Jaime opened the glass doors of Santi’s mansion and took in the view. Though Jaime’s home also overlooked the ocean, something about the Bolinas landscape wowed him. The water seemed bluer, and the waves were wilder, not to mention the water here wasdownright frigid. He had packed his wet suit, but didn’t want to surf today. He ran down the wooden steps and walked onto the beach. A few surfers braved the cold, but the sand was mostly empty.
Jaime took a few brisk steps on the beach but decided to cut through the homes and head into town. He stopped into a cute coffee shop and ordered a cortado. The barista served it to him in an adorable light-blue cup with a wave printed on the side, but Jaime resisted the urge to snap a shot and upload it to his Instagram.
It was too easy to get back into social media. Tequila or no tequila, he needed a change.
His phone buzzed. He didn’t recognize the number, but it had a 415 area code so was from the Bay Area. Could it be Alma?
No. Of course not. Why on earth would she call him after last night?
Normally, he would let it go to voicemail, but he picked up.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Jaime. It’s Carlos.”
Carlos? Why was he calling him? Based on the way he looked at him last night, they were definitely not on friendly terms. Rightfully so. Clearly Carlos was upset with Jaime for how he had ended things with Alma.
“Hi.”
“Hi. I got your number from your business card.”
Jaime laughed. “Yeah. I wasn’t shocked she tossed it in there. Don’t blame her. What’s up?” Jaime was dying to hear why Carlos was calling him. It was definitely not on Alma’s behalf.
“Look. I shouldn’t call you. Alma would seriously murder me if she knew. But I wanted to ask you a favor.”
Jaime’s interest was piqued. “Ask away.”
“I run this soccer program down in the Canal. I know how you love soccer. You were pretty good.”
Jaime smirked. “I was great actually. So were you.”
“Thanks. I still am. And that’s the thing. I was really good. But I never had the opportunities to go professional. We didn’t have club soccer back then, and if we did, my parents couldn’t have afforded it. They could barely keep food on the table and pay bills.”
Jaime thought of the irony that Carlos could’ve been a top soccer star but didn’t have the resources. Jaime, on the other hand, had the resources but had been manipulated into giving up his dreams.
“Yeah, everything has changed since back then. Club sports are intense.”
“They are. I have a small club, but we don’t have the resources to compete against the top Marin clubs. I mean, their dues are six thousand a year. Most of my kids are on scholarships. So, I was wondering if you would consider doing a fundraiser here in the Canal. We are doing this Cinco event. I could really use your help.”
Jaime didn’t hesitate. “Of course. I’d love to. I’ll even bring up my brothers and we can donate and do whatever you need.” He paused. He had to ask. “Will Alma be there?”
Carlos sighed. “Yeah. She will. But don’t worry. I’ll handle her. Thank you so much for this. It means the world to me and to the kids. We need to fix the field and get equipment. You will be literally giving my team opportunities they wouldn’t have.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m glad to help. Just give me the details.”
Carlos paused. “Actually, could you come by today? To meet some vendors and the organizer?”
“Yup. Text me the details and I’ll be there.”
“Thank you, Jaime. I appreciate it. And I don’t hold any ill willtoward you for your breakup with Alma. You guys were so young. I told her it would never last.”
Right girl, wrong time. “Yeah. I still feel bad. I shouldn’t have shown up there last night like that.”
“It’s fine. She’ll get over it. I’ll text you the details. See you later.”
“Bye.”
Jaime hung up and took a sip out of his cortado. It was smooth and slightly sweet, no hint of an aftertaste.
