You know I can't write you a prescription for controlled substances.  Were you unable to get in touch with your old psychiatrist?  Do you need a referral?"

"Why don't you just do it?  What good is having an MD if you won't hook a sista up."

Toby frowned.  "Violeta," he said in a too-serious tone as he leaned in towards me.  "Should we be worried about you relapsing?"

I gulped, wanting to lighten the mood, but on the doc's turf, wasn't gonna happen.  "Look... I'm just stressed.  I ain't gonna do nothing, was just mouthin' off.  You know how I am."

There was a tense silence as he waited for me to talk myself into a hole.  He knows me too well.  I just can't deal with the quiet for too long.

"Aren't you super stoked for vacay this weekend?  Are you gonna finally de-flower Clo?"

"As I mentioned earlier, we're here to talk about you."

"I'm done talkin' about me."

"Ha!  That's a first."

"Fuck off!  So you are gonna fuck her, right?"

Toby shook his head, letting a little smile show before turning serious again.  "How are you going to manage your stress so you don't relapse?"

"Bro, I told you..."  His eyebrows raised, like he was about to verbally whip me, so I interrupted before his mouth even opened.  "I mean... I'm gonna... work out.... and meditate."  Toby's answer for everything.

"So I'll see you in the morning at 6:30?"

"What!  No!"

Before I could say more, Toby leaned in again, grabbing my chin so I'd have to look him in the eyes.  "If the urge becomes overwhelming, you better call me."  His threatening tone made my tummy do flip flops.  Legit more brutal than Gabe.

"Promise," I said, holding my pinky finger out.

He accepted the gesture, then dismissed me, not entertaining my final attempts at getting an adderall script.  Ah well... I had a connect at Dominic's who could hook me up with pills anyway... probably the same cost.  I could kill two birds with one stone...

x-x-x-x

It was still daylight when I finally arrived at the dingy bar, having changed out of my work clothes into something more appropriate for the atmosphere.  The bartender greeted me by asking if I was here for my usual, but I brushed him off.  My brief chat with Toby had quelled any desire for mind altering substances, alcohol included.  

I strolled to the back of the bar where the group of regulars sat around a table, playing poker and talking shit.  Ignoring Andy's smirk, I shot a glance at my hacker friend.  "Yo, a word please."

Riley was a 19 year old, the younger sister of another friend in Andy's crew (Chucho) and had the potential to actually make something of herself.  Instead, she hung out with gangbangers and helped them launder money for a cut of her own.

"What do you want?" she asked with a glare.  

"A moment of your time," I shot back.  No way was I going to deal with this kid's shit... except that I needed this favor from her.

She rolled her eyes, reminding me of a younger me, and came over with me to a secluded booth in the opposite corner.  "This better be good.  You know not to show your face around here anymore."

I resisted the urge to lash back out at her.  "I have a job for you."

Riley furrowed her brows at me.  "Why would I do anything for you?  Your little friend got us busted."

"I'll pay you.  And I know you like a good challenge."  I pulled the memory card out of my pocket and slapped it on the table, close enough for her to see but not grab it.  "I need to know what's on this, but can't get past the encryption."

A laugh erupted from her lips.  "As if you have enough cash to afford my services."  Said right as I started digging a stack of $100 bills out of my wallet.

My eyes narrowed.  If everyone thought I had been in domme mood the last few days, this girl really brought out my spanker side.  I was ready to beat her ass then and there.  Except I needed something from her.  Grrrr.  "You don't want the job, fine, I've got other contacts."  And started putting the money back and put my hand over the memory card.

For a moment, I thought she would call my bluff.  Then I started to get up from the table and she caved.  "Fine."  I knew she couldn't resist her curiosity.  "Hand it over, I'll see what I can do."

Before giving it to her, I leaned down, staring in her eyes and channeling my inner Gabe.  "If you work with me on this, there will be no discussing it with any of the guys, am I clear?"  I held up the memory card between us.

"Yeah, yeah, you know my work is good."  She snatched it from me.  "Can't believe you can't get past this tiny piece of technology," and laughed in my face.  

"I need it by Wednesday."

Her eyebrows raised.  "Bro, I ain't a fucking genius, you'll get it when you get it."  

Fucking liar... she was absolutely a genius, but I wasn't about to stroke her ego like that.  "You heard me.  By Wednesday, or no deal."  I handed her a wad of cash.  "Here's half... I'll give you the other half once I have my info."

Riley stuffed the memory card into her own wallet before leaning in and telling me in a low voice, "If I were you, I wouldn't show my face around here much.  I'll text you when the job is done and we'll meet somewhere else."

I nodded, shaking her hand and then going to get the Adderall for Molly, which was significantly cheaper than Riley's services.  At least someone wouldn't be mad at me today...