AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You’re really all in with this girl, huh?”
“This girl? She’s your sister-in-law too, bro.”
“Oh, I know. Not that we ever really saw Rylee until recently. The sisters aren’t exactly close these days. Though they are bonding through babies now.” He shook his head. “How that fucking happened, man, I do not know.”
“Well, if you didn’t get the birds and bees memo, I’m sure Pops would love to give you a refresher.”
Dare almost spit out his beer. He finished swallowing. “Pass.”
The familiar scent of motor oil and gasoline settled me. I kicked out my legs as I leaned against the vintage Chevy Dare was working on. “I was thinking about using that old VW Bug shell in the junkyard to make a couch for Rylee.”
Dare set his beer down. “Is that right?”
“Yeah, she’s got this movie night idea for Brewed Awakening. I thought if they had fun couches for people to sit on, it might get people even more excited about coming in.”
“What about that Tide sponsor offer?”
I stood up straight and swapped out my empty for a bottle of water. I had my girl to watch out for tonight. Dare glanced at my drink choice, but in usual Dare form, he didn’t comment. He did look a little surprised, which made me take a longer pull from the plastic bottle. Someday maybe my brother would believe that I wasn’t the partying kid he remembered from our mutual racing days anymore.
“What about it?” I asked.
“Seems pretty amazing. Their driver stalling out on a drug test is a damn shame, but it could be good for you.”
“I told you I’m retired.” I gestured toward the back of the garage. “Tish has been here talking about the space all fucking day, man. I’m not going back on the road. I want this.”
“For now.”
I drained the water and paced the area between the cars. “Not sure how many times I need to explain this to you. I want this garage. I want us to make a go of this together.”
I’d tried being subtle with my brother. Then I’d tried spelling it all out. He was obtuse, regardless.
“And I’m not exactly Mr. Moneybags like you are.” Dare threw his rag down on the engine block he was cleaning. “What the hell do I have to bring to the party? Have you thought of that?”
“Expertise? You still have connections in the network.”
“Ah, enough with that shit. I’ve been out of the game so long that I’m a fossil.”
“I don’t think you understand just how legendary you were in the pit.” I shot my bottle into the recycle bin. “I’ve always been Dare’s little brother. Good with an engine and an idea, but innovative? Nope. Not like you.”
“Bullshit.”
“You’re a genius at pulling engines apart. I have ideas coming out my ass about redoing cars so they’re cool as fuck, but I don’t want to find some other engine expert. I want you. Between you, our men, and Tish, we could make this garage into something amazing. I have friends who blow money on cars all the time. Imagine what we could make for them?”
Dare leaned under the hood of the ’67 Chevy. “So you can get me all in and then you’ll go take a job with Tide or Exxon or whomever comes looking for you with an amazing deal in a few months? What am I supposed to do after that?”
I crossed the garage and turned him to face me. “I’m not going any-fucking-where. I want this.” I waved my hand toward the old garage that had so much space and great bones. I could see what it could be with some time and restoration already. Just like the cars we would work on. Together. “I want Rylee and the baby. I want a damn family again. I’m tired of being alone out there.”
I’d shouted it. I didn’t even realize just how pissed off I was at being underestimated time and again until I’d said it.
“I’ve been gone for years, man. And yeah, I’ve got the money to start this up, but without you, it wouldn’t get anywhere close to what it could be. You’ve been hiding under oil changes and air filters for too long, bro. You know you’re bored. You want this as much as I do.”
Dare’s jaw clenched and his hands fisted at his sides.
“Am I wrong?”
“It’s not just about what I want. It never has been.”
“Well, it’s time to take something for you. Sure, it might not work, but what if it does? You and your family would be set and you’d actually enjoy what you’re doing again. You’ve been smiling all night since you’ve had your grease monkey paws all over that Chevy block.”
