Chapter 3
Chapter Three
VERA
Two months later
“Finalmente!”
I’d been waiting to put the brake conversion kit I bought in this beat up old Charger for months, and it finally came in the mail. In a few more months, she’d be ready to take to the streets.
I’d bought it at a junk yard for practically nothing and had been working my ass off to get driveable. This cherry red 1972 Charger was my dream car and I was proud of myself for getting it where it was.
My parents had four boys and me, so I was raised as one of them. Put into sports, working with my hands, all of it. Even before then, I’d never been into dresses or Barbies. I’d prefer to take off a dress than put one on. Especially a red dress that covered mile long silky smooth legs. Shit.
Everything brought me right back to that night a few months ago. I’d promised my abuela I’d start getting out there more, so I signed up for a speed dating event. I dressed up, played the part, and met a bombshell of a woman I hadn’t been able to get out of my head since.
It was only one night, but I couldn’t forget about it. About her. She was tall, tan, blonde hair, blue eyes, sweet as pie voice and a killer body. Every part of her was perfect and I was more broken up than I should’ve been that she ghosted me the next day.
I had gone out to get us breakfast, and when I came back, she was gone. No trace of her was left. Well, no trace except lace. Thin black lace. A constant memory of that night. The night I’ll never forget, and never get again.
I tried to look her up once I got back home, but nothing. I didn’t know her last name, or where she worked, only that she was a publisher. That wasn’t really anything to go on, and I didn’t want to stalk her on the internet only to tell her she left her underwear at the hotel. Not a chance.
I shook away any lingering thoughts of that night and went inside. I was greeted by Nyx, my one-year-old black pug. My best fucking friend. I loved him like he was my own child. I didn’t have a car seat or anything crazy like that for him, but I did treat him like a spoiled baby.
Nyx followed me around as I was getting ready for work. I was heading a project for the city, and I liked to get there early to survey the area and set up a game plan for my team. We’d been working together for the past four years, but I still liked to be prepared.
It was hard, at first, being in charge of six men. Of course, they didn’t take me seriously, but after I let them know I didn’t tolerate their bullshit, they got in line pretty quick. Now, I trusted them with my life and they knew they could trust me with theirs.
“Okay, you be good. Mami’s gotta get to work. We’re starting a new project today and I’m the boss, so I can’t be late.” He barked as if he understood me. After a few more cuddles and kisses, I was out the door.
I’d wanted to become a construction worker since I was in junior high.
My father worked in construction for most of his life, and I wanted to follow in his footsteps.
Of course, as a man, he fought that idea, but I was stubborn.
I convinced my parents to enroll me in the electrical program at my local technical school and it took off from there.
Today, we were working on a project in front of an office building off Pine Street. We were replacing the sidewalk on the street to make one suitable for pedestrians and bikers alike. The road led to another street that had the same set up, so we were just adding to it.
We’d worked around the building several times on various projects, but never in front of the building directly.
I expected a lot of complaints over the next few weeks.
The people that I’d seen come out of that building were the pretentious type.
The type to demand a free meal at a restaurant because the waiter forgot their extra sauce on the side.
As we were just setting up for the day, the building manager for that building was heading towards us with a smile on his face.
“Ms. Rojas, a pleasure,” he said, stretching out his hand to shake mine.
I took it and returned his smile. “Yes, Mr. Wayne. It’s good to see you again. What can I do for you?”
“I wanted to catch you before you started working. I was just about to leave for a meeting and thought now would be a good time to confirm that we’re on track to start renovations on the seventh floor in a few weeks?”
“Yes, sir. We are all set.”
He nodded. “Perfect. I’ve got to run but we’ll catch up before then.”
Without another word he was gone. I thought he was going to tell me that he no longer needed us, but he hadn’t. So far, the day was turning out to be pretty good.
“You heard that boys? We better get this project done, and we’ll all sit down and come up with a game plan that works for everyone. I don’t want anyone getting burnt out or any job to be half-assed.”
They all mumbled to themselves like they were unhappy to have financial stability and got back to work. It was going to be an exciting next several months, that was for sure.