Dirty Thoughts - Megan Erickson Page 0,55

you. But you’re going to remind him of his ex-wife, and that’s not going to go well. It’s not about you, though. You just gotta remember that, okay? Don’t take it personal.”

Asher looked a little more confident at that. “Okay.”

“All right, then. Let’s head in.”

Cal walked ahead of Asher. The shop hadn’t opened for business yet, but Brent and Jack were inside, getting the place set up.

Last night, Brent had called Jack to give him a heads-up. Cal had figured that was the best way to handle the situation. Of course, Jack had only grunted into the phone at the news and hung up on Brent. So . . . there was that. But at least they weren’t springing this Max-like kid on their father.

Cal joked about his dad dying, but he didn’t actually want it to happen.

He looked over his shoulder. Asher walked slowly, his head down, eyes on his bright green Converses. The kid hadn’t packed many clothes, but he still looked put together as hell, with his hair doing that flip thing. His father might flip more at the kid’s clothes than his genes.

Brent greeted them at the door and ruffled Asher’s hair. The kid looked a little miffed but seemed to appreciate the supportive gesture for what it was.

Cal heard his father’s boots first and looked up. Jack rounded a car and stood in front of Asher, taking him in.

To Asher’s credit, the kid didn’t back down. He stood firm and waited silently.

Finally, Cal’s dad stuck out his big, callused hand. “I’m Jack.”

Asher shook it. “Asher.”

Jack grunted, squinting his eyes. There was silence for a full thirty seconds before he talked again. “Don’t get in the way around here. I don’t want you getting hurt, because then my insurance rates will go up.” And then he turned around and walked away.

Brent placed his hands on his hips and pulled down his lips, tilting his head. “Huh. That was actually decent for Jack.”

“Agreed,” Cal said.

Asher looked at them like they were crazy.

Cal barked a laugh and clapped him in the back. “Let me show you around.”

After the short tour, they walked out to the garage to get back to work when Gabe’s voice boomed from the parking lot. “How ya doin’, guys?”

Gabe Acosta was all of five foot six, Puerto Rican, and loud as hell. Cal liked him because although he could be a little shit sometimes, he did his job and was generally fun to be around. He had a kid trailing behind him as he stepped into the garage. Well, a teenager, Cal would guess, probably around Asher’s age.

“This is my brother, Julian. He goes to Tory High School.”

Gabe and Brent talked about the new construction to the high school, but Cal was focused on the two teenagers. Julian and Asher had locked gazes, and neither was looking away. Like a game of chicken, but Cal thought there was something going on that was more than a simple teenage game. He clapped Asher on the back, who stumbled a little. “This is Asher. Long story, but he’s our half-brother. He’s in high school too. He’ll be helping us out here for a little while.”

“Cool!” Gabe said, paging through the schedule, completely oblivious to his brother’s huge blue eyes locked on Asher. “I was gonna have Julian hang around a little because he was interested in learning more about the shop.”

Asher made a small sound in his throat.

Cal wasn’t sure if this was a good idea to have these two teenagers in close proximity or a completely horrible one.

Asher stepped forward and held out his hand to the other teenager. “Hey.”

Julian’s eyes got even bigger. “Hi.”

Asher motioned to the back room. “You wanna soda or something?”

Cal shoved him a little. “Yeah, that’s a great idea. You two go get something to drink. And maybe clean up back there too. Sweep or something.”

The kids walked back together, leaving more distance than necessary between them. When Cal took his eyes off their retreating backs, he met Brent’s gaze.

Brent raised his eyebrows. Then he waggled them.

Cal snorted.

“What’s so funny?” Gabe asked.

“Your mom,” Brent retorted.

Gabe rolled his eyes. “You’re an idiot.” He turned to Cal. “Hey, uh, you got a minute?”

Cal glanced around. Their father was in the far bay, bent over the hood of an SUV, and Brent had gone into the office. “Yeah, sure. What’s up?”

“Well, I just bought a ’95 Harley from a friend of mine. I need to get it checked out. I think it’s all