Page 14 of Purr For Me
“Don’t know and I don’t care. I steer clear of Charlie and Jack Erickson, and you should, too. They’re bad news.”
Kade already knew that about the Ericksons’ two drivers. “Yeah, they are. What are they like off the course?”
“Aren’t you friends with them, Kade?”
“Yeah.” He was. Until he’d seen something he shouldn’t.
Tom grinned. “Then you know exactly what they’re like. Hellions to the core, just like me and Marcus. Well, like I used to be, anyway.”
Kade smiled. “Thanks for the info. Well, I’ll go check on my car.”
Tom chuckled. “You’re sinking a lot of money into that wreck. Why are you doing it?”
“I have my reasons.”
“Which means it’s none of my business,” Tom commented. “Okay. I’ll see you later, man.”
“Yeah. Later.”
As he headed for Lexie’s bay, Kade felt a spark of hope regarding his investigation of the Ericksons’.
The next moment, he spotted Lexie, and his pulse spiked at the sight of her leaning over the Alfa’s engine from the side. Even in her overalls, her ass looked incredible, and a powerful urge to get his hands on it flowed through him. He curbed the impulse and forced his gaze elsewhere lest he be caught staring.
He walked over to stand at the front of the vehicle. “Hi, Lex.”
She gazed up at him, and he thought she looked adorable with a small streak of grease on her cheek. He liked that she wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty.
She smiled, her eyes shining. “Hi, yourself. Came to check on your girl, huh?”
I wishyouwere my girl.Kade had to press his lips together for a moment to keep the words from tumbling out of his mouth. “Yeah. How is she?”
Lexie came out from under the hood and laid her socket wrench on the top of her tall tool chest on wheels. As she picked up a rag and wiped her hands, she let her gaze trail over Kade, and his body heated.
What’s wrong with me? Knock it off.He wasn’t here to get involved with Lexie. Not yet, anyway. They had to find Jason and put the past behind them before he could think about anything with Lexie.
“Well, she’s a lot better than when you brought her in. All new brakes, air filter, and tires. I installed a new muffler system on her and put a new battery in it. Zip will work on fixing the floor this afternoon. He’s a genius at welding and metal work,” she informed Kade.
“Wow, you’re really moving along with it.”
“I did a ton of stuff on her, but I don’t have time to rattle it all off. Do you want me to print off a work list up to this point?”
Kade nodded. “Okay, but only because I’m curious. Not because I’m checking on your work. I trust you completely, which is why I requested you for the job.”
“Kade, about how I acted when you dropped the car off… I took my anger at Jason out on you, and that wasn’t fair. I’m sorry.”
Wow, he hadn’t expected that. Hating the guilt in her eyes, Kade made a dismissive gesture. “Don’t worry about it. I get it. I hate what he’s done to you too.”
She hung her head, but not before he saw tears welling. “Thanks. I appreciate that.”
“You’re welcome.” He couldn’t help asking, “How are you doing with everything?”
Lexie shrugged. “Better these days, I guess. But still no news. Have you heard anything more?”
“No. Trail’s gone cold. He’s not in Michigan. Or not anymore.” Kade moved closer and noted the dark circles under her eyes. “When was the last time you had some fun?”
Surprised, Lexie didn’t have an answer for him. “I…um…” She laughed. “Honestly? I really don’t remember.”
“That’s what I thought. You need a distraction.”
