Chapter Two
Riding down the highway on her Kawasaki’s Ninja ZX-6R with the wind blowing in her hair and the vibrations of the powerful machine under her was pure bliss. It was the only chance Tatum had to relax and get away from the chaos at the shop. Being the only female grease monkey working in a predominantly male environment definitely caused some challenges. One, she was always being hit on, and two, she constantly had to prove she was good at her job. Just because she was a woman didn’t mean she frail and helpless; and it certainly didn’t mean she couldn’t be as efficient as her male counterparts when it came to mechanics. In fact, she knew more than they did at times.
Her choice of career wasn’t the problem because she loved it. She was just looking for more; a different environment, a change of pace from the mundane life she seemed to be living lately. The way she’s been feeling could have been due to the fact she hadn’t been on a date in months. Okay, maybe it was two years. Who knew? She’d lost count a long time ago. Anyway, it really didn’t at this point. If she couldn’t find some kind of validation and happiness on her own, there was no way she could expect some guy to jump in and rescue her. Besides, she didn’t need rescuing anyway. She was a strong, independent woman who could take care of herself. But, maybe a little friendly advice would do her some good.
She took the next exit, giving the bike more throttle as she came out of the turn and sped toward the building where she often found herself. Her best friend since she was a teenager was the only one she could count on for advice. He was honest with her at all times, even when if it was something she didn’t want to hear. He always had her best interest at heart and that was the reason why she loved Jasper so much.
Tatum cut the engine of her motorcycle and parked in front of Jasper’s house. After removing her helmet, she walked up the six flights of stairs to his apartment. Now, she was in great shape, but trekking up those stairs every time she had to go visit him was a back-breaking chore. Since it was an old building there wasn’t an elevator and since the landlord was as cheap as the day was long he wasn’t going to update the structure and put one in.
Out of breath and desperately gulping for air, she knocked on the door. When Jasper opened the door with his boxer briefs riding low on his hips and his dark hair sticking up in every direction she cringed a bit and thought maybe she’d made the wrong decision by not calling ahead first. He probably had some woman, or man, or...maybe both in his bed now. Tatum covered her eyes. “Dude, could you come to the door wearing a little less?” She said in the most sarcastic voice she could muster.
Jasper rubbed his eyes and turned his back to her, making his way into the kitchen. “It’s seven o’clock in the morning Tay. I was sleeping. Next time I’ll be sure to put on my best tuxedo before I come answer the door for you.”
Tatum took a few tentative steps inside and looked around. “Is it safe to come in? I’m not interrupting anything am I?”
“If you’re asking if I’m alone, then yes, it’s safe.”
She closed the front door to the apartment behind her and peeled her leather jacket off, throwing on the nearby kitchen chair. Hopping up on the counter next to the coffee maker, she grabbed a croissant out of the package and broke a piece off before shoving it in her mouth. She chewed a few times and struggled to swallow as it slowly slid down her throat. “When did you buy these?”
“I don’t know. The other day I guess.”
“More like three months ago.”
Jasper shut off the coffee maker and grabbed two mugs out of the overhead cabinet. He poured each of them a cup and added some cream and sugar. “First you come over here unannounced, complain about my choice of wardrobe, and then you insult my food. Anything else that doesn’t fit your fancy this morning?”
“Who even says that?”
“I do, when my sleep deprived brain can’t think straight because my best friend has the nerve to come barging in my house at seven o’clock in the morning like she owns the place.”
“I did not barge in.”
“You might as well have. Now what are you doing here so early anyway?”
Tatum ripped off another dry piece of croissant and placed it in her mouth. She chewed several times and spoke with her mouth still full. She shrugged and sighed. “I don’t know.”
“You don’t know? Well, I’m glad you woke me up for something as important as that.”
Hopping off the counter, Tatum strode over to the half open window and stared out onto the busy street. “I’m sorry.”
Jasper sat on the windowsill next to her, bumping her arm with his shoulder. “Hey. What’s really going on?”
“I want more Jas.”
“More what? Coffee? Breakfast? Can you be more specific?”
“I want more out of life.”
“Again, a little more detail would be nice.”
“I don’t know, maybe I need a change of pace. Maybe a new environment; a job.”
“Hold on. You love your job. Are those asshole co-workers bothering you again? Do I have to go down there and crack some skulls?”
“No. And I can handle those idiots on my own.”
“Well, I can’t help you if you can’t make up your mind on what you want.” Jasper stood, placing his empty mug in the sink. “Look, why don’t you take a break and go on a little vacation. The last time you took off was over a year ago. You have enough time built up, don’t you?”
“Yeah, but…”
“No butts. Now didn’t you mention that woman you met at the resort said you could come back and stay with her anytime?”
“Yeah, but…”
“No butts I said. Go call her and tell her you’re coming for a visit. And I don’t want you to come back here until you figure out what it is you’re looking for. Maybe a change of environment in the relaxing mountains will give you some inspiration.”
Tatum turned and gave him a faint smile. “Have I told you how much I love you lately?”
“All the time.”
After giving him a quick peck on his cheek, she grabbed her jacket off the chair and headed for the door. “Call you when I get there.”