by Casey Peeler
Chapter 7
Jeremiah
As the glass doors open, my arm falls from her shoulder as she approaches the nurses’ desk. “My Paw was just brought in,” she begins to say as Beckett comes through the door in his uniform with a look on his face that makes me sick to my stomach. Landry looks to him and as she turns to look at me, I see her begin to fall. Sliding behind her, I grab her in my arms and hold her tightly as she begins to sob uncontrollably. Taking her in my arms, I scoop her into them and hold her tightly as Beckett walks us back to him.
Walking into the room, it’s quiet and the stillness brings back the worst day of my life. I can still remember the day we were all brought into a room like this and when I looked down, I saw the most beautiful woman in the world completely silent. The day I lost my parents, I lost a piece of myself, but there’s something about the silence that you can’t forget and right now, the silence is deafening.
Placing her down, she doesn’t say a word and I look to Beckett. I’m sure that she wants her privacy. Taking a step toward the door, she reaches for my hand and I pause. Taking a deep breath, Beckett leaves me with her in there alone.
She doesn’t say a word, but as she looks at Mr. Mayes, we see he no longer is the man full of shit and a hard ass. He looks peaceful, happy, and almost smiling.
Landry lets go of my hand and takes his in hers as silent tears fall from her eyes. “What the fuck, Paw?” she says as she looks at him. “You said you were fine.” I feel her anger begin to rise and I don’t know if I should stay or leave. As I start to take a step away from her, her shoulders begin to shake and she breaks into a million pieces again. Looking at her, I know that I can’t leave and for the first time in my life, I want to hold and comfort someone.
Taking her in my arms, she turns as her tears soak my dirty t-shirt. I place my hands in her hair and gently rub them through her hair while resting my chin on the top of her head.
“It’s going to be okay, Landry,” I say. She pauses and looks up to me.
“For some crazy reason, I actually believe you.” I smile at her and can’t help but thank Mayes for bringing her to town, even if she’s a complete pain in my ass.
Landry
The moment he told me I’d be okay, I believed him. I have no idea why. Oh hell, who am I kidding? The moment he took charge when we got the call, I knew that he was the one. He’s the one that Paw had been pushing me toward. He wanted me to take over the shop, but he also wanted to have someone there to watch over his pretty girl. Jeremiah Drake is that man. He’s rugged, cusses like a sailor, great with his hands, and most of all, he’s loyal to a fault.
When I can no longer cry, I pull back from him. “Can I have a minute with him?” He nods.
“You want me to wait on you or do you want Beckett to take you home?”
“Wait, please,” I say as he steps out of the room and closes the door.
Pulling up a plastic hospital chair, I take a seat and hold Paw’s hand. “You know I really want to cuss you right now? You had this planned all along, didn’t you? Paw, I don’t know how I’m gonna survive without you, but I think you’re right. He’s good at what he does. I think I’m going to give him the shop. He deserves it more than me. Damn, I miss you already.” The nurse comes in and asks if I’m ready, and I nod, the tears beginning to flow as I tell him I love him once more. She escorts me to the waiting room and as I enter the room, Jeremiah stands and I walk into him arms. He doesn’t say a word; instead, he takes me in his arms, carries me to the truck, and takes me to Paw’s.
Arriving at Paw’s, he goes to open the door, and I take his hand and shake my head.
“I can’t go in there right now.” He nods, puts the truck in reverse and takes me to the shop.
As we pull up to the shop, there’s not a car in the parking lot as the sun has set. He walks around and opens the door as I slide out and we walk inside. He doesn’t say a word, but as we enter, he locks the door, turns on the lights, walks to the refrigerator and passes us both a beer.
“Come on, let’s take a look at ole Betsy over here,” he says, knowing that this will be the only cure for the hole in my heart. He cuts on the radio and as Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man” plays through the speaker, I do my best to keep from crying. Jeremiah takes the socket wrench and passes it to me as I pull my hair through a Mayes Auto hat. He pops the hood and we both go to work without a word. As the music continues to play, my mind wonders what happens next.
When we’ve worked until the engine begins to purr, we both prop ourselves up against the work bench and listen for a few moments in silence.
“Damn, that sounds amazing,” I say.
“It does. I bet he’s smiling down,” Jeremiah says with a small smile.
“I know he is.” Taking a long pull on my beer, I try to keep the feelings at bay. I think that there’s more to what’s happening here, but it could be the loss I’m feeling. Finishing my beer, I toss it in the trash can and turn to grab another when he takes me by the hand and pulls me flush to his chest.
“Landry, I’m sorry about Mayes, but I’m also sorry for how I acted at the hospital. I shouldn’t have been like that with him. It just pissed me off that he’d trust you with this place and not me.”
Speechless. I can’t even form the words. He takes the hat and pulls it from my head, forcing me to look him in the eyes.
“I’m also sorry I walked out of here last night.” My eyes find his and everything in my heart says to fall, but my mind says to slam on the brakes.
“Yeah, I’m sorry about that, too.” He leans down and turns my chin to him. His eyes lock in on mine and my body relaxes as I look up to him. He leans in and his lips find mind. Tonight, they are gentle, unlike last night. His hand slides behind my neck and as our lips dance together, I realize that only Jeremiah can make me forget the loss that I feel right now. Taking him by the hands, I pull him toward the office. As we walk inside, I push the door shut and walk him toward the worn leather couch. As he takes a seat, I straddle him as eyes find mine. “Landry, are you sure?” he questions.
“Make the hurt disappear.”
Chapter 8
Jeremiah
The moment her words escape, I want to do nothing more than to meet her needs. Looking into her eyes, I see the pain and it makes my heart hurt to know she’s in agony. Never have I felt what I feel right now. I want to take all of her hurt away and if this is how she wants to make it disappear, I’ll obey her wishes. I only hope that both of us are able to handle the consequences tomorrow.
Taking her hair in my hands, I pull her face toward mine and as our lips collide, her hands find the edge of my shirt. Her hands graze the top of my jeans and as she moves up my chest, I know that there’s no turning back once we cross this line. As she takes the hem of my shirt in her hands, she pulls it above my head and when she tosses it to the floor, her eyes come back to me. She then takes her hands and roams up and down my chest. Something inside me tells me to offer her one more out.
“Landry, if we—” She interrupts me.
“There’s no going back.”
Without any other words, I take her and flip her on her back on the couch. Staring at her, I realize how truly beautiful she is.
“What’s wrong?” she questions.
“You’re beautiful,” and a single tear starts to fall from her eye. Taking my thumb, I wipe it away and then kiss it away.
Leaving her lips, I then trail down the side of her neck and as she begins to move beneath me, I pull her tank from her body and worship her slowly like she deserves. Without a word, I remove the remainder of her clothes and she does the same to me as I then grab a condom from my wallet. Lining up at her entrance, I can feel how wet she is for me, and all I want to do is ride all fucking night. Knowing I need to take things slow, I push myself inside and as she moans, I do my best to stick with the plan of slow. Worshipping her from head to toe, she meets me with every movement, and when we’ve pushed each other to our limits,
I push her over the edge. Watching her come undone underneath me, I try my best to hold off, but when her eyes meet mine I let go.
Pulling out from her, I lean in and kiss her once more before I pass her clothes back to her. Quietly, we get dressed and when I go to stand, she takes my hand.
“Can’t we just stay here? I can’t go to Paw’s,” she says as a tear escapes her eye again, and this one is of pain, unlike what I wiped away earlier.
“How about I go with you?” I can’t believe I just offered that. What’s wrong with me? Then she looks at me and I realize what’s wrong with me. I’ve fallen for her and it’s only been a fucking day.
“You’d do that that?” she says as her eyes meet mine and I nod.
Landry
The moment that he says he’ll go to Paw’s with me, my heart skips a damn beat. I shouldn’t feel this happy in this moment with everything going on, but I can’t help but feel that Paw had this planned all along.
Jeremiah takes me by the hand, turns off the lights, and walks me to the truck. Taking his phone, he quickly texts someone and I can’t help but wonder who.
“Sorry, I had to let Beckett know I won’t be home. He’d be worried after the night tonight.”
“You mean he’s still trying to act like your dad?”
“Yeah, but I get it.”
I don’t say anything on the ride to Paw’s house and as we pull down his gravel drive, nerves start to get to me when my phone begins to ring. Looking down, I feel like I’m going to be sick when I see Mom’s picture flash on the screen. I’ve not even called her. Shit.
“Mom,” I say as my voice begins to quiver. “He’s…he’s…gone,” I say as the tears start to fall. She begins to speak, but I can’t talk. I fall apart in the truck. He takes the phone and I vaguely recall him talking to her calmly before putting the truck in park and walking around to me.
“She’s coming, Landry. She’ll be here by morning.” Nodding, he takes me by the hand and I slide out of the truck, but the closer I come to the steps of his front door, the harder it is to walk toward it. The tears begin to fall harder and I look to him.
“I can’t do this.”
He takes me in his arms and holds me for a few minutes then looks to me. “Yes, you can. I won’t leave you.”
Taking me by the hand, he guides me up the step, unlocks the door, and doesn’t leave my side as we walk into his house.
Letting out a deep breath, I take in the house and its stillness. Looking in the living room, I notice that there’s an envelope on the side table.
Letting go of his hand, I walk to it. It wasn’t here earlier today. Standing above it, I look down and see my name written on it.
“What’s that?” he questions.
“Not sure. It wasn’t here when I left.” He walks toward me and we both take a seat on the couch. Looking at my name, I slide my fingers across it and can almost feel him as I trace my name. Turning it over, I’m careful not to tear the contents inside. I gently pull the paper from the envelope and unfold it. My hands begin to tremble as I see my name. Jeremiah takes his hand and places it on my leg to calm me as a tear falls to the page.
Looking down, I begin to read it.
Pretty girl,
I’m guessing if you’re reading this, I really bit the bullet this time. I know you’re ready to kick my ass, but I couldn’t let you wait on me all the time. You needed to get back to the shop. I’ve been sick for some time, and I might have led y’all to believe it wasn’t a big deal. It was and now it’s over. I’ve been praying for some time now to have you back here with me. My only regret is that I didn’t get you here sooner. I wanted to show you a few things at the shop, but I’m sure that Jeremiah can do that. Jeremiah. Now that’s a story that I’m willing to bet will be one for history, just like Mimi and me. Take care of him. He’s a good boy with a bad boy shell, but I knew from the time he started working for me that he was the man for you.
With that being said, I want both of you to run the shop. He’s been bred to do it and honestly, I told him that shit the other day to piss him off, but to also see how he reacted to you. No matter what he said, the way he looked when he saw you in my room said enough. He loves you even if he’s too stupid to admit it.
Take care of your mama. She’s not going to handle this well, but tell her to suck it up, buttercup.
I’ve left everything I own to you and Jeremiah. It’s up to the two of you to work out the logistics.
Pretty girl, I’m sorry I had to go, but Mimi was waiting and I can’t wait to dance with her in my shop in heaven.
Love,
Paw
Finishing the note, I look to Jeremiah. “He knew when I left I’d never see him again.” Without another word, I pass him the letter.
Chapter 9
Jeremiah
The moment she hands me the letter, I’m unsure if I want to read it or not. I tried not to invade her privacy, but I saw my name on there and it made me curious. As she hands it to me, she watches me intently as I read it.
By the second sentence, I laugh as his sense of humor is still shining through. As my eyes find my name, I pause at what it says. He knew I’d fall for her, but I’m thanking God they stopped by the shop when he got discharged. If my last words were me slamming the hospital door, I’d never forgive myself. He was always one that hoped for the best in people. I’m the perfect example. He took me under his wing and it saved my life. However, the fact that he knew Landry would be the girl to still my fucking heart in less than a weekend, I really want to drink a beer with him.
Continuing to read, I see the words that baffle me. He left us everything. I look to her and she’s smiling. “Guess you’re stuck with me,” she says with a smile.
“Hell, I couldn’t have walked away from that shop if I wanted to. It would have been like walkin’ away from my fuckin’ family.”
Passing her the note, she folds it carefully and places it back in the envelope and on the side table. Turning to me, she looks me in the eyes.
“Jeremiah, are we crazy?”
“That’s debatable by most folks in town, with me anyways,” I laugh.
“I mean, I got to town yesterday and today, look at us.”
Placing my arm around her, I pull her into my side. “Landry, I’ve never been one to do anything by the book. Hell, you were the last thing I expected to walk in yesterday, but Mayes knew what the hell he was doing. How about we see what happens? You’ve got a lot to deal with over the next few days, and I don’t want to complicate it.” Suddenly, her small smile fades. Taking her chin, I lift it so she can look in my eyes. “I want you, Landry Mayes, but life just threw you a massive curveball, and I want to make sure when everything settles that I’m what you want.”
Landry
Taking a moment to soak up what he’s saying, I get it. From the outside looking in, we probably look like two idiots. However, when I glance to the photo of my Mimi and Paw on the table, I can’t help but think how young and crazy in love they were.
“Promise me one thing,” I say to him.
“What’s that?”
“Tomorrow morning, you’ll be here when I wake up.” He looks to me and bends down.
“I’ll never leave your side if that’s what you want.” Smiling, he looks at me with question, “What are you thinking?”
“Y’all Drake brothers really aren’t as bad as people make you out to be.” He begins to laugh and it makes me mad. “I mean, you did about beat Banks’ face in at Barger’s for me, but you’ve got a heart, Jeremiah Drake. One that would make your parents proud.” Quickly, he turns his head from me but I slide my hand on the side of his face, turning it back to see a glisten in his eye. “It’s all right to miss them, and it’s okay to let love in.” Looking up to him, I bring my eyes to his and our lips meet.
As our kiss deepens, I pull back from him. “Take me to bed, Jeremiah.” In one swift motion, he scoops me into his arms and carries me to my room. Laying me on the bed, he
worships me the way a girl deserves and I know that he’s the piece my heart has been missing.
Epilogue
6 months later
Jeremiah
The past six months have been a fucking rollercoaster. I’ve gone from being single, working my ass off, and expecting life to just keep turning, to this. When she walked through that glass door of the shop, she rocked my damn world. I can’t get enough of Landry and Mayes was right when he left her the shop. She knows her shit, doesn’t take any shit from the guys, and lets me believe I’m in charge.
Closing the hood of a mini-van, I see her walk in in a pair of cut off shorts and a tank top. Damn. I want to follow her in that office and fuck her against the wall, but I refrain since there are customers present. Davis starts to snicker, and I give him a go to hell look then see her smile my direction as she walks toward her office. I notice she’s carrying some type of gift. Shit. Did I forget something—birthday? Anniversary of some kind? Maybe it’s for tonight at Barger’s?
“Dude, just go on to the office because we can read your damn mind.”
“Shut the fuck up and get back to work,” I say as I smile then walk into the office, closing the door.
She turns around from the filing cabinet, almost startled, then smiles, walking toward me. Taking her arms, she wraps them around my neck and leans up for a kiss. As I deepen the kiss, she steps back and I take a step forward.
“Jeremiah, there are customers out there.”
“And?” I say, locking the door. “That’s never stopped us before.” She bites the corner of her lip and I know she’s thinking about it.
Without another thought, she walks over to me and pushes me on the couch, straddles me and quickly gets me twisted in a good way. Man, I love it when she takes charge. Within moments, she’s got my dick free and doing her best to ride me quietly, knowing she wants to scream my name for the entire shop to hear. When she comes down from her high, we’re both smiling.