Page 45 of Always You
Mila:Sure, that’s fine see you at 1.
She’s pissed.
* * *
“Hey, Dom, how’s it going?” Will greets me as I enter Rocko's Bar.
Will's great, great grandad Rocko was the founder of this pub, and we’ve been coming here since before we were of age—even if it meant using fake IDs.
I take a seat at the barstool and tell him, “Doing fine, Will. Just had a long day—time to relax.”
As he looks at me, he strokes his long gray beard with his fingers. “What can I get you?”
“Whiskey on the rocks and two beers man.”
He frowns. “That bad, huh? So, word on the street is you broke your engagement off?” he questions, raising his gray brows.
I’m sure my brothers blabbed about it. Santiago comes here regularly. I blow out a breath.
“Samantha was never the one for me to begin with. We’re the complete opposites. I found out I have a son with the girl I’ve always been in love with. She was my high school sweetheart.”
He whistles. “Well, hell.” His eyes widen with surprise.
I’ve never talked to anyone about Mila. It hurt to talk about her.
“This woman you’re in love with, what happened? How old is this son of yours?”
I take a sip of whiskey, feeling the warm sensation coating my insides. We talked briefly, and I told him how my mom deceived me. I'm uncertain if Mila will provide me with an opportunity. I am unsure about her feelings for the other person she is with.
“Well, that’s some crazy shit, son. Sorry, but your mom’s a bitch. Word of advice don’t let anyone butt in on your relationships. I had a mother-in-law just like your mom. Why does she dislike Mila so much?”
A shrug rolls over my shoulder.
“I have no damn clue.” Every time I’ve asked my mom, she’s never answered the question. All she says is Mila’s not good enough.
“Is she single? She’s not married, is she?”
A growl erupts from my chest. Just thinking of her married pains me.
“No, she’s not married, thank the fuck.”
Will chuckles. “Good luck, man.” He pats me on the shoulder and walks off to attend to others.
Liam walks in wearing his uniform pants and a plain white t-shirt. He must have just retired for the night from work. He’s a police officer for the San Diego Police Department. He pulls out the stool next to me. Waves to Will for a beer. Liam scans my face.
“You look like shit.”
I take a sip of my beer.
Will drops a beer in front of Liam.
“You keep saying I look like shit,” I toss back to him, annoyed.
He chuckles. “How are things going with Mila? By the looks of it, not well, I’m guessing.”
I give him the run-down of everything going on and letting out a sigh, I continue. “She looks at me with disgust and hurt. I told her how I felt. When we had lunch, I poured my soul out to her. Every time I felt she was going to give in, she pushed back.”
“Dom, it’s been five years. You have to be patient with her. You have a lot of catching up to do, it will take time. Don’t rush her or you will push her away. Let’s not forget you were just engaged.”
