10. Dante
CHAPTER 10
Dante
I set the heavy box down on the floor in front of the refrigerator before sliding the bottles of beer toward the back of the shelf. It was slow for a Thursday night—a nice break from the typical non-stop routine. I was enjoying the rare peace and quiet. A cool rush of air reached me from the doorway, and I looked up as Murph and another guy walked in.
“Hey Murph. What’s up?” I called out.
“Dude, where have you been, bro? Haven’t seen you around.” Murph approached the bar and stuck out his hand to catch mine in a handshake.
I gestured around me. “This place has been keeping me busy. I’ve been working every night for the past two weeks.”
“That’s too bad. Think you can get someone to cover for you on Halloween? We’re planning a big bash, and it would be great if you could come.”
“I don’t know. I’ll have to see. Might be pretty crazy around here that night.”
“Yeah well, if you can make it, stop by.”
“Sounds good. Did you guys want something to drink?”
“Yeah, pour us two of the stouts, will you?” Murph and his friend each took a stool at the bar and sat down to wait.
I grabbed two pints and pulled the handle of the tap, letting the beer fill the glasses to the top. I set one down in front of Murph and the other in front of his friend.
“Thanks, man. You two know each other?” Murph asked.
I shook my head and stuck my hand out to shake the other guy’s. “Hey, I’m Dante.”
“Oliver,” he said, grasping my hand.
Murph took a long sip of his drink. “Oliver here is looking for a part-time job. Thought you might need some extra help around the bar.”
“I can check. Wyatt mentioned something about hiring another part-timer. You have any experience?”
“A bit. I worked at a pub back in Christchurch for a couple of years.”
“He’s a Kiwi.” Murph stuck his thumb out and gestured toward Oliver. “Fresh off the proverbial boat. Dude says the craziest fucking shit.”
Oliver punched Murph lightly in the chest. “Yeah, nah, fuckwit.”
“See what I mean?” Murph shook his head.
I grinned. “I like him already. Let me look into it. Why don’t you stop by next week?”
“Chur, bro.” Oliver raised his mug. “Sorry, I mean, thanks much.”
“No problem.” I grabbed a rag and began to wipe down the counter.
Murph leaned forward, placing his elbows on the bar. “I’ve been meaning to ask you something.”
“Yeah?”
“You seen much of Faith lately?”
I paused and looked over at him. “Why do you ask?”
“She’s kind of...” Murph seemed to struggle to find the right words.
“What? Special?” I asked.
Murph glared at me. “So, you’ve noticed, too?”
Damn. “Well, no, I mean, she’s hot, but that’s it.” Murph obviously had a thing for Faith. The last thing I needed was for him to think I wanted in on the running.
Murph took a long sip of his beer. “Yeah, she’s special all right. I’d appreciate it if you would, well… keep your distance. I’ve been working hard on her for over a year, and I think she’s getting close, dude, really close to cracking.”
In what kind of relationship would that be a good scenario—the girl close to cracking? “Wow, you must feel pretty great about that I guess.”
“Yeah, yeah I do.” Murph lowered his mug and gave me a pointed stare. “We’re clear then?”
Clear? As mud. “I think you’ve got the wrong impression, Murph. I’m not interested in Faith. She’s not exactly my type.”
“What, not good enough for you?”
“Nah, it’s not that. I’m just not really a relationship kind of guy. She doesn’t seem like the one-night stand variety.” More like the white picket fence in the suburbs, two-point-five kids, and a fluffy slobbery dog kind of gal.
Murph bobbed his head up and down in agreement. “You got that right. She’s high-class, douche bag. Way out of your league.”
“Whatever. She’s all yours, man.” How did Faith feel about Murph? Would she even be remotely interested in him? Based on what I knew of her, which wasn’t much, the guy didn’t seem like a match.
Murph smiled and raised his mug at me again before lifting it to his lips and draining it. He set it down with a slam. “Great. I knew we’d see eye to eye on this.” He threw a ten down on the counter. “Come on, let’s go. Hey Dante, keep the change. I really hope you can make it to the party.”
“Yeah, me too. Good luck with Faith.”
“I don’t need luck.” Murph made a fist and pounded on his heart. “I’ve got words, dude. That chick is totally into words, and I am so gonna rock her world.” He smiled and lifted his hand in a salute before he and Oliver turned toward the door.
I didn’t know what to make of the whole exchange. Murph was turning into an ass. From what I could tell, Faith could take care of herself against any unwanted advances by that creep. I paused, washcloth mid-swipe. But what if she actually liked him?
A twinge of something prickled in my gut, but I quickly brushed it off. I didn’t have the time or the desire to get involved with someone, not even someone like Faith Wainwright. Especially not Faith Wainwright.
I let myself think about her smart mouth for a moment, but that just got me thinking about what it might feel like to kiss her. Enough, already. I forced all thoughts of Faith out of my brain and walked through the back hallway to Wyatt’s office.
A sliver of light escaped through the crack under the door. As I lifted my hand to knock, the rumble of Wyatt’s deep laughter reached my ears. I paused, my fist in mid-air, as Lindsey said something too low for me to make out.
Damn, they must be at it again. I’d always liked Wyatt, but ever since he and Lindsey got married, he’d changed. She’d sanded away his rough edges, encouraged him to keep his fiery temper in check, and even had him talking about feelings and shit.
I was happy for Wyatt that he’d found his happily ever after. But the more time I spent around the two of them and their sugary sweet public displays of affection, the more alone I felt. Like something in my own life was missing.
Not wanting to interrupt whatever husband and wife moment they had going on, I took a step back. The distressed wooden floorboard creaked under my feet.
“Dante? You need something?” Wyatt asked.
Shit. “Just a quick question.”
The office chair squeaked, light footsteps came toward me, then Lindsey pulled the door open. “Come on in. We were just going over the staff schedule for next week.”
I followed her into the room and took a seat in front of the desk.
Wyatt patted his knee. “Come sit down, babe.”
Lindsey stepped around the desk to cup her husband’s cheek. “I’m going to head home. I’ve got to get that roast in the oven. See you in a bit?”
I looked to my left, intent on studying the beer sign on the wall. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Wyatt’s arms encircle his wife. I slid my gaze to the floor and shifted in the wooden chair as the unmistakable sound of lips meeting lips hit my ears.
“You know, I can come back later.” I grabbed the sides of the chair and began to stand.
“No, I’m leaving.” Lindsey gave me a teasing grin. “Sorry, I know how uncomfortable you get around the touchy feely stuff.”
Wyatt planted one more kiss on Lindsey’s lips and gave her a playful swat on the backside as she turned toward the door. “Just give him time. One of these days, even Dante will be a sucker for the mushy stuff.”
Lindsey wiggled her eyebrows. “We’ll see.” She grabbed her coat from the hook behind the door and blew a kiss to Wyatt, then disappeared down the hall.
“Damn, she’s got me wrapped around her pinky finger.” Wyatt shrugged his shoulders while a dopey grin played across his face.
“Yeah, what the hell happened?” Back in high school, Wyatt had been voted the least likely to settle down.
“I got tagged, bro. That fat little cherub with the bow and arrow got a clean shot straight through my heart. Wouldn’t have it any other way though.”
I shook my head. “Not me, dude. That chubby little bastard gets anywhere near me, and I’ll clip his fuckin’ wings.”
“Sometimes it’s not up to us. You think I ever envisioned myself settling down?” Wyatt spread his arms wide. “I’ve got obligations now—a wife, a business— hell, I’m even entertaining the thought of starting a family one of these days. I’m tellin’ you, you won’t see it coming.”
“Whatever. Listen, can we talk about schedules? This mentorship thing is kicking my ass, and I need to put in some extra time with my group.”
“Sure thing.” Wyatt shuffled the papers on his desk and pulled out a calendar. “Just mark down the nights you need off, and I’ll work around it.”
“Thanks.” As I copied the dates I’d be working the late shift into my phone, I thought about what Wyatt said. Maybe someday I’d allow myself to think about opening my heart up to a woman again. Someday after I left Newbridge and started rolling in the dough. Someday, a long damn time from now.