by Casey Peeler
Jeremiah (Drake Brothers #2)
By Casey Peeler
Edited by Chelly Peeler at Ink It Out Editing Services
Copyright © 2017 Casey Peeler
All rights reserved.
This book is a written act of fiction. Any places, characters, or similarities are purely coincidence. If certain places or characters are referenced it is for entertainment purposes only. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
The author recognizes all copyright and trademarks that are mentioned within this work of fiction.
ALSO BY CASEY PEELER
FULL CIRCLE SERIES
Losing Charley
Finding Charley
Loving Charley
TUTUS & COWBOY BOOTS SERIES
Tutus & Cowboy Boots Part 1
Tutus &Cowboy Boots Part 2
STANDALONE NOVELS
Crashing Tides
Southern Perfection
Boondocks
Lion Eyes
Worth the Ride
Chapter 1
Jeremiah
With the sound of the small metal bell clanging against the glass door, I glance up from underneath the Chevy Impala I’m changing the oil in. Looking to it, I do a double-take as a blonde with long, flowing hair like an ocean walks in and smiles my direction. Her jeans are painted on, with a tight-fitting black tank top and curves that would make every man’s dick hard. She doesn’t say a word; instead, she walks toward Mr. Mayes’ office and closes the door. What the fuck is going on? Who the hell does she think she is and why is she in that office?
As soon as the last few drops have escaped, I place the oil plug back in place and change out the filter before lowering it from the lift. Once its four wheels hit the concrete, I take off the cap and fill it with the golden liquid. Taking the dip stick, I check it once more and turn the engine to make sure all the lights are off. Killing the engine, I glance over my shoulder to Davis.
“I’m gonna go see who the fuck that was walkin’ in Mr. Mayes’ office,” I say to him as I wipe my hands on the rag and toss it on the work table. Standing outside his office door, I see the same blonde sitting behind his dusty desk with a look of disgust on her face. Quickly, I knock on the door. She pauses and looks up. Without waiting for a reply, I turn the knob and walk in.
“Ma’am, is there something I can help ya with?” I question, trying my best to be polite.
She looks at me, rolls her eyes, and basically tells me to fuck off without opening her mouth, and all that has me wanting to do is turn her over my damn knee and spank her nice little ass.
“Excuse me?” she says with an abundance of attitude.
“I said can I help you? Mr. Mayes isn’t here, so maybe I can help you with what you need.”
She begins to laugh and it pisses me off.
“No fuckin’ shit, Sherlock! He’s in the hospital and I’m here to take care of things until he’s able to return.” What the hell did she say? I’ve been here since I was sixteen years old and he’s been priming me to take over the day he calls it quits. He’s left me in charge and I’ll be damned if a little girl comes in here acting all high and mighty wanting to take over.
“Ma’am,” I say cautiously once more, knowing I really want to cuss this bitch out. “I’m in charge while he’s out. What can I help you with?”
“Like hell you are, Jeremiah.” The way she says my name makes me pause. How the hell does she know my name?
“Why’s this the first I’ve heard of it? I just saw him yesterday.”
“Hell if I know, but whatever. Look, I’m here to handle the books, but I don’t mind helping out on the floor.”
“On the floor? What the hell does a pretty girl like you know about that?”
The look on her face goes blank as she slides back out of the worn green leather chair. She places her hands on the desk and looks me directly in the eyes as my legs press up against the old worn couch.
“I know plenty. Now, question my ass again about what I do and don’t know about this shop and I’ll show you who’s fuckin’ boss. Got that?”
Standing there, I look at her, speechless. I’ve heard of feisty women. I vaguely remember a woman with a mouth that got her slapped around as a kid, but I also remember a mom who took us in, didn’t take shit from anyone, but had the kindest heart. Something about her makes me want to climb over that desk and kiss the hell out of her until she screams my damn name, then it hits me.
“Landry?” I question.
“Damn right, it’s me.”
Landry
The moment that office door opens, I try my best to refrain from letting my mouth drop to the floor as I look at the hottest thing I’ve seen since sliced bread. It’s Jeremiah Drake, the youngest Drake brother. He’s tall, dark, handsome, and a grease monkey. It’s like music to my ears.
Growing up, I learned how to do anything and everything in this shop. I remember Jeremiah as I kid, but he never noticed me. I was a girl that was a few years younger, off limits, and a tomboy. Who am I kidding? No guy around here paid any attention to me so I focused on what I loved most—Paw and cars. My summers were spent in this shop, his old barn and out at the creek.
“You going back to work or you gonna gawk all fuckin’ day?” I ask.
The way he cuts his eyes toward me makes my damn panties want to drop. “I’m goin’ back to work. Look, I’m not sure what the deal is, but I was told I was in charge. I don’t mind you hanging around and looking pretty, but this place is no place for a girl.”
Without thinking twice, I begin to laugh at his comment. He might think that I can’t handle myself on the floor, but I learned from the best and I refuse to let the best down.
Chapter 2
Jeremiah
The moment she laughs, my fucking dick takes notice. What the hell is wrong with me? It’s Landry. The girl that used to run around here in bib overalls with her hair in a ponytail. She was always under the hood with Mr. Mayes and the moment I told her she couldn’t handle this shop, I knew I was full of complete shit. This girl will put Davis and these other guys to shame. I swear, they better think twice before challenging her on the shop floor.
Without another word, I turn from her and slam the door behind me then all eyes are on me as I walk out and go back to work without a word.
“Dude, what the fuck is up?” Davis questions.
“That’s Landry. Mayes’ granddaughter. She’s in charge.”
“Shit,” he says. I don’t say a word, but as he and the rest of the guys start to talk about her and her fine ass, I can’t handle it. I snap.
“Y’all need to get back to work and quick gawking at her,” I say and Davis looks at me.
“Don’t,” I say as I point the allen wrench toward him. He tosses his hands up in the air and goes back to work.
For the next three hours, I work and when everything on the to-do list is finished, I begin to clean up my mess. Looking around, I see that Davis and Smoke are sweeping the floor. As the door to the office opens, she walks out and they both stop to stare. I, on the other hand, pretend she’s not even here.
Landry
The moment that I walk out of that office, I feel too many sets of eyes on my ass. I knew walking into the shop dressed like this was a bad idea, but hey, what choice did I have? I literally just rolled into town.
Stopping, I look to see that Jeremiah isn’t looking my way and that doesn’t surprise me one bit. He’s always bee
n a hard ass, one that worked his ass off and was great at his job. Hell, that’s why Paw hired him once his dad got killed in the accident when he was a freshman in high school.
“See y’all in the morning,” I say over my shoulder as Davis and Smoke give a nod. Jeremiah doesn’t acknowledge me at all. Funny thing is, I know he thought that this place was going to be his one day, but Paw had other plans. He’s always said it was mine when I was ready, and now that he’s sick, I can help take care of him and this place.
As the door shuts behind me, I walk to my 67’ Camaro and let all the air out of my lungs. How in the hell am I going to work around him? If I thought he was cute back in the day, it’s got nothing on him today. His body is rock hard, his biceps screaming to get out of the denim Mayes Autobody shirt and those damn Dickies work pants fit his ass just a little too perfectly. Why is that? On most men they look like they are about to fall off, but not him. What does he do? Bench cars for a living? Shaking my head, I crank up the engine and love the sound that it makes when the engine catches. Pushing in the clutch, I put her in reverse and back out of the shop, heading straight toward the hospital.
Walking in, I see him sleeping in the bed and I debate on whether I should wake him. Without saying anything, I take a seat and slide it quietly beside the bed. Taking my phone, I text my mom to let her know that he’s resting. She left earlier today to go back to work and he’ll be going home soon.
When my phone chimes, his eyes begin to flutter open. “Hey there, pretty girl.”
“How you feelin’, Paw?”
“Like new. Now if they’d let me out of here, I’d be better. How’s the shop?”
Giggling, I shake my head. “That’s all you’re worried about, huh?”
His eyes go wide. “Please tell me Drake kept his mouth shut.”
“Paw, no worries. I got him and those other guys covered. They aren’t anything I can’t handle. I will say, I’m pretty sure he had no clue I’d walk through the door. He also said you left him in charge.”
Paw presses his lips together in a firm line. “About that…I might have said that.”
“Paw!”
“Pretty girl, I had to have someone to watch over and no matter what anyone says, he’s the only one besides you that I trust to run the shop. Those other fuckers goof off too dang much. How’d he take it?” Pausing, I try to get the right words for Paw, but before I can comment he says, “You busted his balls, didn’t you?” He starts laughing. “That’s my girl, but you better watch out. He’s a Drake and their tempers aren’t one to mess with.”
“Paw, I can handle Jeremiah. I’ve known him since we were kids.”
“Exactly, and I know you had that little crush on him.”
Heat rises in my cheeks as he says the words, but I know he’s right. “We’re adults now.”
“Yes, and you’re no longer that little tomboy. Twenty bucks says those guys were talking all kinds of shit the moment you walked in,” he says as there’s a slight knock on the door. “Come in,” he says and when the door opens, I’m met by Jeremiah.
“I’ll give y’all two a few minutes,” I say to them as I grab my purse and phone, and walk out the door.
Chapter 3
Jeremiah
The moment I left work, I knew I needed to come see Mr. Mayes. I’m not sure what the deal is but he left me in charge and I’ll be damned if she’s going to tell me what the hell to do. The moment I turn the door knob, I see her sitting there with her hair cascading down her face as she looks to me. That’s when I meet her eyes, but quickly divert them to Mayes. She excuses herself and I silently thank God that she left. There’s something about her being in the room that makes it hard for my lungs to function.
Taking a seat beside him, he looks at me and laughs, which pisses me off. “Something funny, old man?” I question.
“Yeah. You and her both. Look, I’ve been waiting on Landry to get to town, but I had to have you in charge until that happened. She knows what she’s doing.”
“I get that. Hell, I know she’s good under the hood, but what about me and all these years I’ve worked my ass off?”
He takes the button and lifts the bed so that he’s in a seated position. “Yes, you have but she’s my granddaughter. She’s wanted this since she was a kid.”
“You don’t think I haven’t?” What did you do, have pity on me after my dad died? Is that what this is, Mayes?” Sliding the chair back from behind me, I stand and don’t have anything else to say.
Walking toward the door, I hear him say my name, but I don’t turn around. Fuck this and that shop. I’ll do my damn job, but that’s it. I haven’t spent the last eight years of my life in that shop working my ass off to just be someone’s bitch for the rest of my career. I’m better than that and if I can’t take it over, I’ll open my own shop as soon as I get a down payment.
Landry
They moment I hear the door slam, I know it didn’t end well, and silently I wish I had been a fly on the wall. Giving him a few minutes to get out of the hallway, I walk back to Paw.
“What they hell did you say to him?”
“I told him the shop was always going to be yours. He needed to know that.”
“Maybe, but he’s the best mechanic you’ve got. What if he doesn’t show up tomorrow?”
“Pretty girl, he’ll be there. That boy might have a short fuse, but his parents raised him right. He’ll be there, but you better watch out. He’s not going to take any shit from you.”
“I know. So when are we ditching this place?” I question.
“Hopefully tomorrow. Doctors said all my reports look good.”
“Great! You need anything before I head to the house? I’m going to make sure it’s ready for you when you get home.”
“Nah, I’m good.”
Sitting for a few more minutes, I then stand and kiss his forehead before walking toward the door.
“Hey, Landry?”
“Yeah?”
“Wear something a little more shop-like tomorrow. I’d hate to hear what vulgar words were used today.” Shaking my head, I walk back and give him another hug and tell him I’ll see him tomorrow.
Chapter 4
Jeremiah
The moment that I walk out of the hospital, my anger continues to boil. How in the hell am I going to work for her? A woman in a fucking shop? I know she’s good, but hell, I don’t want to take orders from anyone, especially not her.
Sliding in my truck, I see her Camaro in the parking lot. What I wouldn’t do to get under that hood. I bet she purrs gently but roars on the road if challenged. Putting the truck in gear, I head toward the farm, and as I pull up I notice Beckett is home. Great, I really don’t have time to hear his ass today.
Walking into the house, I hear him in the kitchen talking to Colby, and I try my best to make it past him. No use.
“Where you been, Jer?” Colby questions.
“Hospital. Checking on Mayes.”
“How is he?” Beckett questions.
“Good. I think he’s getting discharged tomorrow,” I say as I grab a longneck from the refrigerator.
Taking a long pull, they both look at each other. “What happened?” Colby questions.
“Nothin’. I’m getting a shower and heading to Barger’s if any of you punks wanna go.”
Without waiting on them to answer, I down the rest of my beer, toss it in the trash and grab another before walking toward my room.
Walking toward the shower, I cut on the water, take another pull of beer, crank up my music on my phone and step in. Placing my hands on the wall in front of me, I let the water fall over me and try to erase what happened today at work. A night at the bar is exactly what I need. Good greasy food and beer. A lot of beer because the only way I’m going to make it through the next few months is beer and a lot of overtime so I can get the hell out of that shop.
Cutting off the water, I quickly slide on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. Grabbing my ball cap, I place it
on my head, then grab my wallet and my boots. Walking downstairs, Colby and Beckett pause when they look at me.
“Dude, you on a mission or somethin’?” Colby says like a smart ass.
“Maybe. So y’all shitheads going or what?”
“I’ll meet you both there,” Beckett says to us. Shrugging my shoulders, I look to Colby and he grabs my keys.
“I’m driving,” he says.
“Like fuck you are,” I say to him.
“Dude. What the hell is your problem?” he questions.
“Nothing. Look, if you’re going to be a pain in my ass all night, you can wait on Beckett.”
Colby doesn’t say anything else. He drops it, passes me the keys, but he knows that’s the smartest thing he can do right now. Drakes don’t talk about shit. We keep it to ourselves and if something needs to be settled, we settle it with our fists. Or at least that’s what we used to do until Everett come back home and Beckett got the honorable job at the fire station. For me, nothing feels better than taking your aggression out with your fists.
Our ride to Barger’s is quiet but when I reach for the handle, he starts to talk.
“Jer, I’m not sure what the hell happened today, but I’ve got your back.” I don’t answer; instead, I step out of the truck and see that fucking Camaro.
“Fuck me,” I say and Colby looks my direction then to the car. “Let’s go get drunk.”
“Works for me,” he says as we walk to the entrance of Barger’s.
Walking in, I go straight for the bar and see my brother, Everett, and his fiancée, Stella. I give him a head nod as I pull the stool out and he slides the beer my direction before turning to say something to Stella.
He turns back my way and I give a slight wave as he comes toward me. “Rough day?” he questions.
“You could say that. How ‘bout let’s just not talk about it and I’ll drink instead.”
“Sure, but you might want to be careful. Your boss is in the corner,” he says like a jackass and when I look over my shoulder, my blood begins to boil when I see Landry playing pool with Banks Martin. He’s a fucking ass hat. Wait, why the hell do I care anyways?