Buena Cara

“I’ve decided to figure out a technique for dodging it now. It almost happened a fourth time too but the guy turned away at the last second thankfully,” Jason laughed, taking a sip of his beer. It was a long day but at least he was getting a chance to unwind after it. “He’s five. You got kids?”

Grin flashed up on his face again, nodding slightly as the other man spoke before giving advice as though it was the most obvious thing in the world. “Watch Dodgeball a couple of times and familiarise yourself with the five d’s. See if that helps.” He nodded. “A son, Frankie. He’s coming up two.” 

Holly had been poised not too far from where Gabriel was sitting, also taking in the scene playing out before them, his brows raised in amusement. She was sure she actually had things to be doing, but couldn’t help herself in that moment, the fight the perfect accompaniment to her morning coffee. At the sound of the voice, she glanced towards Gabriel and laughed a little, shaking her head. “Maybe so,” she answered. “I know a lot of people back in New York did. I swear they picked the most crowded place they could find and just went for it.”

Brow raised as he shifted his attention to the redhead, intrigued by what she was saying when he had no idea what life on the East Coast was like.  “New York, huh? Seems like it must be a pretty universal thing then and not just people trying to get famous fast out here.” He’d grown up in Santa Monica and knew how many people moved there in an attempt to finally make it big but it seemed as though there could be more to the fighting that just that. “I’ve always wondered if it was unique to here but I figure people will always like drama, no matter where they are.”

Logan looks up, eyes following the others gaze before he finds the couple. Truth be told, he’d been trying to drown out the discussion in favor of the car magazine folded in his lap. “I don’t know,” he answers honestly. “They probably don’t even realize how loud they’re being. Shit like that happens when you get into it with someone. You forget where you are.”

Handsome features scrunched up in disagreement, unwilling to give them that much of a pass. “I think you’re being pretty generous.” He shrugged. “I get being in the moment but I’ve never lost track of my surroundings and trust me, I was very into my ex.“ Grin flashed before his tone turned lighter. “Or maybe I’m a cynic and you’re a romantic.”

Bree couldn’t help but shake her head at the display the couple was putting on for everyone to see. She’d got in some public fights in the past but usually reigned it in before it got quite as heated as the one she was watching. “Oh come on they definitely do,” She sighed, taking a bite of her biscotti, listening to a bit more of the argument before continuing on. “But I’m sure he likely started the argument because he’s ready to dump her. Valentine’s day is coming up and cuffing season is coming to an end. Everyone’s got to be single and ready to mingle by spring and the summertime. They’ll be calling each other for booty calls for the next few months and be back together by Halloween. And then the cycle continues.”

Although is attention had almost solely been focused on the couple, the amount of detail that the brunette went into soon shifted his focus. Playful expression crossed his features, teasing words leaving his lips.  “Sounds like you might have some experience with that.” He couldn’t claim the same when he didn’t think anyone had lasted more than a couple of weeks since Issy and now he was a father, he found even less time for anything remotely serious. Gaze drifted back to the couple, scrutinising them once again. “He’s out of luck though if she wants to stick it out and make it work. Might have found himself a clinger the way she’s giving as good as she gets.”

Sam hated to eavesdrop on others. It was a habit her mother condemned and she learned to ignore from an young age, but sometimes even her just couldn’t ignore what was right in front of her. The restaurant wasn’t big and the idea of it having tables so close to the sidewalk meant that everyone was meant to become the subject of any sort of conversation, even if they didn’t mean to. The couple has been at it for quite awhile, starting quite mellow and letting the heat increase ten fold to the point of it being even impossible for her to ignore and that was probably the moment that caught his attention. “Probably,” she replied, giving one quick glance to the couple before casting her eyes down. “That is just not the place or time to do such a thing. So, yes, they probably get something out of it. Or just hate each other that much to not care for anything in particular.”

There had never been anything particularly proper about him, no airs or graces, but his parents had tried to raise him with manners and for the most part succeeded. It was his penchant for pushing buttons that got him into trouble, not his use of please and thank you. But for all he knew how to be somewhat polite, he enjoyed these kind of spectacles way too much to ever suggest that they should start to do them elsewhere. So when the blonde spoke, he raised a brow. “I’m going to assume you mean behind closed doors is that time and place?” Shrugging, he considered his own relationship - though really there was just one that mattered - and how he and his ex had never been shy of raising the volume on their exchanges. He’d never considered it to be hate, more like caring about each other to an infuriating extent. “Maybe it’s hate, maybe it’s passion.” Grin was flashed at the blonde. “Either way, it’s entertaining.” 

Issy felt her blood run cold when he said the word son, she blinked for a long moment to make sure she hadn’t misheard him, but there he was. Holding onto his son tightly— his son that was without her. She knew the day would eventually come, but she hadn’t expected it so soon. They’d joked about kids when together, but now here was with one— she didn’t know how to feel. “Son.” She finally repeated with a shakey voice. “Sorry— I’ll watch my language.” Feeling frazzled about his son still and she put two fingers to her temple to try and relieve the stress headache she felt coming on. 

“Is he yours or is he adopted?” Finally getting up enough nerve to ask. Putting a hand to her hip, she rolled her eyes at his words. “You’re the one that’s here. I’ve been here for a long time Gabriel.” She said using his full name just to annoy him. Crossing her arm over her chest, she gave a tight smile. “You’d know that if you stuck around, but you bailed out the second you could.” She knew it was a cheap shot, but something inside of her was aching at seeing him and his child. “It’s part of why I love the rink so much— it’s as icy as I’ve always been.” It was true, she felt one with the ice, she always had. “So what’s his name?” Letting the bitchiness drop for a moment, she looked over towards the baby. “Please tell me you didn’t name him Gabriel Jr. I’ll actually fight you if you did.” Finding the whole junior thing ridiculous when it came to names, especially when they ended up just going by Junior anyways. 

The surprise that greeted him was something that he could understand when it had taken him weeks to adjust to the news that he was a father. If anything he was still adjusting and that gave him some sympathy for Issy. At the back of his mind, he knew that they had both expected each other’s kids to also be theirs but life hadn’t quite worked out that way. It was an awkward situation and although it might have been easy to get mad, he figured keeping his temper might be the only way for them to get through it unscathed. “Thanks.” Small smile was set her way. “Took me a while to get used to it myself.” He hadn’t realised just how bad his language was or how often he used it until he had had to try to stop.

“He’s mine, yeah.” Though his confession is out there, he doesn’t feel any weight lifted off his shoulders. If anything, he just feels heavier. “Turned up pretty much the same way you said, I figured you mom had told you about it.” Small shrug was given before his gaze darkened. “What, you’ve got a monopoly on the place now? It’s my home too.” His words are sharp, sharper than intended, but it didn’t change that he’d grown up in Santa Monica the same as she had. Sure he’d gone away for a couple of years to mend a broken heart but it didn’t change his roots. A hospital hardly felt like the appropriate place for them to reopen old wounds but when she didn’t seem to have any issue with it, he saw no reason to hold his tongue. “Didn’t feel like there was anything left for me to stick around for.” Her words surprised him and a light chuckle lips from his lips. “I know I think a lot of myself but I’m not that vain. He’s Francisco but he mostly gets Frankie.” 

Veronica was trying to read her book, but was unfortunately disrupted by the couple across the way having a shouting match. She furrowed her eyebrows and frowned. She put her book back up in front of her face, but she kept hearing the couple get louder and louder. Veronica set her book down and glanced over at the man near her. She couldn’t help but snicker and lean over to speak to him. “I think they’re doing it in case there might be reality tv show producers watching,” Veronica said with a smile. She wasn’t quite used to the people here in Santa Monica. At times the people did seem a bit more vapid and vain. Perhaps it was because they all got a little too much sun and spent a little too much time on Instagram. 

Having grown up in Santa Monica and associating it with far more than the fame hungry, he often forgot the motives of some people who moved there. The woman across from him had little issue however, associating their dramatics with that desire immediately. “Ah, the pursuit of fame.” Lazy smile spread across his lips as his gaze flicked over towards her. “They’d be better getting themselves on vine or youtube or whatever. Isn’t that where they do all the talent hunting now?” His words were phrased like a question but he couldn’t claim to be that bothered about the answer, far more interested in watching the scene than deciphering the cause of it. “Everyone’s watching but no one’s recording. Seems to me like a waste of performance.”

“Oh Im sure they do. I swear they do this often to make things more interesting in the bedroom, or at least in their lives,” Elijah said as he grimaced at the couple as they continued to argue. “While the rest of us suffer.”

“Definitely the bedroom. If it was just their lives they’d take up surfing or salsa dancing or something.”  He shrugged at the other man, smirk on his features as he did. “Suffer? This is prime free entertainment.” He couldn’t resist pointing at the scene that seemed to have taken another dramatic turn.

“If you need one I can always call Jason. He already has one kid so what’s one more?” She told Gabe with a laugh. “I also have his sitter’s info though if you need it.” Offering to him in case he needed a back up plan ever. “No, not at all. I just haven’t had a day off in over a month and really need one. So I’m planning to sit in my bathtub and drink a beer or two.” She’d practically been working over time with her two jobs while she looked for a manager at the bar. “I’m glad that he’s doing well.” She commented, she stopped what she mid pour to look over at Gabe. “Drama at a check up? Did his mom show up?” She asked, she put the bottle down. “Is everything okay?”

“That’d be great actually. The sitter’s info.” Grateful smile was flashed at her as he busied himself wiping down the bar. “I feel bad asking my dad all the time even though he loves it and my sisters, well, they’ve got their own lives, you know?” He shrugged when the less said about the Garcia siblings’ dynamic the better. “Some you time then? Can’t say no to that. I’ll do my best.” Grin flashed across his features, before he shrugged slightly when he was still unconvinced of just what kind of job he was doing as a father. “Yeah, guess I must be doing something right.” Head shook at her question. “His mom? Fuck no. Still got no clue who she is. But my ex was there, working. The last place I expected to see her.”

Leaning against the wall as she peered over at the couple who were at each others throat, she chewed on the inside of her lips. “Oh, they’re definitely getting off on this because they know we’re all staring. Why else would you do that in the middle of the fucking street?” She spoke aloud, but never expected anything to be said in return. “Actually, we should make a bet.” Turning around to peer at the male, she contemplated the different outcomes they could bet on. “I think I’m going to say that this is going to end with her either kicking him in the balls or the two getting arrested for disturbing the peace.”

Nod was given to show his agreement, glad that someone else was struggling to find a reason for their display other than attention seeking. “Literally no other reason.” Brow was raised and he coupled it with something of a smirk as he flicked his gaze between the brunette and the couple in question, assessing the situation once more. “You got yourself a deal.” He held out his hand to shake on it. “They get a kick of out the attention but not enough to resort to actual kicking.” Grin spread over his features, confident that he was on the right side of this bet. “I reckon they’ll stop before getting arrested. Don’t think jail’ll turn them on. What’s the stakes?”

special delivery for → @gcbrielgarcia​

location: santa monica hospital — children’s unit

time: january 7th

“Thanks Pam. Tell Dr. King that I’m going to go ahead and take my lunch if he starts wondering where I am.” Letting the other nurse know that she had to tap out for the moment so she could eat and re-energize before she finished out the rest of her shift. Grabbing her purse from under the desk and her phone, she headed from behind the nurses station towards the lobby. Hoping that she could at least order get her meal and eat before she went back to work. As she rounded the corner Issy almost collided with another person, but quickly jumped out of the way to dodge them and the child they were carrying. “Are you—” She started until she realized who it was. 

Gabriel Garcia. 

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.” She snapped, she put a hand to her hip. “Don’t you have somewhere else to be?” Even though she knew he was back from her mother’s calls she refused to acknowledge that he’d been in town, she’d went out of her way to try and avoid him. “Also where did that baby come from? Let me guess someone dropped it off at your door step?” Rolling her eyes at her made up scenario. “You might want to return it before it starts to cry and you panic and take off— again.” 

Check ups for Frankie had initially been one of the most daunting aspects of fatherhood that he’d had to face. That constant panic over whether he’d missed some subtle symptom and his son had fallen sick just like his mother had. However, each time the little boy had been given a clean bill of health and today had been no exception. With his son scooped up in his arms, promising him ice cream later, he was barely looking where he was going into a voice spoke up. One he recognised. Fuck. If he hadn’t been in the role of dad and instead able to play the role of ex to his full capabilities perhaps he’d have sworn too but instead tense, sharp words leave his lips when he’d been trying so hard to keep the air clear in more ways than one around Frankie. “Can you watch your language in front of my son.”

The pair them had always been heated and he knew that if he hadn’t had his son in his arm, he’d have wasted no time in adjusting his tone to be every bit as scathing as hers. Instead he found himself fighting to keep his expression neutral, tone full of forced cheer as he muttered through gritted teeth that he tried to craft into a smile. “Yeah, anywhere but here.” A few years ago he’d have bitten without question at her quip, knowing full well their families still spoke. Instead he spotted the uniform, and put two and two together about what she’d been doing with her life since he left. “You finally moved on from the rink then. Shame you’re still as icy as it.”

special delivery for → @gcbrielgarcia​

location: lucky’s bar

time: january 8th

“Hey do you think you can cover the 10th for me?” Alex pretended to ask sweetly. “I would say I owe you, but I’m your boss so.” Letting the act drop after a moment, she gave him a wicked smile. Pulling fresh glasses from under the counter, she started to make the drinks the customers had requested. “So you never told me how was the check up for little man? Is he doing okay?”

“If I can get a sitter, sure.” After all, he would take whatever extra cash he could get his hands on. “You got a hot date or something?” He waggled his eyebrows at her as he laughed. At the mention of his son, all bravado faded away, replaced instead by pride and genuine care for the little boy. “Frankie’s all good. Ran into some drama but it was gonna happen sooner or later.” Shoulders lifted up into a nonchalant shrug when if anything he was surprised it had taken him so long to run into his ex.

“You ever get barfed on three times in one day?” He asked the person sitting next to him in the bar. “The last time it happened to me was when my son was a baby. Today it happened again and now I’m seriously reconsidering my career choice to work with sick people.”

It was rare he got a night out these days between looking after Frankie and picking up shifts at Lucky’s but with his sister watching his son, he figured he could afford to have a little fun. Brow raised at the other man. “Three times? You gotta learn to dodge it better.” Laughter fell from his mouth before he continued. “How old’s your kid?”