Chapter 14
CHAPTER 14
ATOM
C lara called and told me she would meet me later. Something came up that she would talk about when we meet, so I head to the gym instead. I like to work out. It feeds my adrenalin rush and after last night, I am invincible.
Some may say I was a fool for waiting for a woman like Clara when there are easy pickings being offered every day. I disagree. It made it count for something. Was a sweeter experience because we experienced it together. I regret nothing and as I lift the weights, it’s with a deep sense of satisfaction that everything is going right with my world.
“Hey man.”
Razor takes the bench beside me.
“How did it go last night?”
He is the only person I told and I smirk, “It turned out well. Clara is my woman now.”
“I’m happy for you bro but–”
“What?”
I’m aware he has doubts. They all do and this won’t be new to me.
“I’m sorry to burst your bubble man, but I hooked up with Ginny last night after her shift at The Rubens Club.”
Ginny is one of Razor’s go to girls and they kind of use one another for sex. She is a classy woman who works as a waitress at the gentleman’s club and has a desire to succeed. Razor is her guilty pleasure, and he indulges her fantasies. They are good together, but neither of them see it like that and just enjoy the ride while it lasts.
“Why would that burst my bubble?”
I heave the weights and he lowers his voice.
“Charles Santobello.”
“Should I know the name?”
“He’s just moved into town with his family.”
“And that concerns me because?”
“Because he has a son who, according to Ginny, was bragging at the club that he was taking your girl on a date today.”
“She heard that wrong.”
I place the weights back on the stand and sit astride the bench, facing him with a scowl.
“What else did he say?”
“Ginny said he was a rich prick who only joined yesterday and wasted no time in shooting his mouth off. He was asking questions, too many questions about how it works around here. He got into conversation with Dominic Riley and Ginny overheard him telling him he had Clara in the palm of his hand. That his intentions were to secure the best wife in town and his sight is set on her.”
Razor sighs heavily. “Like I said, I’m sorry, man.”
“Don’t be.” I shrug. “Be sorry if it happens, not before. Clara is her own woman who can make her own decisions. I’m not worried.”
He nods and selects his weights, leaving me to pound out my frustration on the rowing machine.
I’m aware we will face many obstacles in our struggle to be together, but even I never anticipated they would hit us this early on.
Michael Santobello. I’ll remember that name because if our paths cross – which they will undoubtedly do if he has designs on my woman – I will be ready for him.
When I head home to shower before meeting Clara, I find Tanya eating lunch, surrounded by the usual mess she makes.
“Don’t you ever clean up?”
“Don’t you ever shut up.”
For some reason, it makes us both laugh and as I take a seat at the table, I reach for the pot of coffee.
“Have you come across a man called Michael Santobello?”
I’m not sure why I’m asking Tanya but she is normally happy to spill the tea, as they say.
“The last name is familiar, but I don’t know the first.”
“So his father, Charles Santobello.”
“Yeah. Smooth talking criminal if ever I saw one. He came into Singles a couple of nights ago and booked Chrissie for a private dance.”
“Any gossip?”
“What’s this, Atom? You into gossip now?”
She grins and shakes her head. “As it happens, yes. He offered her a job.”
“Doing what?”
She rolls her eyes. “What do you think? It turns out he’s opening his own strip club in town and is recruiting. He asked her to spread the word and I’m considering applying.”
I shake my head. “You should really aim a little higher, sis. This is beneath you.”
“Where else can I earn the money I make? Nice try Atom, but I’m not interested.”
She shrugs, pushing her half eaten plate away.
“I’m giving it a shot. The money is good, and she told me he slipped her five big ones for her trouble.”
“Anything else?”
“He slipped her his dick too, if that’s what you mean.”
I groan. “Spare me the details. No, anything else on the family?”
“He has a son. He told Chrissie he would recommend her to him. You talk about classy, that’s seriously sick.”
“I have heard enough.”
She stands and leaves her plate where it is.
“Anyway, I’m heading into town. Can I fetch you anything?”
“I’m good, but thanks for asking.”
She makes to leave and then hesitates before turning back and smiling wistfully. “You know, Atom, this was nice. We don’t talk enough.”
She doesn’t wait for a reply and heads out, leaving me tripping on her words.
I wonder when we lost touch with one another and our relationship headed south. We were once close and perhaps we could be again. I hate her life, but I kind of understand it too. Tanya was never academic and had none of the opportunities in life Clara had and I suppose is doing what comes naturally for monetary gain. I wonder if it makes her happy, though?
My thoughts immediately turn to the information she gave me and something stirs deep inside. Santobello. That name spells trouble for me and not just because of Clara. It’s as if Tanya opened Pandora’s box and what’s inside will waft across this town like a virus. Something isn’t sitting well with me and right now, in this moment, I don’t know what the fuck to do about it.