So long story short I had this story written up to about chapter 6 and lost it all when my dog had a disagreement with my laptop lol. The thought of starting over was so frustrating I had to drop the whole thing for awhile. A long while. But… After moving recently I finally found a printed rough draft of most of the story and noticing some interest in it lately I figured I'd try updating. Maybe it will help my writers block on the story I'm working on? Thanks for all your comments! Thanks for reading!

Chapter 3: Games are for Kids

"She'd do anything to sparkle in his eye. She would suffer, she would fight, and compromise. She's been wishin' on the stars that shine so bright. For answers to the questions that haunt her tonight."

- Vanessa Carlton

I left a not on the table, "Morning Sunshine! Not much food in the kitchen but you're welcome to whatever you find. Towels in the bathroom. If you think you can remember the way, walk over to the bar when you're ready. If not give me a call and I'll come pick you up." with the cordless phone and the number to the bar on the table next to it. He must have paid attention on the ride last night because he walks in he bar as I'm wiping off a table nearby.

Smiling one of my big smiles I walk over to him, "Big Bri," I start , nodding at him with my chin "You look rested." He looks much better. Definitely showered. There's an anxiousness there under his easygoing façade though. Hell I guess I'd be a little nervous too.

"Yeah, feeling much better thanks." He says running his hand through his wavy blonde hair.

"Good , cause I intend to work that cute little ass off." I say laughing. I'm not a flirt. Really I'm not. But a few appropriately timed ago strokes can work wonders on a man's confidence. And subsequently , they work harder. Or buy more drinks. Or pretty much do whatever you ask them to. Sly like a fox. I know.

He smiles, his cheeks turning a subtle shade of pink. "Honest day's work is good for the soul right?" he says jokingly. That's what I'm talking about. I'm all for having fun but when there is shit to be done, I don't fuck round. Business is business.

"Oh, we'll see about that…" I say gesturing for him to follow as I walk back towards the kitchen. The doors open to reveal a heaping pile of dishes in the commercial size sink. From the look on his face I know he didn't expect there to be quite so many dishes to wash. Out of the corner of my eye I see Dom. Lurking in the back as usual. I keep my focus on Brian though.

He laces his fingers together, pushing his palms away from him and stretching his arms out. "Well alright. Bring on the sponge." He says undeterred. He and I are going to get along just fine. So I hand him some gloves, a sponge and some soap.

Dom's sitting at a table reading a newspaper and easily ignoring us. Things have been different between him and I for awhile now. Not entirely sure why. Maybe because of what happened that night. He's been kind of hot and cold with me ever since. I seem to recall it being him that came the closest to crossing the line. He surprised me when he touched my face like that. Caught me off guard. Seeing him in his underwear later didn't help matter of course. I was a good girl though. Nothing I couldn't handle… Okay, I know what you're thinking and your right. I barely kept it together. I just had to remind myself he was unavailable and lock myself in my room. Quickly.

The first time I met Dom , I was arguing with Pito when he came up behind me. I just hear this voice. I almost can't explain it. It was strong, deep and intimidating but slow and sexy at the same time. I watched Pito's eyes go above and past me and I knew without looking that he was gonna be a big guy. Still was not prepared for what I saw when I turned around though. I don't think I was aware men like that even existed. You never see guys like that around here. And back home? Well let's just say the circle I ran in looked more like they stepped out of a trendy fashion magazine. He was six foot two and all muscle. A sheen of sweat on his bald head. And he looked rough.

Now normally I'm not the type to go for rough. Those kind of guys aren't even on my radar, but he was different. I could tell he wasn't Mexican but he had color. From what kind of background I wasn't sure. Full lips that you just knew belonged to an experienced mouth. Brown eyes that felt like they were holding me hostage. A body to die for. And this air of confidence. Not the arrogant kind but the natural kind that can only come from having lived a certain kind of life. Then, it starts to get a little fuzzy. He was so damn intoxicating. Even smelled amazing. And I just WATCHED him talk. Picked up the fragments of important words.

It was the mention of the word girlfriend that snapped me back to reality. Nowadays, that reality is starting to suck. So I've just tried to maintain the status quo. Just be his friend. Which isn't easy. But here we are. In the awkwardly intimate place. Because despite everything that's happened and what I think he might feel for me. I don't really know if he does. Don't know if he feels anything more for me than any other friend. And he's not really in a position for me to try and find out.

Times like these that humor comes in handy. Only way to go if you ask me. I'm not one to wallow in self pity. And I'm not inclined to let anyone else. Especially grumpy over there. So I say, "Hey Dom, I like this new guy. Think I'm gonna keep him." as I watch Brian get started on those dishes.

I know he's listening, he just turns to another page in the paper and never looks at us though. Just when I think he's not gonna say anything at all, he finally answers "Better be careful, he's trouble." as he continues to read.

Dom may be rough round the edges but once you get to know him, you learn when to push and when to back off. I skirt the line sometimes but the payoff is worth it. "You mean like you?" I quickly fire back at him with a smirk.

He lowers the paper to actually look at me. His face unreadable. "No, I mean like you." he says.

I laugh wholeheartedly though, clapping my hands together in brief applause before shaking my finger at him, "You better be careful, one of these days I might actually fire you."

"Yeah right, you don't have the balls." he says as if he's annoyed. He brings the paper back up blocking me out again.

My eyes widen and I look from Brian to Dom and back to Brian as if to say 'did he just say what I think he just said?'. I nudge Brian in the rib with my elbow. I know he probably thinks this all about to go horribly wrong. That we are going to be the first two people to experience death by a bottle of dishwashing detergent. Ah, ye of little faith. "So where's you're new recruit?" I ask, indignant.

"Out, looking for a place with Leon." he answers dryly. No balls, huh? We'll see about that.

I walk over to the table and push his newspaper down. Brian almost drops the glass in his hand. "I think I smell a friendly wager coming on." I say with my hand on my hip.

He looks at Brian disapprovingly, then back at me and says "Not a chance." his face is still expressionless, maybe just a hint of boredom.

"Oh really, I beg to differ. I think your man will crack first." I counter, shaking my head with mock-attitude. Poor Brian looks like a deer in headlights.

Dom stands up slowly. One might think this would be a good time to start running. If one was smarter or slightly less stubborn than me. I know I've hooked him though. Instead, he reaches in his back pocket, pulling his wallet out. "No way." he says thumbing through it before showing me a hundred American.

I turn up my nose at it though saying, "Make it two-hundred or your wasting my time." He tries to stare me down but I don't budge.

"Confident aren't we?" he says reaching his hand out to shake on the deal.

I raise my eyebrow and smile slyly, shaking his hand. "Brass balls." I answer.

He smiles now. Barely. Almost as if he's trying to hold it back. In some small way it makes it all worth it though. The risk of pissing him off I mean. I know it's fucked up cause he's someone else's boyfriend. And if I were a different kind of girl I might not let that stop me. Lucky for us I'm not that kind of girl. As mother used to say, I've got class. Ha. Maybe he' s right. Maybe I just don't have the balls…

Dom walks out to the bar shaking his head in amusement, leaving me and Brian. "Well big Bri, you better make me proud." I say gently squeezing his shoulders from behind.

I know he was trying to pretend he didn't just witness that little exchange for Dom's benefit. Didn't do a very good job, but he tried, "Wait, what did you just bet on?" he asks completely lost.

I wink at him over my shoulder as I'm about to walk out to the bar, replying mischievously "On which one of you will quit first."

This particular bet is not a new one, but Dom and I are no strangers to a spontaneous wager here and there. On lots of different things. Like how long it will take before the girl Leon is talking to will slap him for one of his none to subtle propositions. Or who can pour the most beers from the tap in sixty seconds. Stupid crap like that. Not about the money really. Just something I did once to try and make him laugh and since it worked I kept doing it.

As I go back to work my two-hundred dollars walks in along with Leon. They meet up in front of the bar with Dom. Guess the search didn't go so well. I walk over to greet them but Leon beats me to it. "Baby you don't look so happy to see me. Seem kind of tense. We could go back to my place and take care of that for you?"

"Really? I say faking interest with a coy smile as I lean across the bar in front of him. I lower my voice to a seductive whisper, just loud enough for the others to hear me, "And you would blow my mind right? For that whole sixty seconds." I say, patting my hand over my mouth repeatedly in a mock yawn.

Leon's jaw drops slightly, his eyes wide, but he smiles a little. Vince on the other hand nods approvingly at Dom and says with a chuckle, "This one's feisty. Does she come in brunette?" I just love when people talk about you like you're not there. Not sure if that's a compliment or not but I arch my eyebrow and give him a stern look. Dom shakes his head. Vince looks at both of us and just shrugs, "What? I like brunettes."

Well now, isn't that nice. I give him a smile though and shake my head too. Not worth making a fuss over. He really has absolutely no idea he even said anything wrong. That in and of itself makes me laugh. Leon's getting more frustrated these days though and he's decided that of he can't get me he wants to at least figure me out. Like I'm some kind of messed up science project. The one girl he can't seem to charm. Asks me all these questions and here we go again, "So what does a guy have to do to get your attention then?"

I answer him honestly, as always. "Not try to get my attention."

"That's bullshit." Vince laughs.

Oh he wants to see feisty, huh? "Why, because you don't know how to do it?" I smirk.

He leans toward me, forearms on the bar saying smoothly "No, I just don't buy that line. Women love attention. Love it when we tell you that you're beautiful. Try to pick you up, check you out. Even you. You can go ahead and roll your eyes but you know you love it."

How is it that the ones who play dumb always end up saying the most intelligent shit? "Of course I do, but that wasn't the question. Flattery doesn't get you a phone number. No matter how much I love it."

Leon chimes back in now sounding almost frustrated, "So who does? Who's the guy who gets your number!' as if my answer is gonna be like the meaning of life or something.

"It's no different than you. The ones who plays hard to get. The one guy in the room who DOESN'T try to hit on me. The guy who is too busy doing his own thing to even notice me. That's the guy I notice. And that's the guy I'll go up and talk to… and maybe eventually give him my number. If he's not a douche of course…" I laugh and the guys eat it up with a spoon. Not that it isn't true.

Leon laughs confidently, "So I'm not that guy?" As if we didn't know the answer. As if HE didn't. Leon is always the first guy in the room to make a move. Still cool and still smooth but always aggressive.

Vince laughs too, adding "No, I think she just described Dom."

For the first time since the conversation started Dom looks at me. My heart stops for a second with panic. I quickly recover by rolling my eyes. He got me there. Felt like I just got caught stealing or something. The boys just laugh. In their minds it's so not a possibility that it's funny I guess. Thankfully Leon finally breaks the silence joking, "Damn Dom, your always cutting in on my action! You wait, I'm gonna find me a fine ass woman someday and if you ask her she'll say 'Toretto who?'"

Right about then Dom gets that kind of twinkle in his eye. A devious look but playful at the same time and it's totally adorable, I must admit. He puts on a straight face and you know he's about to let out a zinger. "Yeah, because you haven't introduced us yet." he says. A smirk spreads across his face and pretty soon all four of us are in stitches.

I think it must have been at least an hour before Brian comes out and joins me behind the bar looking for his next project. Vince immediately greets him with on of those macho secret handshakes I've never figured out. Leon gives him a "Sup?" and Dom just nods with his chin.

Brian is still all smiles and says to Vince "How is it that you get to stay out here and I'm back there?" as he nods back at Dom. Which, for those of you who don't speak man means that Dom said 'everything's cool' and Brian said 'thanks'. The art of deciphering male grunts and gestures. A skill I've acquired from living with an emotionally repressed brother and now of course being around Dom.

"Cause I'm prettier than you." Vince replies. Quick on the draw and sharper than he lets on. He is all surprises. Must have been a tough call for Mia to choose between those two. Two different ends of the spectrum. Night and day. I'm a night owl myself…

Contrary to popular belief, we do have customers and there is work to be done. I address the group thoroughly loathing my position as buzz kill. "Alright gentlemen. I hate to break up the party but your asses are taking up stools I could be making money off of." I say affectionately shooing them off.

They take my cue and get to work. Al except for Brian. I direct him to some tables that need bused. Kind of give him bullshit work. Gotta pay your dues, right? Leon gets cracking on the AC and Dom and Vince do that damn handshake thing again before he walks out. Left to his own devices Dom makes his way over to the pool table. Checking out the action. I discourage playing for money. I know. The hypocrisy of the situation isn't lost on me. But with alcohol in the mix there's just too much potential for it to get ugly, fast.

Doesn't mean it doesn't happen now and then. And I bet you can't guess who the biggest perpetrator is either. Yeah, Dom. He's got skills, makes some decent money on the side. See, for him it's not enough to just be good. Not reckless enough unless you lay some cash on the line. No real thrill unless you've got something to lose. Could be worse ways to get his kicks though. Ways hell of a lot more illegal and dangerous than pool. It's like a fix for him. Nowhere near the high he gets from racing but enough to satiate him, at least for a little while.

I'm walking the bar, doing my rounds. Introduce Brian to a few of the regulars. His broken Spanish amuses them. As is becoming the norm, he's ever the gracious guest. And a guest here more so than my place. This is my real home. This is my real family, friends, life. He works hard and in my book that earns you respect. I manage to keep him busy for quite awhile longer. Amazing the amount of things you find that need to be done when you have n extra hand.

My back is turned on the bar for a second as I put a few empty bottles in the can. I turn back to find Dom sitting in front of me. "Vince is here. You need anything before I go?" He asks, looking at me with his hands folded on the bar. If you looked up the word temptation in the dictionary. Damn.

"Mind giving Bri a ride?" I ask hesitantly.

His eyebrow rises as he answers, "Why are you so good to us?" I'm not sure if that's a rhetorical question or not.

None the less, I'm more than a little intrigued. He's certainly not lacking in the charm department. At least when he feels like it. "What do you mean?" I ask.

He shrugs, staring at his hands now as if they suddenly have become so transfixing he can't bring himself to look away. "Just that you've been good to us. All of us. Most of us don't deserve it." He trails off quietly.

"I'm the one who should be grateful." I reply, "It's getting so I don't remember what it's like doing this without you guys. Don't think I could go back to doing things that way again." And I am grateful. They don't need the money half as bad as I need the help.

He just smiles. Knows he won't win this one. "Alright, where's the buster?" he says, his posture relaxing. Giving in to the weariness after a long day. I set a beer on front of him and yell for Brian.

He's on the other end of the bar and it's kind of loud but I've developed a pretty good set of lungs over the years. He hears me loud and clear even through all the commotion and conversation swirling around us. As he ducks under the counter I say, "Catch." throwing a set of keys at him. Giving him barely enough time to make it to this side of the bar and grab them. He does though. Good reflexes. "Well you made it through day one. That's a key to my place. You're off the clock." I say walking to the register and opening it. I take out some cash and walk over to him, reaching for his hand and stuffing the money in it. "Dom will give you a lift." I say gesturing toward shim with a nod of my head.

He looks at the money and then at me but I walk away before he starts talking. He's exactly the type to tell me it's too much or something. He really needs it though and I can certainly afford it. He shoves the bills in his pocket as I grab Dom's empty beer. Brian meets up with Dom on the other side of the bar. "Thanks," he says to me "You leaving soon?"

I look around. The place is hopping. I laugh, "Me? No, I got a few hours yet. Go on, get out of here. Mi casa es su casa."

It's about twelve when I finally make my way home. I open the door and almost stop dead in my tracks. Dom and Brian are sitting on the couch drinking beer and watching TV. Yes, I think I walked in the right door. Yes, that is my couch. And yes they both look like they are having fun. Stranger things have happened…

This could wind up working to my advantage. I was planning on dragging Brian out tonight. Might not have to drag so hard. "Nice to see you made yourself comfortable. Did I miss the party?" I say sweetly. I guess I kind of expected him to sit there and do nothing while I was working. At least be sitting there bored and uncomfortable.

Brian stands up almost as soon as I speak. "We were just hanging out. Wanna beer?" he offers.

I plop my stuff down on the kitchen and just as I am about to open my mouth to answer him Dom does it for me. His gaze still fixed on the television as he says, "Blanca doesn't drink."

Brian's expression is a mixture of surprise and confusion. "Never?" he asks. I get that a lot. I have my reasons, obviously. Issues with alcohol. The whole bar thing feeding my ridiculous instinct to take care of all the people that will drink with or without my bar. In some way my twisted penance for not helping my parents. As if I could have. Although Dom understands my reasons better than most, people seem pretty accepting. They don't ask questions. To may face at least. My boundaries are few but clear.

"Nope." I answer simply. Quickly changing the subject I add, "Hot date tonight?" I joke.

He looks a little disappointed. I know he wishes he did have a date and we all know who with. He also knows I meant no harm. With a yawn he answers, "I think my head has a date with that pillow."

"Honey," I reply "You are not going to bed early on watch. Don't bother arguing, You have fifteen minutes to wake up an get gorgeous, we are going out." I walk over to him and tug at his shirt, looking him over.

This all gets Dom's attention… and quickly. "Where you going?" he asks, getting up to join us in the kitchen.

Brian again getting lost in the background as soon as Dom gives me his attention. I really gotta stop doing that. Not very polite. So I give Brian's hair a little tousle. Trying to be nonchalant but secretly thrilled to have piqued Dom's interest. I answer evasively, "Out." before returning my attention to Brian. "You need a shower, a shave and a haircut." I look at my watch and back to him. "Never mind, no time. Just put on a clean shirt."

Brian looks kind of amused at this and I know Dom is totally aware of my feeble attempt at psychological manipulation. I decide to make a beeline for my room. To get ready of course. Rather unexpectedly he takes my bait again. "What about me?" he says to my back.

I don't turn around, or even stop. Don't want him to get any hint of the butterflies that just came to life in the pit of my stomach. "You look just fine the way you are." I say. One of those things you don't have the guts to say to a guy's face. But I hope it will mean he's still standing there when I come out. Cause I have every intention of making it worth his while.

When I finally do come out, my hair is down. A rare occurrence for me. Loose blonde waves drape around my shoulders. Got on my favorite skinny jeans. Simple low cut purple top. Again something different from the easy black tank tops I rely on for work. The piece de resistance being my high heeled black leather boots. The click of those heels make my presence known to my delight, both Brian AND Dom. I see approval in their faces immediately and stand a little taller after that. Guys have no idea the power they have sometimes.

I play it casual though, walk over to Brian with earrings in my hand. He's changed but looks a little uneasy about partying it up. I hold a different earring up to each ear saying, "Look, you sit here and mope or you can have some fun… Take your mind off everything for a few hours. It won't kill you. Which one do you think?"

He points to one ear and I immediately put on the other. What the hell do guys know about earrings anyway? Dom has a smirk on his face. Apparently he's reading me loud and clear. "Okay, but Dom is coming too." Brian finally responds. I owe him for that one. Could not have set that one up better if I tried.

I decide to go with the flow. Even though the flow is going somewhere slightly dangerous. "You know, you better not follow me around with your mouth hanging open like that all night. People might get the wrong idea." I say playfully as he sips the last of his beer and I put on my other earring.

"I might HAVE to follow you around all night because YOUR giving guys the wrong idea." he answers unfazed. He makes no attempt to mask the approval in his eyes as he looks me up and down either.

Brian has started to get his bearings here though. His feel for the situation in particular is on point. "Are you two gonna play games all night or are we going out?" he says with an assertiveness that surprises both Dom and I.

I grab my purse and keys from the table and look to Dom, "You wanna follow us?" I ask.

He nods, putting his arm out towards the door as if to say 'lead he way'. He walks out behind me and Brian, locking the door as if it were his own place. I have a moment of self-pity there in the hallway of my building. I'll never get him. I'm no match for Letty. Problems or not they have a history I can't even touch. So I caught his eye. I'm not the first or the last. It may be corny and cliché but she's the only one who caught his heart. A long time ago. What am I doing? What's wrong with me?

I can see it now. As usual I misread the signals. Take this back and forth for something it's not. And in the end he'll just break my heart. Won't be his fault. Really, come on. What kind of guy would stay with his girl and make a move for another unless he was just looking for a quick piece of ass. I mean, if he was really that unhappy he would leave… right? I'm dreaming if I think he's going to wake up one day and decide he's really in love with me. I can only blame myself if this ends badly.

He takes my elbow in his hand protectively as we head down the stairs. It makes me want to cry. I'm so confused at this point I don't know what to believe. A player looking for a side piece doesn't do things like this. Or do they? Which of the truths about him that I've formed in my head is right? The nagging feeling like I'm doing something wrong by just thinking about him has turned those butterflies to a churning sea. I don't let it show though.

We're going to out to my favorite club and I promised Brian a good time. I can pretend to be fine even though I'm a mess inside. Been doing it ever since my parents died. I became like a robot. The words 'I'm fine' coming as easily as breathing. I know that it's unhealthy and all. Your supposed to express your feelings. Don't keep them bottled up. Least that's what the therapist told me. The one who everyone said I had to see. What a crock of shit. He didn't help me.

Maybe he was right, I don't really know. All I know is that when that man walked in my bar and I laid eyes on him all was right with my world. Being around him and his friends feels like family again. The kind I always wished I had even when my own was in tact. I had still been dating Pito up until that point. Even though he was a jerk and treated me like shit. I came to terms though I guess. In my own time. I could be miserable or not, it was my choice. I chose.

I chose Dom. He made me feel safe even though it scared me to feel it. I trusted him even though I knew I shouldn't. I wanted him even though I knew I couldn't have him. I will come to terms with that reality in my own time too. But for tonight. Tonight I'll do what I always do. What I'm best at. I'll pretend to be fine.

I'll put on a happy face and dance…