Page 66 of Come Break My Heart Again

“What the hell does that mean?” Tuck asks, zipping up his suit and then following me.

I flinch when the water hits my feet. Damn, it’s cold. “It means there’s no surf, man.”

“What do you mean? There are waves.”

I don’t bother replying, just duck under as soon as it’s deep enough to.

He’ll figure out what I mean soon enough.

14

Black grease clings stubbornly to my skin, no matter how harshly I scrub at my palms. I give up on the stains, tossing the rag away, and climb into the driver’s seat to turn the key. The engine roars to life on the first try, and I smile, satisfied, as I clear the sweat from my forehead with the back of my arm.

Before Hank hired me, I knew next to nothing about fixing cars. I’ve picked up more than the basics pretty damn quick.

“Yo, James! Come on!”

I shut the car off and glance toward the doorway. Tuck is standing there, slouched and impatient.

“Come where?”

“We’re headed to the pond.”

I laugh once, relaxing against the seat. “You’ve gotta be kidding.”

“Nope.” Tuck pops thePobnoxiously. “Don’t tell me cold water doesn’t sound amazing right now.”

It does.

Three weeks into September, and summer feels closer than ever. It must be at least eighty-five out today, and the garage doesn’t have air-conditioning, aside from the office where Hank sits and customers pay.

I’ve been sweaty since I showed up for work this morning, and replacing the shift solenoids on this SUV has taken me most of the day. But I’d like my cold water to come with salt and waves. It’s been over a month since I last surfed, and I never expected to miss it as much as I do. Everything else was easy to leave behind.

The pond is on the One side of town. Going there will likely involve lots of territory pissing and muttered insults I’m not really in the mood for.

“I’m good. Still got stuff to finish up here.”

“Like I didn’t just hear it start. Hurry up. Everyone’s waiting.”

Tuck disappears from the doorway without giving me a chance to respond. To refuse.

Dick. Dick who’s my ride home. It’s not that far to walk, but it’ll feel like a marathon in this heat.

I swear under my breath, then climb out of the car.

Tuck is waiting in his green truck when I walk out of the bay. Phoenix is in the car behind with a few other guys from the garage.

I give Tuck aone secgesture, then head into the office.

Hank has his glasses on, peering at a computer screen.

I toss the Toyota’s keys on the counter. “All set.”

Hank leans back in his swivel chair. Some piece of it creaks. “Impressive, son.”

I nod, hiding the visceral reaction I have to the endearment. It just reminds me of my dad. “You’re a good teacher.”

“More than that. I’ve had guys here for years who would have taken longer to make that repair.”

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