Page 76 of Something Good
He nodded, and that sweet blush crept up his cheeks again. He chuckled and looked away like he was feeling a little self-conscious. “I feel like a teenager with a crush all over again.”
“Good.”
“Good?”
“I like to keep you on your toes.” I kissed him again, soft and sweet, then pulled away so he and Goldie could get in his truck. I watched as he pulled out, waving him off as he drove down the street. Smiling, I pulled my phone out and sent him a text.
I have a crush on you too
I debated going backinside the shop. Julio wasn’t the gossipy sort, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t have questions about things I didn’t have answers for. Ultimately, it was the respect I had for him that sent me back inside. I knew he’d likely worked Will’s truck in ahead of other appointments as a favor to me, and walking away without even a thank you would be rude.
I didn’t anticipate the catcalls from the other mechanics though. Instead of walking back into the lobby, I stepped through the main garage. Though it had been several years since I’d worked for Julio, I still knew most of the folks who worked there. Julio treated his employees well, so turnover with his mechanics was low, meaning many of them had worked here for fifteen years or more.
I sent birds flying as I walked through with both middle fingers up, but I did it with a smile, knowing they were just fucking with me. I honestly would have been disappointed if they hadn’t given me shit. It was how they showed their love.
Julio eyed me with a smile, grabbing a rag and wiping the grime off his permanently oil-stained hands as I made my way over to him. He nodded toward his office, and I followed him back, taking a chair and making myself at home.
“Thanks for working Will’s truck in today. He needed to get back to work in the city.”
“I don’t think you’ve ever asked for a favor. Figured it was important.”
“He’simportant. To me.”
He nodded. He didn’t ask for any more information. And I knew he wouldn’t. I could get up and walk out of here without another word, and we’d move along just like we always did.Nevertheless, I found myself wanting him to know who Will was to me.
So I told him.
I didn’t go over every detail, but I gave him the highlights of our past and of the way we’d connected again more recently. He listened without comment, taking it all in with the calm, stoic way he had about him. When I was finished, he said, “Sounds like you’ve got your work cut out for you.”
I snorted. “Yeah, maybe. He’s worth it though.”
He nodded. “Stephanie made me work for it too. Wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“He just…I was such a little shit back then, but he looked past all that bullshit and saw the kid who was scared and hurting. He didn’t care that I was dirt poor or that my mom was trash. He wanted me anyway. And I threw it away.”
“I think you’re being harder on yourself than you need to be. Your actions came from a place of love. You thought you were doing the right thing.”
“Yeah, but I hurt him. Badly.”
He nodded. “That’s something you’ll have to work through with him. But I think you need to let some of the guilt go. No matter what the result, your intentions were good.”
“Yeah, I guess.” I stood. “Thanks, man. I’ll let you get back to work.”
He came around the desk and gave my shoulder a squeeze. “Be patient. It’ll all work out.”
I nodded, and we walked back out to the garage. Despite my worry over Will, the sounds of the shop—the clank and buzz of tools, voices calling out obscenities over Metallica blaring on the stereo—brought a smile to my face. It felt like home.
44
WILL
On Thursday,Jason texted, saying he would be in the city, and asked if I wanted to grab lunch. We met at a burger joint in Papillion, near the job site because I had a meeting there at one o’clock.
After placing our orders, I asked, “So, what’s up?”
“Why do you think something’s up?”
“You’re giving off a vibe.”
