by Megan Slayer
Maybe hell will freeze over first.
* * * *
Thirty-two hours later, Aiden strode out of the hospital again. Just as he’d guessed, the ER had been short-staffed and had called him in four hours before his eight-hour shift should’ve started. He rolled his shoulders. His joints cracked and popped. A long groan escaped his lips. Why can’t I meet a good massage therapist right about now?
He made his way across the staff lot to his car. At least he’d had time to change into his suit before his shift had ended or he’d be beyond late. He checked his reflection in the driver’s-side glass. The lines around his eyes were deeper than normal and the crinkles across his forehead were more visible. Christ, he resembled an ogre, not a thirty-five-year-old doctor. Fuck it. He had to get going.
Aiden slipped behind the wheel of the car, then sped out of the lot. According to the clock, he had exactly twenty minutes to drive across town to the church before the ceremony started. Easy. Right? He turned onto the main road leading away from the hospital. Unlike most hours of the day, few cars were on the thoroughfare. He increased his speed and headed north. A set of headlights blinded him.
“What the hell?” he groused. “Turn the brights down.” He swerved to the right, but the vehicle with the LED lights kept coming at him. The closest street lamp illuminated the vehicle. A truck. Aiden yanked the wheel to the right again and was rewarded with a clunk. “Shit,” he murmured. The lights went away and, when he checked the rearview mirror, the truck disappeared around the corner.
Aiden’s hands shook as he limped his car into the closest lot. He parked in the gravel and left the car to check the damage. He rounded the hood. The scent of burned rubber curled in his nose. He choked back a cough and examined the passenger side of his car. “Fucking hell.” He squatted beside the front wheel. “I’m not even sure how to fix this.” He touched the deflated tire and bent rim. Getting to the wedding was now going to be even harder. He stood and whipped his cell phone from his pocket. Who was he supposed to call? Most mechanics would be closed by now. He’d have to phone Whit. He groaned. Whit Sherman was a nice man and a decent enough friend, though not dating material. But he was also invited to the wedding, so if he hadn’t left yet, maybe Aiden could beg a ride.
Aiden stood on the side of the road. He could’ve sworn he’d seen the advertisements for an auto mechanic near the hospital. He spotted the neon over the garage and hope blossomed in his chest. If he wasn’t mistaken, the sign read OPEN. He retrieved the keys from the ignition and locked the vehicle, then sprinted down the road. “Just don’t close before I get there.” He pushed himself, pumping his legs and praying. “Please stay open.”
Part of him wished he’d seen the license plate number or markings on the truck that had run him off the road. But what would he be able to do? Turn the guy in? How was he going to prove the incident other than his bent rim and blown tire?
Aiden bounded across the asphalt to the front of the garage. At the door, he stopped to catch his breath.
A man strode out of the first garage bay and wiped his hands on a soiled rag. “Can I help you?”
“Hi.” Aiden stood upright and puffed. Shit, he was out of shape. “Do you have a tow truck?”
“We do. What happened? Usually people come here in a vehicle. You seem to be without one.” The man smiled. The five o’clock shadow darkened his cheeks and his blue eyes sparkled. He’d combed his hair into a short mohawk and the inch-long spikes glimmered in the pink light of the neon sign.
Aiden read the man’s name tag. Matt. Funny, the guy didn’t strike him as a Matt. More like a Roscoe or a Boss. He smoothed his palms over his thighs. Blood rushed through his body and his nerve endings tingled. Each time he swept his gaze over Matt, his pulse reacted. Either he needed a date and sex, or he’d lost his mind from sleep deprivation. He straightened his shoulders. He wasn’t there for a date. “I ran over the curb down the road. I ruined my tire and probably more.”
“If you hit the curb on Walker Road, then you jacked up more than a tire. If the rim isn’t a mess, I’d be shocked.” Matt disappeared into the garage bay, then stepped back out again without the rag. He snorted. “Most rims are a mess and if you did one hell of a job on it…” He whistled, then grinned. “Nice.”
Aiden swayed on his feet. Go figure, he’d found the one mechanic in town to make a lewd joke about rim jobs. “Can you fix it?”
“I’ll get the truck. I doubt I’ll be able to get to it today because I need to find the right rim to fit your car. That’ll take me at least a couple of hours tomorrow to locate. The tire will be easy—unless you did more damage. I won’t know that until I get a look at the car.” Matt tugged a set of keys from his overalls. “Where did you leave it?”
“Where I collided with the curb.” He pointed down the road. “You’re sure it’ll take that long?”
Matt narrowed his eyes. “Guessing from your outfit, you’re late. For a date or your wedding?” He knocked on the frame of the garage bay. “Aaron? I’ll be right back. I’m retrieving a job.”
“What?” Another man strode into the middle of the door opening. “We’re backed up, man.”
“Enough. It’s right down there,” Matt said. “I’m taking the job, so it’s not your headache.”
“I’ll pay extra to get it rushed,” Aiden added. “I’d say I’m desperate, but you’ve probably guessed that.”
The man Aiden guessed was Aaron rolled his eyes and ducked back into the garage.
“The truck is over here.” Matt pointed to the massive vehicle. “You’re the black car about a quarter of a mile away?”
“It’s dark blue, but yes, the sports car.” Aiden toyed with the hem of his suit coat. “It was a splurge. A hiring bonus I bought myself.” Shit. He sounded like an ass. “I’ll shut up.”
“Right now, I just need the keys. I’m going to assume you’ve locked it.” Matt held out his hand. A tattoo showed from beneath the cuff of his overalls. “Even if you didn’t, I need the keys to unlock the steering column.”
“Sure.” He yanked the ring from his pocket. “Sorry.”
“You’re fine, but like I said, I can’t get it fixed tonight. You might want to call someone to give you a ride. I’m out of loaners. Is it a wedding? Or a date?” Matt asked.
“What?” Aiden tripped in the gravel. He caught himself and appraised Matt’s body again. He liked the way the overalls clung to Matt’s muscular frame. Sweat glistened on the back of his neck. Aiden shivered. The vibrant blue of Matt’s eyes and his facial hair appealed to him. He wasn’t a fan of men with earrings, but the thick silver hoops worked for the mechanic. “I—it’s not my wedding. I’m not getting married.” He was babbling. Fuck.
“Oh, sorry.” Matt opened the door of the tow truck and grinned. “I’ll get your car. Feel free to wait in the lobby. We’ve got free Wi-Fi if you want. Aaron will set you up with the paperwork so we can expedite the process.” He climbed into the truck and closed the door.
Aiden stood in the parking lot for another moment as Matt drove away. He should move. If he wanted to get to the reception on time, he needed to call Whit. His mind wandered. What would Matt look like without the overalls? Was he a T-shirt and jeans type or did he prefer cargo shorts and polo shirts? How about naked? Aiden shivered again. Yeah, he wanted to see Matt in the buff. Like that’s gonna happen.
He shook his head and crunched across the gravel to the building. Once in the lobby, he tugged his phone from his breast pocket. The wedding should’ve started by now. Instead of calling, he texted Whit.
Need your help. Car trouble. Can you pick me up after the wedding?
He sighed. Fuck. He’d made a mess of the night and it was only eight o’clock.
“Here. Fill this out.” Aaron offered over a clipboard. “Nothing exciting. I’ll be out helping Matt.”
“Sure. Thanks.” He scrawled the information onto the form, then put the clipboard onto the counter. His phone buzzed in his hand. Not a text, bu
t a call from Whit. He groaned, then answered. “Why aren’t you in the church?”
“I ducked out,” Whit grumbled. “You’re late. Where are you?”
“I had car trouble. Didn’t you look at the text?” He massaged his forehead. “It’s a long story.”
“Seriously? You? Nothing is ever easy with you.”
“It’s not by design.” He had to think fast. “If you’re not in the church, then the ceremony is running late? Or is it over?”
“Farin’s a little behind. Do you need me to get you?” Whit asked. “I’m available.”
He swallowed past the groan rising in his throat. “Are you able?”
“Wait. You’re asking me to come and get you? Uh…yeah. I’ll be there in five minutes. Where are you?”
“Um…” He turned the stack of magnets around on the counter. He’d never read the name on the garage when he’d passed it over the last two years. He’d seen the sign, but hadn’t retained the information. “The Alpha Auto Shop.” Alpha? Is Matt the so-called alpha? Is he gay too? Aiden could only wish.
“The one on Walker Road? Okay, I’ll be there. Just…don’t touch anything.”
“Why?” Aiden asked. What’s wrong with the garage?
“It’s dirty,” Whit said. “Grease, dirt, grime. You don’t know what you’ll pick up there.”
“I don’t know. It’s pretty clean.” Compared to the hospital, yes, the lobby wasn’t sterile, but it could’ve been worse.
“Right. It’s a repair shop. Those places are always filthy. Just hold on and I’ll be there.” Without another word, Whit hung up.
Aiden groaned again. He’d done that too much in the last half an hour. If he’d had his way, he would’ve called anyone but Whit. Walking would’ve been preferable. Whit tended to get the wrong idea about his level of interest. Aiden wasn’t in the market to date, didn’t want a quickie fuck in the hallway or a suck-off in the bathroom—and not from Whitman Sherman.
When Aiden looked up from his phone, Matt pulled into the lot with his car attached to the back of the truck. He drove through to the gated area to the left of the building and disappeared. Aiden crept over to the window and watched Aaron and Matt unload the car. He wasn’t sure of the conversation between the two men, but from Aaron’s body language—shaking his head and frowning—he guessed Aaron wasn’t thrilled. Matt didn’t say anything, or if he did, Aiden didn’t notice his lips moving. His expression stayed still. Aaron waved his arms, then stormed back to the building.
Aiden forced his attention from Matt and the truck in favor of staring out of the window at the few cars on Walker Road. He hated weddings and relationships too. Men expected too much from him. They wanted things like for him to change his hours at the hospital to suit those relationships. Not possible. He didn’t set his schedule. Dating another doctor made no sense. He knew the other ER doctors too well and considered them his brothers, and he spent almost no time outside the emergency room. If he hooked up with a doctor from another ward, they’d probably never see each other, either.
He bowed his head. The last guy he’d dated had admitted after four months that he’d only stuck with Aiden for that long to cash in on the doctor paycheck. He’d wanted a sugar daddy. Too bad Aiden wasn’t bringing in huge bucks. The car—the damn thing—had been a splurge but a very second-hand item. The sports coupe looked good on the road and made a statement in the parking lot. But appearances meant nothing when the vehicle was attached to a tow truck.
Aiden rubbed his forehead and looked up when bright lights infiltrated the lobby. A sigh stuck in his throat. He’d know that expensive car anywhere—Whit. Instead of parking in the lot or the gravel, Whit stopped right beside the door and honked the horn.
Aiden bit back a growl. He left the lobby and opened the passenger door, but didn’t get into the car. “Hello, fire violation? Move.”
Whit shrugged as Aiden closed the door. Whit zipped forward into the closest parking spot. His brakes screeched.
Aaron hustled to the doorway and stopped beside Aiden.
“Sorry,” Aiden muttered. He couldn’t meet Aaron’s gaze. “He’s a little pushy.”
“I’d say entitled.” Aaron sighed. “Whatever. About your car. Matt’ll hunt down the part and we’ll see. If I know him, he’ll call around until the junk yards close or his contacts stop answering the phone. He’s relentless like that. Anyway, it should take about twenty-four hours to get the car back to being drivable. No guarantees.”
“Thanks. I appreciate his relentlessness and your honesty. Have a good night.” He went out to the lot and found Matt beside the tow truck. “Hi,” he said. “Thank you.” Aiden offered his hand to Matt. When they shook hands, Aiden’s tingled. His breath caught in his throat and power surged within him. He’d never felt quite like this before. His thoughts muddled and he forgot what he’d come out to talk to Matt about. “Uh…I filled out the paperwork Aaron gave me. Call me when the car is done.” He’d never heard himself sound so mechanical. Yuck.
“Will do.” Matt smiled. “I’ll see what I can do to get it back to you faster. I know what it’s like to not have a car.”
“No worries, but thank you.” He lingered beside the truck longer than he should, but he couldn’t make himself leave the spot. Something between him and Matt had started. Was he falling in lust with the mechanic? Or was his radar locating interested guys broken?
Matt leaned against the door of the truck but didn’t say anything.
Shit. He’d been standing there for too long. Aiden nodded once. “I should be going.” He’d said the words more for himself than anything. “Thanks.”
“Aiden,” Whit snapped. “Let’s go. We’re late and Farin will kill us.”
“Right.” He smiled but wished Whit had kept his mouth shut. He wanted to keep talking to Matt—or at least sharing the moment with him. Aiden forced himself across the lot to Whit’s car and climbed into the passenger seat. He waved at Matt. Fate was a fickle bitch, but if this was the start of something, then he didn’t mind.
“Why did you wave? He’s the help.” Whit sped out of the lot, spewing gravel from the back of his sports car. “You pay them, respect them, but don’t get cushy.”
“He’s nice.”
“For a mechanic.” Whit’s voice dripped with disdain. “Seriously. You can and will do better.”
“Stop.” He massaged his temples. Listening to Whit caused a dull ache behind his eyes. “I don’t want to hear it.”
“Are you okay? Is your head hurting? From the crash?” Whit zipped down the road past the hospital and blew through a yellow light. “I’ll just take you home. If you’ve got a concussion, then you need supervision.”
“I don’t have a concussion. Christ, I’m getting sick of you. I appreciate that you came all the way out here to get me, but you’re acting like an ass. He’s a nice guy and while he’s a mechanic, he’s got feelings too.” The throbbing increased. He closed his eyes. “How about we be quiet and maybe it’ll go away.” Fat chance, but worth a shot.
“You know…I’m tired of this.” Whit smacked his hand on the steering wheel. “You wanted me to rescue you. I did. I’ve seen the way you eyeball me. Don’t try to deny it.”
“I’ve never looked at you that way.” He didn’t open his eyes. Since when had he been appraising Whit as date potential?
“I’ve noticed. I also told you we’d end up at the wedding together. Maybe I come on too strong, but that sizzle between us is real. You should really listen to me more.” Whit brought the car to a stop. “We’re here. The wedding should be over by now. It wasn’t supposed to be a long ceremony.”
Aiden opened his eyes. He’d rather have aspirin and time to crash in his armchair, but he had to see his friends. He’d power through the headache for them. Soft white lights twinkled in the trees and jazz music played. White flowers had been strung on and from poles surrounding the guests. Aiden left the car but paused before he entered the party. His breath lodged in his throat a
gain. This was what he’d asked for. Not to marry Farin or Steve, but the desire. The passion the two men had and the opportunity to share it with their friends. He wanted someone to join him on life’s journey. Whit eased up beside him and grasped Aiden’s hand, but he swatted his friend away. He had to get himself together.
“People aren’t looking,” Whit growled. “You can touch me.”
“I need some air.” Aiden strode away from Whit. He didn’t care where he went as long as it was far from his colleague. He spotted Farin and Steve under a floral arch. No one seemed to be bothering them. Great. He’d speak to them quickly, then find a ride home. He rounded the gathering of tables and guests. Farin spotted him first.
“You’re here. I thought you’d skipped out on us.” Farin grasped Aiden’s hand. “You really need to be less important at the hospital.”
“I had car trouble.” He hugged Farin, then Steve. “Congratulations. I can’t think of two better people to be married.”
Steve winked. “Thank you.” He rolled his eyes. “I need to take care of something. Looks like my great-aunt found the wine. Excuse me. Thanks for coming, Aiden. Hopefully we can talk later.” He darted away, leaving Aiden alone with Farin.
“I’m glad you made it and I’m sorry to hear about the car.” Farin dipped his head. “Saw you arrived with Whit. You’re playing with fire.”
“Don’t remind me.” He turned his back on the party. “It wasn’t my best idea.”
“He’s not your type,” Farin said.
“Not at all.” He wasn’t about to argue. He and Whit would never work as a couple.
“Um…then why? Because he had a car? Come on. You could’ve taken a taxi.” Farin leveled his gaze at Aiden. “Or are you having a lapse in judgment?”