Chapter 31
Thirty-One
A fter Rhodes had fixed my car, he made an appointment with Gus to have it checked out. Not that I didn’t trust him or his amateur mechanic skills, but he thought it might ease my mind to have a “professional I trusted” take a look.
Instead of Rhodes taking me, my mom offered. He’d been around so much over the past few weeks that I felt guilty leaning on him again. When I mentioned it to my mom, she said it would be a good opportunity for us to spend some time together. I couldn’t argue with that. Now that I wasn’t living with her anymore, I saw her even less, and it had been weighing on me.
Rhodes dropped my car off early this morning before heading to work. He didn’t want me driving it until he was sure it was in perfect condition. He even arranged for Boone to pick him up and take him to the ranch.
This man and his thoughtfulness—he really was chipping away at the walls around my heart, walls that had only just started to thaw.
My mom picked me up, and we were on our way to the shop. The trees flashed by in a blur, the silence only broken by her not-so-subtle prying questions.
“So… care to fill me in about Rhodes?” she asked, hands perfectly positioned at ten and two on the steering wheel, eyes focused ahead. I rolled my eyes and leaned my head against the headrest.
“Do I have to?”
“I mean, no, you’re a grown woman. But I’d like you to.”
When she put it like that…
“Fine,” I sighed, feeling the weight of the moment settle in. “Things are good. He’s been really sweet, and I think I’m starting to really like him.”
My mom nodded, her lips curving in a knowing smile. “Do you still feel good about moving in with him? Any regrets?”
I shook my head. No regrets. Sure, the emotions he stirred in me were a little unsettling, but I didn’t feel the urge to run like I used to.
Rhodes was like comfort, and I was drawn to it in a way I hadn’t been before.
“I’m happy.”
“That’s all I ever wanted for you,” she said softly. “Your dad would’ve wanted it, too.”
Dammit. Hearing her mention my dad stirred up a flood of emotions. I’d been working through so much already—figuring out how I felt about Rhodes had brought up a lot of reflection. Now this? How much could one woman handle?
The tires crunched on the gravel as we pulled into Gus’ shop. My car was parked safely in the garage, the bay door up. Gus knew better than to leave it out in the open—I would’ve given him hell if he had.
I slid out of the passenger seat, my feet dragging as I walked toward the shop door. My mom trailed behind, adjusting her blouse and smoothing her hair. It was cute that she was trying to look put together for the grumpy mechanic inside.
“Gussy!” I called out, using the nickname I’d given him in hopes of getting his attention.
The inside of the Rolling Wrench was an homage to hold time shops. There were decorations most popular in the 50’s—reds and cream colors decorated the space. The floors were a black and white checkered pattern that held years of scuffs.
I heard a grunt followed by the rolling of an office chair, and then some muttered words, probably Gus grumbling under his breath before he finally emerged.
“Why are you so loud?” Gus appeared, his red beard braided into a single thick plait, his wild mop of red hair tied back into a messy bun. His towering frame filled the space behind the desk, tattoos visible as his shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows.
“Why are you so grumpy ?” I shot back, leaning my forearms casually on the reception desk.
“I was fine until you walked in here,” Gus replied, still rummaging through papers without looking up. I knew he hadn’t looked at me yet because the moment he saw my mom standing there, he’d forget all about being grumpy and turn into the big teddy bear I knew him to be around her.
“Can you believe he talks to me like this, Mom?” I emphasized the last word, just to rile him up. Gus’ head snapped up, his eyes landing on my mom, and he immediately cleared his throat, his cheeks turning a faint shade of pink. I couldn’t hold back the laugh at his sudden shift in demeanor.
My mom giggled, pushing a few stray hairs behind her ear. “Oh, Sweetie, he’s just kidding.”
What a traitor! I rolled my eyes and stepped aside to let my mom take my place.
Within seconds, she was deep in conversation with Gus, their usual flirty banter flowing effortlessly. I decided to let her have her moment. Pulling out my phone, I started texting Rhodes.
Me: My mom is flirting with Gus
Rhodes: Lol, come on, it’s sweet.
Me: Sweet? Gus is anything but sweet.
Rhodes: From what I hear, he’s sweet to your mom. (;
Me: Stop.
Rhodes: Stop what? I mean, yeah, he is. Didn’t he come by to check on her while you were gone?
Me: That is not what you meant by ‘sweet.’
Rhodes: Dirty, dirty mind, Honey...
I scoffed, locking my phone. Tapping my fingers on the desk, I waited for them to get it out of their system before I butted in.
“Listen, my ankles are killing me, and I have to pee again. Is the car safe to drive or not?”
Gus stopped what he was doing, turning his gaze to me slowly, his expression filled with anger as he growled, “Whoever did the work did a pretty decent job. I guess that means you won’t need me anymore.”
I stepped closer, placing my hand on his, which was resting on the desk.
“Aw, I’ll always need you, Gussy.”
“Thank God,” he muttered, tossing the keys at me across the desk.
Technically, I didn’t need to stay here. I could just leave and let my mom have her moment. They needed to go out already—it’d been years of lingering gazes and playful words.
“Hey, Gus!” I called from the garage bay, leaning out with my car door open.
“What now?” Gus grumbled, his voice tinged with irritation.
“Instead of me paying you, how about you take my mom out on a date? She’s free tonight.” I gave him a playful salute before sliding into the driver’s seat.
From where I sat, I could see my mom’s expression. Her jaw dropped, eyes wide with shock. I couldn’t help but laugh as I fired up the engine. The car roared to life with its familiar purr, and my heart fluttered with relief.
Rhodes had done it—he’d fixed it. Was there anything that man couldn’t do?
I pulled out my phone and sent him a quick text before pulling out of the shop and heading home.
Me: You really are good at everything, aren’t you?
Rhodes: the cars good?
Me: Yup, she’s purring perfectly
Me: Idk how I’ll ever thank you
Rhodes: no thanks needed : )