Chapter 6
CARLO
Sleep was non-existent last night. Spending the evening with Tania like that had energy pulsing through me like I’ve never felt before.
It’s so easy being with her, finding out we both love art, eating together, laughing at the TV.
I knew I liked her and thought she was insanely beautiful just from our brief interactions at work, but getting to know her like this is making me fucking ache for her.
It was maddening knowing she was just in the next bedroom.
We kept our doors slightly ajar so that Morticia and Gomez could sleep wherever they wanted, and still be able to get to their litterbox.
At one point Gomez jumped right onto my crotch, claws and all, and I had a moment of wondering if I’d ever be able to have children if I wanted to.
Then he settled into the crook of my neck, and we came to a truce.
This morning she got up well before me to put on a pot of coffee for us before feeding the cats and getting ready.
She looked tired too, and I wonder if she was just as affected as me last night.
We leave in separate cars because I’m going right from work to meet Taran for a drink.
On the way to work, she follows me into the local hardware store so that I can have a set of keys to my apartment made for her.
Once we get into the hub, we go to chat a little with Ray before we need to start checking our trucks and checking in with our loaders.
He eyes us both with so much scrutiny it almost makes me squirm.
Does he think I’m going to take advantage of her or something?
Or that her living with me is a bad idea? She didn’t seem to have much choice.
“How was the first night as roommates, you two?” He asks it low enough so that no one else can hear, which I appreciate.
I don’t think Tania and I want rumors to start swirling if people find out we’re temporarily living together.
Tania at least probably doesn’t want rumors, I’d be fine with people thinking we’re together. She looks at me with a little smile.
“It was really great, you could not have made me feel more welcome,” she says to me before redirecting to Ray. “We watched TV and ate delicious food, you’d have loved it.” Ray smiles hugely and puts his hand on Tania’s shoulder.
“I’m glad it’s working out so far. My poor allergy ridden pookie feels awful that he’s the reason we couldn’t have you crash with us, but I think this is going to be so much better.
” There’s a mischievous glint in his eyes that I don’t quite understand, but then again Ray puts even me to shame when it comes to being a completely unserious shit stirrer.
“Tell Diego it’s all good,” she replies dryly.
We all move to start getting ready to head out onto our routes.
“I’ll see you later, I won’t be out too late with my buddy,” I tell her after Ray gets to his truck.
“Ok! We have the leftover pizza, so I’ll just reheat that.” Then I see her come to some realization as her face morphs into lines of tension.
“Hey, if you want to bring someone home from the bar, just give me a heads up, ok? I’ll make myself scarce. It would not be a good look for them to get there and find me in my PJs.”
I can’t exactly admit that I haven’t been interested in anyone else since I met her without sending her running for the hills.
I’ve tried to get out there to find at least a hook-up for the night a few times in the past year, but I have not been feeling it at all.
I’m already pretty sure the exposure therapy I was hoping for is not going to work, either.
I like her more and more as I get to know her better.
“I’m only interested in seeing Taran tonight, you won’t need to worry about that. I want to focus on him since I’m sure he wants to talk about wedding stuff.”
“Well, let me know if you change your mind. I really don’t want to be in the way of you doing your thing,” she says, wringing her hands together.
“Not going to happen. Get comfy in your PJs and enjoy your evening, ok? I’ll see you later.
” My hand raises and brushes her cheek of its own accord.
It’s like touching warm velvet, and for the briefest second, her eyes flutter shut as she leans into my palm.
The fact that she’s at all affected makes my heart start to try to break out of my ribcage.
When her eyes open, she studies me, so many emotions and questions swimming in the liquid chocolate depths that I can’t quite make out.
All she does is nod though, and echo back a faint, “See you later,” to me.
Then she goes over to her loader to get situated for the day.
I watch her as she gets into her truck to leave while I do the same.
She looks over her shoulder at me as she pulls out of the hub.
After I’m done on my route, I stop at the hub to close out my day.
El Abrevadero isn’t too far from work, and the Columbian hot spot has become a favorite.
There are a whole lot of wonderful memories that surround this place.
Taran danced with Lyra for the first time here.
This is where I first told him about Tania, even though I was a little evasive since I hadn’t even asked her out yet at that point.
We’ve gone back a bunch of times for drinks since we like it so much here, and the arepas can’t be beat.
Lyra’s best friend Gina’s in-laws own the place, so we get treated like royalty when we come in.
I’ve become friends with Gina’s brother-in-law Gage, who runs the bar and is a fantastic guy.
I walk in and cast my eyes over the space.
The sleek black bar, colorful accents on the walls, large dance floor, and nearly full tables are all humming with life, the murmur of people chatting a buzzing background white noise.
As I walk toward the bar, I spot Taran and Gage chatting before they see me coming and wave.
“Carlo! Good to see you,” Gage calls with a smile. “What are you drinking tonight?”
“Whatever you have on tap would be great, man. Good to see you, too,” I reply as we shake hands across the bar. Then Taran pulls me into a bro hug. When we pull back, I take a good look at him. My best friend has never looked so relaxed and happy.
“Getting engaged looks good on you, Tar. Lyra couldn’t come tonight?” I’ve had zero shame in third wheeling with them sometimes. He smiles.
“She’s at Gina and Wayne’s to talk to them about what I’m going to talk to you about.” He hands me a small box with a little envelope on top. I open it up to find a note from him.
Carlo,
You’ve been my best friend through all of the best and worst moments in my life. I’d be honored if you’d stand by my side when I marry the love of my life. Will you be my best man?
Love you,
Taran
Damn him, my eyes are stinging like crazy, the tears prickling and starting to well up. I wipe at them before I answer.
“Of course I’ll be up there by your side.
I’m so happy for you, Taran. Love you, too.
” I hug him hard, slapping his back with all of the feelings he’s making me feel.
Then I open the box, and it’s a pale blue double shot glass personalized with my name, and the title Best Man underneath it.
My brow arches as I look back at him, because I need to break the emotions of this moment by giving him shit.
“How did you get this so fast, and what if I said no?” He scoffs and rolls his eyes.
“It’s not hard to get these quickly, and as if you would ever pass up an opportunity to get up and tell all of the jokes about me with a drink in hand.
” I know he means nothing by it, but he’s hitting at that tender spot, thinking I’d just get up there and tell jokes.
I’d never tell humiliating stories or roast him on his wedding day.
“I can be serious and make a nice speech,” I mutter quietly.
“Of course you can, I’m just giving you shit.” His face softens in understanding as he looks at me, without me having to say a word. “Your dad getting on your ass again?” It hits me deep that he knows me that well, my chest pinching.
“He is, but it’s nothing he hasn’t already said. It’s just fresh because it was only the other night when I saw him. I’d rather talk about wedding stuff. Who else is in the wedding party?” He rolls with it, moving back on to the happier topic.
“You and my brother are my best men, Gina and Lyra’s sister Jeanie are her Matrons of Honor.
That’s really it. Her brother-in-law and my sister-in-law will do readings during the ceremony.
There are so many nieces and nephews that it will just be easiest to let them come and have fun without having a role.
It’s her second wedding so it’s not going to be big and elaborate.
We want it to be simple and on the beach.
Our two dogs will be the ring bearer and flower girl.
” I grin hugely at the image of Brody and Lilly going down the aisle together in doggy formal wear.
“That is so fucking adorable, those dogs are going to steal the show.”
“They always do,” he says with a laugh.
“The wedding is going to be absolutely perfect, Tar. I can’t wait, and I’m so happy for you,” I tell him, my throat thick with emotion as it hits me that my best friend has found so much happiness.
No one deserves it more. He reads my face like a book as he claps down on my shoulder and nods, his eyes shiny.
“Thanks, man. I’m so glad you’ll be a part of it. So what’s going on with you? How’s work?” Shit, I haven’t had a chance to tell him about Tania moving in.
“So, remember Tania from work? I mentioned liking her and asking her out, but she said no because she doesn’t like to date coworkers?”
“Yeah, and you are still mooning over her, of course I remember. What about her?”