Page 71 of Drive Me Wild
“Things have changed.”
“I’ll say. First, you get a girlfriend and then sell your prize cars. What’s next? You gonna tell me you’re becoming an astronaut?”
“No, but maybe my kids are going to be rocket scientists.”
“Kids? What the hell, man? I didn’t know you had kids. No wonder you’re settling down.”
“Tommy, they aren’tmykids. They’re kids at the high school who I’m teaching mechanics to. Robotics club.”
“No shit?”
“No shit.”
He claps me on the back. “You’re a good guy, Caleb.”
I nod and climb back in my truck. That’s what I’m aiming for. I want to be a good guy. Like Buzz. Like Cole. I want to slough off the old me and stand in the light.
“Be careful out there, Tommy. That car is no joke.”
“Why do you think I bought her? Without you racing anymore, some of the rest of us have a chance to win.”
“Just be careful.”
“I will.” He leans into my window. “I know this doesn’t mean much coming from me, but I’m really proud of you, man. You’re figuring things out.”
“We’ll see.”
The following morning, I leave the shop in Clint’s hands and drive back to the storage unit to meet with the other two buyers.
Selling these cars was easier than I thought it would be. It seems my reputation at the racetrack is serving me well now. People are competing with each other to buy these. I even got an offer on one car for a thousand over asking if I held it long enough for the guy to borrow money from his brother.
I drop off my sales records with the motor vehicle license department and deposit the cash in the bank. Then I drive back to the shop and try to keep my mind off Zoe.
There’s nothing I can do but wait for her to be ready to talk.
Chapter Thirty-Five: Zoe
Iend up staying a whole week with my mom, and every day that I don’t reach out to Caleb is another day I think I should walk away, even though my chest feels carved up.
My heart is like a Thanksgiving turkey.
After the bank turned me down, I called Mabel to let her know the situation and to ask if she’d be willing to sell me the business without the house. She said she’d think about it, but I don’t want to go part way on something like this. And the truth is, I don’t know that I want to be in Owl Creek if I’m not with Caleb.
I’m standing on uneven ground.
My mother encourages me to go back and talk to him, and I know she’s right. I also know that the longer I wait, the harder this becomes.
Did I just blow something up because I’m insecure?
Why would he want me after I did that?
Renée has called a couple of times and threatened to come out and get me if I don’t return soon, and I know why she’s doing it—the same reason my mom is urging me to go back. I’m avoidingthe results of my first attempts at doing what I’m not good at. I’m avoiding facing my discomfort zone.
I’m lying in my old bed, tracing my finger along a crack in the wall, thinking about the moment I met Caleb. Full force gut punch with a side of melting vag. Not an easy thing to forget.
And as I lay here, I hear my phone chirp, alerting me to a text.
Avery:Whatever you did to Caleb, you need to undo. Please come home and fix him. He’s making everyone in town miserable
