Chapter 53
Chapter Fifty-Three
Cordelia
My phone buzzes as I’m diagnosing a car at the garage. I wipe my greasy hands on a rag and pull the device out of my back pocket.
It’s Renthrow.
My entire body lights up in excitement.
Renthrow: Random question. What’s the kindest way to deliver bad news?
Me: What kind of bad news?
Renthrow: The kind that could break lifelong friendships and cause total chaos.
I frown at the phone. What could he be referring to?
Me: It’s not about Gordie, is it?
Renthrow: It’s about the team.
I recall the last game I saw the original Lucky Strikers play. They’d worked seamlessly on the ice, speaking to each other without words. Their love for each other and for hockey came through as clear as day.
Me: If it’ll cause that much damage, maybe it doesn’t need to be said at all.
Renthrow: Unfortunately, that’s not an option.
Renthrow: I think having it come from me will have the least number of casualties.
Renthrow: Honestly, I’m nervous about it.
I curl my fingers over the phone, something stirring deep in my chest. What is this feeling?
It takes me a moment to identify it.
Connection.
For so long, I felt separate from everything around me. From my mom. From my sister. From my family. And, when I first came to Lucky Falls, I kept myself separate from Rebel and April.
But since the day I put my hand on Renthrow’s arm and tried to pass him off as my boyfriend, the first thread of connection was woven. It started slowly at first, indecipherable, moving just under the surface.
Slowly, as I opened up more, the thread spread further and got stronger. Now, I’m woven into this town, and this garage, and with him and Gordie. We’re as tightly connected as the wiring diagram in a car.
Renthrow: Sorry if this is heavy.
Me: No need to apologize. I’m glad you felt comfortable enough to tell me.
Glad is an understatement. I feel like an important part of Renthrow’s life. Not because of what I can do for Gordie or because of how tough I am or even because I’m a Davenport. But because it’s me. It feels like he wouldn’t share this with anyone but me.
Renthrow: Honestly, I had a hard conversation with Max and I’m leading a session in ten minutes, but I just wanted to talk to you.
My heart skips a beat. Renthrow kissed me on my bike yesterday, and we could have very well left it there without going any deeper. There are plenty of sparks between us, enough to burn for a long time.
But this conversation is beyond mere attraction.
It speaks of trust.
Of a deepening relationship.
Of inviting me into his world, his troubles, his thoughts.
I’m touched and honored.
While I stand there, dazed, with a smile on my face, another text comes in.
Renthrow: I wanted to talk to you the moment I woke up this morning, actually. I’ve just held it in until now.
My heart turns over like a car with a freshly repaired engine, and I feel the biggest, cheesiest grin blow up on my face.
Me: You should have called this morning.
Renthrow: Are you a morning person?
Me: I’m a monster before nine o’clock. It takes three cups of coffee before I’m human.
Renthrow: I should be scared, but I’m actually curious to see it myself.
Me: Play your cards right and maybe you will.
I glance over my shoulder at where Rebel and April are working on their own cars. Neither of my bosses pays me any mind.
Rather than text back and forth, I call Renthrow.
He answers immediately. “Hey.” His voice is warm and rich and deep.
I twirl a finger around my hair as I respond, “Hey.”
There’s a contented pause, and then he rumbles, “Hey.”
I laugh and duck my head.
Renthrow laughs too. “Should I start again?”
“Let’s go from the top. I’ll do the first ‘hey’ this time.”
“I can’t tell if you’re serious or not.”
“Of course, I’m joking.” I grin.
“You sound happy.”
“It’s after nine o’clock.”
He laughs.
I add, “And I wanted to hear your voice.”
In the background, I hear the unmistakable slap of hockey sticks thwacking on the ice. But he doesn’t seem distracted at all when he asks me, “What are you working on right now?”
“I think I’m close to figuring out why a client’s car is stalling. They brought it in saying their previous mechanic wanted to change out the car’s computer, but I had a hunch that the computer wasn’t causing the issue.”
“I didn’t know cars have computers.”
“They don’t have monitors and desktop hardware, if that’s what you’re imagining. But all electronic units are controlled by a computer. It determines fuel intake, air intake, and ignition timing. Those sensors allow us to diagnose—aaaand I’m rambling.”
“Don’t stop.”
“No way.”
“I like it. It’s cute.”
“You don’t understand a word I’m saying,” I point out.
“I don’t have to understand car repair to like you, Cordelia. I just…like you. All of you.”
I blush hard as my stomach does somersaults. “I like you too,” I admit.
“All of me?”
I laugh at his teasing tone. “Mostly just your muscles.”
“I thought you preferred a dad bod?”
“I lied.”
Renthrow belly-laughs, and I feel so, so pleased that I could make him laugh like that when he sounded upset over text.
“About what you asked earlier, back when I was running the company, I had to fire employees and have tough conversations all the time. It doesn’t get any easier. But it’s better to be honest right from the start.”
“Just jump in for the kill?” He sounds reluctant.
“Be yourself, but be professional. Don’t talk about the weather or stretch things out. Warn them that you’re about to share bad news, so they can brace themselves. Then rip off the Band-Aid.”
He sighs heavily.
“You’ll do great. I believe in you.”
“I appreciate that,” he says. “And I’m glad you called.” I can tell that he’s smiling even though I can’t see him.
“I’m glad I called too,” I say softly.
We linger, neither of us saying anything but both of us reluctant to hang up.
“I should go. I have training,” he says.
“Yeah. I should go too. The client is coming to pick up the car tomorrow, and I have a lot to do.”
Again, we keep the line connected.
“I don’t want to hang up,” Renthrow admits sheepishly.
“Me either.”
“Count of three?”
I burst out laughing. “Why does that sound like something you’d tell Gordie?”
“You caught me.” He chuckles. “What are you doing tonight?”
“Studying car wiring diagrams. Why?”
“Can I pick you up? I’d like to cook for you.”
I blink in surprise.
“Or I can take you out to a proper restaurant,” he says. “I just thought—”
“You thought right. I’d take your food over five-star dining any day,” I assure him.
“You say the sweetest things to me.”
“I’ve been dreaming about that grilled chicken you made the first time I came over.”
“Then I’ll make it again.”
“Seriously?”
“Your wish is my command.”
My heart flutters, and my stomach cheers in anticipation.
I lick my lips. “You don’t have to pick me up.”
“I want to,” he says in a low voice.
“I don’t know when I’ll be finished with this car. I’d rather ride my bike.”
He backs off. “If you insist.”
“I can’t wait to see you,” I admit.
“Same here. Ride safe, and I’ll see you tonight.”
“See you.”
He hangs up, and I resist the urge to call him back just to chat about something random, like the weather. It’s mind-boggling how easy it is to talk to him. I could talk for hours, and it wouldn’t be enough.
A soft wind tugs at my hair, and I stare past the tent to the beautiful horizon. Have the clouds always been that white and puffy? Has the sky always been that vibrant blue? Why are the birds so… Wait. The birds are quiet. And so is the garage.
Something seems off.
Why can’t I hear either Rebel or April working?
I spin around and find three women staring at me.
My bosses are lounging against the car I was running tests on. Rebel’s leaning one hip on the bumper, her pink jumpsuit a stark contrast to the gleaming black paint on the car. April’s leaning on the open front door, one hand draped over the lowered window.
And May is smirking at me as she pops gum.
“May!” I look away guiltily from my bosses. “When did you get here?”
“Just now. I took my final exam this morning. I’m officially done with college! Well, if I pass Economics.”
I clear my throat. “C-congratulations.”
“Who was that?” Rebel asks. “Was it Renthrow?”
I nod guiltily. “He had a question.”
“Mm. What kind of question?” April asks as her lips curl up at the corners.
“Just…about the team.”
“Is that why you were smiling so hard?” May tilts her head to the side and looks innocently at me.
“Don’t forget. She was also twirling her hair like this.” Rebel wraps one of her blond strands around her finger.
“Are you and Renthrow dating for real?” May demands.
“Well…” I rub my temple sheepishly.
“I called it!” May throws her hands high and swings her hips. “I told you she was the one who’d break Renthrow. I told you!”
To my surprise, Rebel and April hand May a stack of bills.
I frown. “Did you guys bet on me?”
“Technically, we bet on Renthrow not falling for any woman ever. It wasn’t about you, per se,” April admits.
May counts the bills gleefully.
I shake my head. “Unbelievable.”
“If you saw Renthrow before you came to Lucky Falls, you’d understand. He didn’t let any woman close.” Rebel pats my shoulder. “You did the impossible, Delia. You’re pretty much Belle from Beauty and the Beast.”
“Renthrow’s not a beast,” I correct her.
May barks out a laugh. “Look, she’s ready to fight.”
I glance down at my fisted hands and relax them.
April smiles. “Renthrow’s the sweetest. We just meant that he’s a beast about Gordie. I should have known, though, when he allowed you to get so close to her, that he was falling for you too.”
Blushing, I shoo them from the car. “If you’re done messing with me, I’m working on a knock sensor, and the client’s coming tomorrow.”
April walks off with a knowing grin.
Rebel winks at me.
May makes kissy noises, but they all obediently disperse.
I turn the solar fans toward me and get back to adjusting the knock sensor. However, the promise of a date with Renthrow shimmers before me, and I keep smiling to myself.
I’m counting down the hours until I see him and Gordie tonight.