Pretend

Page 22

And that ended the break in his anger for his ex. “Isaac—”
“Excuse me. Can I get another beer?” a man asked from the other end of the counter.
“Shit. I’ll be right back.”
“Looks like you need some help in this place, no? It would be the perfect time to train someone.”
Mason shook his head. “I have help. He’s just running late.” Mason filled multiple beer glasses, made a mixed drink, and then took money before he looked up and saw Gavin walk in.
He looked worn out as hell, his hair messy like he’d spent the day in bed fucking. Mason headed the other way again, meeting Gavin behind the bar, not a foot away from Isaac.
“Sorry I’m late. I know that doesn’t put me off to the best start. I just…some shit went down today.”
Mason gabbed his bicep and squeezed before pulling his hand away. “Nah, it’s cool. Everyone and their brother just decided to come in tonight.”
“Excuse me, can I get a drink?” Isaac asked. Mason turned to tell him to fuck off when Gavin said, “What can I get you?” at the same time as someone held up an empty pitcher from one of the tables by the stage.
“He’ll want whiskey, on the rocks. I’ll be right back.” Busy or not, he didn’t want to leave his customers waiting. Plus, the more pitchers he filled, the more money the bar made.
Mason made rounds, refreshing drinks where need be. Gavin kept busy behind the bar. Mason could see he looked a little frazzled but he held his own, so Mason kept clear. He knew it would be important to the man to be able to hold his weight, and the only way to let that happen was not to rescue him unless he needed it.
He visited with some of the patrons while taking orders.
“Excuse me, I seem to be having some trouble with the jukebox,” a redhead woman said to him.
“I’ll give you a hand.” Mason walked over with her. “Sometimes you have to rough it up to get it to cooperate.” He shook it, and after he did, a song started to play.
“Thank you,” she gave him a seductive smile before leaning against the wall. “What’s your name?”
“Mason. I own the place.”
“Oh, wow. It’s a great bar. I’m Melody.” Another smile.
Shit.
“Mason, I’ve been looking for you all over,” Isaac stepped up beside him. Mason took this as the opportunity to let her know that unfortunately, he wouldn’t be interested in her.
“Nice to meet you, Melody. This is my ex Isaac.” It was the easiest way he could think of to let her know that he wasn’t interested.
“Oh, well don’t I feel stupid.” She blushed. “All the good looking ones are gay.” She winked at them and walked away.
Isaac laughed. “Why are you always getting yourself into trouble with women?”
“Hell if I know.” But it was true. Mason spent a lot of time getting hit on by women. Isaac had saved him more than once in the past. But the truth was, even though he wasn’t attracted to women, he loved them. Some of the most important people in his life had been women. “Guess I’m just sexier than you.” They both laughed this time. Mason glanced up to see Gavin look at him. He pulled on the lobe of his right ear. Hmm, he usually only did that when he was nervous. Mason winked at him.
“Who’s the guy?” Isaac asked.
“My bartender.”
Isaac crossed his arms. “Is he fucking you?”
He heard the competitiveness in Isaac’s voice. Mason didn’t think for a second it was because Isaac was broken hearted or couldn’t handle the thought of Mason with another man. Again, it all came down to winning with his ex.
“Maybe, maybe not.” Mason grinned at Isaac and then went for the bar.
***
Gavin watched as Mason ambled through the bar. The other man stood with his arms crossed, watching him go. And very obviously enjoying the view. Not that he could blame him. Mason was an attractive man…an attractive man who had known what drink his friend would want. Someone he obviously felt very comfortable with, though Gavin had a feeling Mason would be that way with close to anyone.
“Excuse me, can I get another?” A blonde woman asked him. Shit, he needed to get it together.
Gavin stepped over and started another cosmo. He poured in the Vodka and triple sec before grabbing a straw. As he went to hand it to her a voice said, “You forgot the cranberry juice. It’s a kamikaze without it.”
Damn it. He really needed to get his head in the game. A cosmo was one of the easiest drinks there was, but he left his head back with his parents. “Been a long day.”