Chapter Fourteen
It only takes a second for it to register that I’m leaning my cheek into his hand; I didn't even realize I was crying. I slowly pull away from him, leaning more into my window, pressing my head against the cool glass… trying to figure out if this is a dream and how we even got here.
We pulled into the garage a few minutes later.
‘Petrov Performance’ written in neon on the sign.
I’m so proud of you. You really followed your dream.
Gavin backs into what I’m assuming is his parking spot.
He shuts the truck off right away and gets out.
As I go to open my own door, it leaves my hand almost instantly with Gavin on the other side.
“You didn’t have to get my door for me, Gavin, you’re injured as well, remember… ?”
Smirking, he grabs my right hand and helps me down, “I know I don't have to, but have you ever known me to not open any kind of door for you?” He looks at me skeptically.
“I’m a big girl, Gavin, I can get it myself… thank you." I scoff.
“There she is, that’s the sassy girl I know.” He almost snickers to himself.
Walking up to the garage office door, he pulls out a key ring and unlocks the door. “Let’s get all the lights on and open the bay door… so it's ready for Brenden to back up and drop it.”
“Lead the way, boss man,” I say with a laugh.
Not long after we get the lights on and open the garage door, we hear the air brakes from the rollback.
Brenden is pulling in and swinging the truck to the left to give himself room to back into the garage.
The motor whines as the bed extends until the ramp contacts the concrete floor.
Brenden gets out of the truck and goes to the control box.
I just sit there quietly as he lowers my car to the ground and unhooks all the chains.
Gavin and Brenden start pushing my car backward until it's between two large metal poles. Once they are satisfied, they both move to one side and kick out what looks like a thin metal arm that hooks under my car. Once it's secured. A groan fills the silence as my car is lifted into the air… high enough that they can fit comfortably to work. Gavin is 6’2, so I’d say Brenden is 6’1.
”Damn, Twinkle, that shits fucked.“ I hear Brenden.
“Can you go in the back to check if we have a 95/60R14?” I overhear Gavin asking Brenden.
“I’m like 90% sure we don’t, but yeah, I’ll go look.” Brenden disappears through the double doors at the back of the shop.
Watching Gavin make quick work of removing my tire takes me back to the days when we used to hang out in his garage. He still reminds me of the young boy I did know… he’s just more rugged now, covered from what I assume is head to toe in tattoos.
Hearing footsteps coming from behind me, I see Brenden coming back with… no tire. “Nada, Twinkles… want me to go ahead and order one, should be here by mid-afternoon tomorrow. “
As I begin to protest… Gavin cuts me off. “Just order all four. At least three of these tires are showing cords.” His eyes are already on me, giving me the look that he’s not happy with me, or apparently, the condition of these tires.
“Gavin, I can’t even afford a single tire… let alone four. “ I say panicking.
His eyes don’t leave mine as he says, “I didn’t ask if you could, Juni. Please don’t worry about it. We have store credit with the distributor. No one is worried about a few extra tires ordered.”
“So, since I’m ordering those tires and changing out these current ones, this car is not leaving until I look over it… who knows what else you have been ignoring? I’ll take you home,” Gavin says as his deep brown eyes meet mine.
“You are already doing too much, Gavin, the car is fine… I’m fine.” I say, looking back at him sternly.
He walks over to me in a few long strides.
Making it in only a few steps, bending down to me, he whispers in my ear…
“Just go get in my truck, Juni,” he says with a low chuckle.
All but struck stupid, I can feel my cheeks starting to pink…
nodding my head mindlessly, I start in the direction of where he parked his truck when we got here.
Opening his truck door, I use my right hand to grab the door handle to pull myself up, once I’m finally seated.
I pull my phone out of my back pocket, and I see no notifications.
No texts from Reece. How am I going to explain the tires to him?
He’s going to be so upset. But Gavin didn't take no for an answer… Sighing to myself. I haven’t been waiting long as I see him closing the bay door shut and heading in my direction.
Opening his truck door as he pulls himself up and sits down, he groans in slight pain. ”What’s the address?” He asks, side-eyeing me as he’s looking for a song on his playlist. He decides to hit shuffle.
I go to respond, but my brain falters as “Over You” by Daughtry starts to play.
“Uhh.. Uhh… Hollow Creek Mobile Park…” I say quietly.
No judgment crosses his face as he types the address into his CarPlay.
Stopping, he goes to skip the song, but my hand moves on its own, placing it on top of his heavily tattooed hands.
“Don’t change it… I like this song,” I say, giving him a small smile.
We both pull our hands away instantly. I lean back and start looking out the window, and he straightens his back and keeps looking ahead, letting Chris Daughtry’s voice fill the void.
Pulling into the run-down, shitty trailer park slowly, embarrassment creeps in. Music still fills the silence as I quietly mumble, “I…It’s right there, Trailer 3.”
He doesn’t say anything as he backs into the spot where Reece’s work truck typically is.
His face is neutral, no judgment appearing anywhere…
“Here ya go… I’ll text you tomorrow, okay?
Once your car is done, I can come and get you and take you back to the shop for the car,” he says, looking over at me.
“Okay… Thank you, Gavin. You really did save me tonight. Thank you so much.” I say, unbuckling my seatbelt. He opens his truck door and gets out. Rounding the front of his hood, he pulls the door handle, opens my door, and helps me get out safely.
“I’ll talk to you tomorrow, yeah? I’ll wait until you’re inside… then I'll leave,” he says, making his way back to the driver's side.
“Thanks, Gavin, have a good night.” Making my way to my front door, I noticed I forgot to lock it when I left—stepping inside and leaning my back against the cheaply made door, taking a deep breath, and still trying to figure out how things have come to this.
Once he knows I’m safely inside, I hear his truck pull away.
Deciding I need a shower, I make my way to the bedroom, and suddenly all I can smell is…
Sandlewood… Taking me back so long ago..
cheeks flushing again. I look down and realize…
I’m still wearing Gavin’s sweatshirt. It’s so big on me that it comes to the tops of my knees.
Slipping off the sweatshirt, I laid it on the end of my bed.
Walking over to my dresser, I grab an oversized T-shirt and shorts, then head to my bathroom.
Turning on the shower as hot as it will go, I give it a few minutes before stepping in and scrubbing my lavender shampoo through my hair until I’m satisfied.
Tilting my head back as the water cascades down my back, taking the suds with it.
I move on to the conditioner, running it through every inch.
Reaching for my body wash, I make it quick.
Scrubbing the day from hell away, once I’m finished, I rinse off and wash out my conditioner.
Stepping out into the steam, I take my smaller towel and wrap it around my head, followed by grabbing my robe. Taking a deep breath, I look into the mirror as I rub the steam away. Hating the haunted eyes looking back at me.