Page 8 of Wrong Number, Right Mechanic
I carefully groomed myself, shaving where needed, but keeping a bit of facial hair, just the way Lyla liked. A pair of jeans, a fitted tee, and an unbuttoned flannel with the sleeves rolled up was my outfit of choice, a fresh pair ofNike Jordan Onesneakers completing the look. Grabbing the flowers from the fridge, I shoved my wallet and phone in my back pocket and picked up the keys before heading out the door.
It didn’t take long for me to reach Lyla’s cabin, and every minute that ticked by heightened my senses. I couldn’t wait to see her, my body literally buzzing with anticipation.
Once there, I pulled into the driveway and hurried up the front steps, keeping the truck running for warmth. Fall wasn’t letting us forget it was right around the corner, the last days of the summer heat fading away.
As I raised my fist to knock, the door swung open and Lyla quickly ran out, closing it swiftly behind her. “Hi. Let’s go before my mom stops us. She wanted to invite you in for a drink. But I told her we have reservations.”
I laughed, even though guilt ran through me. “I feel bad. One drink wouldn’t hurt, would it?”
Lyla laughed now, the sound like a pretty symphony to my ears. “She’ll have us staying for dinner and dessert. You know this.”
“You’re right. But one day this week, I’ll come in for dinner. Tonight, we have plans.” I took her hand in mine, loving the feel of her soft skin against my roughness.
“She’ll like that,” Lyla said as I held open the truck door for her. I ran around the other side and slipped behind the wheel.
As I threw the truck into reverse, Pam opened the front door and waved. “Have fun, guys! Come by for a drink later!”
Lyla chuckled and shook her head while waving back at her mother. “Only her.”
“Bye!” I called and waved before driving off.
“So, where are you taking me?” Lyla asked, a teasing tone in her voice. “I need to warn the authorities. You know, in case you decide to kidnap me.”
“Ha ha, hilarious. In fact, you wish I would.”
“Maybe.” Lyla said matter-of-factly, only a trace of flirtiness in her voice. “Slow it down there, Captain.”
“Aye, aye. No use rocking the boat.”
Lyla laughed, the sound filling the truck. I wanted to bask in it, hold on to it forever, and never take another moment with her for granted. “Only five minutes in and there you go with the corny sayings.”
“You love it.”
“Nah. You just think I do.”
“Watch that mouth of yours or I’m going to kiss it.”
“Do it.” Lyla smirked, and the air crackled between us.
“I will. And you won’t see it coming.”
CHAPTER FIVE
Lyla
Within a week,the ice from my heart melted, something only Jaxon could achieve. And somehow, he did.
Every night he picked me up for a date, recreating the ones we had in high school when we first got together. And every night, he handed me a different bouquet of flowers, each one prettier than the last.
Jaxon walked me to the door after our seventh date, and I couldn’t stop wondering if he was finally going to kiss me. He was being a gentleman and while I admired him for it, I wanted more.
Because the truth was, not only did I fall back in love with Jaxon this weekend, but I also realized I never had stopped loving him.
He explained to me he couldn’t bear the thought of being apart, couldn’t handle the long distance, and thought spending the summer together would only cause more pain in the end. I saw his point, but I still didn’t grasp why we had to go through so much pain. Maybe we could’ve said goodbye amicably andkept in touch, stayed friends, but instead he left me with a huge gaping hole in my heart.
I told him how it hurt me when he didn’t seem motivated to do anything with his life, but he told me it was the heartache. It left him hopeless and not caring about life. He told me he partied hard and tried to forget the pain, but in the end, it was Joe who picked him up, showed him the ropes, helped him get into school, and now he was a successful mechanic, ready to take over when Joe retired. And ironically, I was the one who ended up with the failed career. Jaxon insisted it wasn’t a failed career, but a learning experience. And one that brought us back together, like we were supposed to be.
“I’ll see you tomorrow night, beautiful?” Jaxon asked as he pulled me against him, wrapping his arms around my waist. This was the most physical we’d gotten, only hugs which ending up being pure torture if you asked me.
