Chapter 4
Jeremiah
The moment that I walk out of the hospital, my anger continues to boil. How in the hell am I going to work for her? A woman in a fucking shop? I know she’s good, but hell, I don’t want to take orders from anyone, especially not her.
Sliding in my truck, I see her Camaro in the parking lot. What I wouldn’t do to get under that hood. I bet she purrs gently but roars on the road if challenged. Putting the truck in gear, I head toward the farm, and as I pull up I notice Beckett is home. Great, I really don’t have time to hear his ass today.
Walking into the house, I hear him in the kitchen talking to Colby, and I try my best to make it past him. No use.
“Where you been, Jer?” Colby questions.
“Hospital. Checking on Mayes.”
“How is he?” Beckett questions.
“Good. I think he’s getting discharged tomorrow,” I say as I grab a longneck from the refrigerator.
Taking a long pull, they both look at each other. “What happened?” Colby questions.
“Nothin’. I’m getting a shower and heading to Barger’s if any of you punks wanna go.”
Without waiting on them to answer, I down the rest of my beer, toss it in the trash and grab another before walking toward my room.
Walking toward the shower, I cut on the water, take another pull of beer, crank up my music on my phone and step in. Placing my hands on the wall in front of me, I let the water fall over me and try to erase what happened today at work. A night at the bar is exactly what I need. Good greasy food and beer. A lot of beer because the only way I’m going to make it through the next few months is beer and a lot of overtime so I can get the hell out of that shop.
Cutting off the water, I quickly slide on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. Grabbing my ball cap, I place it on my head, then grab my wallet and my boots. Walking downstairs, Colby and Beckett pause when they look at me.
“Dude, you on a mission or somethin’?” Colby says like a smart ass.
“Maybe. So y’all shitheads going or what?”
“I’ll meet you both there,” Beckett says to us. Shrugging my shoulders, I look to Colby and he grabs my keys.
“I’m driving,” he says.
“Like fuck you are,” I say to him.
“Dude. What the hell is your problem?” he questions.
“Nothing. Look, if you’re going to be a pain in my ass all night, you can wait on Beckett.”
Colby doesn’t say anything else. He drops it, passes me the keys, but he knows that’s the smartest thing he can do right now. Drakes don’t talk about shit. We keep it to ourselves and if something needs to be settled, we settle it with our fists. Or at least that’s what we used to do until Everett come back home and Beckett got the honorable job at the fire station. For me, nothing feels better than taking your aggression out with your fists.
Our ride to Barger’s is quiet but when I reach for the handle, he starts to talk.
“Jer, I’m not sure what the hell happened today, but I’ve got your back.” I don’t answer; instead, I step out of the truck and see that fucking Camaro.
“Fuck me,” I say and Colby looks my direction then to the car. “Let’s go get drunk.”
“Works for me,” he says as we walk to the entrance of Barger’s.
Walking in, I go straight for the bar and see my brother, Everett, and his fiancée, Stella. I give him a head nod as I pull the stool out and he slides the beer my direction before turning to say something to Stella.
He turns back my way and I give a slight wave as he comes toward me. “Rough day?” he questions.
“You could say that. How ‘bout let’s just not talk about it and I’ll drink instead.”
“Sure, but you might want to be careful. Your boss is in the corner,” he says like a jackass and when I look over my shoulder, my blood begins to boil when I see Landry playing pool with Banks Martin. He’s a fucking ass hat. Wait, why the hell do I care anyways?
“She’s not my boss, or at least not for long,” I say as I take another pull.
Colby looks over and his mouth falls wide open. “Who the hell is that beauty?”
“Landry Mayes.”
“Shit. You’re kiddin’?” he says.
“Do I look like I’m kidding?”
“No wonder your panties are in a wad,” he says with a laugh and I punch him in the shoulder.
His eyes cut to Everett and they both look at me.
“Awe, hell nah, I’m out of there as soon as I’ve got enough money for a down payment for my own shop. If he’s going to give it to her, it’s time to get the hell outta there.”
Stella looks at us and to Landry, “Bless it, Jeremiah. You keep telling yourself that, but I’d bet this bar that you’re already hooked.”
Without another word, I grab my beer and walk toward the pool table at the opposite end of Landry. Refusing to look her direction, I rack the balls and try my best to ignore her laugh and the way she says Banks’ name. It’s like nails on a chalkboard. Who the hell am I kidding? She’s got my dick at full attention. I have no idea how I’m going to survive having her in the shop. Hopefully she keeps her ass in the office. Once I break, Colby appears at my side and joins in. I hear Banks laugh. Without realizing what I’m doing, I look toward them and he gives a nod. That fucking prick.
Right on cue, Stella appears with beers and she continues to keep them coming all night long. Before long, we’ve cleared the table, racked again, and as the bar continues to grow with customers, it makes it easier for her to disappear amongst the crowd.
Landry
The moment he walks in it’s as if my body feels him before I see him. I do my best to pay attention to Banks, but let’s face it, he’s still a pretty boy, which isn’t my style at all. As we continue to play pool, I don’t look his direction. After his attitude at the hospital, it’s best if I leave him alone. Things are about to change tomorrow at the shop and I’ve got to keep it separate. I don’t care if every time I see him, my girlie bits get in a tizzy.
As we finish our game, he takes me by the hand and walks me toward the bar.
“Hey, Stella, can we get a couple of shots?”
“Banks, I’m good. I’ve got to drive home and I have work tomorrow.”
“Work? You can’t be serious. You are really going to work at the shop?” he says, eyeing me from head to toe, and that’s when I snap.
“What, don’t think I can handle it?” I question as my hands go straight to my hips.
“Look, it’s rough in there,” he says, motioning his head toward the pool tables. Looking over my shoulder, I see him and that’s went I can’t help myself.
“Banks, I don’t know who the hell you think you are, but I am well aware of what and who I have to deal with in Paw’s shop. I can promise you one thing. If you think I can’t handle the shop then you sure as fuck can’t handle a girl like me.” His mouth falls wide slap open. “Hey, Everett, can you grab my check?” He nods and as he brings it over, I pull out some cash and tell him to keep the change as I turn to walk toward the front door. Catching a glance of Jeremiah taking a long pull on his beer, I give him a wink as I reach the old wooden door and if I hadn’t seen it with my own two eyes, I wouldn’t have believed it when a small smile crossed his face.