8. Hayes
Chapter eight
Hayes
Even though Rosie is no longer throwing up, she still has a low-grade fever, and is still crabby from being sick. Thankfully, my dad is off, and I was able to drop her off to him where she was excited that she got to cuddle the dog. For being a stray, I was surprised when Red was so good with kids.
I’m going to have to get her a dog.
I’m now playing receptionist at the shop, and that is one task I am not a fan of. Google can tell you our hours; you can make an appointment on our website. What do you need to call for? I need to just suck it up and text Lennon and see if she would be willing to help me out a few days a week. I know that if I don’t, I will be getting another visit from Shelby. But there is something holding me back from sending that text. I know Lennon went to school for journalism. So is asking her to come work at an auto body shop laughable? Yes, please come use your bachelor's degree to come answer phones.
After a twenty-minute conversation with Mrs. Riggins, someone who shouldn’t even be allowed to drive anymore, about tires and when she should come in to get an oil change, I’ve had it and it isn’t even lunch time yet. I need to text Lennon and beg for her help.
Hey, Lennon. It’s Hayes.
Lennon
Oh…umm hi. Everything okay?
She would ask if everything is okay with me, even though the poor woman’s life imploded. But that’s Lennon. She was always the quiet one that made sure everyone else’s needs were met before her own. She could be dying on the inside and still offer a kind smile.
Oh, yeah. Everything is fine, thank you.
I was reaching out because I don’t know what your plan is, but I could really use some help at the shop.
Lennon
Well, I don’t know how to change the oil or a tire…
Smart ass.
Haha very funny.
I could really use someone a couple of days a week for admin/clerical. Answering phones. Going through invoices.
I know that you are way overqualified. If you want, you can meet me here tomorrow morning to go over everything and see if it is something you would want to do?
Lennon
Thank you for thinking of me for this position, Hayes. Would nine in the morning be an okay time to meet to discuss?
Yes, that works for me. Thanks, Lennon. See you tomorrow.
Lennon
See you tomorrow, Hayes.
Tomorrow. Tomorrow, I need to keep my shit together and act like a grown man. Not a pre-teen boy that hasn’t learned how to talk to a woman yet. I have a kid for god’s sake. Lennon has always amazed me and left me tongue tied. Unless Shelby was getting her in trouble, Lennon was always found with her nose in a book. You knew that she was smarter than you, but she never made anyone feel like it.
I never felt like I was good enough for Lennon. What can someone with no college degree, hands always covered in oil, offer someone like her? Nothing, and it would do me well to remember that. I just need her help for my business, nothing more.
Lennon should be here in twenty minutes, and I am anxiously pacing the shop. I’ve tidied up the reception desk as much as I could, and have all invoices that are waiting for my review sitting on my desk. In the process of getting the restoration side of things up and running, things at the shop took a back seat. My last receptionist, Carol, decided it was time to retire so she could spend time with her grandkids. I was happy for her and understood, but finding a replacement hasn’t been easy.
“Ugh, boss? Who is driving your bronco?” It would be my luck that Travis wouldn’t be busy right now. He is one of the few people that know how much I loved that Ford and customized everything on the restoration. I could list it for sale and make an ungodly amount of money, but I can’t bring myself to part with it. It’s my dream vehicle. Cash had to pick his jaw off the floor when I offered it for Lennon to use. I didn’t charge him anything, told him that we can reevaluate if she likes it enough to keep it.
“Lennon. She needed a vehicle.” He throws a smirk over his shoulder, letting me know that he really wants to give me shit about it. Since I have had him come out to the shop at my house, he has really opened up around me. I’m starting to think that isn’t a good thing. “Don’t be an ass about it, Travis.”
Trying to not come off as a creeper, I try to busy myself on the floor, but I watch as she gets out of the Bronco and makes her way to me. Since my sister has been addicted to clothes since she could speak, I can appreciate the long navy dress sundress. Her clothes aren’t the only thing I notice. Her hair is now how I remember it. When she came home, it was the longest I had ever seen it, almost touching her perfect ass. Now it’s a little past her shoulders, and I can picture running my fingers through it.
I need to have some beers with the guys and stop checking out my best friend’s sister.
“Hey, Lennon! Thanks for coming in this morning.” Did I sound too chipper? Or that I drank a pot of coffee already this morning? I have had a pot of coffee, but don’t want to seem like it. Travis leans back against the wall, arms across his chest, smile spreading across his face.
“Morning, Hayes. It’s no problem at all. I think I was about to go stir crazy in the garage apartment.” She lets out a nervous laugh while following me to my office.
“I bet. Please take a seat. Can I get you a coffee or a water?” I think that came out normal. “No, thank you. I have reached my limit on coffee already today. I woke up early and made the family breakfast before they all took off. I also cleaned the house for Shelby, which she is going to yell at me for when she gets home later.” She shrugs her shoulder like she is used to Shelby’s wrath. At almost a lifelong friendship, I imagine she is.
She is right, except it won’t just be Shelby. Cash will be grateful to come home to a clean house, who wouldn’t, but will feel guilty that his sister was the one to do it. “Oh yeah, you may want to hide from her later. She is a little scary.”
“Haha, she is. Before we get started, I just wanted to say thank you for the Bronco. Cash said you loaned it to him…well me. And I just wanted to say that I really appreciate it and offer to pay weekly for the usage.”
“It really isn’t a problem. With you driving it at least people will get to see it, maybe get some business. Word of mouth is great for business. I will give you a tour, but we are a busy shop. We have a twenty-four-hour tow service, your regular maintenance, and bodywork at this location.” I pause when she takes a notebook from her purse and starts taking notes. I’ve never had anyone bother to take notes during an interview. And this isn’t really an interview. The job is hers if she accepts.
“At my shop at home, I do full restorations. I am trying to figure out a way to expand to have everything at one location. So, what I really need help with is at the front desk answering phones, greeting people, taking care of payments and invoices.”
Lennon sits across from me twiddling her thumbs and my stomach drops. I knew…I knew that this was beneath her, and because she is too nice, she will accept the position even though she doesn’t want to. “Listen, I know that you could do so much better than working here. Any help you are willing to give would be great, but don’t feel like you need to accept.”
“No! Oh my gosh, I’m sorry! I was just thinking about how amazing your business is. You really built it up from when your uncle had it. I’m proud of you, Hayes.” Her cheeks pinken as she gives me the compliment.
Well, damn. Now I’m shocked silent. I don’t know the last time someone said that they are proud of me. That all the hours I kill myself to keep everything in motion, means something. “Thank you, Lennon. That truly means a lot to me. It’s a lot of work, but I want to show Rosie what hard work looks like, and I want to give her everything I didn’t have growing up.”
“I think you are doing a great job with her. She is such a special little girl. So how about this? I’ll come in Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Take care of the front desk and any admin work. Look over your website and take care of your social media.” Social media? We aren’t on social media, but for some reason, I don’t speak up. “If we need to cut back or add to that we can adjust as we go. Does that sound okay?”
“Lennon, that is perfect. Thank you.” We discuss her pay, even though I know she could find something higher-paying. After filling out her new hire paperwork, we take off to show her around. She gets a good laugh at the disarray of the front desk, which looking at it again it does look like a tornado came through here. I notice almost all of my mechanics checking Lennon out when I take her through the shop. They quickly look away when I give them what I hope was a death glare. I make a mental note to keep an eye on that. She doesn’t need a dirty mechanic hitting on her.
She isn’t ready.
A mechanic isn’t good enough for her.
A good reminder for me.