Page 40 of The Art of Falling in Love with Your Enemy
I watch him walk away from me and marvel at how long I can tread water this confusing.
I’m going on a date. A date with Zac Wright.
I just hope Mr. Wright doesn’t end up being Mr. Wrong.
SEVENTEEN
Zac
There’s one place close to town where I know I can go anytime for someone to hang out with. My grandparents would say I’m craving fellowship, my parents would say it’s my longing for community, but for me…I just need some other guys I can talk to and not feel so alone trying to navigate things like…Etta.
Walking up the sidewalk to Dubs’s Garage, I already feel like any stress I have is easing from my neck and shoulders. Dubs’s Garage is owned by the one and only Dubs Williams, a part-timer at the Lake Lorelei Fire Department. His garage is the place to go if you need work done to your car, and he has special deals for public servants. I’d dropped my cruiser off here for an oil change yesterday.
Seeing as he’s just that kind of cool, he’s also managed to create a spot for hanging out. Where the men who live in the area like to congregate. We’re talking pool tables, pinball machines, Pacman, Ms. Pacman…and I think he added Frogger to his collection recently. It’s gamer heaven.
“I was wondering if you’d get here on time,” Dubs calls out when he sees me, grabbing an old cloth to wipe the grease off his hands.
“On time?” Glancing at my watch, I see there’s fifteen minutes until the shop closes. “You doubted I’d be here before you closed?”
“Actually,” Dubs says with a chuckle as he indicates with his thumb toward the door leading to the back room, “those guys in there are worried.”
Opening the door, I’m surprised-ish to see Brett sitting across the table from Sergeant Lane, throwing down cards on the table in front of him.
“There he is,” Lane calls out. “Got a beer over here with your name on it and a seat if you want to buy in and play a round.”
“Poker?” I ask, taking the beer from Brett’s outstretched hand.
Lane grins. “What else?”
Turning around, I find the old guy standing with his arms crossed, watching me with a bit of a twinkle in his eye. Dubs shrugs his shoulders.
“I’ve been meaning to have some guys over for a card game and figured today was as good as any.”
“I’d have to agree with you, Dubs.” Taking a sip of my beer, my phone chimes in my pocket. Sliding it out, I peek at the screen to see Tuck’s texting me. Turning to the room, I hold my phone in the air.
“Do you guys mind if I invite one more person? My brother’s in town again.”
There’s a general wave of hands and a grunt from Dubs, giving me all the permission I need. I flick Tuck the address, then pull up a chair beside Dubs.
“How’s life going for you, Zac?” The old man’s eyes are gentle. “You like it here?”
“Sweetkiss is great.” Technically, Dubs’s Garage is in Lake Lorelei, which is the town over from Sweetkiss Creek, but the two towns and one other, Taylortown, all make up an area known as Love Valley. “I can’t complain at all. I like my job…”
“You’re just saying that cause I’m sitting right here,” Lane murmurs, his eyes on his cards.
Dubs points to Brett. “Did this one tell you his news?”
“He did. Congrats again, Brett. Be good to have you in town.” I clink his beer bottle with mine and toast the news. “How’s Chewpaca doing?”
“Chewie and Tupaca are settling in just fine, now that I have a fully fenced-in section on my lot for them.” Brett rolls his eyes as Lane puts his cards down on the table, jumping up as he does with his hands in the air.
“Royal flush, baby!!” Pumping a fist in the air, Lane sings a refrain from Queen’s “We are the champions” as he marches in a parade of one around the room.
“Winner buys dinner,” Dubs proclaims, his phone going off in his hand. He glances at it before turning it my way so I can see. “I installed cameras the other day, so now I can see who’s coming in the garage no matter where I am.”
On the screen is Tuck, making his way through the garage, his neck craning as he looks for me. We watch as he spots the door to the back room and makes his way over and knocks before trepidatiously opening it, ever so slowly.
“Hello?”
