The click of a door has me moving away from under the hood, stretching out my back. Vance does the same. I hear her voice before I see her, "Wow. You guys made some massive progress." She comes into view when she steps over the flattened box of parts. She’s looking down and around at the parts, "I am so jealous."
Vance grabs a towel from the counter behind us, and wipes his greasy hands on it. "No worries V, your car is next."
She smiles wide, "You need a hand?"
I want her to stay, but I have a feeling that Vance is going to dismiss her. It surprises me when he doesn't.
"Actually yeah, we could probably use your small hands to get in the tight areas. You all done in the office?"
"Yep," she says, popping the last letter. "My tiny hands are all yours for a couple of hours."
"A couple of hours, then what?"
"Taylor's going to get me, and then we're totally going college rager," her voice rising with excitement. I can't help but chuckle.
"What? Not without me, you’re sure as shit not! " Vance barks. He watches intently as she tries to control her lips from moving upwards, "Veronica Marie Russo, you better be joking." She's now smiling so hard, her eyes are squished. "Yeahhhh, maybe."
"V, so help me, get your ass over here and help me get this bolt out."
She stands up, amused, and with a roll of her eyes replies, "Yes, Dad."
Vance sighs long and hard, "I pity the guy who ends up with you."
"You'd have to allow that to happen first," She deadpans.
"Yeah, that's true,” He pretends to think, “You're gonna be single forever."
His words change my whole demeanor--carefree to tense. I feel incredibly guilty. Not only that, but his words of never letting her date have me worried.
"I'm off to college next year, Vance. Lots of parties, and lots of boys."
"I'm going to kick your ass so hard V, you won't be able to walk."
"Uh-huh. I'll tell Mom."
They continue to bicker while my mind wanders. I know I need to talk to him soon. Maybe Veronica and I should back off a bit. But I’ve already tried that, not to mention that would be way too hard. My eyes have found their way to Veronica's rear end. I can’t help it, she’s bending over the front of my car. What a sight.
"Chase!" My name is called, instantly snapping me out of my thoughts. I look up at Vance, who is staring me down. "Dude, you alright?"
"Yeah. Just zoned out."
"Let's get back to work."
The three of us work together, but Veronica and Vance are in a constant state of bickering. I remain quiet; lost in my thoughts. By the time Taylor and Wes arrive we're close to being finished. I'm surprised.
Veronica washes her hands at the sink, then announces their departure. "Thank you for your help, V," I say to her before she walks out of the garage. She waves and throws me a sexy smile. To Vance it probably just looked like nothing out of the ordinary, but to me...everything about her is sexy. Wes joins in and I’m now feeling like this baby will be running tomorrow night after some final tuning. This has me elated!
"I don't know what I'm gonna do when she does find someone who wants to date her," Vance confesses, watching her walk out of the garage to Taylor's Jeep. Even though I want to speak up, I don't.
"Well, while she hasn't found that someone yet," Wes articulates, "you may want to back off a bit. She needs to learn. She may get desperate and end up jumping the first guy at college who shows her an ounce of interest. That will be even worse." I blanch at the thought. "You think I'm too tough on her?" Vance's question is to me this time. I shrug. "Wes has a point." I hate that point, but it’s valid. I hope she's not just desperately wanting to date me because I’ve shown an interest in her. I want her to like me for me.
"So you think I should let her date?" I'm about to say something--not even sure what--but Wes beats me to it. "Honestly, dude? Yeah. She's home, where you're around if she needs you. Who knows when she's off at college? You won't be around, and I doubt she'll tell you anything."
"When the fuck did you become Dr. Phil?"
"It's just common-sense man. Plus, Taylor talks and sometimes I listen."
"And what does Taylor say when she talks?" Vance asks.
"Mostly, that you're holding her back from normal teenage experiences. Funny coming from you, because you're the most experienced of anyone."
"Exactly. I'm a guy!" he says annoyed. "I know what they want! It’s all they want."
Wes looks at him. "I get what you're saying, I do. But dude, you just haven't met the right girl."
"And Taylor is your ‘right’ girl?" Vance says, quoting Wes.
Wes shrugs. "I love Taylor, and I have no desire to look at another girl. Am I going to marry her? I don't have a clue, but as of now, I'm happy."
Vance stares at something across from the garage. He’s obviously in thought. "I don't like that."
"Like it or not, she'll meet someone eventually...and he may think she's worth the risk."
"You're awfully quiet over there," Vance says to me.
"I don't have sisters. I’m not sure what to say," I lie. I like everything Wes is saying, and if Vance is more open to Veronica dating, this may help me.
"But V’s like a sister to you so what would you do?"
I cringe. I try to hide it by looking down. “I have no idea, honestly,” I shrug my shoulders, “I care about V, but she’s not my sister.” Vance doesn’t say anything so I continue, “Wes, man, you’re the next Dr. Phil. Soon you’ll have your own talk show.” I joke, trying to lighten the mood. Vance doesn’t laugh, but Wes cracks a smile. Vance turns around and starts working on the car. He remains quiet for a long time.
Together
The light breeze causes me to shiver, then I'm suddenly being shifted. The feeling is frightening. I grab onto the closest thing next to me, it's fluffy and soft like a blanket. What?
"Wake up!" I hear the words, but don't see anyone as I try to remain upright. Don’t fall--the last thing I think before I'm unexpectedly thrown into the air.
My eyes snap open to find the familiar surroundings of my bedroom. I have an iron-clad grasp on my comforter. You'd think I was hanging on for dear life, and I guess in my dream state I was. My body is airborne again causing me to yell out in surprise.
"Wake up! Wake up!" Vance and Vaughn chant in unison while jumping around my bed, causing my body to bounce. But it isn't until they both bounce at the same time that my body goes completely airborne again.
"You guys! You're going to send us through the floor!"
Bounce.
Bounce.
Vance hops off while Vaughn continues to jump.
"You're going to make me throw up." Those words cause Vaughn to stop immediately, then step down off my bed.
"Let's go, you sleeping troll," Vance says.
"It's sleeping beauty," I correct him before sitting up. I can feel my hair sticking out all over.