you to walk,” was all I said.
Foster shrugged. “If it was the only option I had…”
“Lucky for you, you had another one.”
“Right. I appreciate all your help. With the car and taking me home.”
I noted how he hesitated on the word home. Did he not consider his apartment home? Or was it as new to him as his job was, so he wasn’t used to it yet?
“It’s no problem. I’ll take a look at it on Monday, and if it’s what I think, it’ll be up and running by the end of the week.”
I stole a quick glance at him to see him gnawing his lip. “So soon?”
I couldn’t help the surprised laugh that burst from my mouth. Most people would’ve been annoyed at the timeframe and would have wanted it done even sooner. “Is that a problem?”
“Uh, no?”
I was quiet as I braked at a red light as I thought about everything he had said, and then it hit me. He was concerned about paying for the car so soon. Even a small issue could become costly, especially when you added in the after-hours tow. My guess was he was hoping to pick up extra shifts or to try to find a way to come up with the money.
“Just so you know, we offer payment plans. When you pick it up, we’ll take a copy of your driver’s license, and then you pay a small amount and the rest in installments over time.”
What I didn’t add was that Clive, the owner, only did that with repeat customers or family. But for Foster I was willing to go over Clive’s head and make an exception. He needed help, and I wanted to be the one to help him, even if I had no idea why.
“Really?” he asked, and I was sure the hope I could hear in his voice was reflected in his eyes.
“Yup. So hopefully that’ll be one less worry.”
“It is,” he said with a sigh and was quiet for a few more minutes.
I had just turned onto Shadeland when he finally spoke again. This time the question came out so quiet I almost missed it.
“Why are you helping me?”
“Truthfully?”
“Always.”
“I have no idea, but something inside me wants to help you in any way I can.”
“I’m not a charity case,” he hissed.
“Never said you were.”
I pulled to a stop at the apartment building and put the gear in park. “I’ll get your information from Chris and give you a call when your car is ready.”
“Thank you again. I guess I’ll see you then.”
“Definitely.”
Foster climbed out of my car, but I refused to back up until I knew he was safely inside. I had no idea which building was his, but I sat there until I felt like enough time had passed for him to enter his apartment. Only then did I allow myself to leave.
I wasn’t sure what it was about that bartender, but he brought out instincts inside me that I never knew existed—protective and primal. I wanted to shade him from all the harm in the world while simultaneously ripping off his clothes and pounding into him.
And while I knew it would probably be best for both of us that I stay away—since he screamed innocent—I had to be honest with myself. Staying away from him just wasn’t possible, and it wasn’t a battle I even wanted to enter. There was no point when I already knew I’d lose.
The week crawled at a turtle’s pace as I split my time between working at Baker’s and meeting with the guys for band rehearsal, but I finally fit Foster’s car into my schedule. I was right with it being the starter, and after ordering the new part and waiting for it to arrive, I got it up and running again. On my dime, I also aired up his tires, checked all the fluids, and threw in an oil change. Everything was low, and hopefully it’d run better than ever and keep him on the road a little bit longer. I’d been in Clancy’s twice now and seen the crowd, and with any luck the tips he’d pocketed would help him through whatever slump he was in.
I found the paperwork Chris had left behind after he’d towed Foster’s car in, and then picked up the phone in the office to give him a call. I could’ve used my cell phone, but I knew I needed to keep this as professional as possible. Especially since I had such an electrifying reaction