Page 164 of Ice Mechanic

“She’s busy.” I sit up and roughly wipe my face with a towel.

“Oh. Well, then… that means you have time to join us at?—”

“She’s been busy a lot lately,” I tack on.

“It’s understandable. She’s making a name for herself as one of the best mechanics in town. Now, about tonight, if you’re not doing anything?—”

“I think I messed up.”

Max releases a long-suffering sigh. “What did you do?”

I swing my legs over the bench. “I think she knows I’m keeping something from her.”

Max looks interested now. “Something like what?”

“I’m leaving soon.” It’s supposed to be an exciting admission, but my heart drags to the ground.

Max’s eyes dart all over. “I didn’t tell you anything.”

“No, it wasn’t you.” I think back to the call I had with my agent three days ago. “Derek let it slip that I’m doing a commercial for the EB Sports channel.”

“But don’t they only hire athletes from the league… oh?” Understanding dawns in Max’s eyes.

“I don’t know how to break it to April. Especially now that things between us feel strained. How am I supposed to tell my girlfriend I’m moving across the country and I’ll probably only see her once or twice a month?”

“No idea. But the longer you drag it out, the worse it might be.” He shrugs.

I groan and run a hand down my face.

Max encourages, “If your relationship is strong and you really believe that she’s the one for you, then you’ll work it out. Somehow.”

“Yeah, I guess so.” I stare at the sweat-droplets on the ground, deep in thought.

Max slaps me on the back and then grimaces. Wiping his hand on his shirt, he offers, “Hey, how about you think of a way to tell April at The Tipsy Tuna?”

“Great idea. I’ll buy a couple burgers and drinks for April and swing by the garage to check on her. She said she was tired this week. Maybe she hasn’t eaten yet.”

“Er, yeah. Great idea. Let’s go.” Max juts a thumb at the door.

After shifting out of my sweat-soaked shirt and loose basketball shorts into a fresh T-shirt and sweatpants, I follow Max’s car to The Tipsy Tuna.

I’m not surprised at all when I see the crowded parking lot. It’s the weekend and there’s not that many places people can go after work.

Max waits for me at the top step.

I frown at the dark windows. “Something’s weird.”

“What is?” Max asks, shuffling from one foot to the next.

“I don’t know. I can’t put my finger on it.”

“Yeah, yeah. Let’s go inside.” Max tries to nudge me forward.

I look up. The sky is a dark, swirling black with rain clouds looming like a volcano about to erupt. Bringing my attention back to The Tipsy Tuna, a thought strikes.

“There are so many cars here, but I don’t hear any music or see any lights inside.” I frown at the dark window panes. “Maybe something’s going on in there.” I shake my head and point back to my car. “I don’t think we should go in.”

“For crying out loud, let’s go, McLanely.” Max grabs my arm and drags me into The Tipsy Tuna.

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