Page 1 of Landlord Daddy's Girl

1

SLATER

“Yo, douchebag.”

Recognizing the voice, I set the wrench in my hand down, then use my remote to turn off the music as he walks into my garage. As he sets the bag in his hand down on the workbench, I pull a rag out of my pocket and wipe away some of the grease on my fingers before shaking his hand. It’s still a little grimy, but Derek doesn’t seem to care.

“What’s up, dickhead?” I reply.

Derek Kelly has been my best friend since we were kids. He’s like a brother to me. Fuck that, he’s closer than a brother to me. He pulls a beer out of the bag and hands it to me. As I twist off the top, he pulls one out for himself and cracks it open.

“Thanks,” I say and tap my bottle against his.

“No sweat,” he replies. “How’s the restoration going?”

I turn and look at the 1973 Boss 351 Mustang and frown. It was my father’s car, and he left it to me when he died. But it hasn’t been on the road and needs a lot of work. I’m completelyrebuilding the engine myself, but I will have to send it out for a little bodywork and paint. He’s been gone for about ten years, but I still miss my dad, and doing the work on the car—something he and I did when I was a kid—makes me feel closer to him.

“It’s going,” I tell him. “I should have the engine done in the next month or so. After that, I send it out to get the bodywork and paint.”

“And after that, you’re going to have a sweet ride.”

“Damn straight,” I say and take a swallow of beer. “So, what’s up with you? You good? You all set for your trip?”

“I’m good,” he replies. “And yeah, I’m pretty much ready.”

“Looking forward to it?”

“Kind of. I’m a little nervous, though.”

I scoff. “Sack up, man. Don’t be a pussy.”

He chuckles. “Yeah, yeah, yeah.”

“Dude, seriously. You’re a great teacher. What do you have to be worried about?”

“Going to another country to teach this seminar? It’s stressful.”

“I’m sure it is. But you got this, man,” I tell him. “Students are the same there as they are here. You know your stuff. You’ll be great.”

“I wish I had half as much confidence in my abilities as you do.”

“That’s why I’m telling you to sack the fuck up, brother. Believe that you’re going to be great, and you will be great.”

He chuckles. “And when did you get to be such a paragon of optimism?”

“Me? I’m not. I’m just looking forward to a couple of months without you, so I need to pump you up so you don’t pussy out and come running home with your tail between your legs.”

Derek laughs. “You’re such an asshole.”

“Damn right, I am,” I reply. “Seriously though, you’re going to be great over there. Those kids will be lucky to have you.”

“Thanks, brother.”

I tap my bottle against his again in a show of brotherhood and solidarity. Derek leans back against the workbench and takes another swig of beer.

“Hey, listen, I keep forgetting to ask, but while I’m gone, do you think you can fix the shower and toilet in my apartment?”

I nod. “Yeah, no sweat.”

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