6. Mateo
Chapter six
Mateo
I wake up the next morning with a headache. Last night was not something I’d expected. When I agreed to go to the bar with Alex, I thought we would just have a few drinks and then I would escape, returning to my home where I don’t have to pretend to like anyone. Instead, I had a pleasant surprise when I arrived. Cecilia works there.
A smile comes to my face when I remember the look on hers when she saw me. I was blown away by how beautiful she looked. When I’d left the gym earlier, part of me was hoping that it was just an infatuation that I’d be able to forget after getting laid. But the moment I saw her again, I knew that wasn’t the case. She is meant for me, and I’ll make her mine. Even if I have to prove it to her every day.
The alarm on my phone finally goes off. I need to get to work. Forcing myself to climb out of bed, I head to the kitchen. These days in my older age, a few beers seem to give me a headache the next day. Ugh. I wasn’t even drunk last night. Pouring myself a glass of water, I grab some ibuprofen from the cabinet. The next cure on my list is to make myself a cup of coffee. Thankfully, I had the foresight to get the coffeepot ready before I left for the bar and with a push of a button, it starts to brew.
My mind drifts back to the new gorgeous girl in town. She’s younger than me. If I had to guess, she looks to be in her early twenties, which would make me ten years older than her. I let out a moan as I run my hand down my face. Shit, I should probably leave her alone, but that’s not happening. I’ve never been drawn to anyone like this before. Alex was right yesterday when he said I take care of everyone else. Now I want to take care of Cecilia. I’m too old and tired to fight what I feel for her.
I grab the pot once it’s done and pour myself a cup. I need to come up with a plan to get Cecilia to see that I want her. Hopefully she’ll keep coming to the gym and I can use the classes to get closer to her. If not, at least I know where she works. Yesterday, I told Dexter he would take over the class but now I’m thinking I’ll teach it a little bit longer first. A small smirk spreads across my face that feels a little unnatural, but I’ve noticed myself doing this more lately, ever since a pretty girl came into my life.
I glance at the clock and let out a sigh. Time for me to get to work.
Sitting in my office, I run my hand through my brown hair. Today has been a fucking shit show. Everything that could go wrong today did. One of the treadmills broke, which isn’t a huge deal, but does put that section down from three to two. I have to call someone to come out and fix it, which I hate having to do. Then it’s inevitable that some stupid ass doesn’t pay attention and tries to use it, and when it doesn’t work, wants to complain.
I rub my temples as I look at the timesheets in front of me. And if the treadmills weren’t enough, two of my employees called in sick, leaving me to instruct a few of the classes they run. Classes are something I hate doing. I usually leave those to Dex and our other employees. I do better with just training the fighters and the paperwork side of the gym and why I hired the staff. So, I could avoid times like this.
To top it all off, Cecilia didn’t show up for the next class after seeing her at the bar last night. I bet she’s avoiding me, but she won’t be able to for long.
A vibration in my pocket pulls me from my pity party and I see my dad’s name flash across the screen. Damn, I’m not sure I have the energy to deal with him, but I know if I ignore him, he’ll just keep calling me. “Hey, Dad.”
“Mateo. I have a few more fighters for you to train.”
My body relaxes a little when he starts talking about training fighters. I was worried he was going to try to get me to launder money for him again. I don’t want any part in that. Dexter cut him off recently, which actually has forced our dad to take a break from pushing us into the illegal crap that he is involved with.
Dexter told me that when he went to confront him that Dad’s bosses, Zeev and his wife, were there. They weren’t impressed by what Dad was doing, which is probably why he’s backed off some, needing to get back into their good graces.
“Have them come tomorrow around six, so I can assess where they need to train.”
“I’ll tell them.” He lets out an exasperated breath, forcing me to brace for what he might say next. “Mateo, I need you to talk to Dexter for me.”
My whole body stiffens at his request. I’m not sure I want to do that. What he did was unforgiveable. If I was Dexter, I would’ve done the same.
“I don’t want to get involved.”
“I just need you to convince him to fight again. He’s the best.”
He’s not wrong. Dexter is amazing, but his heart has never been in it. I don’t want to be a part of anything that makes him miserable. And even though this is something our father should be thinking of, it’s always been my responsibility to make sure he was taken care of.
I let out another shaky breath. “No, I’m not going to convince him. If he wants to fight, he knows he just has to say something. He’s happy now. Leave him be.”
“But Mateo…”
It’s one thing for him to bother me with shit, but I draw the line at my brothers and he knows it. My voice drops when I forcefully cut him off. “No. Listen to me. If I find out that you’re bothering him about this shit, I’ll stop training your fighters. Do you hear me?”
He doesn’t answer for a little while, but I can hear his heavy breathing on the other end. “Fine.” The word comes out roughly before the line clicks dead.
I don’t give a shit if he’s happy or not. I have more important things to take care of instead of worrying about him. I glance back over at all the paperwork I still need to finish, though that’s the last thing I want to do. I grab my keys. It’s time for me to see my Pretty Girl.