Page 11 of Read With Your Heart

He does a double take of my outfit, which happens to be basketball shorts and a tee. “That was you?”

“Yeah.” I reach for the back of my neck and scratch. Attire can change the perception of a man, and I suppose I look more athletic than I do in my normal uniform of intense motorcycle black or wearing my mechanic overalls.

I explain the hot water heater situation, telling him I already know the thing is a bust, but he does his job and confirms it with one look.

“Need a place to shower tonight?”

I shake my head. My sisters can either suffer through cold water or hold out until tomorrow.

“Okay, let me contact Mrs. Drummond and give her the good news.” He smirks as he says it. An argument follows as he speaks to her on his cell phone. I’m sensing she doesn’t want to pay to replace a broken appliance, but I don’t have money for a hot water heater, and I’m not investing in a house that’s not my own.

A house. I’ll never make that kind of investment. I don’t even know where I’d settle. I figure I’ll always be moving around, especially once I give Lena and Lys back to my parents. I can’t stay in one place too long. It feels too risky.

“We can deliver it tomorrow, although it will probably be my brother Tom if that’s okay?” Jess addresses me once he finishes the call. He explains how he and his brother have a few businesses. QuickFix is just what the name entails—quick fixes in a home.

“Sure.”

Jess makes his way to my front door, and I follow, struggling with myself.

Don’t ask him.

Don’t get involved.

You don’t want to know.

“So, um . . . how’s that woman from the other night? Tricia, was it?” Real smooth there, Leon, but whatever.

Jess stops and turns back to me. “What do you mean?”

“Well, that guy Trent was pretty intense, and she seemed afraid of him. She okay?”

His jaw clenches as if he’s considering something.

“Yeah, she’ll be okay. He’s a dick. We just avoid him.” It isn’t really an answer, and it appears she can’t avoid him. He’s like a lost dog following after his favorite bone.

“She safe?” Back off, my head warns, especially when his eyes narrow.

“You seem pretty interested in my sister.”

Whoa. Sister?

“No, man. Just . . . it was a heated moment. Wanted to be sure she was cool.”

He nods slowly. “Yeah, cool.”

Not smooth, Leon. Not smooth at all. “So tomorrow. Water heater. What time do you expect it because I need to work?”

“Where do you work?”

“Dixon’s.”

“His restoration place or the garage?”

“Garage, but I’m hoping to move up. I have more skill than just oil changes.” I don’t know why I’m suddenly explaining myself. Maybe I want to sound better than I am after sniffing around a place I shouldn’t be sniffing.

His sister.

“I’ve known Dixon for a bit. Want me to talk to him?”