Nothing to lose

Chapter 22: Greyson

We pulled up at Lila's an hour before the band was supposed to perform. There was a little crowd but nothing major. Mari said it gets packed around 9 p.m. which is precisely why our curtain call was 9:15. She also mentioned how Lila's social media has blown up with news of the band debuting with a new lead singer.

I hoped I didn't disappoint the band's supporters.

I held the door open for the girls and strolled in behind them.

"How have I never been here before?" Freya said, doing a spin, admiring the place. Lila's doesn't look like your typical bar. It was a mixture of edgy and hippie. There were dark simple, and clean colors but also had random crystals and flower pots and greenery hanging all over the place with a few string lights here and there. If anything, it was the perfect mix of the owners' personalities. Hippie being Mari's mom and edgy being her dad.

"Bars aren't usually my scene, but this place looks nice," Freya said.

"I'm glad you like it," Mr. Santiago said, coming out of the kitchen with a tray full of sparkling clean drinking glasses. He rested them on the counter and walked around the bar to greet us.

"Hi, Mr. Santiago." I waved.

He lifted his head. "It's Adrian." He's been trying to get us on a first-name basis since we met. He hasn't been successful.

Mia shook her head. "It took him years to call my dad by his first name, and up to this day, he switches back and forth from Mr. Harper to Wyatt. So don't even bother trying to stop him." Mia made it sound like it was a lost cause. She's right.

Santiago chuckled, shifting his attention to her. "Hi. You must, Mia." He stuck his hand out for a shake.

She smiled beautifully. "Yes. It's nice to meet you, Mr. Santiago." She shook his hand then placed them on Freya's shoulders. She politely introduced the two.

"Adrian." He corrected them when they began to refer to him as Mr. Santiago.

Mia scrunched up her face. "Yeah, That's weird."

"See?" I gestured to Mia as if to say, "my point exactly."

"How about we compromise? Call me Santiago. Everyone at the office does. And it doesn't make me feel as old. Actually," He scratched his beard. "It makes me feel like I still got somewhat of a cool factor going on." He shoved his hands in the pockets of his ripped black jeans and grinned.

"Dad, accept it! You're aging," Mari said, walking up behind us. Santiago's face grew serious as he considered Mari's words.

"Nope. I refuse. What do you guys think?" he asked the three of us.

We took a minute to take in his appearance. The only time you noticed a hint of aging on this man was when he smiled, and you spotted his laugh lines. Other than that, his olive complexion was unblemished and completely wrinkle-free. No doubt it was the strong Latin genes that made him appear immortal. He had on one of his typical everyday outfits, ripped jeans, combat boots, and loose-fitted sleeveless band t-shirts that looked like he's had it for ages now. It seemed Santiago's office attire was more suited for his age than his casual clothes. But to each their own.

"Honestly, I don't think I could guess your age right if I tried. I feel like you look younger than you are." Mia spoke up for all of us while Freya and I agreed.

He wagged his fingers at us. "I like them!" he announced. "Wings and fries are on me tonight, kids."

Freya whooped with excitement. He winked, walking back to the kitchen but not before he mussed up Mari's hair, causing her to squeal and rush to fix it blindly. She smoothed it down with both her hands until she felt satisfied.