CHAPTER ONE: WHO'S THE BOSS
"Stuck inside a world inside my head. A place where I think too much. A place where no one can touch." - Earshot
Just a little hole in the wall place in Baja. Trouble always manages to find it's way here though. In spite of the fact there are a dozen other bars within a 2 mile radius. So, these two guys walk into the bar looking around like they're trying to find someone. Great, I know trouble when I see it. They're definitely strangers. Just about everyone that comes in here is a regular and I never forget a face. It's my job. It's also my bar.
Me, I'm Blanca. Very creative I know. But hey, around here a blonde haired blue eyed local makes an impression. Everyone calls me 'white girl' anyway so why fight it? Trust me I don't even try to look like I fit in. I have what would pass for a tan among the white and pasty but here I'm still just white. I thought about dying my hair brown or something, but I decided being different isn't always a bad thing.
I try to keep it low key though. When you're a woman behind the bar it's all about walking that line. You want to look good enough to keep the guys buying drinks, but not so good you end up pissing off the few ladies that make their way in here. Nor do you want to attract the wrong kind of attention. You have to be friendly and a little flirtatious even, make them think you're available, even though you aren't. A real fine line.
The place? It isn't too big. We serve a little food, appetizer type stuff, so we have a few tables. I try my best to keep the place in shape. For the most part it stays pretty clean and neat. Not that you ever manage to get rid of that smell. That unmistakeable and strangely impossible to get rid of smell. A mixture for sweat, cigarettes and stale beer. I know it doesn't sound like much and really I guess it isn't but sometimes you find peace in the strangest places...
Anyway, the first guy to walk in is dark haired and scruffy looking. He has a bunch of tattoos and these scars that run up and down his arm like vines. A pretty big guy I guess. You know, the kind you wouldn't want to piss off. His black tank top fits tightly around him which only serves to make him look bigger. His hair is kind of messily spiked up and he looks like he hasn't shaved in a week, at least.
Right behind him a pretty boy with curly blonde hair walks in. He has blue eyes, a way too perfect tan and one of those million dollar smiles. Now he looks like the kind of guy who knows how to use a razor and some hair gel. Judging by his plain white t-shirt and jeans I'd venture to guess he's not too high maintenance or anything. He looks like that kind of guy. You know? The kind of guy who is completely oblivious to the fact that he is absolutely adorable. Looks like an ex-boyfriend of mine. Or more like every ex-boyfriend of mine.
The two sit down at the bar and keep looking around. If those guys bring trouble here I am gonna have a serious problem. Did I mention the fact that I just had to re-do half the damn place six months ago cause of this crazy brawl that went down?
"Can I get you boys something?" I say giving them my best don't fuck with me smile.
The pretty boy answers first, "No thanks, I'm looking for a friend." He looks at me briefly before scanning the room again. He smells like a mixture of sweat and cologne, in a good way if that's possible. They've probably been on the road for awhile, maybe just making a pit stop. Tourists.
And they're not even gonna spend any money. I mutter to myself "I see...". I try for scruffy instead, "And you?"
He's still looking around the bar like he's casing the place or something. "Carona" he pauses to look at me, "In a bottle." Him, he just smells like he could use a shower. I think he catches me checking out his scars because he glares at me for just a second before turning his attention back to the door, as if he's expecting someone to walk in at any moment. Whether this is a good thing or bad thing for them I can't tell.
As I get the beer, pretty boy decides to try and be friendly, "I'm looking for a girl, about your height. Long brown hair. Her name is Mia Toretto..."
Shit I knew we were in trouble. I knew this moment would come. We talked about it. Even rehearsed it a couple times. Just the same when it actually happens it still takes you off guard a little. "Sorry I can't help you." I say. More like won't. I swore to Dom if anyone ever came in here looking for him or his friends I would play dumb. Or in this case play bitch. I hope it works.
"You don't sound so sure." he says. Giving me his best tough guy impersonation. Even leaning over the bar and cocking his head to the side for good measure. Does he seriously think that's gonna intimidate me?
Fuck me, here we go again. I call his bluff. "Well you don't sound so-"
I'm starting to dish out some of my best no nonsense attitude when I hear the sound of heavy boots coming from the back. Before I can finish my sentence Letty walks out the kitchen door, wearing loose khaki pants and a white wife beater, her uniform of choice. I can see recognition on their faces instantly and I know I'm caught in my lie. All of us freeze at the same time. I should really start thinking about getting a full time handyman. Maybe I'll get lucky and they'll fuck up the other half of the bar this time. It'll almost be like remodelling, right? Hey, at least I have insurance... heh, that's a real joke. Letty walks around the other side of the bar glaring at the pretty boy as she makes her way to scruffy.
"Vince, my man! You look good, how's the arm?" she laughs, clapping him on the shoulder.
Well this is going better than expected. Wait, she said Vince didn't she? Holy shit, the guy who almost lost his arm trying to hi-jack that big rig. He's not what I expected. I should have guessed when I saw the scars.
"Funny..." he says as he stands to hug her. You can still see the slightest bit of stiffness in the one arm. Didn't Dom say he was supposed to be in jail or something?
"How long have you been here?" Letty asks him, managing to completely ignore the other guy.
Vince looks anxious, "Just got into town.. Dom around?"
"Sure man, he's in back. C'mon" Letty takes him back to the kitchen where Dom is eating lunch.
Yeah thanks, I'm Blanca. Nice to meet you Vince. Heard so much about you. Sure you can go back. I know the sign says employees only but hey who am I, just the boss right? Guess I'm not the only one Letty likes to ignore.
Well, they left me here with pretty boy. This won't be awkward. I'm sure he's already pegged me as a fucking bitch. Great... I'm assuming since Letty didn't freak out at him he must be okay though. Not that she was happy to see him.
"So you still sure?" he smiles.
Humor, I can work with this. More my style anyway. Probably understands where I am coming from. There could be some people asking around for Mia and the gang that don't have such good intentions. Just to be on the safe side though, I ask "Who are you?"
He flashes me that smile again and it hits me. Now I see what Mia was talking about. She described that smile to me. In detail. On more than one occasion. This must be him.
"Names Brian... O'Connor." he replies.
Bingo, I was right. "The cop?" I ask. I thought he and Vince hated each other.
He looks kind of dejected. I'm actually starting to feel a little sorry for him. I mean I know he took a lot of shit for what went down. Not that all of it was his fault. But he was a cop and he did lie to everyone. I can see traces of regret all over his face though. He's been carrying this for awhile and it's obviously eating at him. "She hates me doesn't she?"
"I'm not getting involved so don't even ask." I say throwing my hands up in mock surrender. I hate to break it to you buddy she's passed the stage of 'why did he do this to me' and moved right on to something more along the lines of 'I'll kill him if I ever see him again'. It'll break his heart to hear the truth and I'm not much of a liar. Not to mention the fact that Mia would kill me if I told him anything she shared with me in confidence. Well, maybe just sic Dom on me. Either way it wouldn't be pretty. Yeah, I'm definitely not getting involved.
"She's here though, right?" he asks already knowing the answer.
"Yeah... they all are." I reply as I look back at the kitchen.
"I'll just have to do whatever it takes then." He says and I'm not sure if he's talking to me or himself.
I laugh, "Good luck." Though from his perspective it's really not all that funny. I wink at him, a gesture of acceptance I guess, and start to walk back to tend to the rest of my patrons. Since my other bartender has decided she has better things to do.
"Hey, what's your name?" He calls after me, standing up an the rungs of his bar stool leaning towards my direction.
I reply over my shoulder. "Blanca." I really gotta get back to work. This is gonna be an interesting night.
Not long after I'm pouring shots for a guy when I hear Brian mutter to himself, "I must be crazy." Yeah Brian, me and you both. What the hell were we thinking getting involved with these guys. Like I don't already know the answer. Like mine is any different than the reason he came here. Everyone wants to be a part of something. Everyone needs a family. Even if it's a bunch of truck hi-jacking, former LA street racers running from the law and hiding out in Mexico.
Letty comes back a minute or two later. I guess Dom and Vince have a lot to talk about. So I make my rounds in the bar. My daily routine. Stop at every table. Say hello to all the regulars. I smile, shake some hands, look at pictures of their kids. I may not look like I fit in physically but my Spanish is damn good and I have been here long enough to pick up on the local slang. I'm no fool. There are a lot of bars around here. Maybe serve cheaper drinks and run by real Mexicans. But they don't want to hear about how Junior's daughter won her soccer game or that Cesar's father is in the hospital. They don't give out many free drinks or run a lot of tabs either.
By the time I make my way back behind the bar, Letty is lookin like she's in a foul mood. Not sure if it's the recent company or just another one of her and Dom's little tiffs. Brian tries to smile but she just glares and he's now trying to ignore her dirty looks. Letty isn't the kind if woman you ignore if you know what I mean. Nor does she seem to be interested in making nice. I walk over to her but she's so busy giving him the evil eye she doesn't even notice me. I clear my throat, "Letty, why don't you take a break."
"Sure, whatever you say." she replies through clenched teeth, not even looking at me as she slaps the rag from her shoulder down on the bar and goes back to check on Dom and Vince.
"Thank you." I mutter under my breath. The thing with Letty and I is, she's used to being the alpha female. Not much competition except Mia, who was always more the maternal type anyway. Always more of a girly girl. Letty was just the opposite, one of the boys. Which made her by no means any less beautiful, but it meant a certain kind of respect. A hard earned and well deserved kind of respect. Watching me tell Dom and everyone what to do and having them listen, it gets to her. Probably liked being the only girl who could hold her own with the boys. Until I ruined it. Not intentionally of course. Although I'm sure she'd tell you otherwise. She somehow manages to tolerate me for the most part. I try to keep things civil and to the point. But Letty, she digs. Tiny little digs when she thinks no one else is looking. Trying to get me riled up. Make me look bad. So I do what I do best. I smile and ignore her. See I know it's a complete waste of time. I don't get riled up. I'm not gonna flip out on her. That wouldn't be me. I don't want to compete. But you try and tell her that.
From the other end of the bar Brian waves me over. "I think I changed my mind about that drink." Not a trace of a smile on his face now. Poor guy. I'm sure I'm not helping either.
"What are you drinking? I offer, "It's on me."
"Carona." He answers, little beads of sweat forming on his forehead. I gotta get Leon to look at the air conditioning again.
As I hand him the beer, "In a bottle, right?"
"Yeah" he answers, his head obviously somewhere else.
I know I shouldn't get involved but he really looks like he could use a break. Everyone loves to spill their guts to the friendly neighbourhood bartender, right? "So break it down for me."
He looks at me confused as he rubs his jaw with his thumb and forefinger, "Break what down?"
"Whatever your tryin to work out up there." I say lightly tapping him on the head.
"I thought you didn't want to get involved?" he smirks. Damn Mia, this one's not gonna be so easy to walk away from. He's got me. And I didn't even see it coming. Hope she knows what she's doing.
I say jokingly, "I'm standing here now, not as Mia's friend but as your bartender. And as your bartender it is my duty to let you unload your problems and offer the kind of sage wisdom one can only offer to the inebriated." hoping it will ease the tension.
He laughs again, "Yeah, okay." and shakes his head as he takes a long swig from his beer before setting it down by the neck and sticking out his lower lip to let out a long breath. "I never should have come here. This was a mistake."
"Then why did you? I mean you can't tell me you expected that handing Dom your keys would just wipe the slate clean?" I hope he's not one of those people who needs it sugar coated cause that's not really my style.
He looks a little stunned but takes it all in stride, "To be honest with you, I don't know what I expected. I don't even know why I came here."
"That's bullshit." I tell him as he just about downs the rest of his beer. Old boy keeps this up he'll be singing like a bird in about an hour.
"Why's that?" he asks handing me the empty bottle.
So now comes the medicine, "You came here because you're in love with her." I tell him and I know I'm not wrong. Hope it goes down good. I open another beer and put it down in from of him.
He stares at the bottle, "That obvious, huh?"
I try to resist my urge to be nosy but I just can't help myself, "Tell me something, why now? Why did you wait so long? It's been over a year since they got here..."
"I was waiting. For Vince."
"From what I heard, he's not your biggest fan?" I ask, leaving my tact at the door.
He laughs again, "Not then, but after everyone else had to run... He was in the hospital. The threat of jail can change a man's perspective if you know what I mean. He had no choice but to trust me." That mischevious grin is going again. Smile like that belongs in magazines.
"And you got him out of it?" I ask.
Sounding mockingly self-important he replies, "Well I did a little creative story telling with the LAPD and FBI. I can't get into details."
I raise an eyebrow at this, "So basically you lied your ass off and once you got him out of jail you split before you had to face the music." I say matter-of-factly.
"Pretty much." he nods.
"And now you're here to prove to Mia that it wasn't all an act? Not to mention the fact that you really don't have anywhere else to go." I say trying to work my way toward the advice portion of this game.
He looks at me thoughtfully, "Well, you really know how to make a guy feel better."
But before a can dispense my trademark wisdom though, in walks Pito and his buddy. Just what I need. He's been coming in here for months. Trying to pick me up or more likely take me to bed. He's a good looking guy, dark features and close cropped black hair. He always walks around with this swagger cause he thinks he's hot shit or something. No one knows he and I use to be... involved. And I'd like to keep it that way. But how many ways can you tell a guy to get lost? I'm not even gonna waste my time trying. Time for backup. I head straight for the kitchen door, pushing it open just enough to shout in, "Dom, I need you out here now!"
Pito laughs and gives his buddy a nudge, "I love to watch a woman take charge. Go ahead, call your dogs."
Dom walks out of the kitchen, his sleeveless white t-shirt looks damp. Dom's always hot... and no ideas. I mean body temperature. He walks right by me as I stand there holding the door open. Vince follows right after him. If you knew what was good for you you'd stay out of his way too. Why do you think I hired him?
He slowly walks over to Pito and the rest of us are not far behind. Even Letty's curiosity has gotten the better of her. "I think it's time for you to leave." Dom growls.
Dom stands in front of him. Me, Vince, Brian and Letty all backing him up. Unfortunately, Pito doesn't look the least bit intimidated. "But I just got here." he says with that slick used car salesman grin of his.
Obviously getting pissed Dom's words are slow and deliberate. "That wasn't a suggestion. Either you leave or I put you outside." He says folding his arms across his broad chest. His features have hardened and you can tell he's in no mood for games. Sometimes he'll just let Pito stay and follow him around until he gives up on his own. Other time's he catches him as he walks in and steers him right back out. Never had to fight him. Pito's smarter than he looks, he knows when he's beat. Doesn't mean he's gonna give up altogether though. Unfortunately.
Not today. Today Dom's got better things to do than screw around with Pito. I've had about enough of this shit myself. I walk forward, next to Dom. Looks kind of silly, me playing trying to play tough standing next to a guy like that. Fucked if I care though. "Just get the hell out of here already." It could be worse though. Before Dom came along... I couldn't get Pito to leave. I had to hire some muscle to convince him to back off.
"I don't take orders." Pito says as he gives me the once over. It's not that impressive. A black tank top and jeans. My own uniform of sorts. I do a have the cleavage going for me. I'm not stupid, this is a bar and these are men. Obviously he's seen something that caught his attention.
Now Brian decides to be hero and steps in front of me, "Look buddy, no way you two could take the three of us. Your odds don't look too good."
"I believe the lady told you to get the hell out of here." Dom adds giving Brian a sharp look. I know what he's thinking too. Three against two? Shit, he could take them both by himself and not even break a sweat. Neither one of them is even close to Dom's size. And I can tell you from personal experience that Pito's bark is much worse than his bite.
But Pito's found someone more his size to pick on, "Why don't you mind your business pretty boy. This is between me and the lady. What's wrong with this place Blanca? You just let any gringo in here these days huh?" he says gesturing at me over Brian's shoulder.
Dom walks closer to him though, almost into him, and says looking down at him, "Now I'm between you and the lady."
Pito smiles nervously, trying to keep up the tough guy act. "Fine, fine. You and me sweetheart, you'll come around." he says as he turns to leave.
"Screw you you son of a bitch!" I call after him, even though I know I shouldn't. I don't wanna provoke him now that he's actually leaving.
He just shouts back as he walks out the door, "Whenever you're ready baby." And the door slams behind him.
I close my eyes and breath a sigh of relief. Another crisis averted. "Okay, show's over." I shout in both English and Spanish. At this point the whole bar has come to a grinding halt. Everyone takes my cue and goes back to their business. That is except the five of us.
Dom turns to Brian now, his arms still crossed. He's still in kick-ass mode too. I can almost smell the testosterone coming off him. "Listen, I don't think your being here is a good idea. How do we know the FBI isn't tailing you? For all we know you're still undercover." he says in the same slow deep voice that gives you goose bumps... or maybe that's just me.
Brian cocks his head to the side and throws his hands up, "Hey, I could've taken you down but I didn't. I could've let Vince serve his full term but I didn't. Don't forget you brought this on yourself. You hi-jacked those trucks. You broke the law and I did everything I could to help you!" he says in the quick but calm tone of someone who's been trained to negotiate with irrational people. Well, like a cop I guess. But the boy does have a point. Vince and Dom sure wouldn't be standing here if it wasn't for him. Course he did lie about being undercover and he did sleep with his sister which is kinda high on the list of deal breakers.
Letty finally can't keep quite any longer. She's been ready to let Brian have it since she laid eyes on him. She walks over to him and sticks her finger in his face, "Maybe we woulda never got onto this shit if it weren't for you. How do expect us to trust you after what you did to us? And what's your excuse for Mia? She never did anything but care about you and look how you repaid her." She says in disgust.
Dom puts out an arm to back Letty off him. All she had to say was the word Mia though and Brian's brow furrows. Lost is mister calm cool and collected. He points right back at her, "You don't know the first thing about what happened between me and Mia!" he shouts.
"I know all I need to know. Don't misunderstand, for what you did for Vince and I, I'm grateful. But this isn't the time or the place for you to try to work things out. With any of us." Dom replies.
Judging by the hint of shock and the flush spreading through his face and down to his neck I'm gonna guess Brian expected a different reaction from Dom, "So you're telling me to leave!?" he says in disbelief.
"I'm... asking you. I don't want anymore trouble." he replies. And if I didn't know any better I might actually think Dom was saying this against his own wishes, he can't even look Brian in the eye.
I guess it's time to play referee. In lieu of blowing a whistle, I move between Dom and Brian putting a hand on each guys chest and looking back and forth between them. With as much humour as I dare, I ask "Boys, boys, boys. Can't we play nice? This is my place of business."
Letty's not amused. What else is new. She keeps her eye on Brian as she tells me, "He's doing his job. Keeping out the riffraff." It's as if she's waiting for Brian to do something. She's dying to slug him.
She wants to force my hand? Fine. I look her straight in the eye with all the bitchiness a girl like me has as I tell her, "He hasn't done anything wrong and he's a paying customer so why don't you leave him alone and go back to work."
Letty's not in the mood for orders though. She starts to say, "Listen miss-" but is cut off by Dom.
"She's the boss." he says looking at her with a mixture of disappointment and aggravation.
Letty looks at him pleadingly but Dom dismisses her again. She retreats to the bar in defiance. Vince, who pretty much kept out of the whole thing and managed to look a little amused by the new dynamic, pulls Dom away to a table out of earshot.
"Thanks." Brian says as his features soften.
I know this will come between them and me. I do what I want though. They know where the door is. Only thing is, I don't really want them to leave. I don't want to choose sides either. What a fine mess he's brought here and it's only been what, a couple hours since he got here. I better make myself clear before he mistakes my sympathy for being his new ally. "I know where you're coming from and I know what you're trying to do here. I'll help you if I can, but there's no question where my loyalties lie." I say looking in Dom's direction.
"Understandable, you don't even know me. And what you've heard is probably not good." he says laughing and I regret being so harsh with him.
I walk behind the bar, and Brian follows back to his stool. The thing is I like Brian already. He reminds me of someone back home. Someone important to me. Someone I miss, a lot. I'm a sucker for the lost and hopeless. Look at my staff. I'll fight this out with Dom later.
Letty actually hands me her rag this time, "I'm outta here." she says quietly, "I've got a headache." Oh I'm sure she does. And it's name is Dominic Toretto.
I turn my attention back to the bar for awhile. Leaving Brian to contemplate his own fate for now. Dom and Vince continue to talk for a little while. It's about five o'clock when him and Vince get up and leave. Not that it's a problem, I mean he's not supposed to be here until ten tonight anyway. It's not that he left. It's that he didn't say anything before he walked out. He's mad about Brian.
Ten o'clock. That's when things usually start to get a little rowdy around here. Dom comes in for lunch everyday though. He swears it's not to check up on us but I know when it comes to family he's a little over protective. Mia and Letty take turns behind the bar with me. When it's slow I'll leave one of them here with Dom or Leon and go get some fresh air, run some errands, whatever. Just need a break sometimes. Dom's shift is from 10 am to 2 am. On a good night we're out of here by 2:30. Doors open again at noon. If you haven't guessed yet this place consumes a lot of my time. Before the gang was here I worked everyday. Open to close. It was Mia who finally convinced me to get a grip and stop being such a control freak. And the place hasn't burned down without me... yet.
The first time the four of them walked into my bar I was in the middle of a fight with Pito. Dom stepped in. Pito's not used that kind of guy, guys like Dom. They don't come round very often. I thanked him. Made some casual conversation. Asked him if he was just passing through. He told me he was actually looking to stay around with a few of his friends.
I offered him a job as my bouncer. Obviously he passed that impromptu audition with flying colors.
He told me he'd be interested. If, I took his girl, his sister and his friend with him. What the hell I said. I was running on empty working so hard. It might be nice to have some extra help.
Mia and I, we hit it off right from the start. We had a lot in common I guess. In some ways I think I was a lot easier for her to be around. I didn't remind her of any of the shit that went down before here. Not that she didn't talk about it sometimes. But I was a girl for a change. Growing up around a bunch of boys, I know it's a refreshing change of pace. Someone to go shopping with, talk about guys and telenovellas with. I hadn't had a good girl-friend in awhile myself. I think it's probably good for both of us. I know she's gonna be pissed when she finds out I defended Brian. But she'll come around. Eventually...
Letty, well I already told you all there is to tell there. We pretty much stay civil because we have to. It's probably on me a little too. I don't exactly go out of my way to get her to like me. If she has a problem with me, it's her deal not mine. I'm not gonna change who I am to get her to like me. I wouldn't for anyone else either.
Ah and who could forget Leon. Don't ask me what I pay him for. He's our resident renaissance man. He'll fix anything mechanical for me and never complains. Funny thing is though, he's always around but never when you need him. Just part of his charm I guess. Like how he used to joke with me at first. Always saying, 'So when you gonna let me take you out?' and shit like that. I laughed it off. I guess he might have taken me up on had I agreed. But that's just how he is. He's a flirt. He's smart. He knows I'm not gonna say yes but it never fails to make me, or any other girl he says it to, smile. Which is Leon's real job I guess. He keeps the ladies coming in. And my male patrons certainly appreciate it.
Dom on the other hand, that's a tough one. I really don't know how to describe our relationship. We trust each other for sure. He even confides in me sometimes. When he and Letty fight he even sleeps on my couch. Don't get me wrong now. I respect his relationship and we've never crossed that line. We just have this unspoken understanding. He can knock on my door at four in the morning and I let him in. He sits on the couch while I get him a pillow and blanket. He doesn't have to say a word. I already know. I think there's solace in that for him. And for me.
"Blanca? Blanca?" Brian repeats. Shit I'm supposed to be working the bar and I'm here in la la land.
"Sorry," I say shaking my head back into reality. "what can I do for you darlin?"
"You know a good place for me to stay tonight?" pulling out his wallet and thumbing through it, "Someplace cheap?"
I give him a grin, "That mean you're not gonna listen to Dom?"
"I won't give up that easy... I can't." he says and I can see he's serious. To him leaving would be like admitting he's guilty. And although he did mess up. His heart was always in the right place and that counts for something.
I take a deep breath, "Well, you're gonna need a job aren't you?" I tease. "And a place to stay. So... I'll make you a deal. I'll pay you to work in the kitchen here. For me. You can stay on my couch until get things sorted out. But, you gotta let me talk to Dom first."
"I thought you were the boss?" he says raising an eyebrow.
That one took me by surprise the little smart-ass. "I am. It's not about that. It's about making sure he's okay with it, you know. We're honest with each other, respect each other. No secrets." I reply with a raised eyebrow and he knows exactly what I'm implying about honesty and secrets.
"I get it, I get it. I see your point," he says nodding his head.
I reach my hand out to him, "If you wanna hang around til closing I'll talk to Dom then. Right now I've got a bar to run." he shakes my hand as I smile at him reassuringly.
Dom comes back in with Vince at ten, like clockwork. And he doesn't say a word to me all night. He did nod in my direction when he first came in though. Maybe it's just the fact that Brian is around. I'm busy enough to not really dwell on it. There isn't really any trouble for Dom to deal with. I make sure to feed Brian and start him on water so I don't end up carrying him home.
It was around 1:45 when I shouted last call. Brian came round behind the bar and helped me with glasses. Dom turned up the lights and I started gathering up all the empty bottles and garbage. To my surprise and delight, Vince even swept the floor for me. We cleaned up in mostly silence except to say goodnight to the last few stragglers as they leave. I take care of the money pretty quick and with the boys help we make it out by 2:40. We all head towards the door and Dom kills the lights.
I walk over to Vince and extend my hand, "Thanks for helping out." I say as he taker my hand and shakes it. He's got a grip too. "We haven't been formally introduced. I'm Blanca. Welcome to my bar." I say spreading my arms wide and looking around quickly. "I apologize for the bitchiness earlier. Just trying to keep everyone safe, ya know?"
"No worries." he replies, giving me a slight nod.
There is a moment of awkward silence before I finally speak up, "Dom, I uh need a minute with you before you leave, if you don't mind."
He nods and we all walk out the bar. I point out my car and as I lock the door, Brian and Vince walk a little ways away to it. I live just a few blocks from here but I feel safer driving at night. I think sometimes Dom follows me home though, to make sure I get in ok. he thinks I don't notice. I hope he's not mad at me. When I turn around he's waiting for me patiently.
"Listen," I start slowly. Looking at the ground first. "I didn't mean to piss you off or anything."
His voice is much softer now as he replies, "I know."
"Look, I offered him a job. In the bar. And I'm gonna let him sleep on my couch until he figures stuff out. That gonna be okay with you?" I ask looking up at him now.
He doesn't avert my glance, "That's your call."
I nod at him and say, "I know. But it's important to me that you're okay with it. I don't want to complicate things for anyone. I'll make sure he's not around whenever Mia's here. He'll stay out of your way. He just... he wants to make things right."
"You don't even know him and you trust him?" he asks, letting a little smile slip through. He's busting my chops now cause the same could be said about my giving him a chance after just meeting him.
I want to show him I'm serious though, answering "Yeah. I do." I pause for a moment and we just look at each other. I think in that silence we reach more of an understanding than any words could. I add, "All you have to do is say the word and he's gone."
"I'll deal with Letty if you deal with Mia." he says, rolling his eyes.
"You sure about that one?" I ask. Knowing dealing with Letty will be no small task.
He looks over his shoulder in Vince's direction and I already know what's coming, "Okay, how about we make a deal then?"
I'm grinning now and add with a laugh, "You want me to hire Vince don't you?"
"Well I was thinking we could split the day. So you girls have someone to look out for you all the time not just at night." He says gesturing with his hands, the way he does when he's trying to charm a crowd. This is the old Dom, the one I've only gotten glimpses of. Sure and confident but most of all happy. Losing Jesse and being on the run has changed him and not for the better.
I reply, sweetly defiant, "We don't need a babysitter you know. I'm perfectly capable of taking care of 99% of the trouble that walks in that door on my own."
"Then for that 1%." he says rolling his eyes, "for my own peace of mind."
Shaking my head goodnaturedly at his stubbornness I stick out my hand, "You are gonna put me in the poorhouse Dominic."
He reaches out and takes my hand to shake on the deal as he says, "Ah, if you couldn't afford it you wouldn't be smiling. Just think of all the money you'll save not having to clean up after rowdy customers."
Don't think I didn't notice. He hasn't let go of my hand. So I squeeze his gently, "Are we cool then?"
He answers me with a nod and lets go of my hand now. We stand there though for a few seconds before I remember Brian and Vince are waiting. I pray I didn't just make a mistake going out on a limb for Brian. It's Dom who makes the first move to leave now, "Goodnight Blanca." he says almost in a whisper.
"Goodnight." I say and we turn towards Vince and Brian. They're talking while Vince smokes a cigarette. Brian and I get in my hunk of junk and as the guys drive off I wave. Dom's car is actually pretty nice for around here. Nothing like the cars they had in LA. Although I'm sure he would love one. Gotta keep it low key. No unnecessary attention. Mine is pretty plain and simple. I don't want to get car jacked or anything.
As we drive, Brian keeps looking at me funny. "What?" I finally ask.
"Well I guess that means it's cool?" He asks almost annoyed I hadn't told him right away.
I was in la la land again I guess. My bad. "Yeah," I smile "you're in."
"So what's up with you and Dom?" he ventures.
It catches me totally of guard. "What do you mean?"
"I mean the way he looks at you. I've never seen him look at anyone but Letty like that." he says looking straight ahead at the road.
I pull over and park the car, still thinking about my answer. We're at my place already. I sit back in my seat though and run my hands through my hair. This calls for a cigarette, a habit I'm trying to break. I offer Brian one but he declines. "Does he?" I say almost absently.
"I'm sorry, I should mind my own business. It just seemed..." He trails off, unsure of what to say now.
I blow a long puff of smoke out the window. I don't want to make the poor guy feel any more awkward. It's gotta be weird enough going home with some strange chick you just met so you can live at her place. He didn't have much stuff with him. They took public transportation so it had to be just the necessities. But with nothing to make you feel like home? Ah, he must really love her. I smile at him now, "I'm not upset." I say shrugging my shoulders, "Things are just complicated between us I guess."
"Complicated because he has a girlfriend and you know you can't have him?" he asks without missing a beat.
I almost choke on my cigarette and start to laugh as I say, "You know I think I'm gonna like you Brian O'Connor. Let's go up, it's late."
I unlock the door and let Brian in first. He looks around, hopefully grateful it's not the shithole he would have ended up at if he had to fend for himself. I lock up and give him the quick tour. Bathroom, fridge, towels and blankets. I know he's gotta be tired. It's been a long day for him. I get him set up on the couch. Show how the remotes and scribble all the english speaking channels on a post-it for him. He relaxes a lot and his eyes look heavy almost instanty. I make myself a cup of tea and by the time the whistle starts to go off I have to grab it quickly. He's out cold though and the noise doesn't stir him. He still has his shoes on.
I finally get myself to bed by 3:30. I'm beat but I can't sleep. The light next to my bed is on and I'm staring at the ceiling. Thinking about what Brian said in the car. Wondering if Mia is still going to be speaking to me come tomorrow. Knowing for sure Letty is really gonna hate me now. Hoping Vince will turn out to be cool. I shut off the light and roll over on my side. Don't remember how long it was I lied there, but tomorrow? Well, tomorrow's going to be interesting that's for sure...