Chapter 41: Sleep Is For The Weak
Max had the driver send him to the cafe, where he met Liliana. There was no need for them to send him home. He preferred it if none of them knew where he lived. But he also knew it was unlikely he could hide it.
After being dropped off, he went in to get something quick to eat. As much as he wanted to get a coffee, he thought against it. He already wanted to sleep; drinking coffee now, he would most likely fall asleep while walking or in the taxi.
Nearly an hour passed before he arrived at the apartment. It was now eleven in the morning, and he was dead on his feet. He opened his apartment door and glanced to his left. He remembered that Cassie had her first day yesterday.
He didn’t bother her. If her schedule was anything like Stacey’s, he knew she would most likely still be sleeping or just waking up.
I hope she doesn’t become like Stacey. Can’t let a good girl go to waste like that.
Regardless of his thoughts, he stepped inside, kicked off his shoes and clothes, and collapsed on the bed. Yesterday was hectic; today is a day for sleep.
Max felt himself drifting off; he sighed peacefully.
ring ring ring
His phone startled him, making his heart do rapid time in his chest. He touched his chest, gasping, before picking up the phone.
Seeing the person calling, he nearly threw his phone across the room. Gareth, this scum-sucking bitch, doesn’t call unless he wants something. But he can’t not answer. He’s the one he owes the money to.
Well, not just him; there’s also the bank. With the bank, he had some leeway, but Garet is another matter. He just got him off his back by paying a hefty sum a few months ago; what could he possibly want now?
For that $257,00 he would answer.
The displeasure on his face disappeared; in its place was a smile.
"Gar, haven’t heard from you in a while. What have you been up to?"
If anyone heard him, they would think he was talking to a long-time friend.
On the other side of the phone, Gareth didn’t miss a beat.
"Max, my friend, I got a job I need you to do for me."
Max cursed under his breath, job my ass.
"Gar, I’m sorry to tell you, but I’m a little indisposed at the moment. Think we could do it some other time?"
Gareth snorted. "Don’t give me that bullshit. You’re at home. One of my guys just saw you get in."
"That’s cause I’ve been out all night. I just got in, and I need to sleep. I don’t have the energy for a job right now, Gar."
"I don’t give a fuck about you and your energy. As long as you owe me money, you work for me. It’s not like you aren’t getting paid for it. Get up; sleep is for the weak. Be a man."
Max curled his fingers like he was choking someone. He couldn’t wait for the money from Liliana to come in. They had sex for an entire night; there’s no way he didn’t make enough to pay off this debt.
Even if he only paid Gareth’s portion, that would be fine. He could do month-to-month with the bank.
Max sighed. He rubbed his hand over his face. "What do you need me to do?"
"Haha, I knew you would do it. I have this new place downtown, near Meadows. I need you to be the promoter. I know you have the connections. All those nice ladies you’ve been hanging around."
Those nice ladies wouldn’t touch your shit even if it were the last place on earth, Max couldn’t help thinking.
Regardless, he did know people who would be willing to go to seedy places like Gareth’s. Still, he asked, "What kind of crowd are you looking for?"
"The good kind. I want girls. Good-looking girls. I need the place to look like it’s the hottest spot to be."
When Max heard this, he arched an eyebrow. Gareth wasn’t exactly known for high-end anything. Now, he wanted to open a proper nightclub; Max needed to see the place before he would make any decisions.
"How close to Meadows is it? Give me the address. I’ll come take a look and see what I need to do."
Gareth rattled off the address; Max took note of it and hopped out of bed. He didn’t have time to sleep. If he had known this would happen, he would have scheduled with Liliana for another night.
He grumbled to himself from the shower to the door. He quickly made his way to the address. When he saw the environment, he couldn’t help thinking that Gareth might have done something good for once.
He found him outside, cigarette in his mouth.
"Hey, I’m here to take a look." Max walked over, hands in his pockets. He yawned as she walked up.
"Man, you look like shit," he commented.
"I told you I needed to sleep. You decided I needed to be here," Max replied deadpan.
He had been dealing with Gareth for so long that he no longer held the same fear he initially had. Sure, he had the loan, and he could call it in at any time, which was why Max left the apartment.
Not to mention he could beat the shit out of him and leave him for dead. But fear had long since left the building. The relationship between Max and Gareth is a balancing act of keeping Max on the hook and keeping Gareth off Max’s ass.
Gareth laughed at Max’s comment, flung his arm around his neck, and walked him in.
As soon as Max stepped in, he had to admit he was impressed. It didn’t look like a seedy bar; it looked like the real deal. Except for being empty, it looked good.
The sleek black chrome walls and glowing lasers. Floating digital rain and neon art. It could be a good time. Max took out his phone and took a few pictures. He knew just the place to post this.
"Not bad," Max commented. "Leave it to me."
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