A Very Grumpy Mechanic (Wolf Valley: Grumps #12)

Chapter 1

ONE

Larsen

“Brrr! Jeez, it’s freezing,” Blair says as we leave work.

“I know! I wonder how long winter lasts here?” I ask.

Blair and I are both transplants to Wolf Valley. We both moved here a few months ago, and we met when we started working together at the bank here in town. We became fast friends, best friends.

“It can’t be for much longer, right?” Blair asks, looking nervous.

I laugh. “Probably not. Though I don’t know why you’re worried! You have that hot man of yours to go home to.” I nudge her as Cole, her man, pulls into the parking lot to pick her up.

“Do you need a ride?” she asks.

I shake my head. “Nah, I’m okay.”

She frowns at the darkening sky. “Are you sure? It’s too cold to walk around out here.”

“I live in the opposite direction,” I remind her.

“We don’t mind.”

“Don’t mind what?” Cole asks as he climbs out of his truck to open the door for Blair.

“Driving Blair home. Her car is still in the shop.”

“Still?” Cole frowns.

I squirm at the lie. “Yep. The part is backordered, I guess.”

“Yeah, climb in. We’ll take you home,” Cole says.

“No need. I’m meeting some friends in town tonight, so I’m heading to the bar.”

I wave as they drive off and take a deep breath as I walk down the block toward Murphy’s Bar.

I fell in love with Wolf Valley the moment I moved here. I love the small-town vibe. I grew up in Miami and couldn’t wait to leave. It was so crowded, so expensive, and so… not me. I do better in smaller groups.

My only complaint about this town, aside from the freezing temperatures, is the lack of public transportation. Sure, the town isn’t very big, but it’s hard to navigate without a car. Impossible in the winter.

That wasn’t a problem when I first moved here. I biked or walked everywhere. For the first month, I was living in town, so it was easy. Then I found my house, and I fell in love with it. It’s a cute little two-story house a few miles outside of town. It’s peaceful and quiet, and perfect for me.

When I started making friends here, and they asked me where my car was, I panicked and told them it was in the shop.

I was too embarrassed to tell them I was 24 and had never learned to drive.

I got made fun of for the last two years of high school for not having my driver’s license, and I don’t want to go through that again.

That lie is starting to wear on me, though. I’m going to need to figure out a solution and fast. The problem is that I don’t know what to do. I can’t join a driving school here without people hearing about it and learning that I lied. This is a small town, and rumors and gossip spread fast.

So where does that leave me?

Screwed, that’s where.

I head into Murphy’s Bar, smiling when I see my friends are already there. Blake and Jade wave at me, and I smile as I weave my way through the crowd to join them at their table.

“Hey, how’s it going?” I ask them as I slip off my coat.

“Good. Busy, but good,” Blake says with a tired smile.

“It’s been a week,” Jade sighs.

“Rough?” I ask.

“Yeah. It’s been a rough month,” Jade grumbles.

I give her a sympathetic smile.

“Tell us that your day was better!” Blake orders.

I laugh. “It was good. Busy day at the bank, but that made the day go by faster. Plus, it’s Friday! Who doesn’t love Fridays?”

“This is true,” Jade says.

I look around the bar. “I’m going to go grab a drink. Do you guys need another?” I ask as I slide out of the booth.

“Yes, please!” they say in unison.

It takes a few minutes to get the bartender’s attention, and I order an old-fashioned for Jade, a gin martini for Blake, and a raspberry martini for me.

I watch as the bartender mixes our drinks, then slide some money onto the bar top and grab the drinks.

“Thanks,” Jade says, taking the old-fashioned.

“My pleasure. So, what’s new with you guys?”

I listen as they tell me about their weeks. Blake is dealing with some family drama, and Jade thinks she’s about to be passed over for another promotion. In between sympathizing with Blake and raging with Jade, I get us another round.

The bar gets busier as the night goes on, and by the time it’s nearing 8 p.m., the place is packed. I’m about to suggest we leave when Blake perks up, her eyes locked on something or someone behind me.

“Hey! Isn’t that Kian?”

I frown. “Who?”

I turn and look behind me, trying to spot who she’s talking about.

“Right there! The big guy. He’s the mechanic working on your car, right?” She squints at me.

I swallow hard. “Oh, yeah. I forgot his name.”

“Let’s go ask him what’s taking so long!” Blake says, bolting to her feet.

“Yeah! It’s ridiculous that you don’t have a way to get around in this weather because of him,” Jade adds, tottering after her.

“Wait!” I call.

But it’s too late. They’re already across the bar and at his table before I can grab my purse and follow them.

Shit, shit, shit.

“You!” Jade snaps, jabbing a finger into the man’s chest

I push through a group of guys to get to my friend’s side.

“Why haven’t you fixed our friend’s car?” Blake demands.

I open my mouth to apologize when my gaze lands on the man in question, and the words die on my tongue.

Holy crap! He’s hot. How come I haven’t seen him around town before?

The man’s navy blue eyes lock on me, and I squirm under his heated gaze. My fingers itch to touch the dark hair falling over his forehead to see if it’s as soft as it looks. Scruff covers his jaw, and my thighs clench together as I imagine the rough scrape of it against my skin.

“Well?” Jade says, waiting for a reply.

I tear my gaze away from him. My whole body tenses, terrified that my secret is about to be revealed. What am I going to do when he says he has no idea who I am or what my friends are talking about?

“I can exp—”

“I’m working on it,” Kian cuts me off.

My eyes fly to his again, only to find his gaze still locked on me. I have no idea what’s happening. I don’t know whether it’s the way he’s covering for me that’s unsettling me, or the way I’m responding to him.

“When?” Blake asks. “You’ve had the car for months!”

“Why don’t you come by tomorrow, and we can go over everything?” Kian directs his question at me.

I nod. “Yeah, tomorrow,” I croak.

The door opens, and I relax when I see Meyer and Luca come in, Blake and Jade’s husbands.

Blake and Jade spot them too, and they both light up, forgetting all about Kian and my imaginary car and taking off across the bar.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper to Kian as I follow my friends.

His hand shoots out, and he grabs my arm, pulling me into him. “Name,” he growls.

“What?”

“What’s your name?”

“Larsen,” I say softly.

“Have you been drinking, Larsen?”

I stare up at him. “Um, yeah. Two drinks. It’s not like I’m driving home, though,” I joke.

“How are you getting home?”

I lick my lips nervously. “Walking.”

“It’s pitch black out and snowing.” He looks pissed.

I shrug. “I’m used to it.”

He looks even more upset at my statement. “I’ll drive you.”

He pushes to his feet, and I try to scramble back a few steps, but his hold on me tightens, keeping me close to his side.

“Hey, Larsen,” Luca greets as he wraps his arms around Blake.

“Hey.” I smile. “Nice to see you again. You too, Meyer.”

Meyer nods distractedly; his attention is firmly on Jade.

I melt as I watch my friends with their men. I want that. I’ve wanted true love since I first watched Beauty and the Beast when I was a little girl. It’s never happened, though. Not even close. I’ve never dated anyone, never kissed anyone, never even held anyone’s hand.

Until now, I think as Kian takes my hand in his.

I look down at where he’s touching me, then back up at him. He’s staring down at me, and I look away quickly.

“We’re headed out,” Blake tells me.

I nod. “Me too. I’ll talk to you guys later.”

“Do you need a ride?” Luca asks.

“I’ve got her,” Kian answers for me.

Everyone nods, and I follow my friends out of the bar. I watch them get into their cars and wave as they pull out.

Then I turn to my hunky mechanic. “You don’t have to drive me.”

He ignores me as he leads me to an old truck. I gulp as he opens the door for me.

I climb in, sending up a silent prayer that this is a good idea as the door closes behind me.