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Grace
“What the hell do you think you are doing?” Shay called from the front desk. The little lobby of the parts department was empty, save for George and me. It hadn’t really been a slow day, so it was definitely a surprise that she’d make a scene.
George’s hands immediately went up, and he took a step away from the counter. “I did nothing. This is the first time I’ve seen you.” He turned to me. “Kid. This one’s on you!”
I blinked as I got up. “You got the phone?”
“Yeah, yeah,” he said. “I’d give you privacy, but I’ve got to stay within earshot of it.”
“I won’t be yelling at her for too long,” Shay said with a huff. She folded her arms over her chest and glared at me. “What the hell?”
I shrugged helplessly as I approached the counter. “I don’t know. Catch me up.”
“I haven’t seen you all weekend,” she said, her voice low. “You haven’t texted me, you haven’t called me. When I poked at one of your boys, they were also in the dark. Adam said you had plans,but you canceled them.” She slapped the counter. “You can’t just disappear and not expect there to be consequences.”
“I didn’t disappear,” I protested. “I’m just taking a break from the mess I made by staying with my parents.”
Shay just blinked at me. “Have you lost your mind?”
“Maybe a little.”
“Girl, don’t play with me,” she snapped. “Thursday night was an ordeal, and I wanted to make sure you were okay. But you never answered the phone, then you never came home.” She took a moment to gather herself, straightening her blouse. It was lunchtime, clearly she was here briefly. “I need to make sure you are okay.”
“Okay as can be expected,” I admitted, shrugging helplessly. “I just kind of decided I needed space, and surprisingly, Mom has been giving it to me.”
Shay just frowned, her unhappiness evident. “I could beat his ass,” she suggested after a beat. “Because that was dirty. I didn’t expect him to do that. Kyle is acting like he didn’t know, so I don’t know if it’s something they had arranged.” She looked worried. “I hope it isn’t.” She leaned over the counter, “Dee isn’t answering my calls either, and I hate being left on read.” She bit her lip. “Just save me some heartache and come home.”
I paused and glanced back at George. He stood close to the computer I worked at. His phone was in his hand, and he looked like he was trying to not listen. I’d have to remember to pick up a donut for him in the morning. I looked back at Shay and shrugged. “I thought you’d appreciate the time with Kyle. Why do you need me to interrupt that?”
“Because I need my friend and I know you’re upset, and if you’re holding me at arm’s length, there’s no way I can make sure that we are okay,” she said evenly. She paused then, looking at her phone. “I’ve got to get back to work. Kyle isn’t staying the night with me tonight. I already told him you would be home.Please. When you took this job, you did it with the intent of repairing our friendship. So please come home.”
“Okay,” I said easily. Though I would have to let Dad know I was just gonna go home tonight. He had been bringing me to work, something that made it easier since I didn’t have to worry about the bus. “How about I order Chinese for dinner? Extra egg rolls and dumplings?”
“You promise?” she asked.
“Oh yeah,” I said without hesitation. “It’s something I’ve been craving for a while, and I’m pretty sure I owe you dinner.”
Shay nodded. “I will see you tonight.” She didn’t step away from the counter. “I’m sorry. I really didn’t think all of this would go south like it did.” She eyed me. “I know you liked him.”
I shrugged. “It’s like I said. I got what I deserve with all of it.” I ran my fingers through my hair. “I think Adam and Cam are okay with me. I told them I just needed the weekend to myself. So it’s not a complete loss.” That was something I’d need to work on this week. “I’m okay.”
Shay nodded and left, only giving me a backward glance before she went into the main lobby. She didn’t leave. She stopped in to speak to Kyle. So it was a two-for-one visit. It made me wish I hadn’t been so damn stupid when I first proposed the thought of going through his friends.
“That sounds like a mess, kid,” George said from behind me. He released a sigh as he came to stand at the counter. “I don’t know that I want to know what that was about.” He nudged my shoulder. “But if you need a minute, I can cover the phone.”
“Thanks.” I considered waiting until the end of the day, but decided against it. I trotted out of the parts department into the main lobby of the dealership. I didn’t spy my dad anywhere obvious, so I went to his office.
That’s when I heard Shay. She was still here. I took a cautious step closer to Kyle’s office.
“I don’t want to speak with him. I’m more concerned about my friend. If you want to keep entertaining Darius, by all means.” The door opened, and I dove for Dad’s door.
I rushed into his office without knocking, catching him off guard. Dad was kicked back at his desk, and he flailed, nearly falling out of his chair. “Grace, dammit!”
I immediately shushed him, holding my breath as I strained my ears to keep track of Shay. I heard a door open and the clack of Shay’s heels. No one came toward Dad’s office. I didn’t hear Kyle.
The door stayed closed behind me. I released a breath and put a hand on my chest. “Sorry,” I whispered.
