Chapter 15 Miguel

Daddy Shamus couldn't attend Miguel's employee welcome beach party, so Miguel planned to meet his friend Darren there. Festive Mexican music sounded over the beach, the rhythm like a warm heartbeat. He spotted Darren across the bonfire, a grin splitting his face. Miguel weaved through the dancing crowd, his flip-flops sinking into the hot sand.

"Dude, this is rad!" Darren yelled over the music as Miguel joined him.

Miguel laughed, the salty air tingling in his lungs.

"Let's show them how it's done!" Darren suggested.

They fell into step, Miguel easily mirroring Darren's playful movements. They spun, their arms raised high. The worry about his new job faded with each carefree step Miguel took, replaced by bliss.

A prickle of unease crawled up Miguel's spine. A group of guys, their muscular torsos gleaming under the sun, stood off to the side, their stares heavy and undisguised. Miguel tried to ignore them, focusing on Darren's infectious laughter, but their scrutiny felt like a physical weight pressing down on him.

"Don't let them get to you," Darren said, his voice low. "They're just jealous they don't have moves like ours."

Miguel managed a weak smile, grateful for his friend's understanding. Darren wasn't out, but dancing with a guy never bothered him. Since their first year in college, they had been inseparable friends, bonding over their shared major and taking many classes together.

The sweet aroma of barbecued ribs and buttery corn on the cob wafted through the air, enticing their taste buds. The table was filled with an abundance of food, and they couldn't resist the temptation to stuff themselves with every delectable dish. Now and then, Miguel felt those guys watching him while he was talking to Darren.

"When do you start work?" Darren asked.

"Monday. I'd like to watch you when I can."

"Anytime. I'll send you a message when I work."

Darren's phone went off. Unfortunately, it was a work call, and he had to take off. "Whenever it works for you, come over," he mentioned nonchalantly.

"I will. See you over there soon. I need to call Shamus first." Miguel, a little bummed, pulled out his phone and dialed Daddy Shamus. He picked up the phone at once. The noise of the bar was a constant hum in the background.

"Hey," Miguel said, "The party's dying down, so I was hoping you could meet me by the roller coaster? We can grab frozen custard."

"Sounds perfect," Daddy Shamus replied, his voice warm and reassuring. "I'll be there in ten."

Miguel hung up, a wave of relief washing over him. He started walking towards the boardwalk, humming along to the faint melody still playing in his head. Excitement bubbled in his chest as he hurried down the boardwalk. On his way to the Casino Pier, he heard the laughter, screams, and rhythmic thrumming of rides. He tugged his blue beanie tighter when the wind blew as a shield against the growing wind.

While Miguel walked, he tried to make sense of Daddy Shamus's request to set up a meeting with Bently to have closure and return the wedding rings. He was lost in his thoughts and not looking where he was going when a wall of bodies slammed into him. His beanie was snatched from his head and the impact knocked the wind out of him, sending him stumbling backward into the narrow alley between two stands.

Before he could regain his footing, brawny arms shoved him into some trash bins, the world shrinking to the smells of the alley. Three large boys, their faces a collection of sneers and pimples, blocked the exit. They were the same ones at the party who had been glaring at him while he was dancing with Darren.

"Hey, beanie-boy, couldn't you find a girl to dance with?" one sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. Miguel shrank back. The familiar blue beanie suddenly felt like a target. Another shoved him against a wall, the wood rough against his back. Homophobic and Mexican slurs flew one after another, each one a fresh jab chipping away at him. Despite their hatred, Miguel might have no choice but to work with them.. It was easy to identify them as the ride operators at Casino Pier; they all wore matching T-shirts that sported the Casino Pier's logo. He didn't even know their names, but could guess why they had targeted him, and not Darren. His friend was straight, white, tall and had a forceful presence that made others think twice before messing with him. Then again, maybe they knew him.

Just when he thought it couldn't get any worse, one of them grabbed his hair and pulled on it, causing Miguel to scream. Terror shot through him when the guy dragged Miguel by his hair and shoved him against the wall of the greasy metal siding of a pizza stand. Miguel flinched, fear an icy knot in his stomach. They continued calling him names, their words sharp and cruel. Tears pricked at his eyes, blurring his vision. Miguel could barely breathe, let alone respond. With each passing moment, the fear grew stronger, gripping his chest like a cold vice, making it hard for him to breathe. They were too big, too strong, and he was alone. This can't be happening again [IU1] .

Just as Miguel braced himself for a blow, a voice cut through the tense air. "Hey!" a familiar voice shouted. "Back off!"

Miguel whipped his head around. Hope flashed in his chest. It was Daddy Shamus, his tall, broad-shouldered protector, face etched with concern. Relief washed over Miguel, warm and sweet. Daddy Shamus, with his easy confidence and quiet strength, always seemed to know when Miguel needed him most.

"This doesn't concern you," one of the group snarled.

Daddy Shamus's threatening gaze, cool and unwavering, met the bully's. "It does now," he said, his voice low but firm. The air crackled with tension. A silent conversation passed between them, a challenge issued and accepted.

The boys turned, and Miguel saw the momentary hesitation. Daddy Shamus didn't hesitate. He stepped forward, his unshaken confidence like a metal shield. "You heard me. Leave him alone."

This was a standoff, a moment where anything could happen, but then the boys dispersed, their bravado deflated. Daddy Shamus turned to Miguel, his eyes softening. "You okay, my love?"

He nodded, still shaking. "Yeah, thanks to you." Miguel reached for his beanie, now trampled on the ground, and felt the weight of what could have happened lift slightly.

Daddy Shamus picked it up, dusted it off, and gently placed it back on his head. "They're idiots. Don't let them get to you."

Miguel managed a small smile, overwhelmed with gratitude. "I won't. Not with you here."

Daddy Shamus wrapped an arm around Miguel's shoulders, and they walked out of the alley together, back into the light and noise of the boardwalk. Miguel leaned into him, feeling safe, feeling loved.

"Don't worry," Daddy Shamus murmured. "I'm always here for you."

Miguel hugged him back, his fear slowly receding, replaced by a wave of gratitude. Miguel knew he was lucky—lucky to have Daddy Shamus, his hero, by his side.

"Do you still want to check out the roller coaster, or do you want to go to the hotel room?"

"I'll go to the hotel room and rest up while you work. I just need a break."

"I'll drive you over there. Do you want to stop at your other room to pick up anything?"

"No. I just want to relax."

As Shamus drove, he couldn't help but notice how quiet Miguel was in the car once again. In their hotel room, Miguel threw himself face down on the bed.

"Miguel, tell me what happened before I showed up."

"I was on my way to the roller coaster and thinking about seeing Bently. I was upset with him and facing him again was going to be stressful. I wasn't paying attention to where I was walking. These three guys shoved me into the alley and called me all sorts of names."

"Do you think your beanie caused you to be a target?"

"Not really. These guys work where I'm going to work. They were at the beach party and stared at me."

"Do you know why they were staring at you?"

"They're racists and homophobic. All their slurs explained it. They had Mexican music at the party, and Darren and I danced. That's when they stared at us."

"Did they say anything to Darren?"

"No, he's white and straight. They know him."

"Was it a racist or homophobic thing?"

"Both, I guess. Two were homophobic, and one guy was saying things about Mexicans."

"I should have beaten all three down. I still might do it. And I don't forget a face."

"I have to work with them."

"I might get them fired. I know who is in charge of Casino Pier hiring."

"You do?"

"I've owned my bar for ten years, so I know people."

"I've been targeted before for dumb things. At Princeton, people are more accepting."

"That's why you have me. I'm going to take care of it."