“I miss him, Shay.”
“I wish there was something I could do to help.”
“Letting me talk to you helps,” I tell her. “And that you’re staying around. It’s one less thing for me to worry about.”
“I still don’t know why you’d worry about me, Mace.”
She’s bemused not fishing. I don’t answer, I’m actually not sure myself. There’s just something about her that I like. I like talking to her, she’s easy company. I just wish there was more I could do to take that pain out of her eyes. Once I know more about Lizard, I promise myself I’ll look into therapy for her.
“Well I’m not going anywhere, at least for now.” She offers a smile. “Pyro said he’s grateful I’m around. They needed an extra pair of hands with you lot at the hospital.”
I know that. Pyro’s also told me he’s been impressed with how she’s willing to get stuck into any manner of things which need to be done. Apparently, she’d educated one of the newer mechanics when he’d accidentally topped off a tank with gas instead of diesel. Tore him a new one and made him empty the shit out and replace it. Pyro had been impressed that she’d noticed, and luckily before any damage was done. “Ro’s pleased with your work.”
She dismisses the compliment, instead telling me, “I worry about Esme.”
“Vi rang to ask about her. Her mom said she’s doing okay. Still not talking much but settling back into her home. They’ve seen their doctor and are arranging for a child therapist. I don’t think you need to worry, she’ll be fine.”
Her lips press together. “I miss her, Mace. Kind of got used to having her around.”
“She’s back where she belongs, with her folks.” I think for a moment. “Hey, when Ink’s finished my bike, I was thinking of riding down to Flagstaff to show it to her. Why don’t you come along?”
“On your bike?” Her yelp of surprise makes me snort.
Yeah. I’ve surprised myself. Never thought of taking a bitch on the back, but if the whole purpose of going is to take it to show the painted tank to Esme, then I’ll be riding. I’m hardly going to trailer it there. It doesn’t cause me to break out in hives thinking of Shayla riding behind me. In fact, I might well enjoy it.
“It’s a long way,” she muses, not immediately dismissing the idea.
“Nine, ten hours. We could make a stop in Albuquerque, that’s about halfway.”
“I’d love to see Esme again, it’s just, I’ve never been on a motorcycle, Mace.”
“How about I take you for a ride soon, see what you think of it?” I can’t imagine how anyone could not like riding, but hey, some don’t.
She looks at me shyly. “I think I’d like that. Just to try. It’s been so long since I’ve done anything fun.”
My heart breaks for her. I’m sure it must be. Everyone needs to cut loose and let free at some time, and in my book, riding is the best way to do it.
“As soon as we’re clearer on what’s happening with Lizard, we’ll sort something out, Shay. Just a short ride, see how you like it. Maybe head out to the mountains, get some fresh air in our lungs. What?”
She’s shaking her head, but when she speaks it seems it’s not with dismissal. “I’d like that,” she tells me, shyly.
I wonder if she’s realised yet just how close she’ll be to me when she gets up behind me on my big two-wheeler. It’s the intimacy which makes taking a female behind them something special to many men, breasts pushed up against my back, her mound pressed against my ass, and her arms around my waist. Fuck, now I’m getting hard just thinking about it, and the last thing I need to do is frighten her off before we start.
I force myself to think of something else. I stand, then look down at her. “Thanks for coming in, Shay.”
She shrugs. “Talking sometimes helps.”
I can think of something that would help more, but it’s far too soon to approach that. I’m going to have to leave her, otherwise an unruly part of me will make my thoughts known. “I’m going to get a drink.”
“I’ll be down soon.”
She will be too. She’s been getting braver since working at the shop, as if giving her mind something else to focus on and her hands something to do has settled her in some way. Or maybe it’s just because she’s getting to know us and is no longer so afraid.
I walk down the stairs, standing aside to let Vanna pass. I place my hand on her arm to halt her as I see tears in her eyes.
“You okay, Vanna? Is Liz alright?”
“Liz is improving every day, but he’s gone for a scan. They said that will take it out of him, so I’ve come back to grab a shower and a change of clothes.”
“You look upset.”
She shrugs. “After the week I’ve had, I thought it couldn’t get worse. But it has. My boss just rang to tell me I’m fired.”
She hasn’t a job any longer? Well I suppose that’s an obstacle removed to her looking after Lizard.
She continues, “And as if that wasn’t enough, when I was with Lizard, I missed a call from the police back in Denver.”
Ah. “Did you call them back?”
“Not yet,” she breathes. “I’m trying to pluck up the courage. I’m dreading what they might say.”
Placing my hand on her shoulder, I give her advice. “Call them. Whatever it is, you can deal with it once you know. Worrying about talking to the cops on top of everything else won’t help.”
“You’re right.” She gives a small smile, then disappears in the direction of Demon’s room which she and Cas are still using.
I continue downward and see Cas at the pool table. He’s knocking balls around with the cue but not playing with anyone. I grab the beer I came down for, then cross the room to him.
“How’s it going?”
“Oh, hey, Mace. Cool, I suppose.”
“You suppose?” I take a cue from the rack on the wall. “Want to set them up?”
He does so. I toss a coin, he calls it and breaks. Kid’s not bad, but I’m better. He starts frowning when I sink ball after ball, sighing with relief when I miss one.
“You happy having your dad back?”
“It’s hard…” He pauses to take a shot and then walks around the table to line up the next one. “I don’t know him, and he doesn’t know me. He’s like a stranger.”
“It will take time. Hey, what about that one? That’s the shot I’d go for.”
“Good point.” He takes a breath, holds it, and pots the next ball. “It’s been just me and Mom for so long, it will take time getting used to him being there.” He grins and looks across the table at me. “He’s no idea how to treat a teenager.”
“Cas!”
“Over here, Mom. What’s up?” Cas swings around looking concerned.
“The police have dropped the charges.”
“What the f…hell? Really? Well hot damn.” Cas fist pumps the air.
I turn away to hide my grin. It worked. Yes, a bit of money changing hands had the man who owned the car Cas had stolen suddenly having a problem with his memory. He’d been persuaded to change his story and say he could have been mistaken when he’d so firmly identified Cas. With no witness, the police couldn’t prove anything. Thank fuck the kid had at least had the sense to wear gloves. I’ll have to tell Judge his ride out to Denver had paid off.