Page 112 of Burn It Down

“And you’re right. It isn’t the first time I’ve said that tonight.”

My smile grows in tandem with my heart.

Chapter 30

Dylan

Jake and I fell into bed after that shower, holding on to each other like we were afraid the world was going to steal away with one of us in the middle of the night.

I’ve never slept as soundly as I did with his arms around me and the mild soreness reminding me of what I’d done. What I let him do.

There’s something comforting, healing, wholesome, and addictive about being claimed by the person you love.

Perhaps because I know Jake has my heart and I have his, my lens has finally shifted and I’m ready to have a conversation with my dad about the future of our shop.

The reality is that I don’t want to work with anyone else either and I definitely don’t want him starting over with a boss after owning his own place for so long. He’s got too much knowledge and expertise to go back to taking orders as a new guy.

There’re so many thoughts weaving in and out of my mind, but being back at work after last night feels good. It feels good in a way it hasn’t for a while and instead of beating our heads against a wall, I’m able to see the opportunities before us to create something even better.

“I think we should move the shop.”

I toss it out there with no lead in and no warning. Dad and I are in the bay with the doors shut because it’s cold out this morning and the music is low in the background. I’m under yet another import when I hear the squeak of the wheels on my dad’s creeper as he rolls out from under the car next to me.

When I look over, he’s trying to hide a smile, but fails when he says, “I love that man, you know.”

“Who?”

“Jake.”

I roll my eyes. “I’m doing this forus, dad. Not for Jake.”

“I know that, but you can’t tell me whatever he said or did last night didn’t help put some things into perspective for you.”

I feel my skin heat.Oh, he put some things into perspective alright.

“Yeah, maybe.” My voice comes out hoarse and I feel my ass clench at the mention of last night.

“Okay, so we put the shop up for sale like others on the street, and try to find a new place. With as quickly as the other places have gone, I have no doubt ours will too.” He pauses, looking contemplative. “It’s been over thirty years since I applied for a business loan of any kind. I’m sure everything’s different now.”

“We’ll figure it out, Dad.” And although I hate needing the help, “I’m sure Jake can help walk us through it as well.”

We get about another hour’s worth of work done when the two officers from earlier show back up.

“Please tell me you aren’t here with more bad news,” I say, walking into the office with Dad and the officers trailing behind me. The active bays can be dangerous and there’s no need to risk injury when we can easily move into the safety of the office.

“No, actually, we came to tell you we’ve caught the shooter in the case of Glynda Waters. A low-grade, amateur criminal who only intended to rob the place, but didn’t anticipate anyonebeing there. She scared him and he overreacted. His words, not mine.”

“And the hit-and-run on Carl Rogers?” I ask, feeling annoyed that they’re acting like Glynda’s shooting was no big deal.

“Still looking for that one.” Officer Dowdy, says. While he and I talk, I can’t help but notice he keeps glancing around the shop like he’s looking for something.

“Can I help you find something, Officer? You seem awfully intrigued by our ceiling.”

He snaps his head to mine, his eyes hard. “No.”

The cops leave shortly after that and my dad heads back into the garage without a word.

“Well, that felt weird,” Cassie says from her stool behind the counter.

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