You're a little late...

Familiar

ALEX

My routine is different without Ángel. Usually, I wake up and fix her and I some breakfast before we head out for our morning run. Today, I'm by myself and it leaves me thinking about the attack.

Ángel and I were walking around the square as the sun set before I had to head to the bar. Without warning, a pit bull ran out of an alleyway. It was headed straight for me baring it's teeth. Ángel jumped in the front of me.

She and him squared off before he made the first move. He lunged for her neck but she was too quick. She rounded on him biting into his flank. They started rolling through the alley. I started banging on trash cans and dumpsters. Anything to break his concentration on her. Instead it slowed her down by looking for me. He bit her by her front leg and flung her to the ground.

When she yelped, my heart clenched. He rounded back onto me. Ángel jumped up and barreled into him. She was on top and was biting at his neck. I scrambled to come up with some kind of plan to get us out of there. The pit bull flung her off him with his hind legs. She hit a nearby dumpster and collapsed.

When he turned back to me, all plans fell out of my head. Instinct took over. I stood completely still and looked for anything to put between me and the dog. He stalked forward growling. I tried not to react hoping he would back down out of boredom. He didn't. I noticed there was a wire fence behind me and old jacket on a trash can beside me.

I make a run for the jacket. He quickly gains on me. I wrap the jacket into a ball and feed it to him. While he tears it with his teeth, I knock over as many trash cans as I can making my way to Ángel. I lifted her up and run for the gate. I could hear the dog shoving through the cans. I barely made it to the gate in time. I shoved my weight against it. The pit bull jumped on it and the gate jerked against me. I laid Ángel down while keeping my weight on the gate. I turned around and fumbled with the latch.

Luckily, despite the massive amounts of blood, Ángel was fine. I had called Animal Control and told them where to pick up the pit bull. After I left Ark Animal Hospital, they called and said they had apprehended the animal. Perro del demonio!

I don't feel right leaving her at the vet hospital. I know it's what's best for her and the tech did say she was fine. It's just for observation. She'll be back tomorrow.

********************************************
The bar has been doing really well since the grand reopening last year. Thanks to Mamá I was able to find the inspiration I needed to get the bar off its feet.

Business booming means the dreaded paper work. Payroll, bills, mortgage, and the ordering of new stock keep me busy for a few hours. I'm compiling a list of things to order for the next weekend when Elías barges in.

"Qué pasa? Ever heard of knocking?" I grunt, grabbing the papers that went flying when he threw open the door.

"This is important, hermano." He says flopping down in one of the chairs in front of my desk.

I look at him expectantly, "Well?"

"Gabriela broke up with me. For Carlos!" He growls setting his arms on his knees.

"What a pendejo! What did she say her reasoning for that was?"

"She said I'm not real with her. Like I don't open up or some shit." He groans leaning back, rubbing his forehead in frustration.

"Sorry, man. That's sucks. Her and Carlos won't last. He's a mujeriego." I wouldn't be surprised if the guy had half a dozen STDs.

"Yeah, I know. It's just, ever since Jade left me I can't really trust girls. She screwed me over something fierce." He says running a hand through his hair.

"I know, man. But you have to move on. Not every girl will be like that. You just have to find your girl. She's out there." I know full well it's not that easy. He will probably play the field for much longer than necessary before being ready to settle down again.

"Eh, more fish in the sea I guess. Not many girls can resist a sexy Mexicano like me." He says with a grin.

"Sure. I bet they are just lining up to be your next novia." I smirk at his fake arrogance.

"You know it!" He grins before sobering up a bit. "How's Ángel?"

"She'll make it according to the doctors. Just a little beat up from that chucho." I rub my head at the memory.

"Hey, any of those doctors hot and in need of a little Spanish blood rushing through them?" He asks wagging his brows.

Maybe. I think about the nurse, Britni. I've been trying to shake her from my thoughts all day.

"Ah ha! So there is! Details, amigo, details!" He scoots his chair closer.

"Have you ever met someone you know you have never seen before, but yet they seem so familiar to you?" I ask, thinking about when our eyes meet and I felt an instant connection to this girl I don't even know.

"No. But can I use that line? I feel like it'll make a lot of chicas swoon at the sight of me." He says puffing up his chest.

"Yeah, sure, whatever." He didn't get it. Then again this is Elías. He never takes anything seriously. "I have to get back to this and you should be restocking liquor."

"Yeah, yeah. I'm on it. No need to be gruñón." He stands up and heads to the door. "Don't forget I need this weekend off. I'm going to see mi tío for a few day."

"Don't worry. I'll cover you. Hasta luego." I call as he walks out.

I wonder if Britni did need something to spice up her life. I can't get her out of my head. I don't know what it is about her. Britni? Nicole? Nikki? Why didn't she go by her first name? I wonder if she'd let me find out.