Chapter 3
Chapter Three
CATO
“I’m fine, Wes. Really. I don’t need you to come out here.”
“Are you sure? Maybe I can find him at the airport and beat his ass.”
“And get arrested. Not worth it.”
“True, but what a dickhead. I’m so disappointed. I feel like it’s all my fault for fixing you up. Bestie fail.”
“No, it’s Kyle’s fault for putting his dick in other people. You should’ve heard him too. He literally asked the bartender what he had to do to get in his pants. Granted, the bartender is stupid-hot, but still.”
“Ugh. You know what you need to do, right?”
“Order every dessert on the menu and cry into my cheesecake?”
“Um, no, sister. You need a hot, rebound vacation fling.”
“Stop it. That’s not my style.”
“I know. All the more reason to do it. You know the saying, to get over someone, get under someone else.”
Exhaling, I drag my fingers through my hair. “I don’t know. I’m not bold enough to come on to someone.”
“You don’t have to be. Just sit there being pretty like you are. They’ll come to you.”
Smiling, I lie back on the bed. “Maybe. I’m gonna have dinner with the bartender tonight.”
“What? How could you not lead with that?”
“Because it’s not important. He just feels sorry for me. He had to witness the whole debacle. I only said yes because what else am I gonna do? At least I’ll have company.”
“The stupid-hot bartender?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, well, this sounds promising. Hot bartenders are the perfect antidote for bruised hearts. If he wants to do more than eat, please let him.”
“He doesn’t. He’s being nice.”
“Okay, but maybe something will happen. You never know.”
“You have a point.”
“When was the last time Kyle—gag—made you scream?”
“Uh, never. Our sex life was nice, but it wasn’t epic by any means. Now that I think about it, it was always about his nut, not mine.”
“Even more reason not to like him. Listen, Cato. What if, just hear me out, sexy bartender dude could turn your world upside down, at least for a night? Wouldn’t that be a nice head start to getting your groove back?”
“Another valid point. I’m just not sure I can see myself getting naked with someone new this soon. I have lube and condoms, and I even bought sexy underwear, but it was all for Kyle.”
“Who’s a cold-hearted snake. I get it. The wound is fresh, but you are gorgeous, baby. Even Kyle couldn’t resist that face. You don’t have to fall in love. You can just get railed and come back ready to slay.”
I laugh. “It’s starting to sound like a good idea.”
“I know, right? Also, bless that you continued using condoms with that snake.”
“Right? At least I’ve got that going for me. Kyle was way too afraid of STDs to take a chance like that.”
“The only redeeming factor in all of this. Back to the hot bartender. You’re gonna stay open?”
Rubbing my forehead, I imagine for just a second what the bartender’s full lips would feel like on my skin. God, please let that man be a top. At least vers.
“I’m in.”
Wes squeals. “Yes, queen. I’m so proud of you.”
“You’re right. Hooking up with some hot guy for the weekend is pure fun, and I could use a little.”
“That’s the spirit. I’ll expect updates.”
“You’ll get them.”
“And from this day forward, we shall no longer use the name of the snake. He doesn’t deserve to have his name in your mouth.”
“Good plan. Thanks for talking.”
“You know it goes without saying. I will always be here for you. Take it easy and please be that way.”
I laugh at Wes’s ubiquitous sign-off. “I’ll do my best. Bye.”
I end the call just as there’s a knock on my door. I bristle, hoping it’s not Kyle trying to slither his way back. I open the door, taking a step back when I see who it is.
“Hello.”
The sexy bartender smiles. “Hi.”
“Uh, what can I do for you? Do you need to cancel for tonight?”
“Nope. I have good news. The front desk wants to offer you a room upgrade.”
“Oh? Why?”
“Let’s just say we thought it would be a nice fresh start to your weekend.”
“That’s really nice. Your doing?”
“I didn’t act alone. I can take you to your new room.”
“Sure. That’s great. I’m not even unpacked, so let me just grab my suitcase.”
I gather the few things I have then turn to face Tigo, who is leaning against the door, simply watching me.
Now that I have a moment to think, it settles in that in just a few hours, I’ll be having dinner with this stunning man.
I don’t know what we’ll talk about, but I kind of don’t care. Staring at him would be sufficient.
“I’m ready.”
Tigo smiles. “Cool. Let’s go.”
He holds the door, grabbing my carry-on from me.
“It’s a good walk from here,” Tigo says.
I wonder what we’ll talk about tonight. Do we have things in common?
Wes’s teasing flits through my mind, my body warming from just the thought of touching Tigo.
He’s so hot. I thought Kyle was damn near perfect, but more than once, my friends and family called him shallow and his looks artificial.
Tigo is all man, and at least at this point, doesn’t seem to have a pretentious bone in his body.
“How long have you worked here?”
Tigo glances over his shoulder at me. “Years. I had planned to take it as a temporary job, but I loved it so much, I stayed.”
“Why temporary?”
“Oh, you know. I’m an artist. Well, I was.”
I notice how his happy disposition slips on that last part. I want to question that but decide against it. For some reason—one that doesn’t make sense to me—I want to be why he smiles again.
“It’s a family here,” Tigo continues, brightening up again. “A quirky, slightly dysfunctional one, but it works. These people have my back, and I have theirs.”
“Unusual for a workplace.”
“Exactly. What do you do for work?”
“I’m a freelance writer.”
“Oh yeah?” We step to the side of the path to let two people pass us. “What do you write?”
“At this point, anything. Trying to build a name for myself.”
“Ah. What’s your passion though?”
I laugh to myself. There’s no way I can tell him, especially after Kyle’s less than favorable reaction to it. “Ask me after a few drinks. I might be brave enough then.”
Tigo laughs. “Intriguing.” We turn a corner, and he stops in front of a building. “Here we go. The Sunset Suite, aptly named for the natural show come sundown.”
“This is really nice.”
Tigo opens the door, standing to the side to let me through. I pause, taking it all in. This is nothing like the worn-down room I just left. It has a separate sitting room that leads to a bedroom.
“Wow. This is incredible.”
Tigo nods, setting my bag on the loveseat. “It was recently remodeled. A pipe broke and flooded the whole thing. It’s our nicest room on the grounds.”
“I’m overwhelmed that I get to stay here. Any price difference?”
“Nah, man. We upgraded you.” He frowns, shifting on his feet. “Uh, I don’t know if I should tell you, but I figure I will in case that Kyle tries to get you back.”
I tilt my head, waiting for more.
“He tried to cancel the reservation and get his money back, but Lani saw that your card was on file. He wanted to leave you without a room at all. He was super pissy when he stomped out.”
I exhale, shaking my head. “I can’t believe I was with someone so callous. Of course I paid for it. It was my idea.”
“Sorry.”
I shrug. “It’s fine. Better to find out now than not at all. At least we didn’t spend the weekend fucking.” I scrunch my nose. “Sorry. That was crass.”
“Not at all. I get it. Come here. This might lift your spirits.”
I follow him through the room to the bedroom. It’s super lush and decorated in pastel creams and blues. I don’t have time to take in all the details before Tigo pulls back the drapes, revealing a patio. When he opens the door, a warm, salt-tinged breeze drifts over us. I immediately smile.
“You can smell the ocean from here,” Tigo says. “Great view too, and like I said, when the sun goes down, it’s really pretty.”
“Wow.” I walk forward and lean on the railing. “It feels like a world away from where I live.”
“Where is that?”
“Phoenix.”
“Do you like it there?”
I shrug, glancing at him as he moves to stand beside me. “It’s just where I live.”
Tigo is watching me, seemingly studying me as his eyes hold my gaze. “Kyle didn’t deserve you. I hope you know that. You didn’t fail. He did.”
“Thanks, but for all you know, I could be a dick. Or worthless in bed.”
The grin on his face feels like a challenge. He doesn’t say anything, but my brain is already undressing him and onboard with this vacation fling idea.
“I’ll let you get settled. See you around six-thirty?”
“Sounds good. Thanks again.”
“My pleasure.”
Once he’s gone, I flop back on the super-comfy bed.
This is a vast improvement from the previous room.
Too bad I’m alone in it. It’s hours before dinner, and I haven’t had anything to eat today.
I’ll unpack a few things then head to the on-site restaurant for a quick bite.
Then maybe I’ll go to the pool for a few hours and just chill before my…
date? Sympathy meal? Potential fuck? Hell if I know what tonight with Tigo is, but I’m definitely invested in finding out.
On my way to the restaurant, a loud sound to my left gets my attention.
I turn to see a man standing in front of a couple waving his hands as he talks.
The male in the couple looks pissed, based on his tense expression and red cheeks.
The woman seems nervous as her eyes shift between the two men.
Then the husband, I assume, grabs the worker’s shirt collar.
I hurry over to hopefully avoid an altercation.
“Everything okay?” I ask as all three people look at me.
The husband loosens his grip, and the worker takes the opportunity to literally run away. We watch him in shock as he disappears into the heavily landscaped courtyard.
“Uh…sorry?”
The man shakes his head. “I’m glad you interrupted, actually, before I got arrested for assault.”
“What happened?”
“Nothing. I swear nothing,” the woman answers, looking at her partner. “He’s just a flirt.”
“He can’t flirt with other men’s wives. I’m going to file a complaint.”
“Can’t we just let it go and enjoy our vacation?”
The man’s face softens. “Sure, but if I see him talk to you again…” The threat hangs in the air. The man nods at me. “Thanks.”
“No problem.”
I continue on my journey to the restaurant, nearly jumping out of my skin when I feel something around my ankle. “Fuck!”
“Shh…it’s me.”
I look down to see the worker hiding behind a bush.
“Is he gone?”
“Yeah, they went the other way.”
He stands, brushing leaves off his shirt. “Dude. You came in clutch. Mad props, yo.”
I tilt my head. “Um, you’re welcome?”
“All I said was she had a pretty smile. I wasn’t even trying to get her. He came out of nowhere, accusing me of flirting with her.”
I glance at his name tag. Oscar. “He said he was gonna complain.”
Oscar cringes. “Shit. I better head this one off. I was about to tell him I’m gay, hoping that would save me.”
“That might’ve helped.”
He grins, dragging his hand through sandy-brown waves. “Yeah, but it’s a lie.” He winks. “Thanks for saving my ass. If you need anything at all, lemme know.”
He bolts like a sprinter toward the lobby, leaving me chuckling. Colorful.
After a decent lunch, I decide to skip the pool and head back to my room.
Kicking back on the patio with a good book sounds like a better idea.
It’s slowly sinking in that I’m officially single.
No more Kyle. I don’t have to listen to him brag about his job and bank account, shooting me pitying looks and encouraging me to get a real job.
I no longer have to tolerate the skeptical looks from his mother whenever we‘re forced to eat with her. I don’t have to spend hours wondering what’s so interesting on his phone that he can’t even acknowledge my presence.
It’s the end of picky eating, never agreeing on what to watch, and feeling constantly inadequate.
I’m starting to wonder why I stayed so long.
Was I that blinded by his looks and charisma?
Apparently, yes. No one in my circle liked him.
Damn. I feel like a fool. I shake those thoughts away.
What’s done is done. My future is wide open now, and I can do with it what I want without Kyle’s critical semi-support.
It’s looking like this vacation was a better idea than I thought.