Chapter Nine #2
“No, don’t even go there,” I scolded. Fantasizing about Jaxon would only get me into trouble. “You told him no sex, so stop thinking about it. He wants to talk. And you already know he’s not into a relationship. This is all for show.”
I yawned and went to bed.
**
Thursdays were the unofficial start of the weekend at Sweeny’s, so I made sure to get there early to prep. Tony came before his shift, and I waved him over.
“Hey. Can’t wait to get to work, huh?”
Ignoring my question, he leaned on the bar. “How was your night? Did you go to the benefit?”
My eyes narrowed. Why did I feel like he knew the answer?
“I did. It was nice.”
“Mmm. Was it crowded?”
I folded my arms. “Yes.”
His grin turned cheesy. “C’mon, Theo. Tell me about The Cutting Edge.”
“What? How did—”
“Ashley’s best friend, Britney, is a server there. She said you had dinner with Jaxon Polaris, and you looked like you were having a great time.”
Dammit. Spies were everywhere.
“We were hungry.”
“How did that happen? Are you dating? I knew he was into you.”
Hoping to stop the flow of words, I put my hands up. “Enough with the third degree. It was a nice dinner, we’re not dating, and I don’t know about him being into me. How about you cut up some lemons and limes while I get the snacks ready?”
“Bet he shows up here later.”
I wasn’t about to confirm or deny, so I busied myself filling bowls with the pretzel and chip mix I used for the bar. It took Tony a minute to realize I had no intention of answering him, and he finally took the hint and started to slice the fruits.
“Britney said it looked like you two had a nice dinner.”
Lips pressed tight, I dumped the chips in the large bowl and crumpled the bag as I handed him the sectioned containers. “You can put the fruits here.”
Tony persisted. “I think you ought to go for it. You work too damn hard and never have any downtime or fun.”
At that, I mustered up the best glare I could.
“I’m sure not having fun now.”
Of course, Tony remained undeterred. “So the guy’s got a rep as a player. Big deal. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
“I don’t want to be another notch on his bedpost,” I muttered and froze. Did I say that out loud? I sneaked a glance at Tony, who stood there grinning at me. Guess I did. Dammit.
“Can I ask you something?”
“If I say no, you’re not going to listen to me, so…” I grumbled, and Tony chuckled.
“I’m asking as a friend. I’ve been working here for over three years now, and you never talked about dating or seeing anyone. Do you want a boyfriend? If not, then fine, I’ll shut up, but from things you’ve said in the past, I don’t think that’s the case.”
I’d gone through most of my life alone, so to hear Tony say he was a friend made me emotional, so I turned my head to stop him from seeing me struggle not to lose it before answering.
“I sometimes think maybe the time’s passed for me.”
“That’s bullshit,” Tony responded angrily. “It’s never too late. My mom’s in her late fifties, and she’s got more dates than ever.”
It was the first time Tony and I were delving into personal matters. I knew about his girlfriend because she’d stopped by many times, and he’d talk about her, but we rarely did more than greet each other and chat about the weather.
“I didn’t know that.” There was no delicate way to ask about his father’s whereabouts, but Tony was forthright.
“I never knew my dad—he and my mom got married, and she found out she was pregnant after he went to Afghanistan. He was killed by an IED and didn’t get to come home.”
My heart plummeted. “I’m so sorry.”
His smile came and went like quicksilver. “Thanks. I shouldn’t miss what I never had, but it’s hard sometimes. I feel worse for my mom. She put her life on hold for me when I was growing up, and it’s her turn now. Like it’s yours.”
“Mine?”
“Yeah. You had your father, and taking care of him was hard. We all knew that. You deserve to enjoy life, and if that means a fling with Jaxon, why the hell not?”
Why the hell not, indeed.
Could I tell him about Jaxon’s proposition, or would he think I was a fool? I already knew Jet’s opinion, but Harte was of the opposite mindset. A third opinion might help me decide.
“Can I ask you your opinion on something? But you have to promise me not to say anything to anyone.”
Perhaps it was my tone or my expression, but Tony’s brows pulled together, and he frowned. “Yeah, sure. What’s wrong?”
“I’d like you to tell me what you’d do.”
I explained Jaxon’s proposal, watching his face carefully to gauge his reaction.
“Whoa. Okay, that’s a lot to take in.”
“Yeah. But what do you think?”
Tony swung onto one of the barstools and propped his chin in his hands.
“Well, he’s told you everything, which is a good thing. I mean, he could’ve been shitty and lied about it.”
“True,” I conceded. “But don’t you think it’s wrong of him to deceive the public, especially if he’s going for a judgeship?”
“Eh,” Tony waved off my comment with nonchalance.
“If he were lying about his qualifications or his record, that’d be one thing, but he’s doing it because people still have a stick up their asses about gay people.
I say fuck ’em. You’re not hurting anyone.
” He flashed me a mischievous grin. “In the meantime, you’ll have a hot boyfriend. ”
“Not really,” I pointed out. “It’ll all be for show.”
Tony snorted. “I’ve said it before. The guy is into you. If you wanted, I bet you could get some.”
“Stop it.” I checked my watch. “Time to open.”
I left him and hustled from behind the bar to unlock the front doors and flick on the illuminated outdoor signs.
An hour later, Sweeny’s was humming with customers ordering dinner and drinks.
The Blades were playing, as were the Hoops, so Tony and Freddy, who came in at seven for an extra night, were working hard, and I was alone at the bar.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jet enter—holding hands with Harte—followed by two other men who looked vaguely familiar from the GAINS event.
I hated to admit all their faces blurred together.
They all made a beeline for me but had to wait as I was pouring beers for another couple.
“Here you go.” I pushed the frosty mugs over to the two men waiting.
“Thanks, Theo.” Simon Wolf, who owned the greeting card store at the center of town, gave me a twenty. “Keep the change. By the way, this is my college roommate, Phoenix. Nix, this is Theo.”
The big man extended his hand and gave me a bone-crushing grip. “How’s it going?”
I flexed my fingers. “G-good. Nice to meet you.”
“Nix is a quarterback with the L.A. Stars but might be moving East.”
“Don’t jinx it, Si,” Nix grumbled. “Nothing’s confirmed yet.”
I cocked my head, confused. “Nearby?”
“A possibility. I never like to talk about anything until it’s official.”
“Nix? That you?”
Phoenix turned to face the four men. “Rip? I thought you left to go back to the city.”
“Adrian had a story he was working on, but I decided to stay up here to check out some houses. We’re thinking of getting a home in the area.”
“Cool.”
Jet caught my eye and leaned in close to Harte. “Babe, grab that corner table for us? I just have to tell Theo something.”
The others left, but not before I saw Harte and Jet nod to each other, and I braced myself. I had a feeling I was about to receive another lecture from Jet. I was busy with the register, but he waited patiently, and after refilling the snack bowls I couldn’t stall any longer.
“What’s up?” I pasted a pleasant smile on my face. “I had a nice time last night at the benefit. I hope you raised a lot of money.”
“We did. And I was glad you came.”
“Me too.”
I waited for what I knew was coming while Jet shifted from foot to foot.
“So, look. I gotta apologize. I had no right to butt into your private life. You’re smart enough to make your own decisions.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that.”
“I thought I was acting as a friend, but a true friend listens and doesn’t judge when you say you know what you’re doing. If you’re satisfied with Jaxon’s proposal, I should back off and trust your judgment. So I am.”
In high school, I was the outsider. Popular guys like Jet, who were on the football team, were invited to the parties I’d only hear about in the hallways Monday mornings. Now, at forty, I might still not be sure of myself, but it was nice to know other people cared.
“I haven’t decided what I’m going to do. I’m trying to figure it out.”
“Make sure it’s what you want. And whatever it is, you have Harte’s and my full support.”
Overwhelmed by his kindness, I smiled with relief. “Thanks. That means the world to me.”
He left me to join Harte and his friends, and for the rest of the night, as I served customers, I weighed my misgivings against what Tony had said.
My heart sank as I recognized Jaxon’s potential opponent, George Winston, sauntering in.
He glanced around, and a smirk tipped up the corner of his lips.
“Evening. No Jaxon? I’m surprised. Getting toward closing time, isn’t it?”
“He’ll be here. He works late every night.” I laughed at defending Jaxon like a true boyfriend. “Can I get you anything?”
“Just a ginger ale.”
He sat at the end of the bar with his glass in hand and eyes pinned to the door, and I couldn’t deny it. I disliked this man for the simple reason that I knew he was here to try and trip Jaxon up.
Fifteen minutes until closing, and I’d half given up on Jaxon showing. I texted him that George was waiting at the bar. He answered immediately:
No worries. I had a stop to make. I’ll be there in a minute.
He walked in and made a beeline for me. In his hand was a single red rose.
“For you.”
I heard the murmurings at the bar, mostly from the women.
“Oh my God, that’s so romantic.”
“I didn’t know they were dating. They’re so hot together.”
“Why don’t you ever do anything like that for me?”
“Th-thanks.” I sniffed it, and when I met his warm, appreciative blue eyes, I knew I was going to say yes to anything he asked.
God help me, I’m in trouble.