“So then, you’re not taking it, I assume?” she said.
I sighed. I had expected this conversation to come. It was part of the reason why I’d gone to my mother’s house. I knew I had to at least some of the truth. To prepare her for the fact that I didn’t want to be with Raymond anymore. “To be honest, Mom, Raymond and I have been drifting apart for a while now. I don’t think that the two of us are going to work out. We’ve tried, but I just don’t think that it’s meant to be. I don’t think that he’s the one.”
‘Drifting apart’ was putting it mildly, but it was the only thing that I could think of to say at that moment. These all still felt like safe words.
“Really? I didn’t know that. The last time I saw him, he said that things were going great between the two of you. I thought that you would end up marrying that boy.”
“Marrying him? Seriously?” I knew she liked Raymond, but I didn’t know she wanted me to marry him.
“Well, yeah. You seemed so happy.”
It occurred to me then that my mother didn’t really know me at all. I shook my head sadly. “No, we’re definitely not going to get married.”
“That’s a pity. I really liked that boy. So sweet and charming. Well, maybe a break will do you good. Go to Arizona, get the job, and see what happens. Who knows, maybe the two of you will find your way back to each other.”
“Yeah, maybe,” I lied.
I finished my coffee and made my way back home. I had a lot of thinking to do, and not much time until I had to tell them whether or not I was taking the job. I was sitting in front of my computer, contemplating the email, when Raymond came home. I knew that he was drunk the moment I locked my eyes onto him. It was always easy to tell with Raymond. He had a different swagger, and his eyes battled to focus. He looked me in the eyes, and I watched as his gaze shifted to my ear, and I felt my blood run cold.
“Hey, Raymond. Have a good time with the boys?” I asked casually. Raymond was always going out with ‘the boys’—a group of men who I was not very fond of.
“Oh, I had a great time. So much great,” he said. His sentence structure was out of whack, and I wondered just how much he’d had to drink. I hoped he’d had enough that he’d want to pass out, and not just enough to make him want to stay up and fight. I saw him stumble and I figured he’d on the sofa soon enough. I just had to stall.
“That’s great. So, tell me about it, who was there?”
“Who was there? There? Girls, you mean?”
“What?”
“You want to know what girls were there? You’re jealous, aren’t you? You hate me going out. It was just the boys! The boys!”
“Raymond, you’re not making any sense. I just wanted to know if you had a good night. That’s all. I want you to go out and have a good time. And I’m not jealous.”
“You should be.”
I looked at him then, and wished that my mother could see this side of him. His once-charming smile had changed, and he looked more like the villain in a movie than the handsome protagonist he painted himself to be. I wondered when he’d changed so much. But it had happened so gradually, and so seldom at first, that I hadn’t seen it coming. His father was a drinker, and he’d assured me that he never wanted to go the same route as him. But clearly, nothing could be further from the truth. I realized not so long ago that he loved alcohol more than he loved me. I would never be enough for him.
“Well, I’m not. And you shouldn’t talk to me like that,” I said bravely.
I’d always been the sort of person to stick up for what I believe in. I was headstrong, positive, and happy. It’s how I’d always been described. But since being with Raymond, I’d lost a part of me. I’d been holding onto a part of the relationship that no longer existed. I tried to remember the last time that I’d been happy, and it occurred to me that it was when I was having that Skype interview. I’d been happier in an interview than with my own boyfriend.
“I shouldn’t talk to you like that?” he boomed. His voice got louder as he walked toward me. “And you shouldn’t talk to me like that! Who do you think you are?”
I tried to take a step back, but he slapped me across the face before I had the time to move away. I pushed him in response, and he fell to the sofa. He tried to get up, but he stumbled. And I watched as he passed out right in front of my eyes. The idiot! He was snoring within seconds.
My cheeks burned from where he’d hit me. I stood there for what felt like forever, just staring at this man in front of me. A man that I had once thought I loved, and I knew at that moment exactly what I was going to do. Thankfully, Raymond looked like he was going to be out for a long time. That gave me plenty of time to gather my things and throw them into the car. I didn’t have much, anyway, and I was more than happy to leave quite a lot behind. There were some things that would only make me think of Raymond when I looked at them, and the last thing that I wanted was to be reminded of him. I grabbed my handbag and my coat, took one final look at Raymond and the apartment, and then I left without looking back again.
I got into the car. My hands were still, and I felt as if I had finally gained a bit of control back over my life. I was doing the right thing. I quickly got out my phone and opened up my email.
I’d love to accept the job! I typed. I put the phone back into my bag and drove toward my freedom.
Chapter Three
Ian
“Man, what a long day. I can’t believe how busy we’ve been. But you see, Chris? We did it. We might’ve have worked our butts off, but we got through the last of the bunch. What are you working on now?”
“Actually, I’m all done.”
“Could you help me? It’s just this last one, and then we can go. I knew we’d get through them. You see, my father just has to have a bit more faith in us.”
Chris laughed. “You’re determined not to let him win, aren’t you? Well, we might have gotten through all the work, but it wasn’t easy. And it was only because two of those bikes barely needed anything done. I think the one guy just pretended like something was wrong, because afterward he asked if I could polish it when I was finished looking at it. I checked, there was nothing wrong. I think he just wanted a shiny bike to drive around. So that took like, half an hour. But if we had more demanding clients, we’d be pulling a twenty-four-hour shift.”
I looked at him and sighed. “Oh, you have no faith. Come on, we’re good at this, and you know it.”
“I never said that we weren’t good at it. I just said that we needed some extra help around here.”
“So, you’re still agreeing with my father? Even though we clearly got through all the work today.”
Chris shrugged. “Ah, I don’t care either way. I enjoy this work. I don’t mind working hard. So if you’re not going to get anyone else, that’s fine by me.”
I smiled at my best friend. I liked it when he agreed with me. “Good. I knew you’d come around to my way of seeing it. Although I must say, I’m pretty glad we’re on the last bike. I’m freaking exhausted. Hey, are you still going to the gym these days?”
“No way,” Chris laughed. “That was a stupid idea. I mean, how would I find the time or the energy for it? And I signed up for a whole year. They reeled me in with promises of rock-hard abs. But all I can think of now is having a cold beer and a burger. Why do you ask?”
“I was thinking about it the other day, but I don’t think I could be bothered to join. We work hard enough as it is here. I figure, a day at the shop is like four hours at the gym or something.”
“I like your way of thinking. So, are you buying me a beer after this, or what?”
“Yes. Let’s finish with this bike,. I also just need to go and talk to my father. And then we’re good to go. I think he’s still in his office. Have you seen him?”
“Yep, I walked past there not so long ago. He was there talking to someone, but he’s probably all done now. You know your dad, though; he won’t be going home. That paperwork is always perfect.”<
br />
“I know. I don’t know how he does it!”
“I agree with you there, Gunner. Office work sucks.”
I was not much of a paperwork kind of guy. I liked working with my hands far more than I enjoyed working with numbers. But I knew that it was an important part of the business, and every now and again I’d sit with my dad while he went through the figures with me. Thankfully, today was not that day, and I could concentrate on doing what I enjoyed. I finished up on the bike with Chris and marveled at how much quicker it went with two of us working on one. Of course, this just made Chris bring up the fact that things would always go so quick if we had someone else working with us. But I let that one slide. I was happy working with Chris. We’d been working together for such a long time that we both fully trusted one another. I wasn’t sure if I’d feel the same about anyone else, especially not some stranger.
Once were done, I washed my hands and packed away my tools. Then I made my way to my father’s office. I walked in and saw that he was busy with a customer. I was just about to hurry out when my father stopped me.
“Ian, don’t go. Let me introduce you to Wesley. You worked on his bike this morning. He dropped it off when you weren’t here, so the two of you didn’t get a chance to meet.”
My father described the bike, and I nodded. I knew exactly which one he was talking about. It was one of the bikes that we’d worked on a bit longer than all the rest, and I’d been happy with the outcome. I was hoping Wesley wasn’t here to complain about anything, but judging by the look on his face, he seemed pleased.
“Ian, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I was a bit confused at first, because I thought your name was Gunner. But your dad told me that’s the nickname that’s going around for you. Anyway, I’m here to pick up the bike, but I thought I’d come in and just say thank you. I had a look, and it’s perfect. And trust me, I’ve taken my bike to a few other places before. Nobody has treated it as well as you guys have. I really appreciate it.”
I grunted in reply and shoved my hands in my pockets. I was never very good with compliments. Although, I was starting to wonder if I was any good with people at all. I liked being in the shop with the bikes, without having to deal with the customers. I usually let Chris or my father take care of that part. People seemed to respond to them a lot better than they did to me. Wesley was smiling at me as if he was expecting me to say something in reply. But what could I say?
“Son, isn’t it nice that Wesley is so happy?”
“Uh, yeah. Listen, I better go. When you guys are done here, let me know, Dad. I’ll be waiting in the shop.”
“Bye, Ian. Or Gunner. I’ll spread the word about your great work.”
“Uh. Cool.”
I walked out feeling annoyed at myself. I could see that my father had been embarrassed to have me there in the office with him. But why should I worry so much? That wasn’t part of my job. He’s my father; he knows what sort of personality I have. I’m not a people person, and I never have been.
Chris told me that he’d meet me at the pub down the road while I waited for my father to finish up, so I fiddled with a few things in the shop until he was done. There was always something to do in the shop, even if it was just putting tools away in the right place. You’d probably never expect it just from looking at me, but I liked everything to have its place in the shop. In all other respects of my life, I was a mess, but the shop was my pride and joy. I liked it to be organized, and I knew exactly where everything should be. That was another reason why I didn’t want someone else working with me. I was making a mental note of all the things I came up with to tell my father if he ever brought it up again, and this seemed like a valid thing to add to the ever-growing list.
It didn’t take long for me to get lost in my work, and I started when my father came up behind me.
“Ian, that wasn’t very nice of you, you know.” His voice was loud and stern. No wonder I’d jumped up in fright.
“What do you mean?”
“Oh, come on, you were so rude to that customer. And he was singing your praises right to your face! Goodness, I was so embarrassed. You really need to start acting a bit friendlier toward the customers. Otherwise, they’re not going to want to come back. And the last thing that we need is for him to go around telling his friends that the people at Maxwell Motorcycles are rude. Our reputation is important, Ian.”
I sighed. “Oh, that’s not true at all. You heard the guy. He loved what I did. It’s way more about the work than it is about anything else. They don’t care whether or not I’m friendly. They just want me to get their bikes running in top condition, and that’s exactly what I do. Anyway, isn’t that more your job than it is mine? My job is here in the garage, and I think I’m doing a pretty good job at it these days.”
“A little pleasantry never hurt anyone, Ian. Just think about it.”
I was tired of my father telling me to think about things. “Also, as you can see by the now-empty shop, Chris and I managed to finish all the work. It was a busy week, but we got through it. So there’s definitely no need to get someone else in to help. We did well.”
I watched as my father surveyed the garage. His reply was a nod. Not a ‘thank you,’ or an ‘I’m proud of you.’ Just a nod. Sometimes I wasn’t sure what my father thought about me. At times I could swear that I saw a smile coming my way, but when I prodded for more, I never got anything back. He was a tough man who believed in tough love, but after a long week of work, I wasn’t in the mood for it. I made my way to get my backpack when he stopped me.
“Anyway, Ian. Before you go, I just wanted to tell you about a fundraiser that we’re doing.”
“A what? Why would we do that?” I asked. We weren’t exactly known for taking part in fundraisers.
“It’s for Charles.”
“Charles?”
“Charles. The big guy, with the long white beard. Come on, you know him. He’s in the motorcycle club. Anyway, that doesn’t matter. He’s one of the older members, and his wife has cancer. The whole club is going to get involved in the fundraiser for her. Isn’t that nice? Poor Cynthia. The whole thing came as a huge surprise to the family. Apparently, her sister had cancer too, so the family is in a bit of shock right now, as you can imagine.”
“Uh huh.”
“Well, I just wanted to let you know, seeing as though you’re part of the club. Let Chris know too, why don’t you? I’ll let you know the details when we hear more.”
I nodded, grabbed my bag, and walked out. As I turned the corner, I heard my father let out a loud and exaggerated sigh.
Chapter Four
Eliza
I drove to Arizona without any real plan of action. I may have just accepted a well-paying job, but for the moment I had nowhere to stay, and no time to find a place. They’d replied immediately to say that I should come into the office first thing in the morning to meet with everyone. So, I’d done what any desperate twenty-six-year-old woman without a home would do: I’d slept in my car. Then, I’d made my way to a nearby gym and asked if I could use their shower. They wouldn’t let me in without paying for a day’s session, so I’d paid and simply used the shower. I’d considered actually doing a workout at the same time, considering I’d paid for it, but I didn’t want to be late for the meeting. Also, I didn’t particularly feel like doing anything too strenuous. My body already felt stiff from sleeping in the car.
The shower at the gym was good, and even though my clothes were slightly creased, I felt better. I wasn’t sure if the people at the new job would’ve taken too kindly to me showing up in old clothes. I tried to ignore the fact that I was homeless, and instead focused on the knowledge that I at least had a job. I’d go apartment hunting the moment I came out of the meeting. I got back into the car and shoved my bag inside. I covered everything up with a blanket, which I worried actually served to highlight the fact that everything I owned was inside the car rather than disguising it, and then drove off without giving it any more thoug
ht.
Perfect Parties was situated in the heart of Chandler, Arizona, and even though I didn’t know the area very well, my trusty phone GPS took me right to the front door. I wasn’t too impressed with the name of the company, but from what I’d seen on Skype, they were just the thing I was looking for. Perhaps one day I’d become a big enough name in the company to suggest a name change. But that was the last thing on my mind as I made my way inside. The outside of the building was derelict, and I had a sudden fear that perhaps the Skype interview had been fake. What if the company didn’t even exist? I’d left my old life to start something new, and there was a chance I’d be both homeless and jobless. I sighed, took a deep breath, and opened the doors.
Thankfully, the inside of the building was nothing like the outside. Beyond the front doors were pops of color, and a sense of fun and excitement. I felt instantly better. I smiled at the receptionist and introduced myself, and she smiled at me with a big toothy grin and told me to take a seat.
Minutes later, a girl who looked to be about my age walked through the doors. She was short and slim, with curly brown hair that stopped at her shoulders, and deep brown eyes. She had one of those faces that made you take an immediate liking to her. She wore a red and white polka dot dress that looked like it belonged in the sixties, and she’d finished it off with black sneakers which turned the outfit into something grungy rather than ultra-feminine. I decided that I liked her.
“You must be Eliza. I’m Mae; we spoke briefly over Skype. I was the one that stuck my head into the camera quickly. I’m sorry about that. I had no idea that Mark was busy doing an interview with you. That was embarrassing.”
I chuckled. “Honestly? That was my favorite part of the whole interview. It totally broke the ice. Nice to officially meet you.”
“Good to meet you, too. Come on through and let me show you around. The boss will be in soon, but I thought it would be nice to show you around first. And there’s no reason to be nervous. We’re all a bunch of crazy people in this place.”
Dirty Biker (An MC Motorcycle Romance) (The Maxwell Family) Page 2