Page 38 of Shadows of You

If I felt need starting to build, I went elsewhere. Away from Cedar Ridge. There were no names. No tender touches. Just taking what we both wanted.

But those urges had come on fewer and farther between. Maybe because I’d started to feel as empty as they were. Maybe because I was too old for that shit.

Only now, I was starting to worry that I’d made a fatal mistake in not continuing those anonymous encounters. One that made Aspen’s mouth more tempting than it should be.

I strode across the street, letting the cold hit me full force. I needed to fight off her pull.

The sign for Al’s Body Shop beckoned me. Al hadn’t been around for at least two generations, but the name remained. It was cold enough that all the bays were closed, so I made my way to the office.

A bell dinged as I opened the door, and it didn’t take long for a head to pop out from the workstations. A guy who didn’t look much over eighteen took me in, eyes widening.

My teeth ground together as I fought back a curse.

“Can I help you?” There was a slight waver to the kid’s voice.

“Jim,” was all I said in response.

The kid scurried off. Jim emerged a few seconds later, wiping his hands on a rag. “You like scaring the piss out of my guys?”

I grunted.

Jim shook his head, a smile on his lips. “I think you do. What can I help you with? Don’t see your truck out there.”

“You got Aspen Barlow’s wagon?”

Surprise lit Jim’s eyes. “Going through that heap now. It’s a miracle she hasn’t ended up stranded.”

A muscle ticked in my jaw. “Got a ballpark of what it’s going to take to get it running safely?”

His surprise morphed into curiosity. “Still working, but I’m guessing about six Gs when we’re all said and done. She needs new tires, too.”

That tic in my cheek intensified. “I want to cover the majority of it. Think you can come up with a story she’ll buy?”

Jim leaned back against the counter for a moment, studying me. “Who is she to you?”

Wasn’t that the million-dollar question? “One of Grae’s best friends. She’s a good woman. Works hard. Doesn’t need this shit when she’s got a little girl to take care of.”

It was apparently the right answer because Jim jerked his head in a nod. “I’ll tell her that it wasn’t as bad as it looked, and if she gives me a day or two to work her in, I’ll give her a discount.”

I made a low sound of agreement. “What about the tires?” Everyone knew tires were expensive as hell.

“I’ll tell her I got ‘em off a totaled wreck. Steal of a deal.”

“Hope your acting skills are good,” I muttered.

Jim chuckled. “I’ll sell it.”

“Just let me know what I owe you when you’re done.”

“Will do.”

I turned to leave, but Jim stopped me.

“You’re a good man, Roan.”

Pain lanced my chest. I didn’t look back at him. Couldn’t.

I wasn’t a good man. I was someone who lied to my siblings. Cut myself off from my family because it was easier. But maybe I could do a little something to even the Universe’s scales by helping Aspen. Even if she never knew it.

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