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“I’m sorry about that,” I said gruffly. “I slept like shit.”
“Shit is a bad word!” Parker said from the backseat.
“Yeah,” I huffed out in laughter. His mom was not impressed. “Sorry about that, kid. I’ll clean it up.”
“Mama says you have to run a mile for every bad word you say.”
I glanced over at her, seeing the small smile threatening to burst free. “Is that so?”
“Yep, and you said the f-word to my mama.”
“I did.”
“And you swore at that man. He swore too, but he drove away before I could tell him the rules.”
“So, you’re saying I owe you three miles.”
“Uh-huh,” he said, grinning at me in the rearview mirror.
“So, if I run three miles, am I forgiven?”
He pursed his lips, tapping them with his pointer finger. “You also have to buy me an ice cream.”
“Parker!” Skylar scolded, twisting in her seat to face him. “That is not okay. You don’t manipulate people to get free things.”
His face dropped and he stared at his fingers. “Sorry, Mama.”
I, however, thought it was hilarious. The kid knew how to get his way, and I admired that. But as soon as Skylar saw me grinning, she shot me that disapproving mom look I knew all too well.
I cleared my throat and focused on the drive to the preschool. Drop off was much faster today, and when Skylar got back in the truck, she didn’t seem nearly as mad as when she saw me by the Uber.
“Thank you for giving us a ride.”
“No problem.” It was kind of a pain in the ass, but that would not keep her on my good side. “So, what happened with the tow truck?”
“I don’t know,” she sighed. “I have to call when I get to work.”
“Let me take care of it,” I said, snatching my phone from the console.
“That’s really not necessary.”
But I was already dialing the number I had programmed into my phone. “Mike, it’s Jack. We met the other day?—”
“Yeah, I remember. Are you calling to take me up on that job offer?”
“Not yet,” I answered, though it would be a good way to get my mind off other things. “Listen, my neighbor’s car broke down. I’mpretty sure it’s just the battery. Can you tow it and check it over for me?”
“Sure, do you have the keys?”
“I’ll bring them by after I drop her off.”
“Her, huh?” I could hear the laughter in his tone, but ignored it.
“Thanks. I’ll see you in a little bit.”
“Hey, I’ll expect an answer on that job when you get here.”
I hung up and tossed my phone back in the console. “Do you have your keys? I’ll swing by the shop after I drop you off.”
