Loathe at First Sight: A small-town enemies to lovers romance: The Lawsons: Book 1 (The Lawson's)

2. You have got to be Kidding Me

two

Liz

Who the hell does that guy think he is?

I spot the tow truck that I’m guessing belongs to him.

Jack’s Auto Shop.

Well, Jack is an asshole.

I let out a heavy sigh in my quiet car. Maybe I came off like a bitch. I’m self-aware enough to admit that. The bitch is what everyone saw. The side of the story that they weren’t privy to was that the only money I had was on my credit card. I have a whopping eighteen cents in my checking account and even less in savings. The money I was about to put into my gas tank would have pushed me to my limit on the credit card.

But none of that meant I was about to accept a handout. I am far too stubborn and have too much pride for that. I don’t need anyone’s pity.

My lack of funds stems from my life falling into shambles about a year ago. I tried my hardest to get it back on track, but sometimes, you just need to start over.

So, here I am with all of my belongings that I managed to hold onto in the back of my car as I drive home to live with my parents again. Thirty-three and moving back home. Man, that sounds pathetic.

I went from a very lavish lifestyle where I had a successful business and the world at my feet to being able to fit all my stuff in my car and moving back home.

I slow down, looking for the turn-off that will lead me back to my hometown of Lilly Leaf Falls. There’s no sign leading the way, and with all the trees everywhere, it can be easy to miss.

Once I manage to make the turn—right at the last second—I start making my way through the winding roads and silently praying that I have enough gas to make it to my parents’ house.

My phone starts ringing through the speakers, breaking the silence and scaring me half to death.

“Hello?” I answer with the push of a button.

“Hey, gorgeous!” One of my sisters, Ronnie, practically sings.

“Hi, Ronnie.”

“Have you made it home yet?”

“Not yet, but I’m close.”

“How’s the weather?” She jokes, knowing damn well that the part of Oregon that we are from provides little more than gray, gloomy skies and buckets of rain.

“How do you think it is?”

“Alright, alright,” she giggles. “No need to be cranky.”

Easy for her to say.

Despite there being five years between us, she’s the sibling I’m closest to. Out of the five of us Lawson siblings, she and I were the only ones who had any desire to get out of Lilly Leaf Falls and see the world.

Well, Ronnie wanted to see the world. I wanted to conquer it.

So, I started my own realtor business, and Ronnie travels the world, taking beautiful photos for a travel magazine.

At least one of us is still living our dream.

“So, have you talked to Mom yet?” She asks.

“Not yet. Dad texted saying they are working at the bar tonight, so maybe I can head straight to the house and avoid seeing her altogether.”

“Oh, yeah, that should make her less mad at you.”

“At this point, I don’t know if she can get any more mad at me, so why not avoid her for as long as possible?”

I love our mother. But I don’t think she’s ever quite forgiven me for leaving town. And unlike Veronica, I stayed gone much longer. In fact, I haven’t been home in the last five years.

There’s no real reason for that. It’s not like I hate my hometown or have beef with my family. It’s just that I was busy, and life got in the way.

And it was partially that when I actually would come home, my mother would bitch at me for not coming more. It was just easier to stay away and live my own life.

When that life went in the crapper, and I had to ask if I could come back, I mainly talked to my dad. I knew I wouldn’t get any shit from him.

But now, I won’t be able to avoid her anymore. We will be living under the same roof.

Ronnie interrupts my thoughts. “How’s the drive been?”

“Long. But alright I guess—except when I just stopped for gas at the little place outside of town, and they only took cash. Since I live in the 21st century, I didn’t have any on me.”

“The Quick Stop?” She asks. “Yeah, they’ve been cash only for a while now.”

“Does everyone know this?” I ask in a shrill voice.

“Everyone who hasn’t been gone for so long,” she laughs. “So, what happened? Did you get gas?”

“No. I ended up…well, I sort of went off on the lady behind the counter. Then, this tow truck driver offered to pay for my gas, but I told him to shove it.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa. A guy offered to pay for your gas, and you turned him down?”

“Yes. I don’t need his pity.”

“Do you know who he was?” She asks.

“His tow truck said Jack’s, so he’s either Jack or he works for Jack, I assume,” I answer.

“Bearded and built like a tree?”

“Yeah…”

“Yep. That’s Jack. Moved to town a few years ago.”

It amazes me that she knows so much about the goings on in the small town she doesn’t actually live in anymore.

She adds, “I would climb him if you know what I mean.”

“Gross.”

“You don’t think he’s hot?”

“I don’t know. I think he’s annoying, so that cancels out any hotness he may have. Besides, I don’t know if the lumberjack thing is really my style.”

I hear a voice in the background with a smooth Spanish accent. “Veronica, love, are you about ready for your massage?”

“Yeah, give me just a minute, honey,” she replies before turning her attention back to me. “Sorry.”

“Who was that?”

“Eduardo.”

Of course, it was.

“Does Eduardo have a last name?”

“Don’t know, don’t care. He plays my body like a fiddle, and that’s all that matters to me.”

“Damn, you’re just living the dream, aren’t you?”

She laughs. “Eh, it’s not all great.”

I know she’s just saying that to make me feel better. It’s nice but doesn’t work.

“Well, I’ll let you go,” I tell her. “Go enjoy Eduardo.”

“Are you sure you’re okay?” She asks.

“I’m alright, I promise. I’ll call you once I get to Mom and Dad’s and get settled.”

We hang up the phone, and the car goes silent once again. Out of my four siblings, I talk to Veronica the most. Despite our distance, she and I have managed to stay close. Along with my parents, I’ll be seeing my other siblings after nearly five years.

Growing up, my sister, Michelle, and I were closest. She was only two years younger than me, and we did everything together. But when I moved away, she got pregnant at sixteen and distance started to grow between us.

Our only brother, Dylan, happens to be Ronnie’s twin.

After two daughters and then a set of twins, our parents decided to be done…but then, seven years later, they got the surprise of Jo being born. There may be a big age gap there, but she was the perfect way to round out the Lawsons.

Despite the awful situation that I’m in, seeing my siblings again and being able to spend more time with them are the only silver linings.

I start to zone out, getting lost in my head for a while. I try to think about anything other than the life I’m driving back to. But no matter how hard I try, those thoughts always creep back in.

When my car starts rolling to a slow stop, though, a whole new thought crosses my mind.

I’m out of gas.

Son of a bitch.

I shouldn’t have pushed it as far as I did before stopping. If I would have stopped sooner, I probably could have found one that took a fucking credit card.

I pull out my phone to search through my contacts and find Dylan’s number. Maybe I can have him come bring me some gas so I don’t have to bother my parents with this. Looking at the time, I know now is a super busy time for them at the bar.

I press on the CALL icon next to his name and listen to it ring six times before his voicemail picks up.

“Come on, Dylan,” I groan before trying again.

But I get the same result as before.

I could walk into town. I’m not too far. But I’m in heels, and I’m pretty sure my tennis shoes are buried in the trunk somewhere.

I debate my options. I could call my parents. But I know Mom will be the one who answers since Dad will be busy in the kitchen.

Or I could just start walking.

Fuck it.

I’m walking.

I step out of the driver”s seat and head around to the back of the car. Popping the trunk, I start rooting around in all the assorted bags, looking for my tennis shoes. I probably should have been a more organized packer, but when you’re dreading a move, you don’t want to take the time to make things look pretty—no matter how much easier it may make it.

A crack of thunder in the distance startles me, and I know I need to work fast. Just when I think I’ve located the bag that they may be in, the sky opens up, and rain starts pouring on my head.

“Of course,” I mutter under my breath. Looking up, I yell, “Anything else you want to throw at me? Any way you could make this day any worse?”

It becomes abundantly clear that the universe accepts my challenge…and has a very sick sense of humor.

A large black tow truck pulls up behind me. Without even looking at the writing on the door, I know exactly what it says.

Jack’s Auto Shop.

How do I know that?

Because that’s just my luck.

I hear the sound of the door shutting, but I don’t look back. I know this man is about to make me eat a giant helping of crow.

“Well, well, well,” I hear his deep voice say. “Do you need some help, princess?”

That gets me to turn around.

“What’s with the princess? Do I look like a damsel in distress?” I ask.

When he starts to open his mouth, I hold my hand up to stop him. “Don’t answer that. I may look a little down on my luck right now, but I’m fine. I’m going to walk into town.”

Shoving his hands into his pockets, he looks around. “You’re going to walk? Do you know how much of a pain in the ass that’s going to be on these roads? Plus, I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but it’s raining.”

“A little rain never killed anyone,” I tell him.

“Except maybe the wicked witch,” he quips.

“Am I a witch or a princess? I’m not sure you can have it both ways.”

He smiles. “Jury’s still out.”

I see what Ronnie was talking about. He’s cute…if you’re into the whole lumberjack thing. Not sure that burly, bearded, and covered in flannel is my type, but I can see why other people may like it.

We both stare at each other for what seems like forever, locked in a silent battle of wits. Neither one of us wanting to break first.

Finally, my steely stare must wear him down. Breaking eye contact, he says, “Look, it’s raining. I know that you and I don’t see eye to eye, but why don’t you let me give you some gas? Then, you can get on your way, and I can know I didn’t leave a woman stranded on the side of the road.”

“I should let you help me so that you feel better?”

He runs his hand over his dark beard. “I’m just trying to be nice. A little bit of gas, and you can get me out of your hair.”

I’m well aware that at this moment, I sound like an ungrateful brat. I can hear myself. But I have gotten enough of people’s pity over the past year. I don’t need any more of it.

“You won’t get out of my hair if I say no?”

“Look, my mother raised me to try to help whenever I could and to look out for women—even ones that I may not agree with. If you insist on walking, then, I’m just going to have to walk with you to make sure you don’t get hurt.”

Oh, good grief.

“Are you serious?” I ask.

“As a heart attack.”

I think for a moment. I can either swallow a little of my pride and let him give me some gas, or I can spend the next several hours walking into town with him. He may pose as the good guy, but what if he’s a serial murderer or something?

“Okay, fine. A little bit of gas would be nice.”

The rain slows a little while I watch him grab a gas can off the back of his truck and walk it over to my car. Neither of us says a word while he empties its contents. I make a mental note that when I have some money, I’m going to pay him back for the gas. I don’t want to owe anyone anything.

When he’s finished, he says, “Alright. Go ahead and start her up.”

Usually, I’d have something to say about him telling me what to do, but right now, I’m too cold and wet to bother. When I try turning over the engine, it starts making a loud screeching noise.

It doesn’t take me long to turn it right back off. I want nothing more than to slam my head against the steering wheel, but I figure a headache would only add to my current woes.

Mr. Burly knocks on the window.

I roll it down, and he says, “I don’t think a lack of gas was the problem.”

“Clearly.”

“Come on.” He starts to walk back toward his truck.

Getting out, I say, “Come on where?”

“I’m going to give you a tow back to my shop.”

“I don’t need—”

He stops me. “Are we really going to do this again? Do you think it’s safe to leave your vehicle here? Someone comes around that curb too fast, and they’re going to take out that cute little car of yours.”

When I don’t respond right away, he keeps going, “I’ll take your car back to the shop and look at it sometime in the next few days. I’ll drop you off wherever you want. I assume you’re going to Lilly Leaf Falls.”

“Yep,” I say, popping my lips at the end of the word. Ready to admit defeat for the day, I say, “Okay, fine.”

Without another word, he walks over to get in his truck and reposition it to be able to get my car on the back. Before he begins, I duck back inside my car to grab my purse and a duffel bag that has some clothing in it. It will hopefully be enough to get me through the night.

As he’s working, he says, “Why don’t you get in the truck? You’ll be warmer.”

I’m just about to tell him to piss off, but when it starts raining harder, I decide to take him up on his offer. As I climb into the front seat of the truck, I’m surprised at how good it smells in here.

What did I think it would smell like? Gasoline and motor oil?

In the center console, I spot a stack of business cards. Being nosy, I grab one and look it over.

Jack’s Auto Shop

Jack Barrett

Owner.

Then, there’s a phone number and email.

Ronnie said Jack was new to town, and I wonder where he came from before here. And why move to Lilly Leaf Falls? It’s not like people are flocking to it. Hell, it’s not even like it’s well-known. Our tiny town barely even warrants a map dot.

But I’m not about to ask any of these questions. I don’t want anyone prying into my business, so I’m glad to return the favor.

However, there’s nothing stopping me from looking around and trying to get a better read on the man. The cabin of the truck is fairly clean. The only thing that doesn’t belong is an energy drink that I see in the center console. He must have picked it up at the gas station because it’s still cold.

Besides that, there’s not much to see. I turn the radio knob and figure I will hear one of the two radio stations in town that play nothing but country music. But instead, I see that the speakers are connected to his phone. And it’s playing some rock music.

When I see him walking back toward the front of the truck, I turn it back down so that he doesn’t know I was snooping.

He slides in, and we get on the road. The first couple of minutes are dead silent—which I’m fine with.

But Jack eventually breaks the silence. “So, what brings you to Lilly Leaf Falls?”

I could be a bitch and tell him to leave me alone, but I have a feeling he wouldn’t do that even if I told him to.

Sighing, I reply, “I grew up here. I’m moving back.”

“Really?” He asks, looking me up and down.

“Yes.”

“Interesting. I didn’t take you for the small-town type.”

“Yeah, me either,” I mutter under my breath.

“I take it you’re not happy to be back.”

“Not even a little bit.”

He falls silent again, and I’m grateful. I don’t have any interest in getting to know this guy.

Once again, he proves that he has a different plan.

“I’m Jack by the way.”

“I figured by the name on the truck,” I say, sounding way more sarcastic than I did in my head. I add, “I’m Liz.”

We pass the sign that signals we have hit the town limits of Lilly Leaf Falls.

He asks, “Where do you want me to drop you?”

“Do you know where Andre’s Tavern is?”

“Of course. Everyone knows Andre’s.”

As we move through the small-town streets, I see that not much around this town has changed. Small kitschy shops sit on every corner, and kids run up and down the streets playing.

It’s hard to believe that not all that long ago, that was my friends and I. When we were little, we would jump on our bikes and be gone from sunup to sundown. We just had to be home by the time the streetlights came on.

Most of the men in town worked at the lumberyard about half an hour away, and most of the women were stay-at-home moms. It has always been the type of town where you know your neighbors, and you always try to help each other. You look out for each other’s kids.

Everyone goes to the Friday night football games, and people smile and wave as you drive by.

It’s not a bad place to live. I will admit that.

But I just wanted…more.

I yearned to get out and go to college. And once I got a taste of big-city living, I didn’t want to go back to small town USA.

Yet here I am.

These days, I don’t seem to quite belong in a place where pickup trucks and country music reign supreme.

Thankfully, it doesn’t take us long to get to our destination. We pull into the parking lot of Andre’s Tavern, and I take my seatbelt off while Jack puts it into park.

Before I get out, I ask, “How should I get the rest of my stuff?”

“Just come by the shop sometime tomorrow. You can grab it whenever.”

“Okay, thanks.”

“Going in to have a drink and drown your sorrows, princess?” He asks with a sly smile.

“Not exactly,” I tell him as I jump down out of the front seat. “My parents own the place.”

I take a deep breath and get ready to head inside.

Time to start the next chapter of my life.