I make it until eleven p.m. before I change my mind, get ready, throwing on my jeans and leather jacket, and rush out of there.
The last thing I want is to be left alone with my thoughts.
Chapter Five
Con
Two Months Later
Sitting at my desk, I glance around the Fast & Fury custom garage and smile. When Cara told me she’d managed to get me a job here, I was so nervous. I didn’t know anything about motorcycles or design, and I didn’t want to embarrass Cara if I wasn’t good at the job. It would be her reputation on the line.
The two months I’ve been here, I have worked my ass off. I’ve come in early, I’ve stayed working late. I’ve researched motorcycles and seen all the work that gets done here, and I’ve watched, and I’ve listened.
I’ve learned so much in such a short time, and I actually love working here. The owner, Temper, is great, and the managers—twins by the name of Atlas and Aries—are total opposites. Atlas is funny and loud, and Aries is quiet, yet has a warm vibe about him. I feel comfortable going to any of them for help, depending on what I need help with. They’re all members of the Knights of Fury MC, and I love all the staff. I actually look forward to my shifts, unlike at the bar, and I’m respected here. They all listen to me when I speak, and are always checking in to make sure I’m okay. If I need a day off, I know that they will make that happen. It’s a safe place to be.
I sent Cara a bunch of flowers to say thank you to her, but she played it off like it was nothing. To me, though, it was everything. No one does those kinds of things for me. She might be used to it, but I’m not.
And it makes me appreciate her even more.
“Good morning, Constance. We’ve got two people coming in to collect their new bikes today,” Cam explains when she arrives. She’s a blonde bombshell, tattooed and beautiful and extremely talented. Cam does all the artwork and designs on the motorcycles, while I run the merchandise shop and field any customer calls.
“Sounds good,” I reply.
“Let me know if you need any help. I think this week we will show you how to check and order stock,” she says, nodding thoughtfully. “You’ve been great to have here, you know that?”
I beam at the compliment. “Thank you, I’m loving being here.”
“I hope you don’t expect that enthusiasm from all of the staff here,” Atlas says with a smirk as he joins us, glancing between the two of us. He’s a good-looking man, and wherever he is, his twin isn’t far away.
“Where’s Aries?” Cam asks, as if reading my mind.
Atlas looks behind him to the entrance, just as Aries walks in. The two of them look so alike, only with minor differences, like Atlas has blue eyes while Aries has green.
“We’ll go unload the stock,” Atlas says, winking at me before heading to the storeroom.
“He’s such a flirt,” Cam mutters, shaking her head. She glances at her watch. “Okay, we’re about to open. I’m going to go and make sure the bikes are flawless and ready for pickup.”
“Of course they are flawless,” I say as she walks away. She turns around and flashes me a grin. She’s such a perfectionist, but that’s probably why people pay so much for her custom designs. I assumed motorcycles were expensive, especially the ones this garage does, but when I saw the first invoice my eyes shot out of my head. It was more expensive than a brand-new car and that was only half the bill.
The rest of the day goes quickly, and before I know it I’m in my car on my way home, which is about forty-five minutes away. It’s a bit of a commute, but it’s not too bad of a drive.
I bought myself this car after my last one was pushed off the road and damaged by some people who thought I was Cara. She and Decker tried to offer to buy me a new one, but my car was insured, so even though it wasn’t worth much, I was still able to buy a new one. It’s not fancy or anything, but it runs and it’s good on gas, so I can’t complain. It’s better than the one I had before, so it’s still an upgrade for me.
I park in my driveway, grab my beige handbag and get out of the car, looking up at my house. I still don’t know if I made the right choice in taking over the mortgage payments, because this house needs a lot of work and upkeep. I’ve been watching videos online and doing it all myself, but it’s hard. I’m not very good at do-it-yourself projects, so it seems.
I step inside and lock the door behind me, heading straight for the kitchen and throwing my bag on the counter. I open the fridge and pull out some chocolate yogurt, and sit on the counter to eat it, sighing at the half-painted walls, the carpet that still needs removing and the hole in the wall I still haven’t fixed, one that Dad made when he got angry and punched it.
My life is a mess.
I think that’s why I like work so much. I just forget everything else and just focus on what I need to do. That way, it looks like I’m in control of my life, when clearly I’m just winging it and hoping for the best.
My phone chimes with a text from Cara.
Cara: How was work? Do you want to have dinner tonight?
Con: Yes, I’d love to. When and where?
Cara has been the light in my life, and I don’t know if she realizes just how much. She’s the only family I have left, the only family I would claim anyway, and I’m so glad that I found out about her. I know she has another sister, Natalie, but for me, she’s all I’ve got. I don’t speak to any of my other family, and haven’t had any contact in some time.
Cara: My house. ASAP?
Con: Be there in twenty.
I put the yogurt I had planned on making my dinner back in the fridge, have a quick shower and get ready. I kind of feel like a fraud with Cara and her friends at times. They are all successful, wealthy and well-connected.
I wonder if they can tell that I’m the type of person who is always just hanging on by a thread.
When I pull up at Cara and Decker’s house, I sigh when I see Clover’s car there. Clover is an intimidating woman, and I know that she is skeptical of me. And I can see why. I’m Wade’s daughter, which I know is a mark against me because Wade wasn’t the best man, and I’ve only just come into the picture. Unlike Wade, though, I’d protect Cara at all costs, too, just like Clover. But I always feel like I’m trying to prove myself to her.
Cara greets me at the door with a smile, and I can hear music playing in the house. She’s wearing a white T-shirt with jeans, her brown hair that matches mine dangling to her waist.
“Hey you, come on in,” she says, opening the door wider. “Just letting you know that Decker is cooking tonight, so hopefully the food is edible.”