Rooster #2
I went back to my truck, and by the time I was pulling out, Guardrail and Clutch were loaded up and following behind.
We spent the better part of the day pulling out the old electrical and installing the new wiring.
It was time- consuming and a pain in the ass, but we kept at it.
By the end of the day, we’d finished the lower level, but there was still work to be done.
Thankfully, it wasn’t anything that couldn’t wait for another day. I still had a couple of hours before I had to relieve Smokey, so I stopped to grab a bite to eat and some coffee. Even though I was over an hour early, I was feeling anxious and decided to head on over to take my shift.
I was just a few blocks away from Sawyer’s place when I spotted a car pulled over on the side of the road. The hood was up, but the hazard lights weren’t blinking. I didn’t think much about it until I spotted a woman leaning over the engine.
My first thought was to keep driving and let her do her thing, but my gut told me to pull over and see what I could do to help.
I whipped back around, then pulled up to the rear of the vehicle and parked.
I got out of the truck, and as soon as I started towards the front of the car, I heard her grumble, “Shit! Shit! Shit! I do not need this right now.”
She never even noticed that I’d walked up to her. I did my best not to startle her as I asked, “Umm, excuse me, miss? You need some help?”
I heard a slight gasp before she slowly peeked around the hood. As soon as I saw those dark brown eyes, I knew it was her—the hot brunette from the movie theater. I was so wrapped up in thoughts of Gramps that I hadn’t even noticed the make of the car, but it was her. It was really her.
I couldn’t believe it. She’d been weighing on my mind since I’d seen her the day before. I’d been trying to think of some excuse to run into her, and now I had it. A soft smile swept across her beautiful face as she whispered, “It’s you.”
“It’s me.” I let my eyes skirt over her and was surprised by the twinge of jealousy I felt when I saw that she was wearing a pair of skin-tight jeans and a low-cut sweater. She was going out for the night, and sadly, it wasn’t a night out with me. “You’re looking hot as ever.”
“Thanks.” A faint blush crept across her cheeks as she told me, “You are, too... I um... I was beginning to think I would never see you again.”
“I thought the same about you, but here we are.”
“Yes, here we are.”
My eyes drifted down to her lips, so pink and full, and I had to fight the urge to pull her into my arms and kiss her right then and there. I didn’t figure that was the best move, so I asked, “Car trouble?”
“Yeah, apparently so.” She glanced back at the engine as she explained, “I was about to go meet up with some friends, and the stupid thing just died. No lights. No radio. Nothing. And now, it won’t start back up. It just makes this weird clicking sound when I turn the key.”
“Mind if I take a look?”
“Please do.”
Even though it sounded like her battery was shot, I checked her cables and the line to her battery.
They looked okay, so I climbed into the front seat and turned the key.
And just as I expected, there was nothing.
I got back out and started for my SUV as I told her, “Let me grab my jumper cables, and I’ll try jumping you. ”
She nodded, then watched as I got back in my SUV and drove it around to the front of her car.
I grabbed my cables from under the backseat and popped the hood.
In a matter of minutes, I had everything connected and ready to go.
I got back in her car and turned the ignition.
I expected her car to start right up, but it didn’t. “Damn.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Looks like the alternator is a goner.”
“So, what does that mean?”
“It isn’t going anywhere tonight. At least, not without a tow.”
“Damn. I do not need this right now. It’s gonna cost me a fortune.”
“Maybe not.” I gave her a reassuring smile. “I know a guy who knows a guy.”
“Well, I hope this guy is into discounts or coupons or something because I’m gonna need it.”
“I’m sure he’ll help you out. How ‘bout I give you a lift home, and we can make arrangements for him to get it in the morning?”
“Are you sure? I could call an uber or...”
“I’d be glad to take you.”
“Great. I’d really appreciate it.”
I closed the hood of her car while she grabbed her keys and purse from inside the car.
Once she had everything she needed, she locked it up and followed me over to my SUV.
I opened the door and helped her inside.
As soon as she was settled, I walked around and got inside next to her.
Even though I knew where she lived, I turned to her and asked, “Now, where are we headed?”
“I’m about six miles down on your right. Turn on Chess Creek Road. It’s a small white house on the corner.”
I nodded, then pulled off the shoulder and onto the main road.
I knew this whole thing was a bad idea, but I had my opening, and I was damn well going to take it.