Page 7 of Missing Pieces

Chapter Six

“What the fuck are you doing here?”

I had given him the benefit of the doubt in the morning that maybe he wasn’t an asshole and really just needed his coffee. But he has now confirmed that he is just an asshole in general. And apparently, the guy who was going to work on my car.

“I came to find out about my car,” I state firmly trying to not let him intimidate me with his glorified assholeness.

“I didn’t realize you lived in White Creek. What car is yours?” He sets down the dirty rag and leans one of his elbows on the desk that is to the side of the garage area.

“The blue Honda civic.”

“Shit. Illinois plates?” I nod. “Well, that makes more sense on why I’ve never seen you before in my life, sweet cheeks. But, like I said, shit. You might as well just buy a new car. That fucker is gonna cost you more than it's worth.”

I groan. This could not be happening to me. “And just how much is that going to be?”

I press my lips together in a firm line and pray that it is somewhat affordable and not a, ‘I might need to sell my right kidney to pay for this’ kind of thing.

“Sixty-eight hundred.”

“What?!” I shriek. Like totally shriek, a hundred percent little kid on Christmas morning shriek, except this was not the present I wanted. And oh my god I just embarrassed myself in front of the hottest man I have ever seen. And shit my face is quickly becoming the shade of a tomato.

“Six. Eight. Zero. Zero. Do you need me to write that down for you?” he chastises. I look up at him and he’s grinning. Grinning! He practically just told me I might as well walk to Florida.

“You don’t have to be a dick. I know what you said. That’s just-“ I hesitate, worried what he would say if he knew I couldn’t afford it, “that’s a lot of money. And I don’t really have that kind of money right now.” I look away from him as I speak.

He clears his throat, “How about this, sweet cheeks? I know you ain’t from here or anywhere around here. And my guess is that you are just passing through. I can give it a temporary fix. But I don’t know if it’ll get you to where you're goin’?”

“Florida. Outside Sarasota.”

“Shit. Well, I can’t fix it enough to get you that far.”

I pull on the bottom of my shirt, rolling the edge up trying to figure out a plan. I knew it would take months for me make the kind of money to pay that off. And there was no way in hell I was going to be staying here for months. Especially for free. I was sure if I told Ivy I needed to stay for at least three months she would rescind her offer on the house. I could probably sell my computer and maybe find some jewelry to pawn but I hated to think that’s what my life was coming to.

“I take it you don’t know what to do.”

I shrug.

“Well, darlin’ I’m feeling nice today.”

I snort. If this asshole was feeling nice today, I wondered what he was like on a bad day.

“You find that funny?”

“Well, you were kind of a dick this morning.” I pause and look down at my watch. “And like five minutes ago.”

“That’s just my sparkling personality.” He smiles so big I swear the dimples in his cheeks might pop off.

“Well remind me to never get on your bad side.”

“Darlin’ I don’t have a bad side. But I’ll take you on your good side or any side.” Was he flirting with me now?

“I-I..ugh.” God Harper, pull yourself together!

He laughs, shaking his head. “I’m just messin’ with you.” I breathe a sigh of relief, although a small part of me wished he really did mean what he said. Okay, maybe a large part of me because this guy was hot. But I really did not need another man in my life or any man for that matter.

“So, about your car,” he switches the conversation to my relief. “I can do a few things to get ya on the road by tomorrow afternoon, but I can’t make any guarantee you’ll get to Florida.”

“Actually, I am going to be here for a couple weeks to make some cash to pay for the car so…”

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