Chapter 2
Chapter Two
TIGO
“Here’s your pomegranate margaritas.” I place the colorful drinks down in front of the friendly couple sitting at the bar.
It’s still early for a Friday, but I’m sure business will pick up soon.
At least, I hope it will. It’s no secret it’s been steadily declining for months.
I could use a little more income, but I just can’t bring myself to bail.
It’s the only place I’ve ever worked that’s felt like home.
“What’s good, Tig?”
I twist around to see Oscar strolling behind the bar with his hands behind his back. “Snuck you something from the kitchen.”
I raise an eyebrow. Oscar is always up to something he shouldn’t be doing.
He’s the nicest guy in the world, if a little chaotic, but I dig him.
He looks so clean-cut on the outside with his sandy-brown hair and warm smile, like an adult boy scout, but he’s one of the most impulsive and adventurous guys I’ve ever met.
His rep as the thrill seeker is well earned.
“What did you get?”
He presents a hand, and in it is what appears to be a small ball of chocolate. “Chef made these. I’m not telling you what’s in it. You just have to try it.”
“I’m down.” I grab it and pop it into my mouth, my eyes widening as it melts and an explosion of flavors assaults my tongue. “Whoa. What is that?”
“Marshmallow cream and banana puree with peanut butter milk chocolate.” He looks around like he’s got a huge secret. “Don’t tell Howie, but Brady is making welcome truffles for the weekend guests. He thinks it’ll create a nice memory for them, and they’ll come back.”
I nod. “Those are phenomenal.”
He waggles his eyebrows. “I know. He’s so talented.”
“I agree. I could make myself sick eating those.”
Oscar laughs. “Same.” He leans on the counter in front of me, effectively blocking my ability to make drinks. “When are you gonna let me take you out to get blasted and laid?”
I shake my head, pushing him to the side so I can finish washing the glasses. “Someday.”
“Pshh. You always say that.” His eyes shift to the patio. “Who’s that?”
I look in the direction, shrugging. “Just a guest, I suppose. He’s been on his phone for a while.”
“He’s hot.”
I look again, focusing on the man. From here, all I can see is his blond hair and great body. That’s a nice bubble butt filling out those shorts. “Not bad.”
“Dibs.”
I elbow Oscar.
He scrunches his nose. “Ouch.”
“You can’t call dibs on a guest.”
“Uh, yeah, those are the rules. Fitz said so.”
“Fitz? Mr. Uptight? The guy who would never date a guest?”
“That’s the one. He said it’s only fair.”
I shake my head, rubbing my hands on a towel. “Fine. You can have dibs. I’m not interested anyway.”
Oscar rolls his eyes and looks thoroughly disgusted with me. “This isn’t about homeboy still, is it?”
I wipe the counter, even though it’s already clean. Anything to avoid this topic.
“Tig? Is it?”
“It takes time to get over people.”
“It’s been a year.”
Actually, it’s been thirteen months and two weeks, but I’ll keep that to myself.
“I’ll know when I’m ready. Casual flings with guests aren’t really my thing anyway.”
“It should be. That’s exactly what you need. Some hot guy to remind you that there’s more out there waiting for you. You just have to seize it.” He puts his hand on my arm, leaning in. “Why not live a little, Tig? You’re young, gorgeous, nice. You’re a catch.”
“Thanks, Oscar. I know I need to get back out there, but I just haven’t met anyone tempting enough yet.”
He makes a face I can’t read as he steps back. “I get it. Just promise me you’ll keep your eyes open. You never know when the right guy will walk into your life.”
Nodding, I smile. “You’re right. Thanks for the pep talk.”
“You’re welcome, but I still have dibs on the hot blond.”
I laugh. “He’s all yours.”
“Oscar,” Howie yells from the front. “Can you come over here and help with the front desk? We just had a bunch of people arrive.”
He salutes me. “Duty calls. Get intel on the blond if you can.”
“I’ll do my best.”
I fix a few more drinks for people trickling in, and then the blond on the phone plops down on a stool in front of me.
I might need my eyes checked. Far away, he seemed decent-looking, but up close, he’s a stunner.
Gorgeous blue eyes, a perfect tan, and a charming smile.
Hello. Blonds aren’t really my thing, but I could make an exception.
That is if Oscar hadn’t already called dibs. I guess I’m a rule follower.
“What can I get you?”
He glances around before focusing on me. When he does, his smile softens. “Well, hello.”
“Hey.”
“Tigo?” he questions, focusing on my name tag.
“That’s me.”
“Unique name.”
“Santiago. Tigo for short.”
“Got it. Kyle.” He extends his hand, so I shake it.
“Nice to meet you. You want a drink?”
“Please. Just fuck me up with something. I’m having a rough day.”
“Yeah? Why are you here?”
“Business.”
I nod, grabbing a bottle of tequila. This isn’t a normal destination for people on business, but maybe his assistant booked it or something.
“Hopefully, you’ll be able to enjoy the grounds.”
“It’s a little rundown, isn’t it?”
I bristle. “A little, but we make up for it with our people. It’s a prime location too. Very LGBTQ+ friendly if that’s your thing.”
“Oh, it is.” He looks me up and down. “At least the view at the bar is nice.”
Oh, we’re flirting. Got it. “Thanks. I’m making you my famous Double H.”
“What is that?” he asks, leaning forward.
“Just a bunch of alcohol that tastes good together. Double H for Hillcrest Hideaway.”
“I like it.”
He watches me finish and slide the drink in front of him. Kyle takes a sip, coughing slightly. “Wow. Okay.”
“You said to fuck you up.”
He laughs. “I did.” He stirs his drink with the straw. “So, Tigo, are you single?”
“Yep. You?”
“Yep. Definitely looking to blow off some steam this weekend.” Kyle looks around the bar before leaning even closer. “Maybe you have an idea how I can do that?”
I chuckle, washing a few glasses. Kyle is gorgeous, but unfortunately for both of us, his type doesn’t really do it for me. He knows he’s hot and probably gets anyone he sets his sights on. It would take a lot more than a pretty smile and a cocky attitude to get me in his bed though.
“There are a lot of options around here.”
“Yeah? Like what?”
“What are you into?”
“Just about everything. I figure you don’t really know what you like until you’ve tried it, right?”
“That can be true.”
He studies me for a few seconds. “I’m not really the type to beat around the bush, Tigo. What would it take to get in your pants?”
I clear my throat, hoping the man standing directly behind Kyle didn’t hear that overt exchange.
“Kyle?”
He swings around on his stool, eyes wide. “Cato. I thought you were napping.”
The man crosses his arms over his chest, a mixture of anger and pain on his face. “Obviously. I can’t believe you.”
“What?”
“Stop it. I heard you ask this man how you could fuck him. Are you kidding me right now? We’re supposed to be reconnecting this weekend. Instead, you’re trying to cheat on me?”
Oh no. Fuck.
“Cato, I was just playing. Flexing my flirting muscle, that’s all.”
“Really? And if he’d said yes? If I hadn’t come down?”
“I was bluffing.”
Cato’s eyes shift to me, and I offer a mouthed, “I’m sorry.” He shakes his head.
“I’m so stupid. You weren’t even talking to work, were you?”
“Of course I was,” Kyle says.
“Yeah? Then why did Carly call my phone because you didn’t answer?”
Kyle looks stunned as he gets called out. After a few tense seconds, that I really wish I could get away from, Kyle’s expression turns to stone.
“Fine. It’s time I stopped hiding the truth. The spark is gone. It has been for months.”
“I know. That’s why we’re here.”
Kyle doesn’t say a word.
“Have you cheated on me?” Cato asks.
Kyle nods. “Yeah.”
Cato flinches but keeps his head up. “How many times?”
“You won’t like the answer.”
Cato looks around the bar, spotting a pitcher of water. He grabs it and proceeds to dump the contents on Kyle, who jumps off the stool, gasping as he’s covered in ice and water.
“What the fuck!”
“You piece of shit. I devoted myself to you. Why not just break up with me? Why cheat?”
Kyle glares at Cato. “It just seemed easier. I didn’t want to hurt you.”
“You didn’t want to hurt me?” Cato’s voice is near shrieking at this point.
He grabs the fruit tray I use for garnishes and dumps that on Kyle too.
Then he snatches the peanuts and tosses those as well.
And because I’m not down with cheaters, I hand him a carafe of orange juice. He takes it and douses Kyle once more.
“Enough,” Kyle yells, trying to brush food and liquid off his clothes. “I’m sorry, okay. It wasn’t right, but I felt trapped.”
Cato is seething. “Trapped?”
“You’re a great guy. On paper, it works. I’m just…not monogamous.”
“That would’ve been great information to share two years ago.” He rubs his forehead. “I can’t believe you would hit on the bartender right under my nose. That is disgusting. No offense,” he says to me.
“None taken.”
Cato sets his jaw. “You have approximately fifteen minutes to get your shit out of my room and get out of my face.”
“Why should I leave? I paid for the room too.”
“Are you even serious right now?”
Kyle glances around the bar at all the eyes watching this crap show go down.
“Dude, you should go,” I whisper.
Kyle glares at me. “I’ll leave, but you should know something.”
Cato continues to seethe.
“If you’d taken your head out of the clouds and your business for ten minutes, you might have noticed us drifting apart before it came to this.”