by Jack Harbon
He’d needed the idea of never having this again to make him realize that Jordan wasn’t just a temporary thrill but rather an immovable part of his story that he didn’t want to end. He wasn’t going to leave Sweet Rose. He was going to stay his ass right where he belonged.
When they’d finally parted and rejoined the rest of the group, Jordan took a moment to introduce Rex and Patricia. She seemed delighted to have a chance to meet with the man responsible for this trip in person, and Rex was more than happy to take Jordan’s phone to snap a few pictures. The room filled with music, and before long, the attendees began doing tiny little shuffles, dancing as they chatted.
Lana appeared by Jordan’s side and stole him from Rex. “I wanted to talk to you for a second,” she said.
“What’s up?”
“Well, my mom and I tried pottery,” she said, giving him a look that immediately clicked for him.
“That bad?”
“Turns out I’m not talented with my hands. Maybe that’s why I’m single… Anyway, Mom says she still wants to do something with me every week, so I pitched the club. She told me we should’ve just gone to the Meet Cute Club meetings in the first place.”
“So…you’re coming back?” As great as the club was, without Lana, it had always felt like they were missing something. Adding her mother into the mix would only make things that much better.
“I’m coming back, and I’m bringing my mom with me!”
Jordan could only smile like a kid in a candy store. All of the members he’d had before Rex were all back together again, and now there would be even more new faces and new perspectives on the genre. The idea of branching out, exploring different stories with his new friends, and spending hours talking about their favorite books was the cherry on top of the day.
He'd finally done it. All he’d wanted was to make a club as important as Sherleen’s. He wanted to reach as many people as she had, and with Rex’s help and the help of every other member of the club, he’d done it. They’d done it.
Jordan stood back and watched as the attendees and his friends mingled and ate snack food, all of them there because of the books he loved. To most people, it might’ve been silly to feel proud of it. After all, they were just books.
But for Jordan, it was more than that. It was about more than the books. It was about the community surrounding them, and the interpersonal relationships that were built all because of a mutual love of stories. The friendships he’d made, and the love he’d almost lost. These books brought people together, people he never wanted to be away from. If it meant tolerating some snarky cashier at a bookstore smarting off about his taste in reading material for him to have all this, then so be it. It was worth it in the end.
Besides, who didn’t love an opposites-attract romance?
THE END
Keep reading for a chapter of Jack’s previous series, Endearments…
Daddy (Endearments #1)
Mateo put his entire life on hold when he found out that his father's Alzheimer's had gotten worse. He dropped all of his textbooks and returned home despite his dreams of graduation, never once complaining about the turn of events. It was his duty as a Rosales to provide for his family. So, back to East L.A., back to another job in retail, and back to basics.
But when Mateo's best friend signs him up for SweetDates.com, a website for older men and younger singles to exchange money for companionship, his life takes a sudden turn. Soon he finds himself talking with the charming, gorgeous millionaire Arthur Danby, and forced to face the uncomfortable moral soul-searching of this new relationship.
Could he really put a monetary value on his time? Is the stubborn pride instilled in him since childhood worth more than feeding his family? And despite the alluring look in his eye, is Arthur hiding something dark?
One
There were no words to describe the level of disinterest Mateo felt listening to the customer in front of him yammer on. For a moment he’d nearly zoned out, wondering what he’d make for dinner, or better yet, what he’d do for dessert. It wasn’t until she raised her voice that his attention was drawn back to the woman at the counter.
Her issue was that the pastry she’d purchased wasn’t organic and gluten-free like the label claimed. In her eyes, it was irresponsible for them to sell the snack. The real issue was that Mateo knew for a fact that they didn’t sell it. He’d never seen the packaging in his entire three years working at the lotion store. Also, they were in a lotion store.
She placed her hands on her hips and shook her head, a few strands of blonde hair falling from the messy bun that sat lopsided atop her head. She reached into her satchel and pulled out her phone. A moment later, she held it up as if she had the camera app open.
“I can’t believe this, you guys,” she said, her voice wavering. “This man refuses to refund me for a product that claims to be healthy but isn’t! What if I had celiac disease? I don’t, but…I could’ve died right here in his store. I want to speak to your manager!”
“My manager is sick at the moment,” Mateo said, staring back with dead eyes. He’d only gotten three hours of sleep last night, having spent all night calming his father down after another episode. On top of that, his manager had called him in earlier than usual. If he had any energy left, he damn sure wouldn’t have expended it on this woman and her shenanigans.
She scowled and puckered her pastel pink lips. “Convenient! I demand you give me my money back. Now.”
“Do you have a receipt?”
Her face contorted as if Mateo had insulted her entire lineage. “Wha—I don’t need a receipt. I’m a customer! I have the right to a refund.”
Mateo looked into the circular lens on the back of her phone, almost impressed with how delusional the woman was. He bit his tongue and was careful of his tone when he said, “Without a receipt, there’s no proof you were a customer at Lotion Potion. When you provide a receipt for the cherry pastry you claim you bought here, maybe then we can work something out.”
Her face grew redder, and she started to speak when he cut her off.
“Do you see that man over there?” In the corner of the store stood a man in an ill-fitting security uniform. “I don’t want to ruin his day by calling him over here, and I don’t want to ruin your day by having to call security on you. Please leave.”
“Wow,” was all the woman could say.
“What’s wow is you holding up the line, bitch,” Valerie said from behind her.
It took everything Mateo had not to crack a smile at his friend’s comment. The customer looked between the two of them, threw the pastry down and stormed out, knocking over one of the stands on her way out.
Valerie rolled her eyes. “That was fun.”
“It’ll probably be on Facebook by tonight,” he said.
“You should like and comment on the video,” Valerie laughed. She followed him to the mess of lotions and sprays and helped reorganize everything. As she stood up, she grabbed one of the bottles and examined it. “Peach mango. I might have to buy this one.”
Mateo led her back to the counter to ring her up. “What’re you doing here? I thought you said you had to work today.” Valerie also worked at the mall, more specifically as the receptionist at the hot new nail salon on the first floor, and she never got days off. Her boss was a hardass, practically keeping her hostage even when her shifts were over.
“I did have to work today, but I put a little polish on my fingers and told him my period was super rough. He let me out early.”
“Crafty,” Mateo said, laughing. He scanned her rewards card before taking her money. “So, what’re your plans for this sudden three-day weekend?”
“Well,” she said, rocking side to side. “I was hoping that maybe you’d come to my New Year’s Eve party at Eddie’s house tomorrow night. He said we can use his apartment as long as we clean up after ourselves. We didn’t clean everything last time and he threw the biggest pissy fit I’ve seen a thirty-year-old throw.”
“Ed
die… He’s that broker, yeah?”
“Mhm. He used to work with my dad but he got fired for laundering or something. His wife left him, and now if it makes him feel younger, he’ll do anything.”
“And anyone?” Mateo asked, looking up at her the same way his mother did when she implied something shady. Valerie gawked at him.
“God, no, he’s not even cute. But he knows how to take his liquor and loves to party, even if it’s with people ten years younger than him.”
“He’s fucking weird, Val,” Mateo chuckled. She opened her mouth as if she were going to disagree but sighed instead.
“Kind of. But still, I’m never gonna look this good again, so why not use it to charm him into hosting all my parties?”
“I’m not sure if I’ll be able to get away. My mom’s been hounding me for a while. She says I don’t spend enough time at home.”
Valerie made a face. “You dropped out of your senior year of college to move home. How much more does she want from you? A kidney or something?”
Mateo wanted to defend his mother, but he couldn’t. She had been putting more stress on him since he’d returned to their stuffy little apartment. He knew it wasn’t what she wanted to do, that she was busy taking care of his father and the kids, but sometimes he hated that this was his life. He’d had a future mapped out, where graduation led to a career in business and a career in business led to him eventually donating as much as he could to research for Alzheimer’s. Then his father got worse.
“I don’t know,” he said. “Let me talk to her and see if I can work out a deal. Maybe she’ll be more reasonable if I use my discount and get her something that smells pretty.”
“Perfect! If you come, we can even watch The Joy of Painting and get high.”
Valerie knew all the right things to say to get Mateo excited for the party. He smiled and handed her bag over. “I already said I’d try to go! No need to keep bribing me.”
She winked at him. “Anyway, I have to get going. I’ll call you and let you know about more details later?”
“Text my second number instead,” Mateo said. “Couldn’t make the phone bill this week, so it got shut off. We still have internet at the house right now, so I can use my old texting app.”
Valerie’s expression softened, and he could see she wanted to offer to help. Out of his small social circle, Valerie was the most well-off. The only reason she’d started working at the nail salon was because her father wanted to instill in her a sense of pride that could only come from hard work.
“Mateo,” she started.
“It’s fine,” he said, waving it off. He refused to take any handouts from his friend. He wasn’t a charity case. He didn’t even like when his friends paid for his food. The Rosales Way was to be a provider, not a mooch. His father had instilled that in him. He needed to make some money, but not from donations from his friends.
“I’ll text you tonight,” she said, giving up on the wordless argument they’d just been in. She gave a little wave and walked out of the store.
Mateo glanced at the analog clock on the wall behind him. Only two more hours until he was done with work. After that, he could stop by Mr. Estes’ art supplies store to pick up more paint. He could make that work.
It had taken all night, but eventually Mateo was able to convince his mother to let him go out with his friends. Part of him wondered why he’d even needed to ask for permission in the first place since he was almost twenty-two, but he reminded himself it was a respect thing. He respected her enough to let her know what he was doing and where he’d be. As it turned out, all he needed was to promise to spend the first of the new year with his siblings—and a new bottle of Sensual Rose lotion.
At nine, Mateo’s other best friend Rob picked him up on his way to the liquor store. Mateo wasn’t much of a drinker, but he let loose every now and then at these parties. It was the one time he didn’t have to babysit anyone else. He could just live for himself.
Nervously, Mateo pulled down the sun visor and studied his reflection. The stars must’ve aligned, because the pimple on his chin was all but invisible, leaving his golden brown skin completely clear. He’d even shaved an hour before and the redness was gone.
Rob brushed a dreadlock out of his face and said, “You look fine. Sit your ass still and stop worrying.”
Despite his flushed face, Mateo flipped the visor back up and glared at Rob. “Mind your business.”
“What, are you trying to get some ass tonight? You got on a brand-new shirt and everything.”
Mateo looked down at his outfit and shrugged. He’d found the colorful geometric button-up and distressed jeans at the thrift shop, and he’d saved up enough to get a new pair of red Converse two weeks ago.
“I’m not looking to get laid. I wanna get wasted,” he said.
“Why not both?” Rob asked.
“I’m celibate.”
“Involuntarily?”
“Gross. Don’t ever make a joke like that again,” Mateo laughed. “I guess celibate isn’t the right word. I’ve just got so much else on my plate, I really don’t have time to worry about keeping tabs on another person.”
“Mateo,” Rob sighed, shaking his head.
“What?”
“Always looking out for everyone else, but never himself. You’ve been this way since we were roomies.”
Unlike Valerie, who he’d known since middle school, Mateo and Rob had only met a few years ago. Despite the short amount of time, Mateo had gotten really close to him. It was hard not to talk about his family and past when he shared nearly every moment outside of class with Rob.
Mateo shrugged. “I’m just not really looking for that right now. I have other things to take care of.”
Rob didn’t argue. All he said was, “Don’t spread yourself too thin. You deserve a break every now and then.”
“So let’s make tonight my break,” Mateo grinned. He gave the bottle of vodka an excited shake.
While Rob drove, Mateo scrolled through Rob’s phone looking for a good playlist to put on. He found a ‘90s R&B playlist and pressed play without a second thought. The beat of a Next song began to rumble through the car, and together, Mateo and Rob started singing along.
They rounded a corner and drove through the neighborhood that always left Mateo in awe. Picture-perfect modern houses with sharp angles, windows that covered entire walls, and well-lit pools that looked impossibly blue at night passed by his window. There’d been times he’d sat out on the porch and fantasized about living someplace like Eddie’s neighborhood. Then reality hit, and he thought about the price tag of one of the houses.
Never in his wildest dreams.
For now, he’d have to be comfortable sleeping in the living room of their two-bedroom apartment.
On the way up to the front door, Mateo and Rob eased around a couple making out on the steps, their wet noises turning his stomach. They pushed through the door to find the house party in full swing. A game of beer pong was in progress in the foyer, and behind that, Mateo could see a couple of people playing pool.
“She’s probably in the kitchen,” Rob said loudly, trying to speak over the sound of the music. Mateo followed him through the house and into the obscenely large kitchen where they found Valerie giggling with a group of girls and swiping through her phone. She looked as stunning as ever in a white button-front mini dress that she filled out nicely and her hair pulled back into a high ponytail. The cherry on top was the Cartier LOVE necklace that sat snug between her breasts.
“Hey!” she exclaimed, pulling them both into hugs. “I’m so glad you guys could make it. And you brought drinks!”
The girls beside Valerie took the drinks and tossed the paper bags, setting the bottles on the counter next to the others. Valerie reached into the drawer and pulled out two sets of plastic sunglasses.
“These are both for you,” she said.
Rob slipped his on, and when Mateo saw how they looked on him, he burst into laughter. T
hey were ridiculously kitschy, colorful letters smashed together spelling out “Happy New Year” above the lenses. Mateo didn’t waste a second putting on his pair too.
Rob grabbed the bottle of tequila from the counter, and Mateo’s eyes lit up. “Hey,” he said, nudging his friend. “Let me drive the boat.”
“Yes, Matty!” Valerie exclaimed.
Rob happily obliged, holding up the bottle and pouring a shot directly into Mateo’s mouth. Valerie and the rest of the people in the kitchen cheered him on. When he stood upright, he wiped the corners of his mouth then proudly let his tongue hang out.
“That’s how the fuck you do it,” Rob said.
Once the drinks started flowing, Mateo’s nervous energy disappeared. No more was the anxiety in his stomach as people struck up random conversations with him. He didn’t stumble over his words trying to think of something funny, nor did he worry how his every word was received. He was comfortable, and damn if it didn’t feel good.
By eleven, even more people had shown up, and Mateo found himself playing a game of Cards Against Humanity with a group of strangers, laughing and shooting smartass comments like he’d known them for years. A girl his age brought him a drink, going far enough to put her head on his shoulder while he played.
“Just so you know,” he said, turning his head to look at her, “I’m…y’know, into dudes.”
She thoughtfully frowned for a moment, then smiled. “You should still be my kiss at midnight.”
Mateo hadn’t ever taken part in the tradition, and the opportunity to mark that off his bucket list was too great to pass up. With a little shrug of the shoulder she wasn’t leaning on, he said, “I’m down.”
Her smile widened and she wrapped an arm around him. “Perfect. To be honest, you’re the cutest guy in here. They’re all kind of busted.”
“Amen,” he said, glancing around. He wasn’t looking for anyone, but he could still admire the male specimen from afar. Unfortunately, not many lookers had cropped up. All of the straight guys were unattractive, and all of the gays that Valerie had invited were paired up with someone. Rather than sulking about the lack of eye candy, he decided to rope the girl beside him into helping him pick a card from his hand. To everyone’s surprise, the two of them made a damn good team, winning three rounds in a row.
