Bizirik Berriro (Alive Again)

Chapter 2

"So I heard the news," Nagore said as she came in to help us out in the afternoon. She'd had a harder week than I'd had since I'd at least had Sunday off, which was always one of our busiest days, even though the football season hadn't officially begun yet. So I didn't mind too much when she missed out on the mid-day lunch hour rush, when everyone came in for a quick meal before heading back to the office.

"About Unai?"

"Yeah! So exciting. To think he gets to spend the next nine months fixing up injured Athletic players. Yum."

"You're so gross," I said, getting bored with her constant lip-licking over guys.

"What, they're pretty! Especially that Fernando Llorente." She leaned her arms on the bar and stared off into la-la land for a few moments before I nudged her back to work.

"Oh come on, you've seen some of the games. Don't tell me you don't think he's pretty." I shrugged.

"He's okay. I don't really pay attention."

"Liar."

"I don't! He's a brilliant marksman, but I don't give a damn what he looks like."

"You have eyes, don't you? He's gorgeous!"

"Like I said. He's a brilliant player. I don't notice how he looks on the pitch."

"You're so weird."

"Because I actually watch the football, not the men?" It was Nagore's turn to shrug.

"Yeah! I mean. You have eyes. I know you like guys, so you have to notice them."

"I watch them for the football more than for their bodies."

"You don't think any of them are hot? Not even when they do press conferences?" I shrugged.

"Not really."

"You're weird."

"Maybe I am."

"We really need to get you out."

"We?"

"Me. But I'm sure your brother agrees."

"My brother doesn't give a damn. He's too busy working."

"Either way. We're getting you out." I rolled my eyes and said nothing, like I usually did. Just let her run her mouth and talk about getting me out and never following through with it. I'd become complacent, and I liked it.

I hardly saw Unai at all after he came in with the news. He was always so busy at Lezama making sure the players were fit and healthy that he rarely stopped by the bar anymore. I hadn't seen him in nearly a month after the season started until he came in with an announcement one afternoon he had off.

"What's up?" I asked when he came in. He grabbed the hand I'd outstretched and smiled.

"Where's Iñaki?" Unai replied.

"Right here!" the man replied, coming out from the back and wiping his hands on his apron. "Long time no see!" He wrapped Unai into a bear hug.

"How's business going, big man?" asked Unai, stepping back.

"You know. Same as usual. More tourists, and as much as I hate to say it, that's not a bad thing."

"I bet. Hey, I got a proposition for you."

"Doing something for the man who's in with the big boys? Say the word and it's done."

"So the club needs somewhere for a party."