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SJ
Now
It’s late,and I’m finishing up a few cars that Ty couldn’t get to today. After a long practice with the guys, it feels good to zone out and work. I have music playing loud, and I’m in the zone, focused on changing out a fuel filter, when the music suddenly turns off.
I look over my shoulder to find Hamilton McGraw standing in the shop across the room, wearing a less-than-pleased look. He hasn’t aged well. His skin is red and splotchy and lined with wrinkles. His hair is thinning, and he’s almost bald on the top. He’s probably around sixty but looks a lot older than his age, likely due to his drinking.
I stare at him and the audacity and disrespect that he has to come into my dad’s shop. It’s time for him to meet the grown-up me. And grown-up me sure doesn’t take shit from someone like Hamilton McGraw, the weakest man I know.
Hamilton crosses the room. “I think it’s time you and I had a little talk, son. You didn’t hold up your end of the bargain,” he says.
Turning around, I continue wrapping up what I’m doing. “I’ve never made an agreement with you, and I sure as fuck never will.”
“You were supposed to stay away,” he snaps.
“Funny, I don’t remember ever agreeing to that,” I state as I snap the hood back down and walk around to stand in front of Hamilton. His eyes widen as I come almost toe-to-toe with him and cross my arms. He’s only five-eight to my six-two height now. And I’m enjoying this. He bullied me when I was a kid, but now, he won’t push me around. I stare at him and enjoy watching him squirm under my gaze.
“Stay away from my daughter,” he bites out. He looks angry, but I see on his face that he knows he’s already lost.
“Which daughter?” I hedge, looking bored.
“Don’t play games with me, boy,” he quips, growing angry.
“Boy?” I toe his feet with my boots until he backs into a stool and almost falls. I stand in front of him, arms crossed, leveling him with a glare. “I’m not a boy anymore, Ham. I’m a grown man.”
His eyes darken. He’s losing without the reaction from me that he wanted, so he’s grasping at straws now. “Did you know that I sit on the board that decides Coach Murphy’s replacement?” he asks, trying to be coy, but it’s not working. He knows he’s out of his league here.
I make no reaction, thankful for the years of military training. He’ll get no response from me, nothing. Once he realizes I’m not biting, he’s nervous when he continues. “So it would be in your best interest to do as I say.”
“And just what are you trying to say, Ham?”
“I will ruin you,” he threatens, spitting when he talks. He’s never liked it when people called him that.
“I’m not worried.” I shrug, walking over to begin work on the next car. “You don’t have the power you think you do. Get out.” I dismiss him, annoyed that he’s here in the first place. He wants me to yell so he can tell people I lost it on him and get sympathy. Instead, I make him irrelevant by staying in control.
“It would be a shame if your dad lost his shop,” he says, kicking an empty container of oil across to hit me in the boot.
I look down at it and back at him and chuckle. “It’s really cute that you actually think that’s possible.” I reach over to grab a wrench.
“Oh, I know it’s possible. I’ve brought many businesses down here that didn’t fall in line,” he says smugly.
“Oh, like you tried to do with the Golden Gable Inn?” I remind him of his failure. “How’s it going at the bank? Oh wait, they fired you after that stunt you pulled with the inn.” Evan filled me in on everything. “This town is tired of you. It’s time for you to go. It’s your turn to leave town.”
“You don’t know who you’re messing with,” he threatens loudly. This makes me laugh. The loudest person in the room is always the weakest. Meanwhile, I’ve remained calm and collected.
“You think messing with my dad is a good idea?” I smirk, shaking my head.
“Nobody cares about the little scooter booter trash your dad is affiliated with,” Hamilton huffs.
I don’t have to respond because I can already see them lined up behind Hamilton’s back.
“Get the fuck out of my shop,” my dad thunders from behind him, and Hamilton turns to see my dad, Bear, Axel, and Smoke standing there glaring at him, arms crossed, looking like menacing bikers.
Hamilton stills and glares at me over his shoulder before he turns to go. I don’t miss the look of fear flashing in his eyes. Just as I thought. Hamilton is a weak man.
“Oh, and Ham?” I call. He stills but doesn’t turn. “You took twelve years from me. You won’t be taking any more. I’m coming for what’s mine.”
He slams the heavy metal door behind him.
