Chapter 31
Logan
I picked up the Olds 442 from the paint shop on Thursday, and they came through in a big way. Everything is perfect, right down to the red pinstripes. Jock and Rick finished installing the seats and shining up every inch of the interior just as the clock flipped to five p.m.
Projects like this are what I live for. And even with all the hurdles, it turned out like a boss.
I might be getting ahead of myself, but Boone Thrasher is going to be a happy man. His custom shifter came in yesterday, and now the knob reads BT in black letters on the top, intertwined with brass knuckles.
“I know someone’s gotta take it for a test-drive, and boss, you deserve an early night—” Rick says, and I hold up a hand.
“No way in hell is anyone test-driving this beast but me.” I reach into my pocket for my wallet. “You two worked your asses off, and I appreciate it. Go have a few beers on me.” I hold out a fifty.
Jock steps up and snags it from my hand. “You ain’t gotta tell us twice. Come on, Rick. We can race to Pints and Pins.”
Rick grumbles and sends one more longing look at the Olds before nodding to me. “Someday I’m gonna do one of these cars for myself. Breaks a little piece of my heart every time we finish one and have to let it go.”
His words bring up something I’ve been thinking about. There’s a woman I know who was born to drive a cherry-red convertible, and because she’s as unique as it gets, it can’t be something you can just drive off the lot. As soon as we get back from Nashville, I’m going to be on the lookout for Banner’s new car, a project I’m happy to take on to surprise her. She also doesn’t know she’s going to Nashville this weekend, but I’ll tell her tonight. She’s probably dying to get out of Gold Haven for a minute and into a real city with a Starbucks.
The guys head out, and I hear their trucks fire up in the lot. I pull out my phone to call Banner, but it’s already buzzing with Boone Thrasher’s name on the screen.
“Hey, Boone.”
“You’re getting down to the wire, and I’ve got a big thing planned for that car. Tell me it’s done, Brantley.”
“It’s done.”
“Thank fuck. This shit is gonna be epic. My girl will be there, and I’m gonna surprise her by asking her to marry me, then drive right offstage in the car so we can break it in right. I bought the ring yesterday and everything.”
“Holy shit, man. Congratulations. Wow.” If I remember right, Boone’s girlfriend is another country singer. A tiny thing who looks and sounds more like a pop star. I prefer Holly’s brand of country, and that’s without the personal bias.
“Wow is right. Never fuckin’ thought I’d see the day I’d want to tie myself to a woman, but she’s the first one who’s ever understood what this life is like and can hack it with me.”
“That’s great. I’m glad the car is ready so you can make it happen.”
“You doin’ all right? You bringin’ that city girl with you so I can show you both a good time? I’ve got all-access passes for the both of you, and a suite where you can crash so you don’t have to drive back after the show. Press conference and all the classic-car mags are going to be showing up Saturday morning starting at noon, so I can make an appearance and tell them all about the project before I have to get in the zone for the show and start worrying about sound checks and that shit. And fuck, I’m proposing Saturday night. Jesus Christ. I can’t even believe it myself.”
“We’ll be there tomorrow with the car. I’ll load it up in the morning in the enclosed trailer, and we can bring it right to the stadium for you so you don’t have to worry about anything.”
“Perfect. I’ll tell my guy to make sure that you’ve got a reservation for tomorrow night too. Thanks for pulling through, man. Not everyone can be true to their word these days, but I knew you would. Holly had good things to say, and she knows her shit when it comes to people.”
“I appreciate the vote of confidence. I aim to please.”
“You better get ready to expand that shop of yours. My buddies are already thinking about using you, and they haven’t even seen the car yet.”
A smile stretches over my face. “I’m ready for whatever they want.”
“Perfect. Now I gotta go meet my future father-in-law for dinner and ask him if I can propose to his baby girl. Fuck. I haven’t been this nervous about anything since my first sold-out show.”
“How could he possibly say no?” I ask, hoping I’m right. I’m actually surprised as hell that Boone is sharing all this with me.
“You’re right. I’m Boone Fucking Thrasher. I got this. See you and the ride tomorrow,” he says before he hangs up.
More than ever, I’m really glad that it all came together. Now I just need to take the car on a nice and easy test-drive with Banner and do a few last-minute checks on it before I load it up in the trailer in the morning.
I tap my screen a few times to bring up our last text.
LOGAN: Wanna meet me at the shop? We’re going for a ride.
MY WOMAN: Did someone say ride? I’m so there. Give me a few to get ready. I’ve been up to my elbows in dicks all day.
I laugh and tuck my phone back in my pocket before heading to the overhead door to open it. As soon as I step outside, Julianne waves from the window of Cut a Bitch, and I wave back. She comes out, walks across the street, and sticks her head inside.
“Oh my hell. Is this Boone Thrasher’s car? Holy shit. It is hot.”
“Sure is. He’s gonna see it tomorrow for the first time.”
“You mean he’s gonna get laid tomorrow in it for the first time, because that’s what a badass like him would do.”
“Not going there with you.”
“Well, I’m just sayin’. You gonna drive it?”
“Waitin’ on Banner to get here.”
“Can I talk to you about one thing before you go?”
“What’s that?”
“I was down at the county building renewing my DBA, and that reporter chick was there pulling all kinds of property-tax records and searching deeds and stuff.”
“So?”
“I heard her tell someone at Home Cookin’ earlier today that she’s been interviewing lots of people, and she mentioned you as being particularly helpful. You better believe a lot of people were shocked by that.”
“I didn’t tell her shit.”
“You might want to set the record straight. Now everyone thinks you must’ve given her some kind of big tip, because she says she’s close to breaking the case.”
“I don’t have time for this crap. I’ve got a business to run, and I’m sure as shit not letting her get in my way.”
“Whatever you say, Logan. But I thought you should know.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Have you heard anything else about Nicole? I asked Cody when I cut his hair, but of course he wouldn’t say shit to me.”
I shake my head. I’ve been so caught up in my deadline, I haven’t had a chance to track Nicole down. “She’s been scarce; that’s all I know.”
“I saw her down at the bowling alley working, but it was a quiet night and everyone seemed to be staying at their tables and waiting for Rosie to take orders rather than going up to the bar. It’s like the court of public opinion has already passed judgment on her, and it wasn’t favorable.”
“She didn’t do shit. You and I both know it.”
Julianne shrugs. “Just because she’s our friend doesn’t mean she’s a saint, Logan. Sweet job on the car. It’s nice to see another one of our own making good again, especially with all this bullshit happening. Catch ya later.”
With a wave, she strides out of the garage, and I’m left wondering if this town will ever be the same.