Page 1 of Her Mechanic Bear Mate

One

Charlie

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Charlie groaned as she tightened the last lug nut on the wheel, the muscles in her arm protesting slightly from the effort. When she was satisfied that it was as tight as it could go, she got up from her crouched position to admire her handiwork. Changing tyres into their winter variety was a bit of a boring job but a typical one as the colder months came around.

She wiped her greasy hands on a piece of rag and gave the Suzuki Alto a pat on the bonnet. "And you're all done."

The clatter of a metal tool hitting the ground sounded behind her and she turned in the direction of the sound.

“You fucking piece of shit.” Jack threw a rag through the garage and kicked a nearby tyre. A mild overreaction.

"You alright there?" she called in concern.

He gave her a thumbs-up. "Yeah, fine. My hands are just a bit shaky today. I think my blood sugar is a bit low. I only had a cold burger for breakfast from yesterday’s takeaway.”

“No wonder your blood sugar is all over the place then,” Charlie said. “You should eat a proper meal.”

“Yes, yes, spare me the lecture. Can you give me a hand with this cap? I don't know who screwed it on but it's wound tighter than my mum during the holidays. And she gets stressed.”

Charlie leaned under the propped up bonnet and clamped her hand around the cap. It protested slightly but came off with a squeak.

She held it out to Jack with a grin. She didn't need words, her triumph spoke for itself.

“I clearly pre-loosened it for you,” Jack grumbled as he snatched the cap up.

“Sure you did.”

“I really did,” Jack said as he kicked his tools towards the toolbox, more or less getting them out of the way.

His reaction surprised Charlie and she studied her friend. He seemed worked up beyond just low blood sugar. “You okay there? You seem angry.”

“Yeah, I’m fine. It’s just one of those days. I slept badly, my back is hurting.” Jack paused for a moment, his voice lowering. “And I have to have dinner with my parents and Eve is coming.”

Understanding filled Charlie. “Ahh, I see.”

“It’s just going to be a whole night of ‘perfect little Eve’ and ‘why can’t you be more like Eve’ and ‘look at how amazing Eve is’,” Jack ranted, his gaze travelling towards the glass office where his dad was working behind the computer.

Charlie patted her friend on the shoulder. “That’s tough. Is it tonight?”

“Yeah.”

“Want to get some drinks at The Barrel And The Bear afterwards then? You can vent all you want about your sister and I can see if that cute bartender will finally go home with me.”

“Sounds good, I guess.” Jack stared at the car he was working on and sighed. “I’m going to take my break and get myself a snack from the corner shop.”

“Good idea, maybe that’ll cheer you up. If not, who knows, maybe the redhead you’ve been chatting up likes sad guys.”

A proper grin broke through on Jack’s face and he tossed a rag her way. “You’re such a twat.”

“I know,” Charlie returned, glad she’d managed to make her friend smile. Over the years, she’d heard plenty about his golden sister and it was easy to see why he was upset. Whenever she returned, it was like his parents forgot about his existence and hard work entirely.

It certainly made her glad to be an only child.

Two

Eve

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