Page 56 of Boy Issues

Silver ran both hands across the top of his head, then laced his fingers behind his skull. “All right, let’s think this through. If I talk to him and explain the situation, can you get him to front the money for the restoration, and we’ll work out something on the back end?”

Carl huffed. “Are you high? I’m not gonna have some car hack do my deals. He’s a respected, corporate guy. Runs in the best circles.” Carl waved Silver off. “I don’t need your help.”

Silver bit the inside of his cheek. He’d already been thinking about moving up his timeline on his own garage. Maybe the universe was trying to tell him something. Maybe it was time to cut his losses before things got worse.

“Okay, no problem. Just thought I’d mention it.” He cleared his throat and placed his hands on his hips again. “Listen, you let me know what you decide, but in the meantime, you said you were going to have my commission on the last car I did for you by this past Wednesday. I know you won’t be back out this way until next weekend, and I’d like to have the money so I can deposit it on Monday.”

Carl scratched his scruffy chin. “Yeah, about that. I had to give that dough to this guy so he wouldn’t break my fucking legs.”

“You did what?”

“Look, kid. You gotta understand, I didn’t have a choice!”

Silver rubbed his eyes, the stress of dealing with Jenkins about to make his head explode. He let out a long exhale.

“Fine. Then I’ll take the Morgan instead. He has my money for the car, so I’ll take the car instead of the money.”

Silver had no idea what he’d do with it, but at least it was something.

Carl barked out a laugh. “In your dreams. You’re not getting that fucking car. He paid a helluva lot more than ten grand for that at auction. I gave him your money as a show of good faith.”

“That’s what you call good faith? Giving my hard-earned money to someone else? You had no right to do that!”

Carl sneered at him, “What are you complaining about? You’ve got a roof over your head.”

Silver took a step toward Carl and the man stumbled back. He didn’t intend to lay hands on the pinche culero, but he did intend to make sure Carl knew he was damn serious.

“Now you listen to me.” He jabbed a finger at Carl. “I’ve always treated you with respect because you’re my boss. But I won’t be spoken to this way and I won’t have the money I earned in good faith, taken from me. I’m giving you two weeks’ notice from today, then I’m outta here.”

Silver hoped like hell he could pick up more shifts at the diner.

“Fuckin’ leave now! I’m not stopping you!”

“Two weeks, Carl. Two weeks. I’ll put the Morgan back together as much as I can, then you can tow it outta here.” Silver turned from him and started gathering his backpack and keys to leave. “Or not. That’s on you.”

“Hey, Silver. Hold on a minute.” Carl gave a nervous laugh. “You know me, I can get a little hot under the collar. Just give me some time and…and…I’ll give you a few hundred extra bucks here and there until I make it up to you.” His gaze wandered the room as if he might be able to discover the answers in the air. “I’ll give you twice the commission on the next car.”

“Thanks, but I’m good.” Silver slung his backpack over his shoulder. “I gotta run.”

“But…but…”

Carl trailed after Silver and out the side door—which was exactly what he’d wanted the shithead to do. As soon as Carl had cleared the threshold, Silver locked the door.

“Like I said, Carl. Two weeks. I’ll do what I can on the Morgan, then you’re on your own.” Silver paused before getting into the Mustang. “But I expect to get paid for my time, since its clear I won’t be getting any more commissions.”

Carl stood with his mouth agape, and Silver got behind the wheel without waiting for a response.

He had a boy to get to.

* * * *

If Donovan were a different person living a different life, he’d be holding Silver’s hand as they wandered down the aisles at the auto show. Instead, he’d made do with longing glances and flirty smiles. When the hell had he been bitten by the sap bug? Donovan had to laugh to himself. Who cared? He hadn’t felt this alive since he could remember.

“Would you like to grab something to eat?”

Donovan bumped elbows with Silver. He fucking hated how nervous it made him whenever they touched, no matter how innocent the contact.

“Huh?” Silver had seemed far away.

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