Page 15 of Weather the Storm
Cash shoots me a wicked grin. “Damn straight.”
After a quick pit stop at his mom’s, we’re on our way to Mateo’s shop, Reyes Auto Repair and Restoration, with the sounds of Brody’s gurgles and giggles as the soundtrack of our drive.
As Cash pulls into the parking lot, I take in the large, metal, six-bay garage. Four of the doors are up, and I can see his crew working hard inside. “Thanks for the ride, man. See you in a few,” I say before hopping down from his truck and heading toward the office end of the garage.
“Simon!” Mateo calls out as I step in, his accent mild but noticeable.
“She all good?” I ask, referring to my truck, though I don’t doubt his abilities in the slightest. When I first got my F-250, I brought it to Mateo, and he installed a four-inch lift kit, custom bumpers, a backup camera, and LED light bars.
“Good as new, brother,” he assures me, tossing me the keys. “C’mon, let’s take a look.” I follow him through the door that leads into the work area, passing several vehicles in different states of repair until we reach the third bay, where my truck is sitting, looking pristine as hell. “Like I said, good as new.”
I walk around the back of the truck, trailing my fingers over the new quarter panel and bumper. “Better than new, I’d say.” And I mean every damn word. Mateo is the best of the best, and once again, he’s outdone himself.
“Now, you mentioned you’re not going through insurance?” he asks, sounding perplexed.
“Ah, yeah. It’s a long story.”
“A long story, huh? I bet I can sum it up in two words.”
“Two words, huh?”
“Sí: a woman.” I try to fight my smile, but Mateo sees it and just shakes his head. “Thought so. Okay then, I’ll bill you. I’ll even give you thehombre enamoradodiscount.”
I bite the inside of my cheek to keep myself from laughing. “In love? I think not.”
“Gotta be close to drop three grand out of pocket instead of letting insurance sort it out,” he counters, and I clam up.Damn…is he right? Does he have a point?
“No comment.”
“Now, toss Arrón your keys, and he’ll bring your truck around front while we figure out your payments.”
I do as Mateo says and trail behind him toward the front office. Once there, he whips out his handy-dandy calculator and begins running figures. “Okay, let’s do twenty-five percent today, and the rest over three months?”
“Sounds fair,” I say, retrieving my card from my wallet.
“Now, before you leave, tell me…how is Desi doing in class?”
“She’s a good girl, but she’s got a mouth on her, man. I’m probably preaching to the choir there, huh?”
“Takes after her mother that way, God rest her soul.” I don’t know much about Mateo’s late wife, other than the fact that he loved her something fierce and hasn’t ever quite moved on since her death.
“Don’t worry so much. She’s a good kid, and you’re doing right by her.”
Mateo nods his head, and I return the gesture before turning and heading out into the night.
Arrón hops out of my truck just as I step out into the parking lot. “All yours, Simon. Have a good night.” I give him a wave and get into my beloved vehicle, taking the time to get my seat and mirrors just right before hauling ass to Southern Roots.
Chapter Nine
MAGNOLIA
I’ve just finished my last color of the day—a beautiful, honey-blonde balayage—when Myla Rose flits over to my station. “All done?” she asks, even though she knows I am since my schedule lines up with hers this week.
I don’t call her out on it, though—Lord, no. Instead, I smile and say, “Yup, all finished. Just let me know when you’re ready to head out.”
Myla tucks her copper hair back behind her ears before shooting a dazzling smile my way. “Actually, Cash and I were thinking we could all grab dinner tonight. After all, it is Taco Tuesday. We used to go every week, but life got so busy there for a bit, and I just decided weneedthis. So, Sim will be here to get you soon. I’m riding with Cash.”
“Oh, okay. Sure, that sounds fine. Simon mentioned something like that earlier.”
