Page 9 of Ice Mechanic

Correction, I should come home so mom and dad can convince me to trade my skates for a suit and tie.

The Lambo dad gifted me unlocks with a chirp and I slip inside. “Fine. As soon as things slow down around here, I’ll pop in for a visit.”

“I’ll see you at the charity gala then?”

Rats. I fell into her trap. Mom is the daughter of an heiress, but that alone didn’t turn her trust fund into the money-printing machine that it is today. She’s diabolically smart.

“I didn’t say that…” I hedge.

“How long will you be on this little hockey team anyway?”

“Mom…”

“Darling, you really should have taken your father’s offer and joined the company. The CFO position was wide open. He had the corner office cleaned and everything. It would have solved allyour problems. Those nasty tabloids can’t say anything about a powerful CFO, can they?”

I massage the bridge of my nose. “There are plenty more qualified, experienced people than me who should be the CFO.”

“But they’re not family.” Mom tsks. “Do you know why we’re doing all this? It’s for you and your sister. You’re the ones who’ll be running the company when we’re gone.”

Oh, I hope not.I’d rather run into Gunner and the rest of the welcoming committee in a dark alley in a post apocalyptic earth than spend the rest of my life scribbling my signature on documents for a living.

“Mom, I have to run. I’ll call you later.”

“I’ll see you at the gala. Remember you need to bring a plus one. And not one of those little fan girls who can’t carry a proper conversation either. Someone nice. So… someone you don’t normally date.”

Oof, mom’s on a roll tonight.

“Noted, ma.”

“Love you honey, buh-bye.” She hangs up.

Feeling ten times more exhausted than I did after my training, I start my car and wait for that beautiful purr.

Instead, there’s a sad cough, like the sound of someone holding on to life and losing that battle fast.

“Oh, honey, what’s wrong?” I rub the dashboard. “You’re not feeling well?”

Another attempt at a start.

It chokes again.

I climb out of my car and open the hood, but the cavern is strangely empty. Tired, hungry and getting crankier by the second, I call Max.

He answers on the first ring. “‘Sup, Captain.”

“Max, do you know a mechanic I can call? My car won’t start.”

“Oh no. Do you need a ride? I’m at the Tipsy Tuna with a few business people, but I should be done soon.”

“No, I don’t want to put you out. I just need a mechanic.”

“Gunner’s folks run a mechanic shop. I can call them over?—”

“Nope. I’d rather not mess with anyone related to Kinsey right now. Isn’t there another mechanic in town?” I reach for my fidget spinner and give it a whirl, but my nerves keep getting tangled inside.

“Hold on a second. I think Bobby mentioned someone had just opened…” I hear papers shuffling. “Let me see if I can get in touch with them and I’ll call you back.”

“Thanks.” I huff out a breath and grip the elevated hood again, wishing I knew how to fix a car.

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