Chapter 14
Mateo
On Tuesday morning, I wake up with a kink in my neck from the thick pillows, but after a quick trip to the coffee shop next door, I feel better. Unfortunately, I still have nothing to do, nowhere to go, and no way of getting anywhere if I did want to get there. With the do not disturb sign hanging from the door, I turn on some stupid game show and try to play along. When did Drew Cary get so damn old?
Within about ten minutes, I realize I don’t know shit about what anything costs, so I turn on some porn and get off to a cheesy amateur video. There isn’t much to do after taking a swim, so I get dressed and go check out the town.
As expected, there isn’t much to check out.
I walk from one end of the main road to the other and work my way back, only stopping at a diner long enough to grab a burger. It’s close to three by the time I get back and I’m hot and sweaty enough to need a beer. The dive bar opens at three but there’s an old Honda in the lot so I take a chance and walk in.
Betts, the woman I met last night, is vacuuming under the tables when my eyes finally adjust to the dark enough for me to see inside. When she notices me, she turns off the vacuum and stands up with her hand supporting her lower back. “You decided to come back.”
I shrug. “Needed a beer.”
She waves to the bar. “Help yourself.”
“Okay.”
“Listen, honey. I need someone to help me out of a jam.” She cocks her head and gives me a onceover. “You look like you might be in a jam too, so I think we can help each other out.”
This should be interesting. “How’s that?”
“I need someone to work with me for the next week and a half until Janey gets back. I can pay you cash.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m not looking for a job.” I pull the bar tap and fill a mug.
“Well, you look pretty comfortable back there. Just keep doing that when the customers come in and you’ll do just fine.”
“I’m not gonna work for you.” The annoyance in my voice is real, but it’s not directed at her. It’s directed at myself for being such a sucker and letting myself get pulled into her web of free labor. “I’m just pouring myself a drink.”
“Just don’t get shitfaced while you’re on the clock is all I ask.” She laughs and turns the vacuum back on, filling the empty room with the roar of the motor.
I nurse my beer, and for some reason, I stay planted behind the counter. After I finish half my glass, I pull on the tap, filling my cup again. After a few more sips, light shines in from the open doorway as the second customer of the day comes in.
“Betts...” I call out as the man sits at the counter and looks over to me.
“Let me get whatever you have on tap.”
“I don’t work here.” I look at the man crossly before taking another sip of my drink.
“I didn’t ask if you did. But you’re back there now, so get me a drink, why doncha.”
Huffing because he’s right, I grab an empty glass and slide it under the spout of a dark ale, hopping it will piss the guy off.
Betts comes out from the back and gives me a huge grin. “Looking good back there, Mateo.”
I roll my eyes, realizing that I’ve allowed myself to get manipulated into helping the woman out for the night. But since I don’t have anything else to do, it’s at least a way to kill time while I’m stuck in town. As each customer comes in, I get more comfortable behind the bar, almost having fun without realizing it. Several hours pass and I still don’t even know if I’m charging the right prices when customer start to pay. Fortunately for Betts, most of the patrons must be regulars who know how much their drinks cost because they drop money for me on the bar without waiting for me to ask.
Since I don’t know how to work the register, it’s not until Betts comes through a little later that I hand her the wad of cash I’ve been stashing away in an empty mug. “I don’t know what to do with this.”
“Damn.” She blows out a low whistle. “You’re pretty good at this, kid.”
“Thanks,” I say with a smirk. “You’re pretty good at tricking people into doing things.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.” She grins broadly, and I can’t help but laugh. That’s when the phone in my back pocket rings. “Go ahead and take it. You’ve earned a break. I’ve got things in here covered for a bit.”
“Gee, thanks.” I step around the counter and toward a secluded corner before I pull out the phone. Knowing who it is, I answer in as casual of a voice as I can. “Hey, Chase.”
“Mateo, it’s good to hear your voice. How are things in LA?”
Glancing around at the seedy bar surrounding me, I lie. “It’s great.”
“Sounds like it. Is that music I hear?”
“Yeah, I decided to get out for the night.”
“Oh, right. Good for you.” He’s quiet for a moment, and I wonder if he’s hung up.
“Is there something you needed? Other than your phone, which I’ll ship to you in a few days.”
“No, you can keep it. I like being able to get in touch with you.”
“You shouldn’t, Chase.” I wish he wasn’t making this so hard. “Why can’t you just let me go?”
He sighs, obviously frustrated about the situation. But he’s the one who didn’t want me around, so I’m not sure why he’s acting this way now. “I... I’ve been thinking about you a lot.”
I huff into the receiver. “You mean about the mistake you made in sleeping with me? I already accepted your apology. There’s nothing more to talk about.”
“That’s not what I’m saying, Mateo.”
“Well, I’m sorry I disturbed your life. Thanks for loaning me the phone, but don’t call me again.” I hit the button to end the call, trying not to let the moisture that’s built behind my lids escape. I put the phone on silent and take a few deep breaths.
Several new customers have come into the bar and Betts is swamped.
I hop up from the table where I’m sitting and head back behind the counter, grabbing a rag and wiping the countertop while I clear away empty glasses before taking orders for refills. Maybe Betts is right. Staying busy may be the only way to keep my mind off Chase. At least until I’m ready to finally do what I’ve been trying to do my whole life.
“Can you wipe those tables down? The late night crowd should be coming in soon.”
I nod and grab a fresh towel and the sanitizing tub from under the counter. Seconds after I get the tables cleaned off, a group of bikers walk through the door and fill up the place. The music becomes noticeably louder as Betts and I scramble to get everyone their first round.
As soon as the initial rush of orders is taken care of, I pull a beer for myself and take a sip. That’s when a guy at the end of the bar catches my eye. His smoldering good looks are the first thing I notice about him. He has thick black hair and bright green eyes. I guess some eye candy never hurt anyone.
Casually working my way over to him, I can feel him studying me the entire time. “Can I get you another?” I ask, pointing at his nearly empty bottle.
“Sure can, sweetheart.” His voice is deep and sultry. Instinctively, I smile at him as I grab a beer from the ice and pop the cap for him.
“Here you go.”
“Thanks.” He winks and holds my gaze for a moment before turning away and heading back into the crowd of bikers.
Maybe working here won’t be so bad. If a distraction will help me ignore the pain I feel over Chase’s rejection, then I can’t think of a better place to find one.