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“You really think that is the best place to stack the tires?”
Frankie stood next to the four stacked tires. “Where else would you like me to put them? There is no sense in putting them back with the others because we’re going to need them on Wednesday or Thursday when we head to the test track.”
“That’s three days from now. They’re in the way there.”
Frankie rolled her eyes. “I thought you were on sick leave for a month? It’s only been three days since you were released from the hospital and you’re here bugging the hell out of me.”
“I’m making sure you guys aren’t slacking off.”
Brooks walked up and pressed a kiss to the side of Frankie’s head. “Pretty sure we weren’t slacking off this weekend when we took the finals.”
“You weren’t, but now you need to keep it up.”
“Damn, Roc. Even rolling around the shop in a wheelchair, you’re a damn drill sergeant,” Brooks laughed.
“That’s what you pay me for,” I reminded him.
“Pretty sure I pay you for your vacation time, too. Maybe you should take advantage of that?”
I shook my head. “No need to take a vacation. Especially in the middle of the season.”
Brooks looked at Frankie. “He doesn’t get it.”
Frankie rolled her eyes. “I agree, now isn’t the time to take vacation, but the man could take a few days off without coming into the garage.” She turned her gaze to me. “Or, if you do need to come in, at least leave me be. You know Remy and Jay are the ones who need the guidance, not me.”
I had been telling them what to do, but they were in the car hauler hiding because they knew I couldn’t get up there. “Just put the tires where they belong.”
Frankie threw her hands up in the air and stormed off.
“You giving Frankie hell now?” Mave walked out of the office with two cups of coffee in her hands.
She had been hiding out in the office with Harlyn most of the day.
Brooks chuckled. “Damn, Roc. She’s only been with you a few days and she already knows your ways.”
Mave handed me the cup of coffee with a smile on her lips. “Black, like your soul, Chief.”
I took the cup with a scowl. “It’s only funny when I say it.”
“Right,” she laughed. “Are you done bossing everyone around?”
She looked so carefree and happy.
Brooks shook his head. “She really does know you pretty well, Roc.”
I flipped Brooks off. “Didn’t ask you.”
I wasn’t sure if she knew me, or if she was just good at ignoring my shitty mood. Either way, is was good to know Mave wasn’t easily scared away.
Remy walked back into the shop with his arms raised over his head. “Rooster?”
“All the shit is done, and I am ready to have two days off with my woman!” Jay shouted.
“Sweet Jesus,” Brooks mumbled.
Harlyn stormed into the garage. “Remy!”
“What?” he asked, clueless.
I was clueless too, but it seemed like Harlyn was going to rip his head off so I was okay with whatever was about to go down.
“You can’t come in here shouting about the Rooster when my dad can’t go there,” Harlyn scolded. “I told you his cholesterol was high and his sodium was through the roof.”
Well, I guess I was okay with anything but that. Harlyn kept freaking out over my cholesterol when Mave hadn’t even mentioned it.
Remy scratched his head. “You did?”
Harlyn spun to look at Mave. “Tell him, Mave. Tell Remy that he can’t shout about the Rooster because my dad can’t eat that stuff.”
Mave blinked slowly. “Uh, well, I guess?”
“You guess?” Harlyn huffed and folded her arms over her chest. “All of his numbers were high when he was in the hospital,” she insisted.
Mave rested her hand on the handle of my wheelchair. “I mean, I can’t really discuss that stuff in front of you all.”
“Well...I mean...We don’t need his number or anything,” Harlyn sputtered. “I’m just saying, he should watch what he eats and going to the Rooster is not the best thing for him.”
Mave cleared her throat and shrugged. “I mean, it’s not like he eats there every day. I don’t think a cheeseburger is going to send him into cardiac arrest or anything.”
Jay laughed. “A week ago, he was eating there every day.”
I shot him a glare. Jay needed to keep his mouth shut right now.
“Why can’t we go somewhere else for dinner?” Harlyn whined.
“Where?” Jay and Remy asked in unison.
Harlyn turned back to Mave expectantly. “What would you recommend, Mave?”
“I, ah, well.” She opened and closed her mouth but nothing came out.
“Knock it off, Harlyn. She’s a doctor, not Google.” I glanced at Mave. “Besides, we’re eating at home. You guys can go to the Rooster.” I wasn’t up for hanging out with the crew anymore today.
Harlyn took a step back and looked sheepish. “Oh, well, I guess I just figured you would want to go out with us.”
“We can go out if you want, Roc. A cheeseburger isn’t going to be the end of the world.” Mave’s tone was even, and I could tell that she was trying to defuse whatever the hell was going on.
“Nah, it’s been a long day.” At least I made it through the day helping get everything put away. Going out with the crew did sound like a good idea in theory, but I knew I would probably fall asleep before the food even got to the table. “We’ll do a barbeque at the house this weekend if you guys want to come over.”
Brooks took off his hat and ran his fingers through his hair. “I’ll talk to Frankie. See if she had any plans this weekend.”
“Are you talking about me?” Frankie shouted from the other side of the shop.
“Yeah,” Brooks hollered. “Wanna know if you want to go to the new sex toy shop over in Drafton?”
“So we can get that ten inch dildo you were wanting?” Frankie fired back.
“Burn!” Remy hooted.
Jay doubled over laughing and even I had to admit that was pretty good.
“Dude,” Remy chuckled. “I have told you that Frankie has three brothers, and she is well versed on every and any comeback. You. Can. Not. Beat. Her.”
Even Mave couldn’t hide her smile.
“All right, assholes. I’m heading out. Enjoy your two days off.”
I started rolling toward the open overhead door, and I felt Mave come behind me and help push. My arms were exhausted from wheeling all around the shop today, and it was a welcome relief for her to push me.
“I’m fucking old,” I grumbled when I was finally in the truck and we were headed back to the house.
“If you’re old, then I’m old,” Mave laughed.
“I’m fifty-one years old, Mave.” I ran my fingers through my hair and chuckled. “The gray hair gives that away, though, right?”
“I’ve had patients in their twenties who were gray. Your hair color has nothing to do with how old you are.”
“Yeah, those ones were gray by choice. Came from a fucking box. This gray hair is from a twenty-seven year old daughter and over thirty years of early mornings and long nights at the track.”
“Those patients, by the way, were naturally gray, and the only reason you feel old right now is because you were just in a car accident.” Mave glanced over by me. “Besides, gray looks good on you.”
I sighed and stared out the window. “Seven days ago, Mave. Seven days ago, I was in a car accident, and I feel like it happened seven months ago.”
“You really think you’re just going to bounce back like that, don’t you?” Mave laughed and turned down the street to home. “Seriously, Roc. You need to just slow down. I don’t know how many times I need to say that to you.”
I laid my head back on the headrest and sighed.
Mav pulled up to the house and killed the engine. “Dinner, bath, and then bed, Roc. You had a long day.”
I couldn’t argue with her.
It was a long day, and I was just getting old as fuck.
*
