Page 9 of Entangled With You

Increasing the volume, I pay close attention to everything she says. Her accent is thick and as hot as I remember. She greeted them with a bright smile on her pretty face, the dark circles under her eyes telling a different story. It surprises me since people usually sleep on long flights, but I guess she’s nervous about this big step in her career. I know I would be.

But you don’t know her, asshole. You fucked her and left.

I flinch as the voice in my head hits me with another dose of reality. I quickly turn the volume down on my phone and start working instead.

By the time Friday rolls in, I’m exhausted from the long hours we’ve been pulling in the office. The Golden Warriors want our proposal ready to deliver on Monday. I haven’t been in the mood to hang out with my coworkers after work all week, and they’re starting to look at me funny.

When I landed this job, I decided that I was going to truly get out of my shell and work on my social skills. It wasn’t easy at first; I missed the slow pace of La Plata, the familiarity of having my friends around and being able to go grab a bite and a beer with them after school. But the truth is, all that ended when they started meeting their better halves. Luca moved to Chile with Karina, Marco and Dani bought a penthouse even before getting married, and Franco and his wife Sofia got a mansion as a wedding gift from her dad. And me? Well, let’s just say I decided to look for a job somewhere outside of La Plata. I didn’t want to see my friends ridiculously happy with their wives every day. It’s a reminder of how monumentally I had fucked up my chances with the only girl who has made my world go round. Hanging out with Franco and Sofi was giving me a high level of anxiety.

I get to the office parking garage, and when my baby starts purring, the slow rumble beneath me makes me feel like everything is right in my world. The freedom I feel driving my bike is the closest I’ve ever been to feeling what I felt that night. When I came back to Argentina, and after getting this job, it was the first purchase I made. A Ducati Diavel 1260 Dark Stealth. I also got an apartment in a nice neighborhood in Buenos Aires, La Paternal, known for its soccer history. It’s the home of Argentinos Juniors, a soccer club founded in 1904 and currently managed by one of the greatest centre-backs in soccer history.

I make it to my place in no time; I know my mom would have words with me if she ever saw the way I zigzag through traffic here in Buenos Aires. But I just love the air hitting my face, the adrenaline running through my veins.

My apartment building is in front of a small lake. For some reason, looking at the water brings me peace, and that’s exactly what I do after taking a quick shower and putting a pair of gray sweatpants on.

Looking at the lights coming in from the other side of the lake, dancing with the water as a couple of paddle boats pass by, an idea pops into my mind.

Matías

I know what I’ll do. I’ll find a hookup.

Luca

What? Are you crazy, bro? No pussy has made you feel anything compared to what you felt with that mina, and now you think another random hookup will?

I wince at Luca’s answer, but he’s not wrong. I’ve had multiple hookups over the years and nothing has ever come close to what I felt with mi ángel.

Matías

True, but maybe this time I’ll find some sort of relief.

Luca

Suit yourself, man. Keep me posted, tho.

Matías

Of course, I won’t.

Luca

Didn’t expect a different answer. Peace out.

Matías

Peace.

I need to get some release. I need to find a mina who’s the least similar to Cattleya. I do a Google search, looking for the best hookup apps. After downloading two, I quickly fill out the info required and start browsing for a match. Crickets. All the minas I see are either too fake, full of Botox, or definitely not my type. This is going to be harder than I anticipated. Maybe I need to try and find my hookup the old-fashioned way; I need to hang out with my coworkers, after all. Maybe I’ll find a girl at Devoto, the bar we usually go to.

Matías

Are you guys still at Devoto?

I shoot a quick text to my coworkers’ group chat.

Vale

Yes! Did you decide to join us?

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