Page 61 of Lost
“No you’re not,” Lars rumbles. “Let’s pause here for a second. Why can’t you take more time off, Nova?”
“Babies don’t really wait for anyone,” I remind him. “I also think that Adira and Quinn want to check on me. We’re doing a joint appointment so I don’t have to drive as much.”
“Hmm. We’re supposed to get more snow soon,” he says.
“Shit, I should check on the van then,” I say, biting my lip.
“Move it into the garage, baby. I have a lift in there if you need it,” Tyde says.
“I don’t want to get oil on the ground in there,” I say. “Bertha is a known squirter.”
“So is her owner,” he murmurs, making me whimper. “I really should have spent my time differently with you now that I think about it, Nova. Will you sleep with me tonight?”
“Yes,” I say immediately, ignoring the way Caleb and Lars growl. “I’ll try not to make a mess in your garage, Tyde.”
“Seriously, don’t worry about it,” he says. “Get Bertha figured out so that she’ll get you where you need to go. Maybe put pants on first though, okay? I bought some for you when I went shopping.”
Looking down at my stolen sweatshirt, I chuckle.
“I have shoes in the van,” I say.
“I got some when I went to check it earlier,” Tyde says. “There’s heating in the garage if you need it.”
“Fancy,” I tease him, sitting up.
“Do you think we can talk soon?” Caleb asks. “I want to fix what I broke with you. I focused on all the events surrounding you but ignored all of your feelings.”
“It pisses me off when you cry,” Lars says. At my owl-like blink, he grimaces as he shoves his glasses back into place. “That came out wrong. God, and I thought Tyde was bad. I hate knowing that the tears mean you’re upset or sad, and I don’t know what to do. So instead, I piss you off so you’ll stop.”
“That’s less than ideal,” I say, climbing off the couch. I’m still not wearing panties, but the sweatshirt is long enough to keep me from flashing anyone. “We’ll see how I feel after working on Bertha. I have to check to see if there was any structural damage too.”
“Are you going to need any help?” Caleb asks, his eyes moving over my body.
“Nope,” I say, walking out of the room. I’d rather struggle than take any assistance from either brother.
That’s just the level of petty I’m feeling today.
Good talk.
Bertha, you’re kind of a dick.
I went through everything on my van, and had to fix a handle that an alpha ripped off when he was in a rut. What really pissed me off though is that my alternator is failing. It’s one thing I haven’t replaced yet, and I had to order one online with the option to have it delivered today.
It’s dark now, but the lighting is at least decent in the garage. I put down an oil mat underneath Bertha, and now I’m waiting for the car part to be delivered.
“Nova?” Caleb asks, stepping into the garage. I’m bundled up and shivering as I lean against the van, because I haven’t wanted to go back inside.
Why bother when the delivery person is on his way? I’ve been stalking the website, and it says it’s out for delivery.
“Yes?” I ask. There’s a little call box outside of Tyde’s gate so the delivery person can call up. Or, he can leave it outside the gate and make me walk out to the gate.
We shall see how he decides to play it.
“Why are you still out here?” he asks. “It’s really fucking cold.”
“It’s not terrible,” I shrug. “I’m waiting for my alternator to come in. I’m having it delivered.”
“That’s not what I was expecting you to say,” he grunts, walking across the garage to me.
