16. Chapter Fifteen
Mac walked into work the next day, dreading it. He wanted to stay home so he could be there for Janie in case she needed anything. But he had told the guys he would be in his office in case they needed to ask any questions.
It happened more than he thought it would. Sometimes they came in to talk about work and if they could do anything but it always ended up in a completely different conversation after. There was always something to do around the club, but nothing was pressing so people took longer.
He sat down in his chair and pulled out his phone. He needed to call the mechanic and see how long it was going to take for her car to get fixed and what was wrong. He didn’t like that her car was newer and it died all of the sudden. What if it had died in the middle of the highway?
Mac didn’t want to think about that. Several things could have gone wrong and he didn’t need to dwell on the what ifs. She had gotten safely over and waited for him to come and get her. She had actually called him when she needed help.
Sure, she tried to back out of it, but she had initially called him. That was a step in the right direction. Now, he just needed Janie to call him for everything she needed. He wanted to be her rock but he needed to take it slow with her. She wasnt going to believe him overnight and start calling him. It was going to take some time.
“Hello?” Selwyn’s deep British voice came through the phone.
He had moved from England several years ago and started up his own mechanic shop. Mac had given him a try and had never looked for someone new. He was good at what he did and trust him not to ask for too much or too little.
“This is Mac,” he said.
“Mac! How are you?” he asked.
“Good and you?”
“Good good. What can I help you with?”
“I called yesterday and one of your employees answered. I asked them to tow a car that was on the highway. It shut off randomly and wouldn’t start,” Mac said. “I wanted to know if you had gotten around to seeing what could be wrong with it and how long it would take to fix?”
Selwyn whistled and Mac only knew this was going to be bad. What could possibly be wrong with the car.
“You know I tell you the truth. No lying between us,” Selwyn said.
“Yeah, I know. That’s why I bring my car to you all the time and refer anyone I know to you,” Mac replied.
Selwyn was always very honest and transparent about everything. He wanted to make sure every customer knew what was wrong and how much it was going to cost.
“Is this a car you just bought recently?” Selwyn asked.
“No, it’s my girls car.”
Selwyn growled through the phone. “You let your fucking girl have this car? I thought you were the protective type and made sure everything was okay. What the fuck is wrong with you?”
“Her ex-husband bought this car for her. I’m just now making my intentions known. How bad is it?” He could hear Selwyn breathing heavily through the phone.
“Shit. Sorry. Even though the car is newer, there are several bloody things wrong with it,” Selwyn said. “So many things that should have been taken care of but haven’t been. You said her ex-husband got it and also made sure it was regularly inspected?”
Mac sighed and started to rub his neck. This was what he was afraid of. Her ex-husband probably didn’t do shit to her car and made her think he did. That fucking bastard.
“I have no clue, but from what she was saying he took care of that stuff,” Mac said. “How long is it going to take to fix all of that? How much is it going to cost?”
He hadn’t called Janie yet to tell her about the car because he didn’t have anything to give her yet. Hopefully she would call him if she needed to go anywhere. He had told her several times to call him.
“It’s gonna be really expensive. It may take me a week or two to figure out everything that’s wrong with it. Then see if I have the parts and make it okay to drive,” Selwyn said.
“Once you figure out everything, call me with the details and what the cost is going to be. Can you make sure it’s safe for her to drive? She has a kid and I want it as safe as possible for both of them,” Mac said.
“I can do that. I’m going to say right now that just from the things we’ve already found, it will be more than a grand.”
Mac closed his eyes. Why did her husband do that? Mac knew it was Donald. From what Janie had told him, he didn’t really like her and did the bare minimum, even if he did that.
“That’s okay. Just let me know when you find out the solid amount. But either way, I’m going to pay for it,” Mac said. “Just please make it safe.”
Leo walked into his office as he said that.
“I will and I’ll start on it as soon as possible,” Selwyn said. “I’ll be in contact.”
Mac put the phone down and sat up straight.
“What can I help you with?” he asked.
Leo sat down in front of his desk. “Heard you were in the office and wanted to see it with my own eyes. Honestly, I thought you would have stayed home today as well. Even put a bet on it. Sadly, Oliver won the twenty bucks.”
Mac scowled at him. “I told you guys I was coming in today. I don’t back down on my promises.”
Leo shook his head.
“Do you need anything else or are you just going to sit there and look at me like a creep?” Mac asked.
“What are you trying to make safe?” Leo asked.
Mac crossed his arms. Leo wasn’t going to let this go until he found the answer he wanted.
“Why don’t we just call everyone in here so I can tell you guys all at once?” he asked.
“Nah. I’m going to find enjoyment with people asking you every chance they get. I don’t want to spoil the fun. So, what are you trying to make safe?”
“Janie’s car.”
Leo sat up straighter. “What’s wrong with her car?”
“It randomly stopped and died yesterday. She pulled off of the highway and it died. I picked her up.”
“Shit. Isn’t her car newer?”
Mac growled. How did he know she had a newer car? She didn’t drive it to the club at all.
“How the fuck do you know her car is newer?” Mac asked.
Leo smirked. “Wouldn’t you like to know.”
“Leo.”
He sighed. “Fine. I saw her one time getting groceries at the same store I went to. Made sure she got into her car safely. Looks newer.”
Mac relaxed a little.
“No need to get your boxers in a twist. I’m not stalking her. I’ve got my own girl and you know that.”
“I know. Sorry. Just protective of her.”
“We’re all protective of our women.”
That was damn true. Every one of them were protective of the people they cared for. It ran through their blood.
“Does she need a rental car? We have a car that she can borrow until she gets it back,” Leo said.
Mac shook his head. She didn’t need a rental car.
Leo smugly looked at him. “Ah, you’re going to be that guy.”
“Damn straight I am.”
“Drive her around everywhere.”
“Yep. Be good for us. Gonna show her that I mean what I say. Gonna take care of her.”
Leo chuckled and shook his head. “Good luck.”
“I don’t need luck. She’s already warming up to me more. Called me yesterday to pick her up on the highway.”
“True, but still. You’re going to need it. She’s a firecracker when she wants to be. She won’t fall for you without a fight.”
Mac glared at him.
“I’m not saying don’t go for it. Just want you to be prepared to be there in the long run,” Leo said.
“What do you think the fuck I’ve been doing for the past year? Patiently waiting for her to grieve the marriage she lost. Showing her slowly that I’m there for her.”
“I know, but can you wait another two maybe even three years?”
“I’ve already told her I can. That I would wait a lifetime for her. I’m not stupid. I know what I signed up for,” Mac said, clearly insulted at what Leo was saying.
“I’m not trying to get on your nerves. We had people tell us the same thing when we were trying with Hedda. Just wanted to give you the same little talk in case no one else had. I’m rooting for you two. A lot of people are.”
Mac sighed. He shouldn’t get so annoyed at that. He knew Leo was only trying to help and give him all the sides of it. He appreciated it but it did rub him the wrong way.
“It’s about time both of you found love. She’ll come around, just give her time,” Leo said. “She looks at you and I can see she cares for you, likes you.”
“I know,” Mac said. He had someone else tell him the exact same thing.
“If you need anything, let me know. I’m here for both of you and so are Oliver and Hedda.”
“Thanks.”
Leo got up from his seat and walked out of his office. Mac had no desire to work right now. He was ahead at work and didn’t really have anything to do right now. He could get more ahead right now, but his mind wasnt in it. It was with Janie, his Pinky.
He didn’t know why he insisted on calling her Pinky. It just suited her since her favorite color was pink. She was absolutely adorable in it.
Mac picked up his phone. He needed to call Janie and tell her everything about her car before he forgot. He didn’t want to keep things from her.
The phone rang and he waited for her to pick up.
“Mac?”
“Pinky. I just wanted to call. I got done talking to the mechanic, Selwyn, and he said it’s going to take maybe a week or two for everything to get fixed.”
He heard her sigh through the phone.
“I’ve taken care of the cost. And I’ll let you know when it’s ready.”
“Can you actually drop me off at a rental place?” she softly asked.
“No. I’m coming over to talk about this with you. I would much rather have it face to face than over the phone. Give me a couple of minutes to drive back.”