Page 86 of Truck You

The screen door leading to the back patio has been loose for months. No clue why we haven’t fixed it yet. It’ll probably take Dad ten minutes and less than ten dollars in supplies to do it. It’s always the simple jobs that take the longest for us to get done.

“I would’ve done that for you. You should have nagged me about it.”

“I know.” Grams waves me off. “Any of you boys would have done it if I asked, but you all work hard all day. Your dad’s just sitting around here waiting for orders.”

I huff.Ain’t that the truth? I love my dad, but he’s lazy as fuck and hasn’t held down a job since I was a toddler. He’s helped us in the garage occasionally over the years, but he can’t seem to stick with it.

From the stories Grams has told me, he hasn’t always been this way. Before his wife died, I hear he had a lot of ambition. Grams always says he and Liam are a lot alike, but I can’t see it.

Liam took over the garage when he was in high school because Dad couldn’t seem to manage it. He takes care of us. He’s the reason we still have a roof over our heads and a thriving business. Dad may still be in our lives, but Liam has been more of a dad to us than our father ever was.

Dad? He just sits around, drinks coffee, reads his damn paper, and waits for Grams to feed him.

“Besides,” Grams continues, “you’re too busy taking care of that girl of yours to help an old lady around the house.” The teasing tone to Grams’ voice has me whipping my head around. The smile lifting her lips matches her tone.

I know what she’s thinking. That I’ve fallen hard for Sophia. She’s not wrong. A month ago, I would have denied the depth of my feelings for Sophia as if my life depended on it.

But not anymore. I want Sophia in my life. No. Ineedher in my life, and I think I’m okay admitting that.

But I don’t say any of that out loud. Instead, I shrug. “That’s what you do when someone you care about gets hurt.”

“Yes, it is.” She lets out a long, contented sigh. She’s watching me with that soft smile Grams always gives us when she’s proud of something we’ve done. “Love is a wonderful thing if you embrace it, Mac. I’ve waited so long to see one of you boys fall in love. I thought Liam had found it years ago, but I was wrong. Every one of you has fought against love your entire lives. I understand why. It’s not like your dad has given you a good example of love. And you never knew your Pops. I wish you boys could have seen how hard he loved me. Maybe then you wouldn’t fight it so much.”

“Grams, no one is in love.” As soon as the words come out, a sour feeling settles in my gut. I’ve never been in love, and I have no idea what it feels like, but I imagine what I’m feeling for Sophia is damn close.

“Oh, I wouldn’t be so sure about that. You don’t have to admit it to anyone yet. You don’t even have to admit it to yourself. But please don’t turn a blind eye to it and pretend those feelings aren’t there. You boys are experts when it comes to emotional avoidance. If you let it, love will set you free of all your demons. It will heal your soul and make you whole.”

“Grams … That’s a little deep for lunchtime conversation. Don’t you think?”

Thankfully, I’m saved from her response when Dad walks into the kitchen with a small bag in hand. I focus my attention on the sandwiches I’m making while he distracts Grams with his rundown of his trip to town.

But the words Grams said hit me hard in the gut. They stick with me while I finish making the sandwiches.

They stick with me while Sophia and I eat together at the small table in the break room.

And they stick with me late into the night while I lie awake in bed, contemplating if they’re true.

Do I love Sophia? If I let myself love her, will it heal me of my trust and abandonment issues? Is loving someone and letting that person love me back enough to do that?

It would be nice if it were true, but I can’t shake the feeling that it’s not quite that simple.

* * *

Tonight,I’m taking Sophia on our first official date. And by date, I mean dinner and a movie. That’s what couples do, isn’t it? I’ve never done this with any of the girls I’ve dated before, so I hope I get this right.

Grams’ words the other day hit me hard, and I need to figure out if she’s correct. Hopefully, a real date will be exactly what I need to nail down my feelings for the woman who occupies all my waking thoughts and even some of my dreams.

Besides, I still have to prove to her that I’m a romantic. After tonight, there will be no doubts. I’ll still be the possessive asshole that I know she loves, but I’ll be a romantic one.

I’ve showered, dressed in my nicest clothes, and now I’m in my truck, heading to her house to pick her up.

When I park in the driveway, I take one last look in the rearview mirror before I grab the flowers I ran into town earlier today to pick up. I had to go to Koch’s Florist to get them. Not my first choice of florists, but it’s the closest one to Beaver. Amelia Koch, the Koch brothers’ only sister, was working the counter. Rumor has it she’s taking over the florist stop when her mom retires.

She gave me a funny look when I walked in. Rightfully so. It was the first time I’d ever set foot in a florist’s shop. But I’m pulling out all the stops tonight. Sophia deserves to be wowed.

Clara answers the door, and she grins when she sees the flowers. “Hi, Mac.”

Her eyes peruse my outfit, making her smile grow even wider. By the way she’s staring at me, I’d think she’s never seen a man dress up for a date before.

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