CHAPTER TWELVE - Birthday Mistakes.

It isn't long until I'm cheering loudly, clutching a bottle of beer in my right hand. The barmaid laughs at me and I grin back at her, whirling around to find Woody glaring at me.

"What? Lighten up," I roll my eyes, taking another long swig. I pull back and wipe my mouth with the back of my hand.

"That's your fifth beer Ruby."

"Oh-my-god. I can't believe you're keeping count! Chill out, it's my birthday." I say to him, stepping around him and heading for the group at the back of the pub. It's mostly made up of people way older than me but within the very few hours of me being here, we'd already made a friendship.

"Hey guys! I'm back," I smirk, throwing myself down on the seat beside them. The girl to my right, Courtney, gives me a big smile whilst the others cheer.

"How did you manage to get served?" One of them asks, swaying a little as they gaze at me with wonder. I flip my hair over my shoulder, throwing a wink their way.

"I have my ways. . . it's not like I'm underage, right?"

Everyone turns to look at each other before laughing again, reaching for their drinks on the table.

"You are something else Ruby." Courtney grins, holding up her palm. I slap my hand against hers and turn to find Woody buying himself a drink at the bar, finally giving in. He clutches his beer and walks towards me, dark eyes hooded over. A small smirk flickers across my face as I hold out my drink towards him.

"Let's get drunk," I say excitedly, a wide grin on my face. The corners of his lips twitch upwards as he connects his bottle against mine.

"Like you already aren't drunk. . . give me a chance to catch up." He responds, taking a large gulp from his beer. My grin grows wider as he drops his responsible front and acts like the guy I secretly hoped he was. My eyes scan over his body and I lean against the table, enjoying the view.

"We have all night cowboy."

*****

"Woah-oh! We're halfway there!" I yell into the night sky, my arm swung around Woody's mid section. One of his hands is wrapped securely around my waist, keeping me up. I'm really grateful for it because if he wasn't here, I'd be face planting the floor.

"Sing it Woody!" I cheer at him, a wide grin on my face. He looks down at me and stumbles slightly before regaining his balance. I watch as he tilts his head back, dark hair flying backwards.

"Woah-oh, livin' on a prayer! Take my hand, we'll make it I swear!" He sings, the rumble of his voice floating through the night. I cheer him on, fist pumping the air with my free hand.

We pass a few shops, some of them closed down and others lit dimly with lights. I suddenly pause, a thought running through my head.

"Oh-my-god, I just had the best idea!" I whisper loudly, jumping up and down in excitement. I stumble to the floor, landing hard on my knees.

"Whoops," I giggle, feeling Woody's hands wrap around my waist and lift me up effortlessly.

"What's your idea?" He asks me, slurring his words slightly. I simply look up at him and take a second to appreciate his good looks.

"I want. . . " I begin, feeling the excitement building up further inside me until it's about to burst. I spin around and force Woody to spin with me until we're facing the shop, my eyes sparkling in excitement.

"I want a tattoo."

"Holy shit. Are you serious?" Woody says from beside me. I roll my eyes playfully and grab his arm, dragging him towards the shop.

"Yes! I'm serious. I'm one million percent serious."

Woody suddenly grabs hold of my waist, spinning me around so I'm facing him. His eyes are intense and hooded over as they travel from my hair to my eyes and down my body. A shiver runs down my back but I blame it on the cold in the air.

"You are crazy Ruby Wentworth," he murmurs, pushing me backwards. I slowly begin to walk back, Woody's hands still rested on my waist. Once I feel the wall greet me, I suck in a breath and give him a small smile, one eyebrow raised slightly.

"So what now?" I whisper, inching my face closer to his. His fingers begin to rub in circular motions, the rough skin on his fingers finding their way to my bare stomach.

"I want to kiss you." Woody mutters, his warm breath fanning my face.

"What are you waiting for cowboy?" I whisper, my throat drying out nervously. It takes me a second to realise I'm actually nervous about a kiss. Maybe because I've had so many failed ones in the past, I'm desperate for something that will last. Woody takes it as his chance to press me into the wall further, his body crushing mine. His head dips down until his lips are pressed firmly against mine, already demanding access to my tongue.

That's when I feel it, everything I've been searching for. The butterflies, the electricity and the desire.

It doesn't last long because soon enough he's ripped away from me and I'm able to breathe again. My eyes widen as I realise Uncle Tobias has a hold of his collar, throwing him roughly to the floor. Woody lands in a heap, grunting from the force. When I look up at uncle Tobias, his eyes are red but his face is full of thunder.

"What the fuck are you doing Woody?!" He yells, his voice booming through the streets. If echoes through the dark night and I jump out of my skin. A sudden overwhelming feeling for my parents washes over me and I begin to shake. I look down at myself and down at Woody lying on the floor and I know my parents would be disappointed. Disappointed because I'm drinking to dull out the pain.

Woody groans and turns on his back, slowly standing back up. Uncle Tobias continues to stand over him, his chest rising and falling heavily.

"Answer me!" He yells at him.

"I kissed her, okay? I kissed her," Woody says, disappointment and regret filling his voice.

"Why the fuck would you do the one thing I asked you not to do? Are you deliberately trying to piss me off Woody?"

I take it as my chance to cut in, slowly walking towards my uncle. My hands and legs are shaking and suddenly, I feel the cold ten times stronger.

"Please don't be mad at him." I say quietly, my confidence completely shattering to the ground. Uncle Tobias' head snaps towards me and when he sees the look on my face, his eyes soften. He holds out his arm and I stumble towards him. He wraps one arm around me and pulls me into his chest tightly, inhaling deeply. I close my eyes and breathe in his scent, reminding me of times as a child. Whenever I was scared or nervous, I'd run to my uncle Tobias and he'd hold onto me, letting me know that he'd always keep me safe.

In that moment, I want to start bawling.

For my parents, for the years Uncle Tobias disappeared and for myself.

Instead I clench my teeth tightly and put on a brace face but no matter how hard I try, I know uncle Tobias will see through my facade.

"Happy Birthday sweetheart," he mumbles, placing a kiss on top of my hair. I can feel my chest tighten and my eyes begin to fill up, stinging from the effort of keeping my tears at bay.

"You remember," I mutter into his shirt and he nods, his arm around me tightening. "Of course I did."

He turns back around to Woody and I can feel his body physically tense. "Go home Woody."

"Come on, it was a mistake! I shouldn't have done it!" Woody protests, his voice rising. He doesn't even turn to look me in the eyes.

"Yeah that's right, you shouldn't have!" Uncle Tobias yells at him, his chest vibrating with anger. He breathes in deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose with his free hand.

"Go home Woody. I won't ask you again."

And with that, we both turn around and walk back in complete silence.