AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter Twenty-Two
Theo
“Lock.”
The garage bay was almost empty. Lock was the only one working, his head under the hood of a truck. Hearing his name, he looked around, found me approaching, and straightened, wiping his hands on a rag.
“Theo.” He was wary already.
“Hey.”
He continued wiping his hands, giving me nothing. Made sense. If there were lines in the sand, Lock was firmly on Helen’s side. Really fucking deservedly so.
“I’m hoping you can help me out.”
Lock’s expression turned thunderous. “Are you really?”
“Yeah.” I shoved my fingers through my hair. “I messed up. I keep messing up. It’s high time I turned things around. I’m asking for your help with that.”
Rag clutched in one hand, his fists went to his hips. “Tell me what you’re looking for. I’ll consider it.”
“I know engines. I worked in a garage, my pops’ shop, from the time I was a kid.”
Again, nothing. Lock was a solid wall. He was going to make me work for every inch I needed, which was fair. I hadn’t worked in a long, long time.
“I’m looking for a job, Lock. I have experience in a garage, but I’m willing to work anywhere there’s a need for a body. My pops taught me a lot, but I’m a fast learner and willing to get dirty if I need to.”
He threw down the rag, his jaw tight. “What makes you think I’d want to help you, even if I could? Besides your nonexistent work ethic, you fucked my friend over.”
I decided to lay it all on the line. That was all I could do. He was right. I’d been showing my ass all semester, and I had a hell of a lot to prove now.
“I know I screwed up in a massive way with Helen. I’m working to make it right. To do that, I need to be able to stand apart from my father. The start of that is not being reliant on his money.”
“Good start,” Lock rumbled.
I tipped my chin in acknowledgment and went on. “For that, I need a job. I was hoping for one on campus. It’d be an insurance policy, in case Andrew doesn’t agree with my choices and revokes my tuition. If I work here, I’ll get a deep discount so I’ll be able to take care of my own tuition.”
“You did your research.”
I shrugged. “It didn’t take much. But I’m not bullshitting around. I need this.”
“I don’t make the hiring decisions.”
“I didn’t think you did. But I figured, you being Lock, you could put in a word for me and ease the way into me working here.”
“You figured that. Hmph.” His head cocked. “Are you serious?”
“Never been more serious.”
“And I’m not going to have to hold your dick the whole time?”
My mouth quirked. “I’d rather you didn’t.”
His expression didn’t budge whatsoever. “I need an answer.”
My hand went to the back of my neck, rubbing it hard. “No, man. I know a lot, and what I don’t know, I’ll learn fast. I’m committed. I need this.”
“You said that.”
