Caught up, p.9
Caught Up, page 9
“Name it,” I replied, kissing the tip of her nose and then her lips a little bit. She smiled.
“Are we going to sneak around, or are we going to come out?” she asked.
“I don’t fuck people over, Chloe, especially people I care about. Ask anyone who knows me. I would never keep you as a dirty little secret. That much I do know. I’ve no problem letting everyone know we’re together,” I replied.
“Good. For a minute there, I thought I was going to have to kick your ass,” she replied. I grinned and kissed her neck, which made her giggle loudly. She sighed and closed her eyes, her head on my chest. Soon, I could hear her breathing slow and a soft snore. I let my own eyes close and I felt myself drift off to sleep. Looks like we were spending the day in bed.
***
“Hey, Aaron,” called Skeeter. I looked up from under the hood of the truck I was working on. Skeeter walked over to me, still looking like a skinny scarecrow in his coveralls.
“What’s up, man?” I asked. He smiled like he’d won the lottery.
“I found a mechanic. She starts in a couple of days,” he said. Damn that was quick.
“Why do you feel the need to report to me all of a sudden, Skeeter?” I asked. He looked at me, all twitchy and nervous.
“You own this place. I’ve known that since you got out. I run things, you’re the owner,” he explained. I looked at him, my anger rising.
“So, you all made it look like you gave me a job for what reason?” I asked hotly. He shrugged.
“You have pride, Aaron. You don’t take hand outs and I’m guessing being in jail made you feel like you weren’t worth the shirt on your back. You had to earn it. At least that’s my take on it. There’s nothing you can do about it. Just accept it. And like I said, our new mechanic. She starts in a couple of days,” he explained. His little speech floored me. I never knew that he was so deep.
“She?” I asked. He nodded quickly and smirked.
“I said all that and you only heard that I hired a female mechanic? But, yeah, the votech school recommended her. Her name is Mandy,” he replied with a grin.
“Huh. Well, I hope she knows her shit,” I replied. He laughed again.
“Be nice, she’s just moved here and she doesn’t really know anyone. I wouldn’t want you to judge her unfairly because she’s a woman,” he replied with a teasing quality to his voice. I stared at him and shook my head. The little bastard was trying to turn shit around on me.
“I’ll be nice, alright, but I’m not going to hold her hand either,” I replied, going back under the hood. He laughed loud this time.
“Do you really think I would hire someone who doesn’t know their shit?” he asked. I looked up at him from under the hood and shrugged.
“Who knows man but don’t worry. I’ll be nice,” I replied sarcastically. I popped my head back under the hood and attempted to get back to work.
“Who shit in your cereal, old man?” said a sweet little voice. I looked up and smiled at Bleu. She came over and leaned on the car. Skeeter waved to Bleu and left the garage.
“Hey, princess. I’m fine. Skeeter just told me that he hired a new mechanic. Her name is Mandy,” I replied. She rolled her eyes.
“Please don’t tell me you’re against women mechanics?” she said, nudging me with her index finger.
“No. I was just telling Skeeter that I wanted to make sure she can do her job. I haven’t been here for long, but we are short on help as it is. I don’t want to have to hold her hand,” I replied. She nodded in understanding, then shot me a puzzled look.
“Dad, wasn’t this your place way back when?” she asked, looking around the garage.
“Yeah, but when I went to jail, I thought I signed it over to Tangler. The garage still belongs to me, I guess,” I stated. She nodded.
“And you want to make sure what, exactly?” she asked.
“I want to make sure that the people we have working here, in the garage, know what they are doing. We are behind as it is and can’t keep mechanics, so we need qualified help, not just warm bodies,” I replied.
“Sounds logical. I would feel the same way if I was you. But be nice. Don’t be all Grizzly on her alright?” she replied. I looked at my daughter.
“Grizzly?” I asked. She nodded and grinned.
“Yeah, you stalk around and act like an angry bear. Scares the shit out of people,” she remarked. I laughed. She picked up a socket wrench and fiddled with it before setting it down on the workbench.
“Bleu, what’s on your mind?” I asked. She sighed.
“Oh, don’t pretend like you don’t know, princess, that Chloe and I are sort of together,” I replied. She crossed her arms.
“Daddy! Wait, are you allowed to do this? Are you sure you can do this?” she asked. She looked like she was going to lecture me and I put my hand on her shoulder and pulled her into me. I kissed the top of her head.
“I’m not doing anything. Nothing serious. Chloe knows this. We are both adults and we’re on the same page. You and I, we aren’t doing this bullshit again, Bleu. Remind me to sit you down some time and tell you some things about how a father and daughter should act,” I replied. She straightened and looked chastised.
“Sorry, Dad. I was out of line,” she said in a defeated tone. I hugged her and kissed the top of her head.
“You care. You’re a good friend. You have a good heart. Chloe was right,” I told her.
“Chloe said that?” she asked, eyes wide. Her entire face lit up and she grinned.
“Anyone who knows you can see that, my love,” I said, kissing her cheek. She smiled.
“Thanks, Dad,” she said. I nodded and smiled as she walked away. Well, Bleu seemed fine with me being with Chloe. Now I just had to talk to my big mouthed son about it. I also needed to get to the bottom of what was really going on with Bleu.
Chapter 7 ~ Chloe
“So, I’m an awesome friend, huh?” sang Bleu, coming up behind me and poking me. I was doing inventory of my piercing room and she scared the crap out of me. I threw a box of gloves at her. She giggled and picked them up off of the floor. Seattle looked up from the drafting table where he was preparing a transfer for a client. He grinned and tossed me a handful of pens that had rolled toward him.
“Thanks, Seattle,” I murmured. He nodded and grinned again. I turned back to Bleu and studied her face. She looked a little bit more like herself, but there was an edginess to her laughter that grated against my skin.
“What are you talking about, crazy woman?” I asked her. She rolled her eyes and grinned. She was in a good mood today, thankfully. It looked like she’d even gotten some rest last night.
“I was just told that you said I was an awesome friend,” she replied, dancing around a bit. I laughed, because she had obviously been talking to Aaron.
“Well, you are,” I replied. She grinned and hugged me. She was in a really good mood today.
“What was that for?” I asked. She smirked.
“I think the lack of sleep from Dom has turned you insane,” I remarked. She sat down in my chair and crossed her legs. She shook her head and then she went quiet. My comment seemed to hit a nerve and she sighed deeply like there was something heavy weighing on her.
“What? Why are you staring at me?” I asked her. She sighed again.
“Bleu?” I asked after she didn’t say anything. She looked up at me and her eyes were troubled.
“He’s not a book boyfriend, Chloe,” she said quietly.
“Say what?” I asked. She nodded seriously and played with a strand of her hair. She was worried about something.
“My dad. He’s not a book boyfriend,” she replied softly. I let out my breath and tried to make sense of the direction of this conversation.
“Where is this coming from?” I asked as I crossed my arms over my chest. She sighed.
“Enough with the melodramatic sighing, Bleu. Tell me what is going on!” I yelped. She stared at me and nodded.
“I know that you guys are kind of together and all. But don’t try and make him something he’s not. He isn’t a book boyfriend. I mean, I don’t even think he knows how to be a boyfriend. Can a middle aged man be someone’s boyfriend?” she asked, starting to ramble. I chuckled at the surreal feeling I was experiencing.
“Have you met my parents, Bleu? Half the time my mama thinks she is Dolly Parton and my daddy, he thinks he is Johnny Cash only sexier. I’m not going to try and change your dad. Especially since my parents have been trying to change me since I can remember. This is nothing serious, Bleu. You don’t have to worry,” I reassured her. The only thing was, I wasn’t so positive. I had never been in love and I wasn’t sure I would be able to stop myself if I fell. Bleu smiled knowingly as if she could read my thoughts. She didn’t look convinced at anything I had said and I didn’t know what to say to make her feel better.
“You’re so delusional. Drawn men are irresistible,” she said sweetly, a wobbly smile pasted on her face. I decided to play along.
“Yeah, that didn’t sound incestuous right there,” I remarked.
“Eew, gross,” she said with a laugh. She laughed again, gave me a little hug, and left the room. Yep, she had lost her damn mind. I shook my head and got back to work. I told myself that I needed to talk to Aaron about his daughter, see what he thought about her behavior. Or maybe I was over reacting and should butt out. I didn’t know what to do.
I was working on my last client when I heard noise out in the front of the shop. Finishing up, I handed the man after care instructions and escorted him to the front. I almost swallowed my tongue when I saw who was in the waiting room.
“What in the hell?” I muttered. Jack came up behind me and snorted. Tangler sat in the waiting room. He looked like he had been set on fire, literally.
“Are his clothes?” I whispered, pointing to Tangler. Jack nodded slowly.
“Singed? Yeah, I think so. Did he run into a burning building or something?” asked Jack. I shrugged, shocked myself. Tangler had his head in his hands, his long hair limp and hanging. His white t-shirt and jeans had burn holes in them. One leg of his jeans was completely singed off, making him look like a pirate.
“Uh, why is my uncle in the waiting is room, looking like brush fire survivor?” asked Axel. He looked at Jack, who shrugged. The waiting room was starting to smell like a campfire. Axel turned to me, eyebrow cocked.
“I honestly have no idea. Talk to him, he looks so...lost,” I whispered. Axel nodded grimly.
“Yo, Uncle T!” Axel yelled over my head. Tangler snapped out of whatever trance he was in and grimaced.
“Hey, Axel. Your dad about?” he asked, trying to be nonchalant. Axel nodded.
“He’s at an appointment. He should be back soon, let me go and try to call him,” he replied quickly. Tangler nodded. I walked into the front and over to Tangler. He looked up at me with his liquid brown eyes and they were so full of sadness.
“Do you...uh, want some water?” I asked him. He smiled and it nearly broke my heart. He looked like a lost puppy. His long hair hung limp in his eyes and he gave me a pained smile.
“Sure, love. I would,” he replied, his voice soft. I noticed his t-shirt was not only singed, but had massive slashes in it. I walked over the office, grabbed a bottle of water out of the fridge and handed it to him. He smiled gratefully and took a long, noisy gulp from the bottle. Jack still stood in the doorway and I glared at him. He walked over to the front desk and pretended to be busy. I nudged him with my elbow and he snorted.
“Not funny, Jack!” I hissed.
“What in the sake of fucks?” exclaimed Matt, coming into the shop. I shook my head at him and motioned him over. He looked over his shoulder at Tangler and whistled low.
“Did someone set him on fire?” he whispered to me. I shrugged.
“No clue. He just showed up. Singed,” I replied. Matt toyed with his lip ring and sighed.
“Been there,” he replied. Jack and I both looked at him.
“You have been set on fire?” I asked. He nodded. Jack’s jaw dropped.
“What!! Wait...who?” asked Jack. Matt grinned and tightened the bandanna on his head. Jack looked like he wanted to say something about it and stopped himself.
“The Dobson twins,” Matt replied with a nostalgic grin. Jack whistled low, long and appreciatively. He high fived Matt.
“Am I missing something here?” I asked. They both nodded. Jack slapped Matt on the back and they both walked into the back.
“I’m not done talking to the two of you!” I called to them and was met with their laughter. I hated them sometimes. I still wanted to find out why Matt had been set on fire.
***
“All I’m saying is this. If you’re going to be working, wear fucking deodorant. And don’t be fucking rude to your clients!” scolded Axel. We were all in the back having a surprise meeting while Aaron dealt with Tangler.
“Dude, who doesn’t wear deodorant?” asked Jack. Everyone looked at Matt. He held up his hands in surrender. I giggled.
“It was only once. I forgot,” Matt replied. Jack smirked.
“Yeah, because you were hung over, had just come from some skanks house and forgot to shower! I’m surprised your customer didn’t smell pussy on you too!” I retorted. Jack laughed and Matt frowned. Seattle blushed at hearing me
“That’s just wrong,” Seattle whispered. I shrugged.
“She has no filter. Not very lady like, Chloe,” teased Matt.
“That’s what you get for leaving me out of your conversation earlier,” I replied. His face darkened and he leaned forward in his chair. He grinned evilly and I was scared for what he was going to do or say next.
“Seeing as how we’re talking about heinous shit, why don’t you and Bleu tell everyone what you all do on Tuesday and Thursday nights?” called out Matt. Bleu glared at him and I shook my head. Jack smiled.
“Yeah, ladies, tell us,” remarked Jack. Bleu glared at him. It didn’t bug me. They were a bunch of nosey fuckers
“Are you referring to our book club?” I asked sweetly. Matt scoffed.
“Book club, my ass. What you guys read is nothing more than porn on a page,” he replied. Jack nodded.
“It is,” remarked Jack. Bleu spun in her seat and turned on him.
“Really, Jack? Want to tell the group what reading you’ve been doing?” she asked sweetly, but her voice was laced with malice. He swallowed.
“Dude, what did you do?” asked Matt. Jack’s face got red.
“Go ahead, Jack. You all want to blow us in because we have a book club, tell everyone what you did,” insisted Bleu. Jack shook his head.
“He decided to sneak and read one of my books,” she said. Matt shrugged indifferently.
“So what? He wanted to see the sick shit you were reading. No harm in that,” retorted Matt.
“Fuck off, Matt. You have no clue what you’re talking about, Mr. Man on Fire,” snapped Bleu. He stuck his tongue out at her. She flipped him off, which made me giggle. Seattle shook his head and sighed.
“Shut up, you assholes. I’m trying to have a meeting here!” yelled Axel. We all looked at Axel’s red face and busted out laughing. Axel crossed his arms over his chest and shot us a murderous look. Jack snorted.
“You’re a bunch of immature fuck sticks,” Axel muttered, walking out.
“Aww, look at him get mad,” teased Jack. Matt grinned.
“Don’t leave. Oh, he’s mad!” called Bleu. Matt looked at me and grinned.
“Asshole,” I said, looking at his smirking face.
“Bitch,” he replied. We stood up and walked to the front. I hoped that Aaron was done talking to Tangler. I really wanted to know why his clothes looked like they did.
Chapter 8 ~ Aaron
“Do you have to throw glitter on me?” I asked Willa at my next appointment. She laughed. Today she was all in white, except for her cut-off jeans shorts.
“It’s just my way of spreading my good vibes on to you,” she replied. She smiled peacefully, but her right eye twitched ever so slightly.
“Your ‘good vibes’ as you put it, made all the guys at the shop tease me relentlessly,” I pointed out. She shrugged and smiled.
“See? Positive vibes!” she replied, clapping her hands excitedly. She was off her rocker.
“So what were we talking about last time, Aaron?” she asked. She tucked her bare feet under her legs.
“Uh, my kids.”
“Do you think you will have anymore?” she asked, her head cocked to the side in a questioning pose.
“What?” I asked in disbelief.
“Do you think you will ever have any more kids?” she asked, enunciating
“I’m going to be fifty four. I don’t know,” I replied with a shrug of my shoulders.
“I’m guessing you have never really thought of it, huh?” she asked, cocking her head to the side and studying my face.
“Honestly? No. I mean I just got out of prison and went back to work. Also, my age is another legitimate factor. I think I can safely say that I’m done having kids. Plus, I have to focus on my recovery, as you like to call it,” I replied. She raised an eyebrow and smirked.
“Yeah, you really didn’t commit yourself to your recovery did you? Besides, I think your diagnosis is wrong,” she said. That made me sit up straighter.
“Say what?” I asked her. She nodded.
“I think you were misdiagnosed Aaron. I’m going to run some tests on you, because I honestly don’t think you’re suffering from Bipolar. Borderline Personality Disorder, possibly. I discussed this with your probation officer. The doctor who was overseeing your care was just a regular physician and really didn’t have the authority to diagnose you. So I’m going to run some tests next time we meet and we’ll go from there,” she stated. Misdiagnosed? What the fuck!
“What about all my medication that I’m paying a ton for and have been taking all this time? Do I just stop taking them?” I asked. She shook her head.
“Good lord no! If you just stopped, you could get sick!” she cried out. I chuckled seeing her get all worked up.
