Even this brought on thoughts of Grace.

CHAPTER 10

Alex was already at the restaurant when he got there. Romero was there too, eating a burrito. He often stopped by to grab a bite before work or even during. Since he had his own security firm, he could come and go as he pleased. He hadn’t been around in a while. Sal’s phone buzzed just as he reached them at the bar. He frowned when he saw who the text was from, then raised his eyebrows when he read it.

“What’s that look about?” Romero said, with a mouthful.

“San Diego State made it to the next round of the playoffs.” Sal lifted his phone in the air. “Extra tickets for Saturday’s game.”

“You’re shitting me?” Romero wiped his mouth. “Who has extra tickets?”

“Yeah, that’s the catch. Some chick I’m having a hard enough time getting rid of. If I take her up on this, forget about it. She’ll be dropping by here and calling not stop.”

“You have any idea what those tickets go for, Sal?” Alex asked. “How many does she have? Maybe you can buy them off her.”

“Dude, I don’t even wanna ask. This is the one I told you about that got into my apartment in Los Angeles, remember?”

Alex laughed. “Oh, that chick?”

“Yeah, I rarely respond to her texts.”

“Well, don’t go with her. Take the tickets and we’ll go with you,” Romero said.

Sal gave him a look. “You don’t think she’s gonna be there?”

His phone buzzed again and Sal read it. “Two tickets.”

“Dibs!” Romero said.

“I can’t go anyway.” Alex frowned. “Valerie’s ready to go any minute.”

Sal started toward the back. “I’d rather not. It’s not worth it.”

“Ask her how much she wants for them.” Romero followed him to the back. “I’ll buy them. Those tickets are sold out for sure.”

Sal stopped at the door. He knew Romero’s persistent ass was not going to stop. He should’ve never said anything. He took a deep breath and texted Melissa back.

My friend is interested. How much do you want for them?

Her response was immediate.

Don’t be silly. I’m offering them 2 you 4 free.=) But I was really hoping you’d go.

Sal glared at Romero. “She says they’re free—if I go.”

“So tell her you will. You don’t have to.”

“I can’t do that.”

“Then we’ll go together. What’s the big deal?

His phone buzzed again.

I’ll drop them off this week. Gotta get back to my hearing. Ttyl!

“Great.” Sal tossed his phone on the desk.

“What?”

“Now she has an excuse to drop by. She’s bringing the tickets this week.”

“Yes!” Romero did an inward fist pump. “So you going with me?”

“I guess,” Sal said, taking a seat at the desk.

“’Cause if you don’t want to I’ll buy them off you and take Izzy.”

“I wouldn’t sell them to you, ass. But I gotta be there.”

Romero drummed his hands against the doorway. “Then, let me know how we’re gonna do this. I can drive if you want.”

Sal nodded but didn’t even bother to look back at him. Romero walked out and Sal could hear him boasting loudly. “Guess who’s going San Diego State’s finals?”

Sal shook his head, annoyed. Over the years Romero had been the cause of many things gone wrong. It was only fitting that this too, was his fault.

~*~

Oscar walked in just after four in the afternoon. Sal eyed him as he strolled through the restaurant and into the back room. He finished the interview he was doing and hurried to the back. Alex was in there with him.

He turned to Sal when he saw him. “I was just telling Alex about my daughter. She was in the emergency room all morning because her fever was so high.”

“What’s wrong with her?” Sal asked.

“Ear infection. The doctors say if she keeps getting them they may have to insert tubes.”

Alex winced. “Tubes?”

“Yeah, it’s actually kind of common. When the ear doesn’t drain, it gets infected so if they insert tubes it helps them drain.”

“Doesn’t that mess with her hearing?” Alex frowned, standing up.

“No, but the infections could, so it’s better to get the tubes in, than to risk hearing loss from the constant infections. This is the third one she’s had this year.”

“Damn,” Sal said. “Is she still in the hospital? You didn’t have to come in, you know.”

“Nah, she’s home now. I’d rather be here anyway. I need the money.”

Alex walked out, leaving Sal alone with Oscar. Oscar was busy pulling his stuff out of the cabinet. Sal wasted no time. “So I heard you took Grace home last night.”

Oscar turned around. “Yeah, can you believe she takes the bus to Chula Vista? She acted like it’s no big deal but shit, that’s far.”

Sal took a seat, and leaned back, giving Oscar all his attention. “Good looking out then. That is far.”

Oscar grinned. “You know me,” he winked. “I couldn’t pass up the chance to be the charming gentleman.”

Typically, this would be Sal’s cue to wink back and grin with him, instead he ground his teeth, and began rocking back and forth in his chair. “I’m sure you couldn’t.”