Cole

I stand in the corner of the living room eating pasta, watching everyone. They all seem so comfortable with each other. I think I made the right decision coming here. When I moved, I never thought I’d find an acceptable job, something to be proud of. Watching these people, I definitely think I’ll be proud to be a part of Z’s.

 

I moved to this town about a year ago. My friend, Asher, offered me his couch, so it seemed like a good place to stay. Sitting at Mac’s Bar, drinking my shit life away, I overheard Gino, the bartender, talking about this Darren guy needing help at his garage. He needed someone to work on the bigger city trucks. Seeing that I was working on my medium/heavy truck ASE student certification before my life fell apart, I felt like I could help. Hell, maybe we could help each other. He needed a mechanic. I needed a job. I asked Gino about it and found out where Z’s Service was located, making it a point to stop there the following day.

 

When I walked into Darren’s office to ask about the job, he looked me over and said he had a few moments to talk. He wanted to know about my job history and why I never finished my ASE certification. You don’t have to have one to be a mechanic, but the customers like when you advertise you have a certified ASE mechanic on staff. With that blue seal, you can basically charge more. I hated having to explain that I had spent five years in the county prison for assault with a deadly weapon. I remember watching his face as I said it. He nodded, like it didn’t faze him at all.

 

“Would it affect your employment if I hired you?”

 

“No, sir,” I said.

 

“Will it bring any problems to my shop?”

 

I shook my head. “No, sir.”

 

He then told me if I could assure him it wouldn’t bring him any problems, the job was mine. I was shocked, but thankful he was willing to take a chance on an ex-con. I did ask him, if at all possible, to keep my past to himself. He never asked me to explain the circumstances of my arrest or if I was truly guilty. He just agreed and said it wasn’t anyone’s business. If they were to find out, it would be because of me, not him.

 

That was two weeks ago. Now I am in Darren’s house, having a spaghetti dinner with everyone who works at the shop. They all seem to be warm and welcoming. I had a really good conversation with Todd, the head mechanic, today. He seems like a pretty cool guy.

 

I feel a pull on my jeans. Looking down, I glance into the biggest eyes I have ever seen. The little blue-eyed, curly blonde-haired girl pulls on my pant leg again. She must be one or two. I bend down to her level.

 

“Well… Hello, beautiful.”

 

She gives me a big smile, running her little sticky fingers up my arm. “Pretties,” she points.

 

“You like those?” I say as she plays with my arm, looking at the colors of my tattoos.

 

“Emmy, are you making new friends?” a woman says, walking over to me. “Hi. It’s Cole, right?”

 

“Yeah,” I say, looking up at her while Emmy traces my arm.

 

“I’m sorry about her. She seems to really like you. I’m Beth, Mark’s wife.” She points over her shoulder to the group of guys standing around the kitchen. I’m not really sure which one Mark is.

 

I nod, standing. “It’s no problem. She’s a cute kid.”

 

“Do you have kids?”

 

“No. No kids, no wife.”

 

She smiles and asks Emmy if she wants ice cream. The little girl yells and heads for the kitchen. I nod and smile at Beth when she shrugs and walks away. With as sticky as that kid’s hands are, I assume she was already into the ice cream. I look down at my arm and see the shine coming off the sticky substance she left behind. Kids can be adorable and gross as hell at the same time.

 

If I am going to be working with these people, I have to at least make an effort. I am so used to just standing back and watching. That was how it was in prison. I saw everything that went on, but I never got involved in any of the shit. I kept to myself. The less of a fuss you made, the more you were left alone. When you started making a scene, people took notice. It was never good to be on someone’s radar.

 

Walking into the kitchen, I see J watching me. As soon as our eyes connect, she turns and goes back to washing dishes. “Can I wash my arm?”

 

She looks down at it. “Bathroom’s down the hall.”

 

I nod, then slowly walk down the hall, the walls covered in pictures of Darren’s past. There are black-and-white pictures of a young Darren playing with trucks in front of a two-story house. I stop at a picture I can only assume is his wedding day. He’s wearing a tuxedo, standing next to a gorgeous woman. They are smiling at each other with so much emotion in their eyes. I can see where J gets her beauty. Her mom was a knockout. Todd told me she passed, but I don’t know how long ago. The next set of pictures are of J as a baby wrapped in a blanket, J as an infant, then as a toddler with dark pigtails. Damn, she was a cute kid. I move on to the pictures of J’s school years. Most kids have that awkward stage, but by the looks of it, she just never did. She was adorable.

 

I feel a tug on my jeans. Looking down, I see those big blue eyes again. She raises her arms to me. “Up, pease.”

 

I don’t care how big and bad you are, when an adorable little kid asks you to hold her, you hold her. I scoop her up and settle her on my arm. “Whatcha want to see, beautiful?”

 

She points at the pictures. “Pop?”

 

“Yeah. That looks like him, huh?”

 

She urges me to move to the other pictures on the wall. Some of bikes, some of animals, some of sunsets. Whoever takes these is amazing. She babbles absently about the pictures, pointing things out to me. I smile. I remember Belle at this age. She was always babbling about nothing.

 

“Emmy, there you are,” Beth says, coming down the hall. “I am so sorry, Cole. You don’t have to keep entertaining her. She usually isn’t like this with strangers.”

 

“Don’t worry about it. She’s fine. We were just looking at the pictures together.”

 

Beth holds her hands out. “Come on. Let’s go see Daddy.”

 

Emmy turns and wraps her little arms around my neck, laying her head on my shoulder. I smile and pat her on the back. “Don’t you want to go see your Daddy?” She picks up her head and shakes it. I look over at Beth, my sticky arm forgotten. “Honestly, she’s fine. I was headed back to the living room. She can hang with me if she wants.”

 

Beth’s eyes widen. “Are you sure? I don’t want to be a bother. She is so tired, but won’t sit still because she’s afraid she’ll fall asleep.”

 

“She’s no bother at all,” I say, patting Emmy’s back. I remember holding Belle like this to get her to go to sleep. Worked like a charm.

 

Beth smiles. “As long as you’re sure.”

 

I nod and head toward the living room. Most everyone is outside. I can hear music and laughing coming from the patio. I make my way over to the recliner and slowly sink into it. After a few minutes, I feel Emmy’s body jerk as she starts to fall asleep. Soon, she’s out cold. I don’t want to make any sudden moves, fearful it will wake her. I get myself comfortable and start rocking slowly while flipping through the TV channels.

 

The only person I truly had a conversation with today was Beth. I said a few words to a few of the guys, but not a real conversation. I turn on Strike Bikes on The Discovery Channel and keep rocking, getting comfortable.

 

*

 

I have been in this same position for at least an hour, Emmy still sleeping in my arms. The episode I was watching on TV is over, a new one starting a little while ago. I rest my head back on the chair and close my eyes. Who knows how long I am going to be stuck like this.

 

I hear people moving around in the kitchen. Knowing they can’t see me because the chair is angled away from them, I strain to listen.

 

“I don’t know why you don’t give the new guy a chance. He’s hot as hell, a wet dream walking. Muscles, tattoos, a mechanic,” I hear J’s friend say.

 

I perk up, realizing they are talking about me. I slow the rocking of the chair so I can listen.

 

“Jules, please. I am not after a relationship. You, of all people, know what hell I went through with Justin. Plus, I have no idea if I can trust this guy yet.”

 

“Yes, J. I know the hell that cheating, controlling bastard put you through, but are you going to become a fucking nun? You are in your twenties. You need to have fun.”

 

“Bitch, I love you, but are you ever going to grow up?”

 

“Fuck no. I am going to have a blast for as long as I can. You never know when your moment will come. I am going to party my ass off until that moment happens. I don’t want to live life saying ‘what if’.”

 

I hear J mumble something, which I can’t make out, then they get silent. Jesus, whoever this Justin prick is sure did a number on her.

 

I slowly rock, keeping my eyes closed, not knowing if stopping completely will wake up Emmy.

 

“Oh, my god. J. Come here,” Jules whispers. “I think my uterus just perked up. Tell me this isn’t the fucking hottest thing you have ever seen. A guy sleeping with a baby in his arms. If this doesn’t make you want to have babies with this man right this second, we are not friends.”

 

“Shhh, don’t wake Em. Beth will kill you.”

 

I hear them walk to the patio door as they debate the best age to have babies. I shake my head. Women. I truly will never understand them.

 

*

 

I feel someone shaking my shoulder. I jump and move quickly, not knowing where I am or who is touching me. I almost drop Emmy to the floor in my haste. “Oh shit,” I say, pulling her tighter to me. I must have dozed off.

 

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you, kid. I apologize,” Darren says, his hands out in front of him.

 

“I must have dozed off. What time is it?” It know it has to be late, given the fact Emmy didn’t budge when I jumped, just snuggled closer to me. She must have been sleeping for a while.
 

“It’s after ten. They should all be ashamed of themselves for leaving you in here to babysit.”

 

“It’s fine. I volunteered. I’ll take her out to Beth, then head out. Thanks for dinner.”

 

Darren looks at me like he has more to say, but just nods. “See you Monday, kid.”

 

*

 

Walking into the shop Monday morning, I head for Darren’s office to find out what he wants me to start on. When I knock on his open door, he motions me in while he is on the phone. He points to the chair across the desk, then turns his back to me. With nothing else to do while he finishes, I look around his office. It is the complete opposite of his house. It’s a mess. Paperwork piled at all angles on his desk, a calendar hanging crooked on the wall. Smiling, I look closer, noticing it’s not even on the right month…and is three years old. On the shelf, I spot the same picture I saw Friday night on Darren’s wall of J as a little girl.

 

Darren spins the chair around and slams his fist on the desk. “Look, Glenn, I have been doing business with you for over twenty years. Shit’s just not adding up… No, goddammit. I don’t know where it went. Do you?… No, I’m not accusing you of stealing it, but someone fucking did…” He lets out a breath. “Yeah, I know. Call me with what you find out.”

 

He slams the receiver down and runs his hands over his head, adjusting his bandana. He looks up, seemingly just remembering I am sitting in the room. “Fuck,” he says, shaking his head. “Cole, whatever you overheard, you need to keep to yourself. You got me?”

 

“No problem,” I say. “Where do you need me to start today?”

 

Darren stands and looks around his office. He seems off his game. “Nan!” he yells.

 

“What?!” she yells back, not sounding like she is in the best of moods, either.

 

“Get Cole the keys and the paperwork on the plow.”

 

“They are already sitting on my desk.”

 

He turns and looks at me. I jump out of the chair. “I got it.” I walk out of his office and stop at Nan’s desk. She points to the stack of papers, the keys sitting on top. I nod my thanks, then head into the garage.

 

I wonder if the tension I felt in that office is a normal thing or because of what Darren was on the phone about? Whatever it was, I am glad to be out of there.

 

I walk behind the garage, seeing the plow sitting there. I match the license plate with the paperwork, then walk around it to verify the shape it’s in. At one of the first mechanic jobs I had, I didn’t know you were supposed to give the car a once-over before ever touching it. I was burned once. It won’t happen again, especially when I am trying to make a new start.

 

After I pull the plow into the bay and get out, I notice someone walking in my direction. I turn and unlock my toolbox, not paying much attention to him. Something about the guy doesn’t sit right with me, but I don’t want to be a dick. When he slaps me on the shoulder, I look over at him.

 

“Hey, man. Thanks for Friday night. Sometimes Em can really be a handful and I needed a break. Beth said she really took to you. Thanks for keeping an eye on her.”

 

So this must be this elusive Mark. I’m just about to tell him she’s his fucking kid, regardless of the fact he needed a break, but I don’t get the chance because Todd walks over.

 

“Hey, Cole. Remember that oil pan we were talking about? What do you think?”

 

I look at him like he has three heads. What the hell is he talking about? What oil pan?

 

Mark slaps me on the back again before walking away. I tighten my grip on the wrench I’m holding and watch his back.

 

“What the hell are you talking about?” I ask Todd as he walks closer.

 

He laughs. “Man, I’ve been there. Mark can be a total dick. He couldn’t give a rat’s ass about Beth or Em. He doesn’t know how lucky he has it. She loves him and will do anything to keep him happy. She keeps thinking she can change him. Well, it’s been four years with no luck yet.”

 

“She deserves better. They both do.”

 

Walking back to the car he’s working on, he looks over his shoulder. “I hear that.”

 

*

 

I finally got a month of work under my belt. I think it’s gone well with no real issues, other than Mark being a dick and the tension between Darren and Nan still raging. It feels good to be back in the working world. I’m exhausted, but it’s a good thing.

 

Tonight’s another family dinner. Since I’ve started, I have been keeping my distance from J. She has issues with me. I get it. I’m not about to make it awkward for either one of us. I won’t say I don’t notice her every chance I get because I do. In those unguarded moments, when she’s not on the defensive, she has to be the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. What I wouldn’t give for just one night with her, but I know better. No mixing work and pleasure…especially if that pleasure is my boss’ daughter.

 

Stifling a yawn, I put the paperwork and keys for a Ford F-150 on Nan’s desk.

 

“Hey, none of that. We still have dinner tonight.” She smiles, picking up the keys.

 

“I know. I know. I shouldn’t have gone to the gym so early. My butt is dragging.”

 

“Well, you’d better be there tonight, and no taking the easy way out by watching Em.” She winks at me.

 

“Yes, ma’am.” I smile. “I’ll catch you later. I’m going to try and grab a nap really quick before dinner.”

 

“Cole, come in here,” Darren yells from his office. He doesn’t even let me get through his doorway. “Listen, I need an engine picked up for a job. I can’t wait on the delivery.”

 

I sit in the chair across from him. “Okay. Where do you need me to go?”

 

“Georgia.”

 

I blink a couple times. “I’m sorry. Georgia?”

 

“Yeah, Atlanta. That going to be a problem?”

 

“Um, it might. I’m not supposed to leave the state.”

 

“I already called your PO. Officer Collins said as long as you check in daily, he doesn’t have a problem with it. You have been checking in regularly and not giving him any problems. He’s agreeing because it’s for work. You see any other issues?”

 

“I guess not.”

 

“Good. That’s what I like to hear. I am going to send J with you. It’s probably going to take a day or two and I hate to have only one person on such a long drive. I am going to need you to leave tonight. I’ll call J before she heads to the house to start dinner. Be here at five thirty. If anything changes, I’ll call you.”

 

“Okay,” I say, taking in all the information Darren’s throwing at me. I stand to head out of the office.

 

“Here.” He shoves an American Express card at me. I look at him, then the card. “It’s the company card. I’m not asking you to pick this up on your own dime. Charge everything to the card…room, food, gas, whatever. Grab the keys to the white company truck from Nan.”

 

“Thanks,” I say, heading out of the office.

 

Normally, I love a good road trip, but fuck. Days stuck in a truck with J? This is not going to end well.