Miguel’s cheeks turned pink, and he smiled. “Thank you. And thanks again for listening before. It really helped.”
“Any time,” I said. And I meant it. It was hard for me to make friends because I was always working. I liked Miguel, and I liked the idea of being friends with him. I was about to say something to that effect when we were interrupted by a server bringing a drink order. Miguel got out of the way and gave me a little wave goodbye.
Things got crazy like they always did at brunch. It was a new thing Mr. O’Neil was trying. I thought it was funny because the time hadn’t changed from when the restaurant served lunch, just the name and some items on the menu. But apparently, calling it brunch made it special, and people flocked to the restaurant for it. Go figure.
I saw Miguel come through the dining room a few times during the service. He would chat with the hostess, talk to the wait staff, and check in on the diners. He even checked to make sure my stock was holding up. “It’s all good,” I told him. “You got enough. Hopefully, we’ll get a new distributor from now on.”
Miguel nodded. “Mr. O’Neil is going to work on it after the weekend. He was really mad when I told him. I wouldn’t want to be the manager of the old place when he calls them on Monday morning.”
“Truth,” I said. As he was about to leave, I asked, “When do you get off work tonight?”
“I’m done at seven.”
“I was thinking we could get a drink at Watermark after you’re done. It probably won’t be too crowded since it’s March.”
Miguel’s smile lit up the room. “That would be great. I’d really like that.”
“Good,” I said with an answering grin. “Do you want to meet there?”
He nodded. “I’ll want to run home and change before I go. I live in Ocean Grove, so I’m right next door to Asbury Park.”
“Okay, so how about we meet at eight,” I said.
“Sounds good.”
Miguel got called away and didn’t return to the restaurant before the service was over. As I worked getting the servers their orders, my thoughts kept drifting back to him. I was surprised at how comfortable I felt around him. I usually didn’t make friends that easily. I wasn’t sure what it was about him that drew me. He’d always been nice. I remembered that time around Christmas when Cody had run off and started pounding on the piano in the dining room. Miguel had been so patient and gentle with him, and he’d never once gotten snippy with me.
But it was more than that. I’d seen him fiercely protect staff from entitled customers. And he was so boldly himself. I remembered the first time I’d seen him. I was taken by surprise by the makeup, but it suited him. It bothered me that people thought he should change. Seeing him so upset today had made me sad.
I was cleaning up the bar and restocking the drink garnishes after the service ended when Carrie came running into the dining room. “Zach, there’s a big guy yelling at Miguel in Spanish in the lobby. Miguel tried to get him to leave, but he wouldn’t go. I think he’s a relative or something. My Spanish isn’t all that good.”
Hot rage ran through me, which took me by surprise. I didn’t even have to guess who it was. Normally, I was a pretty chill guy. But I’d spent half an hour this morning listening to Miguel talk about what happened with his sister. I saw how much it hurt him. I wasn’t having any of his brother-in-law’s bullshit here at Miguel’s place of work. I set down the container of fruit and went around to the front of the bar. “Lead the way.”
I heard the asshole before I saw him. My Spanish was passable, so I could understand most of what Carlos was saying. He was yelling something about Miguel being ungrateful and hurting his whole family. I couldn’t hear what Miguel was saying because he wasn’t yelling. I picked up my pace because I was done hearing this shithead berate someone as sweet and kind as Miguel.
The lobby of Moonlight Inn was set up like a large living room with a couple of long couches and several overstuffed chairs. Miguel and Carlos were standing in front of the reception desk. Carlos was red-faced and angrily pointing a finger at Miguel. Miguel stood with his arms folded across his chest and a look of stubborn determination on his face. When Carlos took a breath from his rant, Miguel said quietly, “Vete a casa, Carlos.”Go home, Carlos.
Carlos’s lip curled up in a sneer. “Maricón.” Then he pushed Miguel hard enough that the smaller man almost fell.
“Oh, hell no,” I said. I strode over to Carlos and got right in his face. “Get out now,” I growled in my military don’t-fuck-with-me tone.
“Who the fuck are you?” Carlos snarled.
“Your worst nightmare if you don’t get the fuck out of here now. Miguel is trying to be nice but trust me, I have no problem whatsoever calling the cops on your homophobic ass.”
Carlos was a big guy, but I was bigger and in better shape. He drew himself up to his full height but was still a couple of inches shorter than me. I didn’t move a muscle. I didn’t need to. I’d been in the Army National Guard for going on twelve years now, and I hadn’t reached the rank of staff sergeant by backing down from assholes. He opened his mouth, probably to say something else nasty to Miguel, but I put up my hand. “Not another word out of you. Like Miguel said, go home.”
I saw when it finally registered with Carlos that I’d understood what he’d said to Miguel. He sneered at me but stepped back before turning and stomping out the lobby door.
I waited until the door fully closed before turning to check on Miguel. He was leaning against the registration desk with his hand over his eyes. Carrie and a few other staff members stood there, mostly in shock. I blew out a sigh. “Why don’t you all head back to work. I’ll stay here with Miguel.”
They all nodded and headed out. I went over to Miguel and said quietly, “Are you okay?”
He shook his head, hand still over his eyes. I heard the tears in his voice when he said, “Not really.”
I really should have hit the guy. I slipped my arm around Miguel’s shoulders and said, “Let’s go to your office so you can have some privacy.”
“Okay.”
