Page 1 of Falling for the Mechanic
1
Chelsea
As I drive down a desolate stretch of road, I’m struck almost speechless by the vibrant colors of the leaves and the natural beauty that surrounds me. Compared to where I’m coming from, a place like this could be right out of someone’s dream.
Just not mine.
Seeing the welcoming sign to this small town, something twists in my gut. Even though it’s only been a handful of years since I’ve been away from Willowbrook Ridge, I never get used to coming back. It’s like I’m constantly getting this urge to do a U-turn and leave again.
I really hate visiting.
Stopping by a handful of times a year really shouldn’t be too hard.
Nowadays, I only come when there’s a celebration in order.
This time around, my parents want to get together to celebrate their marriage. What they have planned, I can onlyimagine. Probably something spooky since their anniversary sits on Halloween.
Despite the hot air coming from the vents, the reminder sends a shiver up my spine just thinking about it.
“You’re going to survive this, Chelsea. You do it every single time.” Talking myself through my discomfort, I reach over for the knobs to turn the heat up higher.
It’s so freaking cold here.
For just a moment, my eyes wander off the road as I switch to a different vent for the air. Just as I return my gaze to the long stretch of nothing, my next breath catches in the back of my throat.
Almost like it comes out of nowhere, there’s a hole in the road too big to call a pothole. Before I can even think to swerve out of the way, I run right over it.
There’s a loudbangand a repetitivethud,and it doesn’t take a genius to know I’ve messed up. Hitting my hazards and slowing to a stop, I breathe in deep to keep myself calm. Whispering words of encouragement to myself and struggling to believe them, I inhale sharply before I shove open the door and step out.
Everything is going to be just fine.
Taking one look at the back of my car, I can easily see that everything isn’t okay at all. In fact, the flat tire staring back is making me scream internally.
Shoot.Shoot.I kick a loose pebble in hopes it’ll make me feel better, but it doesn’t.
Burying my fingers in my hair, I swallow the urge to growl.
Nothing good comes from this town. Despite swearing by it, no one believes me. Well, now I have proof. Five minutes inside, and I’m already screwed.
Returning to the car, I grab my phone from my purse and grimace when I see the two missed calls from my mother. If Ihave to guess, she’ll want me to pick up something she needs at the last minute. Swiping away the notification, I search for what to do.
There’s no spare in my car, not that it matters. I don’t know how to change a tire. Dad made sure to teach Finn those sorts of life lessons, but he’d scoff at the idea of me stepping inside the garage to learn.
My phone immediately suggestsSteel Haven Auto.From the looks of it, there’s literally no other shops. The closest towing company is an hour and a half away. I can only imagine who they’ll send if I get my insurance involved.
I really don’t have time for this.
Putting the phone to my ear, I listen to it ring over and over, until my heart is picking up a little.
What if no one picks up? What if I’m stuck out here? Ugh, what if I have to call my parents to break the news?
Then, without warning, I hear music. The kind that screams alongside the clashing of drums and the notes of an electric guitar. I jerk, momentarily forgetting what to say. I miss the whole introduction at the start of the call before there’s a grunt.
“Steel Haven Auto. Hello?” A deep voice welcomes me, and I clear my throat before the man assumes no one is there on the other side.
“Um, hi.” I twist around and lean against my car. Pinching my sweater for distraction, I gaze at a few dead leaves that catch even the lightest breeze. “I was calling to see if you could help me out.”
I tell him about the tire and about the hole. He scoffs when I mention I don’t have a spare, and I bite my tongue at that.
