Page 12 of The Bluffing Game

I debate between picking him up, carrying him to the bathroom and making him take a bath, and calling Lucia. Toby’s sudden screams make my decision for me.

“Hold on, Toby. I’m calling Auntie Lucia.”

I grab my phone and press the button to call my sister. If she wants a raise, she can earn it. I listen to the phone ring and tap my foot on the white marble floor … not the best choice of flooring when you have a kid, but then again, I didn’t have Toby when I bought this house. Toby sits up and peers at me, his wide brown eyes eager as he stares at me. He loves Lucia, maybe even more than he loves me.

“What’s up, big bro? Need my bank details so you can transfer me my raise? I’m thinking a million should cover it.” Lucia’s voice is way too chirpy for this early in the morning.

“Not in this lifetime.” I grunt and lower my voice so Toby can’t hear me. “Who the hell did you hire? Who the hell told you that you had the authority to hire anyone?”

“That’s two who the hells in a row, Dalton. Might want to change up your language now that you’re a dad. Impressionable young minds and all that.”

“Lucia, answer my question. Who did you hire?”

“Come into the restaurant this morning, and you’ll see, but they are lovely. Izzy met them at the diner yesterday, and they tipped her so well⁠—”

“Wait, what?” My voice is getting louder, and I shift my tone so Toby doesn’t hear how angry I am. “What do you mean, Izzy met them at the diner?”

“Yeah, they are new to town and broke, so Izzy told them they should⁠—”

“What qualifications do they have?”

“To serve at a bistro?” Lucia sounds annoyed. “I didn’t hire them to be brain surgeons at the local hospital. Give me a break.”

“There are many skills that go into being a good server. Plus, I don’t want random strangers in my stuff. I don’t know who they could be or why they are there.”

“It’s fine. They are cool. You’ll see. They’re cute as well.”

“I don’t give a flying fuck if they are cute.”

“Watch your language.” She laughs. “Anyway, it’s too late to be upset. As your manager, I made the decision to hire them and⁠—”

“You’re not my manager. I didn’t hire you to do shit but wait tables.”

“De facto manager.” She pauses. “I can quit, you know, like everyone else, and you can figure it out. Mom and Dad have told me I can come over and spend time with them in Italy, and I’ve always wanted to travel around Europe.”

I want to tell her to go live her best life, but we both know I need her, and she doesn’t get on with our parents for more than one day. She’s their little darling, but they love to run her life. And at twenty-five, Lucia has no desire to be stuck under the parental thumb any longer.

“I’m coming into the restaurant within the hour. These girls had better be good workers. They’d better not be from the local high school either. After I caught Erinna stealing steaks from the freezer, I told you I was done with⁠—”

“When I said girls, I meant ladies, Dalton. They aren’t in high school. They just moved to town. Didn’t I tell you that already?”

“No clue. I’ll see you later.” I hang up before she can annoy me anymore.

“Get your clothes on, Toby. We’re going to Mama’s.”

He jumps up immediately and makes his way to his room.

For a few moments, I can breathe and relax in the silence before the craziness starts up again. I head over to the sliding doors on the other side of the room and look out at the pool and the ocean in the distance. In the far horizon, I can see surfers riding the waves into the shore, enjoying the cool air as it brushes their sun-kissed locks across their faces. The water is cold, the ocean unforgiving, and yet I know they are one with the water.

I miss riding the waves first thing in the morning. That was the only time I truly felt alive.

I look away from the water and head to the kitchen to grab a quick coffee. There’s no point in pondering my old life. It is gone, and for that, I am truly grateful.

“So, this is where we keep the glasses for the water.” Lucia has her back to me, and I watch as she points to the glass trays, apparently giving a tour to my two new employees.

I wonder if they’ve even filled out any paperwork. I wonder if Lucia knows about tax withholding forms and ensuring to get photocopies of their government IDs.

“Oh, the glasses are so pretty,” one of the women says.