Page 107 of The Manny

“You made it,” he said cheerfully, shaking my hand.

“Of course I made it.” I forced a smile and slid into the booth. “Did you think I’d stand you up?”

He sighed. “Maybe. I screwed up big time. I know you’re mad at me.”

Before I could respond, a petite waitress with thick black hair and a friendly smile appeared at our table. “What can I get you to drink?”

“What’s he having?” I asked, eyeing Scott’s salted glass.

“Cadillac margaritas.” She winked. “And I used the plural on purpose.”

Scott grinned and drained his glass. He licked his lips and set the empty glass down with an exhale. “I’ll have another, Juana, and one for my friend too.”

She met my gaze. “Is that okay with you?”

“Sounds good.” I smiled.

She wandered away, swishing her hips as the mariachi music played overhead. Within minutes a full basket of crispy tortilla chips and fresh salsa were delivered to the table by a fresh-faced Hispanic boy. I kicked Scott under the table when he eyed the kid, and Scott gave me a sheepish look.

Once the boy had moved away, I said, “He’s a baby. He’s probably no older than eighteen.”

Scott pushed his lower lip out in a pout. “You’re no fun.”

I rolled my eyes and helped myself to the chips and salsa. I was doing my best to hide it, but I felt uneasy tonight. I needed to have a serious talk with Scott about something that had happened between him and Brody. I really didn’t want to lose his business, but he’d crossed a line that was going to make having him around the shop awkward as hell.

Once the waitress delivered our drinks, and I had a few big sips under my belt, I met Scott’s embarrassed gaze. “So shall I start, or would you like to go first?”

Scott sighed. “We could just pretend nothing happened with me and Brody, and enjoy our evening.”

“No, we can’t. Brody is upset. He’s trying to hide it, but I’ve known him a long time and I can tell he’s in a bad place.”

“God. I feel awful. I never meant to mess with his head.”

“So, you thought you could give a straight guy a blow job, and he wouldn’t have any lasting feelings about that?”

Wincing, he said, “To be fair, we werebothextremely drunk.”

I leaned forward. “I thought you said you didn’t chase straight guys?”

His face tinted pink. “I don’t. Usually.”

“Why did you have to pick Brody? Of all the guys in town.”

“I… I told you, we were both wasted.” He sighed. “In fact, I was hoping he was so drunk he wouldn’t remember it even happened.”

“Judging from the fact he called in sick for two days after, I’d say he remembers.”

“Shit. Did he really?”

“Yeah, and he never calls in sick. He’s back to work now, thank God. But I can tell he’s off his game.”

He groaned and leaned back against the booth. “My intention was simply to flirt with him, like I always do. He usually just laughs me off, and goes and sleeps with some chick.” He pinched the skin between his eyes. “I couldn’t believe it when he was willing.”

“Why were you flirting with him in the first place?”

“It’s fun.”

“God.”

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