Stay away from him, Paige. My inner alarm was screaming out, but it was probably just a strange case of jealousy. He was old enough to be her father, and didn’t fuck around on his wife Nancy. Not anymore, anyway.
Padre shook her hand briefly and said, “Tiny’s a good guy. We’ve known each other since he really was Tiny.” He laughed at his own joke and then coughed a little. “I’m Padre.”
“Well, Padre. Thanks for the drinks.” She took a dainty sip of the beer, and then threw back the shot like a pro. She didn’t even wince as she sucked on the lime.
Well, well. Paige might not be as innocent as she looks.
“My pleasure.”
The shot took effect, and Paige slid off the barstool, grabbed her beer, and started to look around the room. It was just a matter of time before she was going to see me sitting in the corner, so I tried to make myself as invisible as possible. That woman was trouble, and I needed to stay far away. I needed to get out of here.
As soon as she turned to look at the digital jukebox, I grabbed my bag and headed for the back door. Connie would close out my tab for me. Just as I pushed open the door, I heard Paige say, “Ohhh pool! I love shooting pool.”
Imagining her bent over a pool table with those long fingers wrapped around a cue? Yeah, definitely time for me to leave.
Eight
Paige
I was disappointed, I’ll admit it. When I went into the Blue Dog Saloon, I had been hoping to run into Ryder. Instead, I saw an old guy wearing an Outlaw Souls jacket, and down at the other end of the bar was another guy who looked foreign—maybe Russian—wearing the same jacket.
It was really dark in there, but as far as I could tell, they were the only two there. That bartender had kind of an attitude, but whatever. I know that I didn’t look like I’d fit in, but I’d win them over in time.
After the beer and the shot, and working a full day, I was tired. I didn’t really want to go back to my apartment, but I really didn’t have a choice. I had the afternoon shift tomorrow at work and I didn’t know anyone in town other than Rocky, and I really didn’t want to get to know her as anything more than coworkers.
I stopped at the Mexican market that was just down the street from the bar. It was called Southgate Martinez and had a whole burrito bar inside the store. I made myself a huge one and got a bottle of water and a cup of mangoes and yogurt for breakfast. When in La Playa, right?
As I was carrying my stuff inside, my phone rang. I didn’t recognize the number, and even though I don’t usually answer calls, I was hoping it was one of the jobs I applied for. I pulled the phone out of my back pocket.
“Hello?”
“Is this Paige Anton?”
“This is she.”
“Hi, this is Elizabeth Maroni from Californians for Social Justice.”
“Oh yes! Hi. Thanks for calling.” This was the job I’d been most interested in.
“We received your application and would love for you to come in for an interview.”
“Great! Oh that’s great news. Yes. When?”
“We are interviewing several candidates and have an opening tomorrow afternoon. I’m sorry for the short notice, but our regional manager is only here for a short time.”
“No, no. That will work.” I had my shift at Tiny’s, but hopefully I could do it on my lunch break. “What time?”
“How about 1:30?”
“You got it. I’ll be there.” This was such great news! “Thank you!”
I was so happy the rest of the night that I didn’t even mind the sirens and the helicopters or the shouting neighbors. I had a job interview tomorrow!
* * *
I should have knownsomething was up when I couldn’t find parking in Tiny’s lot. There were so many cars that they overflowed onto the street. Even the lot across the street in front of the Blue Dog was packed. I had to park at the gas station on the other corner and hope my car didn’t get towed. I’d move it to the regular lot when I got back from my interview.
Walking in the door to Tiny’s, the place was even more jammed than the parking lot. The waiting area was full, and there were parents and kids lined up to use the claw machine. Rocky and Julie were racing around with plates and cups of coffee, and customers were calling to them as they hustled by. “Excuse me, Miss? Can I change my order?”
