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Autumn presses her lips to mine again. “Same.”
Reluctantly, I inch away from her and groan. “I have to get back out there, but only a bit longer. Do you need anything? You can use the computer if you want.” She shakes her head. “Be done soon.” I kiss the tip of her nose before getting up, adjusting myself as I do.
When I get back to work, Dad and James take their lunch. For a Monday, the garage is slow. Then again, we are caught up on the few labor-intensive jobs we had, which helps other jobs go quicker. While Dad has lunch, I finish a routine oil change James started, plug a tire in no time, and schedule body repair for a crumpled fender.
As a new customer pulls up, Dad exits the office/customer waiting area. I check the wall clock between two of the bay doors. He took twenty, maybe twenty-five minutes for lunch. At minimum, we take thirty. Been that way since day one of Dad buying this place.
After collecting basic information from the customer, I show them to the waiting area while we work on their car. When I walk back into the garage, Dad is gearing up to take over.
“Hey, old man. I got this. You should finish your lunch.”
He laughs and shakes his head. “When James gets back, you head out for the day.”
What? Although I’m grateful for the offer, I don’t want to ditch everyone and overwhelm them. “Why? I can stay longer.”
Dad steps closer and rests a hand on my shoulder. “Of course, youcan. Doesn’t mean youshould.” He points his thumb over his shoulder. “They need you more than me right now. And we’ll be fine here. Been slow.” He taps my shoulder one, two, three times. “Son, there are times when the people you care about are more important than work. You need to recognize those moments and do what’s right. And being with them while all this is happening, it’s the right choice.”
Who knew my dad was philosophical? He is a good man. Always has been. Puts those he cares about above everything else. Which is exactly what he tells me to do now. How can I not be proud of the man who raised me with heart? Hopefully, I meet his expectations when it comes to being a good man. Tough shoes to fill and all.
I pull him in for a hug and hold him longer than our typical hugs. “Thanks, Dad. For everything you’ve done and always do.”
“Love ya, Jonas. Now, stop being all sappy. We have work to get done before you go.”
I laugh and slap the back of his shoulder before I release him. We work in sync for almost thirty minutes before James returns. Once he jumps in, I say my goodbyes and collect the girls from the office.
We make a quick stop at my house—which is easier said than done when Clementine and Spartan get together. Once Spartan has done his business, we pile back into the Jeep and drive toward the shop. Autumn has been quiet since we left the garage. More than likely, overwhelmed with everything happening. If my nerves are shot over this whole Leo debacle, I only imagine how crazed she must feel. I just wish there was more for me to do to make it go away.
Monday appears to be an all-around slow business day when I park the Jeep behind the shop. Autumn leads us inside through the back entrance. When we round the front desk where Penny sits, she pops her gum, bolts out of her chair, and hugs Autumn with undeniable strength.
Penny steps back, holding Autumn at arm’s length. “Any updates from earlier?” Autumn shakes her head, still silent.
“We thought it might be a good idea to come update you guys in person.”
She nods. “Rex should be done in a few. Rez is indisposed.”
Autumn walks us over to her booth and plops down on her stool. I pick Clementine up and sit with her in my lap. Understandably, Autumn is upset and frustrated. But since the day we met, I have never seen her like this. One hundred percent in her head. I would give anything to know what she’s thinking right now. To help her trudge through all thewhat-ifs andwhys andwhere do we go from heremoments. None of us have all the answers, but we will find them easier together.
Rex finishes up and wipes down his booth. Once everyone comes together, we give the simple version of what happened today. Clementine acts as if she isn’t listening, but I notice her ear perk up on occasion.
Everyone is on the same page when it comes to Autumn and/or Clementine always being with someone. The only exception is work and school, which happen by default. For the first time since I met her, Penny stopped chewing gum. Her face never more serious.
“Why don’t the two of you stay with me until this settles,” I suggest.
Autumn turns to me, eyes wide and jaw slack. “Don’t you think that’s extreme?”
“Quite the opposite.”
“Jonas, I love being at your house. But being there nightly, without everything I need, or everything Clementine needs, it’s more of a hassle.”
Ouch. I see her point—us picking up their belongings frequently—but it still stings. “Can we at least compromise?” Last thing I need to do is give Autumn something else to worry over.
She tucks her lips between her teeth and rocks her jaw side to side. Her cognac irises have dulled today. Darkened. They dart between mine, glassy and indecisive. I hate that she has to make these choices. I hate that she fears stepping foot outside, worried who might be waiting. Hate that she questions every decision about their lives.
“We should do at least two to three nights a week at the apartment.” Her decision lacks confidence. She may change her mind. Make it more time at her apartment. Or… possibly more time at the house. Fingers crossed for the latter.
“Whatever you feel most comfortable with, scarlet. You good with Spartan tagging along?”
Clementine bounces up from my lap. “Sparty!” She rushes Autumn. “Please, Mama.”
