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I want to call out, but I can’t. Chloe will be there with her car. So I drag myself out of bed, wincing with pain at every small movement. I slather on more aloe, pop a few painkillers, and dress in the softest pair of shorts and T-shirt I can find.
“Whoa, you sleep in an oven or some shit?” Don laughs as he takes in my lobster skin. “That looks like it hurts.”
“You think?” I crack a smile. Even that is painful.
“Why didn’t you stay home? You could’ve called me. Being under a hood or, worse, under a car is gonna suck.”
“I know, I know. But I promised a friend I’d change her tire for her this morning.”
“That’s alright. I can help her.”
“Thanks, but I got it.”
Don holds his hands up. “Alright, if you insist.” He breaks out into a grin. “A friend, huh?”
I roll my eyes and let him think what he wants. I don’t have the energy to argue, using all of it just to move and ignore the pain.
At nine on the dot, Chloe pulls in with her car. As soon as she sees me, her eyes bulge. “Wow. That looks bad.”
“It is. I’m on fire.”
“Forgot the sunscreen?”
“Yup. Like an idiot. But I told you I’d fix your tire, so I wasn’t about to call out.”
“I could’ve waited.”
“It’s alright. You’re here now. Let’s get this tire on.”
I work quickly, ignoring the burning of my skin and the dull ache at the back of my skull. I chug down two bottles of water, hoping it helps, but I still feel like shit.
While she’s here, I decide to do a quick check of her car, making sure nothing else needs a repair. Her other tires look okay, though she’ll need new ones soon, especially since getting this new one. While I rotated her front driver tire to the back and put the new one on the front, they could all use replacing.
I also notice her brake pads are looking low. She needs new ones. Sooner rather than later. “Have your brakes been squeaking?” I ask her when I’m finished.
Chloe hesitates for a moment, but then nods her head. “Yeah, why?”
“I can tell the brake pads are low. I can do it for you and save you some money.”
Chloe stands as she pulls out her wallet. “Maybe. I need to find a job first.”
“I get it. Just don’t wait too long. It’s dangerous.”
She holds out her credit card. “I don’t need you to tell me how to maintain my car. How much is the tire?”
I wave her card away. I decided I wouldn’t charge her, knowing she didn’t have a job. I’ll tell Don to take it from my pay this week. No big deal. “Well, if you were properly managing it, I wouldn’t have to tell you.”
“I just got back into town,” Lo snaps as she shoves her card back at me. “Literally three days ago. Give me a chance. Anyway, I’m notnotpaying. So take my credit card, please.”
I fold my arms across my chest. “No. You’re all set. Let me get you a receipt and your keys.”
“I don’t need you to do me any favors. I will pay you back somehow.”
“Don’t worry about it,” I call behind my back as I walk into the shop. I almost bump square into Don, who’s standing just beyond the door. He looks like a kid who got caught with his hands in the cookie jar. “Were you eavesdropping?”
Don looks away with a sheepish grin on his face. “Sorry, I can’t help it. Don’t tell anyone, but I’m a sucker for a good romance.”
I eye him with suspicion. Who is this guy? “What romance?”
