Page 10 of The One for Me
“Connor is not really mechanically inclined.”
He laughs. “No, I’m not really sure what the hell he fixed, but I’ll get it working enough for him to sell it.”
I lean my hip against the workbench that is littered with tools. “Of course you will.”
“So, what was Mom after you about this time?”
“Who knows, but one day, I won’t be such a disappointment.”
Jasper has always understood me. It doesn’t matter that there is seven years between us because, when we were kids, we were inseparable. As we got older, we drifted a bit, unsure of how to navigate him being an adult, working full-time and marrying Hazel, while I was a kid. But he’s been kind when my mother has been anything but that and never pushed me away. Instead, he’s been grateful for the relationship we’ve established.
“Don’t listen to her. She’s just . . . her. Any luck finding somewhere to live?”
“No, I just have to be patient.” I have just about enough money to rent somewhere, but the crux of the issue is where to move. I don’t want to leave Sugarloaf. I want to be close to my brother and there isn’t exactly a plethora of housing options.
“Have you talked to Sean?” Jasper asks.
My throat goes dry at the mention of his name. “About?”
“Living with him for the six months. I mean, Connor and Ellie moved into their new house, Declan is living with Sydney, and Sean will be in town. You could easily crash in that box thing that Dec lived in.”
There was not a chance that I was going to stay in the big house, not after that kiss. However, I hadn’t considered living in the tiny house. I could totally do that. Of course, I’d need land to put it on, and I know mother would have a conniption if I asked. Heaven forbid she have to accommodate any changes for me.
I could always ask Jasper, but . . .that might cause her to flip on him and I’d rather not do that.
“I’ll think about talking to him. Thanks for the idea.”
He smirks. “I’m full of them.”
“You’re full of something, all right.”
“Hazel would agree with you there.”
“Hey, did you decide to take on another mechanic?”
Jasper straightens up and shrugs. “I’m not sure what to do. Bringing another employee into the business means I need more work.”
“Jasper, you have plenty of work. In fact, you have too much work.”
I’ve been encouraging him to expand for a year. He could do so much more if he was able to bring in some help. With all the money he spends on Austin’s baseball, I know he needs the help financially.
“Your business plan was interesting.”
“It was also detailed and the projections were very conservative.”
He wipes the grease off his hands and stares at me. “You think I would make more than what you put in that graph?”
I nod. “I do.”
“You know I love you?”
“Yes. How could you not?”
His smile is wide and causes the skin around his eyes to crinkle. “My point is that you’re way too smart for your own good. If I did this, I’d need your help.”
“You don’t even have to ask. If you do it, I’ll be here each step of the way.”
Jasper pulls me to his chest, the smell of gasoline, oil, and wood fill me as I hug my brother. “Good. Now, go get me some customers and hire a few people.”
