Chapter 2
Maren
“You just quit?” Sadie asks, mad as hell that I didn’t tell her.
“Yes. I can’t judge dance competitions anymore.
It is literally sucking the love of dance right out of me.
I traveled six hours to a dance competition last weekend, just to show up to a small event where all the teams were in their own division and took first place by default. I didn’t even need to be there.”
My heart rate picks up just thinking of returning to that job. As much as I love to dance, this side of it makes my skin crawl. I’m craving a change. I just don’t know what change that is.
“I know you are on a journey of self discovery and shit, but that doesn’t pay the rent, Mare, and I can’t afford to cover your half.” Her voice is laced with frustration, and I don’t blame her.
“The last three events have gotten cancelled. It hasn’t been reliable in a while.
Plus, I picked up extra shifts at Ruby’s, and the tips have been great lately.
Tourist traffic is up, and what better place to try and rub elbows with a fancy Moonshot, than at the local bar across the street from the stadium, right?
” I’m sure she can sense the sarcasm, even though she doesn’t let an ounce of amusement show.
I walk over to the key holder by the door and grab my keys. “Look, babe, I’m even heading over there right now. Picked up a shift this morning.”
“How do I know you didn’t just get a job there so you could rub elbows with a fancy Moonshot?”
I spin back around ignoring her sarcasm, urgency in my voice. “I almost forgot. Did you see Sloan’s live this morning? I was literally doom scrolling while I was laying in bed, and real life porn popped up.” I cringe.
“What?” Sadie gasps.
“She was doing an interview with that hot one, with the tattoos, and he was telling her how much he loved the studio, and then he walked in and his girlfriend was banging another player. You could see the whole thing reflecting in the mirror behind him, but all I could focus on was his face. He looked absolutely destroyed.”
“He just stood there, watching her have sex?”
“No, he walked out after a few seconds and then another player grabbed the phone from him and finished the interview.” I shake my head. “Anyways, Ruby called to see if I could come in tonight, because apparently the team booked a table with bottle service right after it happened.”
“Ruby’s has bottle service? Since when?” she asks, clearly curious.
“Since the half naked dancing baseball team across the street requested it.”
“Who’s providing the bottle service?”
I throw my hands in the air and strike a little tada like pose, indicating I am the lucky one who will get all the tips tonight.
“See, I told you. The tips are great lately, and after tonight, I’ll hopefully be set to cover my half of the rent.”
I give her a quick hug and walk towards the door. “Come in later, maybe you can meet a fancy player too.”
“You better brush up on baseball before they come in. You sounded ridiculous a few minutes ago. Don’t embarrass yourself. They won’t tip you if they think you’re just another cleat chaser.”
I pause and turn one more time before leaving the apartment. “What in the hell is a cleat chaser?”
“My point, exactly. Love you!” Sadie smiles and walks towards her bedroom.
Walking into Ruby’s I'm surprised. It’s busier than it’s been, well ever. Word travels fast in a small beach town, and no one loves drama more than the locals.
When I got here Ruby had me set up a tacky red rope she got at the local party depot to block off a few booths in the back corner. Maybe this will offer them the privacy they are looking for. Probably not. I laugh.
I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. Sadie has been sending me baseball cheat sheets she found online since I left.
“Mare,” Ruby calls over to me. “They’re here,” she mouths from the bar, pointing towards the door.
I’m not quite sure why she’s so nervous. Ruby has been in business for over 30 years, and is the only bar in Mango Bay. The Moonshots have been here dozens of times.
I hurry over to where they are waiting and introduce myself.
“Hi guys. I’m Maren. If you’ll follow me, I can take you back to our VIP area, and can get you some food and your first bottle or two.” I think that sounds right. I’ve never provided bottle service before, so I just go with it.
I offer them my most confident smile as I scan the group before escorting them to the back of the bar.
They are all super friendly and talk amongst themselves as I escort them back to their section. When we get there, they all look around and smile.
“Man, Ruby even pulled out the red velvet rope for us.” The tall blond smiles, and I think his name is Jax. “She really outdid herself. I was just expecting her to allow us to purchase drinks by the bottle when I called.”
That makes me chuckle.
“That’s what happens when you flash your sparkly smile,” one of the other players says as he sandwiches Jax’s cheeks between his thumb and middle finger, moving from side to side like a grandmother cooing over a baby.
“I can take your order real quick. And let me know if the breeze gets too cold. I can close the door.”
Ruby’s sits right on the beach, with tall garage doors on all sides, so that when the weather holds up and all the doors are open, it feels like a beachside cabana with some of the best food and drinks this small town has to offer.
It’s the perfect set up. You can hear the waves crashing in the background, and smell the salt water in the air. It is warm and crisp, the perfect getaway, even for locals.
“Can we get some crab cakes, wet fries, and coconut shrimp?” Jax smiles. Clearly he is the one in charge tonight. “Oh, and let’s start with your best bottle of whiskey and a few glasses with ice.”
“Only one bottle?” I ask, looking around at the group of about 15 men.
“Yeah, I don’t want to go balls to the wall right off the bat. Let’s ease into the night.” He winks.
I watch them as I put their order in on the computer a few feet away. I like to get a good read on my tables before I really interact with them.
At first it’s hard for me to spot Oscar Rodriguez, the infamous short stop.
I think that’s his name. Shit, I do need to learn more about this team.
I’m not quite sure how I missed him. Of all of the Mango Ball players, he is the closest to my type.
He’s the definition of tall, dark and handsome with tattoos covering his arms, and a short beard that makes his smile shine.
And honestly, his smile is the thing that surprises me the most. I was expecting him to be more devastated after seeing the haunted look in his eyes when he walked in the studio on screen.
I shift my focus and watch him the most, and realize he’s hiding behind armor.
He retreats every time the conversation picks up around him, like he’s trying to crawl inside himself and hide.
Whenever someone says something to him, his eyes move slower than the rest of his face, stuck in thought.
Then he quickly rebounds—joking, smiling even though it doesn’t reach his eyes.
I watch an exchange unfold, glad he has a friend tonight.
“Are you ok?” Jax mouths to him, as if he doesn’t want anyone else to hear.
“Just looking for a good time.” His words don’t match his demeanor. “There’s a lot of talent here.” He smiles again, but it still looks forced.
I roll my eyes at his words and then walk back over to the table. My hands are full with a tray carrying the bottle of chilled whiskey, glasses and ice.
Since it’s the only space large enough for me to reach the table, I squeeze in between him and the guy sitting next to him to place the glasses down one by one. And to my surprise, or maybe not, he rests his hand on the small of my back.
Bold move.
When I look down towards the contact, he curls his fingers slightly pulling away. “Just wanted to make sure you were steady on your feet.” He smiles up at me, and the way his lips curl all lopsided, makes my knees weak.
“This isn’t my first time delivering drinks to a crowded table,” I say as I set the bottle down and walk away, deciding to set boundaries early. He looks ready for a rebound.
As I move towards the kitchen to grab their appetizers, I hear laughter and chuckles as they all razz him for getting put in his place.
They all seem so down to earth and friendly. I’m surprised they put up with him acting the way he is. Maybe they’re just giving him grace given the situation.
I wonder what he was like before this happened.
“Here are your app—” I stop short of the table, assessing a good open place to set the food. There are glasses all over the table and now the crowd has gotten a little bigger. Several women are surrounding the table, some of them dressed in less than I would wear to the beach.
These must be the cleat chasers Sadie was talking about.
Deciding that getting the food on the actual table is going to be a feat, I set up the food buffet style on the counter behind them. Usually bar style seating gives customers a great view while they eat, but given this section is now VIP, we won’t be seating anyone there tonight.
I stack the bar stools in the corner to make more room and then make my way back over to the table.
“I set up your food over there. There are small plates and napkins, and silverware is on your table. I’ll be back in a bit.”
“Thank you,” one of the other players says in my direction.
“I’ll be counting the seconds.” Oscar yells to me over the crowd with a sly smile. Literally paying no attention to the redhead wearing what looks like lingerie sitting on his lap kissing his neck.
I roll my eyes and walk away.
What a dick.
I know one thing for sure—this is not the change I was looking for.