6

I’m glad that Jack found a new person to focus his attention to. I enjoy having him around, but if Jake is over protective, Jack is worse. There was one time on the school grounds where he threatened a schoolmate of mine because the kid accidentally spilled coffee on my shirt.

Jack looked genuinely interested in Tina. He was ecstatic when Tina agreed to go out with him. On the other hand, Tina seems to be interested in him too because every time I walk into their shop, her first sentence is always ‘is Jack with you?’

Lee’s attitude towards me got worse within the span of a week. One day, when Ben was out because of his Mom, Lee assigned me to change oil of three cars… all on my own. If his goal is to become an ass, he is practically in the lead and on his way to ranking first. However, I’m my mother’s daughter. I am as stubborn as she is. At least, that’s what my Nonna said whenever I’d do something mischievous when I was little.

Tina was oblivious to Lee’s bullying because Jack kept her occupied. Lee is good to her, maybe it’s because she’s the daughter of the owner. I don’t know why he hates me so much, but I guess having someone to put my animosity into was helping me in a way.

Weekend came, and I was itching to drive to boot camp. It was a four-hour drive from town and a glimpse of Jake will ease my misery. However, being the righteous person I was - barely - in my mind at least, I decided to go to the car shop and ask Tina to go shopping with me.

When there is Tina, there is Jack. I didn’t want to be the third wheel, so I ended up working at the shop on the weekend. Chris’s entire family is present. His wife Angela took Tina’s place by the counter. His sons Patrick and Anton were just like Ben, funny and cool.

Lee was there too, but he acts like an outcast around the big guys. I still don’t get what his problem is. His attitude is like a puzzle that I can’t solve. Although, I see the bigger picture now. He is close to Ben, but with Ben always talking to me about cars and school, he became the outcast.

I have the Stanley family’s approval, at least that’s what Anton told me when I talked him out of an irate customer. It was not about my charm; it was because Mr. Johnson was Grandad’s friend and I assured him that their mistake won’t happen again. He got angry because the tint Anton placed on his car was not dark enough for him. It was kind of funny, actually. When Mr. Johnson saw me, his crumpled face turned sweet, and even ended up buying us lunch.

The shop is closed now, and Chris invited me to a simple barbecue in their backyard. I met their extended family, Dahlia, Patrick’s wife, and their two-year-old son Daniel.

“Beer?” Anton handed me one to me. Ben was resting beside me, drinking his green apple juice, sulking. He is still underage for booze and he’s pouting like a child.

“Thanks.”

“Who would’ve thought that such a pretty girl like you knows more about cars than Tina?” Patrick mentioned nonchalantly.

The older Stanley siblings are both equally good looking, like Chris. They got their father’s charm with the same emerald eyes and raven hair. Anton is a year younger than Patrick, yet his body is a lot sinewy.

“Did you know about the trick question I gave her?” Chris spoke. All people seated around the outdoor dining table shake their heads, including Lee. All the guys are lounging while Dahlia and Angela take care of the barbecue.

I offered to help, but they threatened to throw me out if I dare touch any of the food. Both of them are too sweet and didn’t want me to sweat out and smell like barbecue. I was their guest and I have to relax with the boys. Those were Angela’s exact words.

“I asked her if she knows what a Dead Cat Hole is.”

It puzzled both Ben and Lee while Anton and Patrick burst out laughing.

“What is it, Dad?” Ben finally asked while his brothers toned down their laughter.

“Ben, are you serious?” Patrick shakes his head with a disappointed gaze towards the younger Stanley. “I’m ashamed you’re my brother.”

Ben threw a chip towards Patrick, which he caught in his mouth. Lee was toning down on his furious stares. I don’t know if it’s the fact that I’m seated with the Stanley’s or Mr. Johnson’s incident or that I’m the deceased Mayor’s granddaughter.

~~

“I can give you a lift home,” Lee approached me while I impatiently tap my sneakers on the pavement. Jack was running late, and it’s already nine in the evening.

It’s either I wait here till my raven hair turns white or accept a ride with Lee. I chose the latter and to my surprise, Lee opened the door for me.

In a time when Lee brought his car to life, my phone vibrated in my pocket.

“Hey, Bee... are you still out?” Jake’s voice quickly infused with concern.

“Yeah. Lee is giving me a lift home, I think Jack was stuck in traffic,” traffic my ass.

“Bee, where is Jack?” I knew my alibi was no good.

“He’s on a date with Tina. Don’t worry, Lee’s harmless.”

I heard faint curse words from the other end of the line. “I’m going to kill him when I get back.”

“Do that and you’ll end up in jail,” I mumbled, giggling.

“This is not funny, Bee, I’m so far away and I can’t protect you. Do you know how hard this is for me?”

“I know, Handsome,” I sighed.

“Call me when you get home, okay? I need to call my dickhead brother.”

He was really mad, Jake’s overprotectiveness is sweet, but sometimes I feel like he’s always on the watch for me. After my grandparent’s accident, he turned into my boyfriend/guardian/protector.

Lee was awfully quiet the entire ride to Jake’s place. I don’t know how to start a conversation with him. Afraid that he might snap at me at any moment.

“I’m sorry for the way I’ve acted around you.”

Surprise will not even be enough to describe how I feel as Lee’s car halted in front of West residence.

“It’s okay. I understand,” I held the car door and was about to hop out of his truck.

“You don’t.” He shook his head. “Ben is my best friend, and I thought he has his eyes on you. The last time he dated a privileged girl like you, he ended up in the hospital. He worked nonstop just to buy the bag that she wanted for her birthday.” I unbuckled my seatbelt as he continued. “It’s not my story to tell, but I was there the whole time he’s overworking his body for some damn designer bag.”

I know who he was talking to. It was Maggie. She dated Ben for about six months, but she was not even faithful to him.

“I’m sorry, Bobbie. Can we start over?” he held out his hand for a shake.

Reaching for his offered hands, the calloused feel of his palms made me wonder just how hard working he is. “I get where you’re coming from, but I can assure you, Ben and I are friends, nothing more. I’m glad that he has a friend like you, Lee.”

“We can be friends too, you know?” his slightly slanted eyes winked at me playfully as I hopped out of his truck.

“Of course. Thank you for the lift.”

I walked into Jake’s room and dialed his number as soon as I stepped in. He was probably worried sick about me. He picked up on the first ring and his voice was a little muffled. A door was unlocked and soon a silent creaked of it being closed sounded as well before Jake spoke.

“You got home in one piece?” he tried to cover his wary voice with a joke, but we both know how his mind works.

Ignoring the way excitement and weird tingly sensation bubbled inside my chest when he said ‘home’, I sighed. “Yes. You don’t have any idea how my day went, Handsome.” I started my narration of my interesting day to him through using my headset while cleaning myself up. Jake was drinking our favorite hot chocolate on the other line. His comment is the same though, it’s not the same as the one from my kitchen and because he’s drinking it alone.

“Can you believe that Ben went through that for Maggie?” I wore one of Jake’s shirts again and snuggled myself under his duvet. His minty-forest scent surrounded me instantly, relaxing my entire body.

“I know about it, Bee.”

“What? You did?”

“Yeah, I even paid a visit to Ben at the hospital. Anton and Jack knew each other, so Ben and I became friends.”

“Is that why you didn’t protest against me working for their shop?” I yawned.

Jake hummed. “They are good people Bee and I trust them not to hurt you. That guy Lee, on the other hand, I’d like to meet him.”

“I’ll introduce you to them when you get back. Just promise me you won’t get all hulky with Lee. He apologized, and he seemed sincere, Jake.”

Jake sighed. Too deep that I can imagine the relief in his voice. “Just tell me things like that next time, Bee. I hate not knowing that someone’s giving you a hard time at work.”

I can feel my eyes giving out as I continued to listen to Jake’s voice.

“I love you, Bee. Good night.”