Page 92 of Call it Reckless

“Don’t worry, sis. People know Buck is a jerk. They’re not going to listen to him.”

“She’s right,” Reid and Em both said.

* * *

“Another cancellation,”June told me with a frown. “What’s wrong with people here?”

“How many does that make this week?”

“Three, plus five last week.”

I tried not to cringe. “That doesn’t sound so bad. Things happen. It might not even be related to Mrs. Smith.” But it was a spin that wasn’t convincing either of us.

“What do we have on the schedule, boss?” Max asked. He and Griff had been great. They’d been sympathetic and gone about doing good work, trying not to comment that business wasn’t as steady as it had been just a couple of weeks ago.

“Two more oil changes and a rough engine that I suspect is only a spark plug issue, but make sure it’s checked for any other possibilities.”

“No problem,” Griff answered before heading out to the work bays.

“Maybe I should get a job over at Tanner’s,” Chad grumbled under his breath, but I still caught it.

His attitude had never been pleasant, but he came with glowing references, so I’d taken a chance. He definitely knew his stuff, but he was sullen and kept to himself. I hadn’t had a legit reason to take him to task, but I wasn’t going to put up with his current attitude.

“What was that?”

Chad straightened his shoulders. “It’s just that I heard they have more work over there than usual and are looking for extra help.” He shrugged. “A guy’s got to earn a living. Work is work. I don’t care where, just that I have it.” He glared toward the bay where Griff was already at work. “Even if I wasn’t the last guy hired.”

I knew what he was thinking. If business didn’t pick back up, there wouldn’t be a need for all of them. But I wanted people to believe in Head to Tow, and if Chad couldn’t, then…

“If you feel that way, then maybe you should,” I responded, crossing my arms. “We run a clean business here, and if any of you don’t think so, I recommend you leave now.” I glanced between him and Max.

They looked at each other, but neither moved.

“There was a reason so many people left Tanner’s to come here,” I continued. “It will happen again.”

“Sure. If you say so.” Chad turned and went to the bay.

Max hung around, strumming his fingers on his thigh and biting his lower lip.

“Something you want to say?” I asked, trying to keep my frustration from sounding like I was angry with him.

“It’s just that…”

I crossed my ankles and arms and leaned against our reception booth. “What?”

“I’m just sorry this happened because of a car I worked on. I swear, boss, I double-checked those hoses and everything else. I was so sure everything was good to go.”

I uncrossed everything and looked him square in the eye. “This is not your fault. I know you did everything to the last detail. I looked over your work myself. Your work is solid, Max, and that’s the end of it. I don’t know what happened to Mrs. Smith’s car that day. But I know it wasn’t because of us, and itdefinitelywasn’t anything you did or didn’t do. Sometimes, I guess, weird shit just happens. Everything will be okay.”

He nodded, convinced by my short speech. If only I was as convinced of that myself.

CHAPTERTHIRTY

Bristol

“Maybe we should change the venue for Lexi’s party,” I suggested to Reid two days before the big day. “I’m sure Paige could put together something, maybe at your house or in your backyard.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Lexi has her heart set on having it at the best salon in the area.” He pulled me close and wrapped his arms around me as if he could protect me from all the hurt. That’s what he was so good at, but there was nothing he could do this time.

---