Pretty Sweet - Christina Lee Page 0,52

Like, I want to hang out with him all the time.”

“And fix his tires and give his car a tune-up,” he interjected, then winced. “You sure this isn’t about you taking care of someone again?”

I knew what he was getting at. He was referring to someone other than my mom. Back in high school, there was this pretty, shy girl who’d been pursued by the star quarterback, who unfortunately was an arrogant jackass. And after she’d rebuffed him, he’d made fun of her relentlessly and got all his friends on board to do the same. Man, I couldn’t stand shit like that, especially from entitled pricks. And even though Tucker had warned me not to, I had come to her defense one day after school when no one else would. It was a few months after I’d vowed to start working out and build muscle mass to eventually stand up to my father, so I supposed this dick had been a good practice round. Plus, he never bothered her again. And damn, that had felt good. It made me feel like maybe everything would turn out okay, when I’d felt so helpless for most of my childhood.

I scoffed now, frustration spiking inside me. This was so not the same thing. “Does Seth look like he needs taking care of?” Sure, Seth had a vulnerability I’d spotted immediately. But there were so many other layers to him, and we were only getting started.

“I dunno. Not like I’ve been given the chance to get to know him.” His expression softened. “It’s just…you have this savior complex, which is why I’m surprised you don’t have a collection of rescue animals.”

I smirked. “Give it time; it might happen.”

“Right?” He bit back a grin. “Now that your mom is on her own and doing well…” He shook his head. “Listen, I know I overstepped. You’re never tight-lipped about something unless you think I’ll have an issue with it.”

“Well, duh,” I replied, and he looked away, his cheeks heating. “All I can tell you is that Seth is sweet, and makes me smile, and there’s something about him… I really can’t explain it right now. I’m just getting used to the idea, you know?”

He nodded, empathy shining through his eyes, which made me relax even further.

“It’s all brand-new, so admitting it to you is a huge deal.” I glanced toward the stairs. “Not everyone is gonna understand or get it.”

I thought of Brett and Tad, not that I wouldn’t stand up for myself in front of them. And I sure as hell would not have a work environment that bred intolerance, not when I was one of the bosses, because screw that.

“You’re right, and that sucks,” Tucker said as if he’d read my thoughts. “It’s not my story to tell, so take your time and figure it all out.”

“Sounds good,” I said, blowing out a breath of relief.

“I just wanted us to be straight with each other.” He leaned forward and gave me a one-armed bro hug. “And to tell you I’m here for you.”

“Thanks, man.”

We stood in the middle of the basement, surrounded by boxes, but somehow the task didn’t seem as overwhelming as before.

“How about we crack open a couple of beers, then get back to work?”

“Sounds like a plan.”

We hauled shit up the stairs and out to the curb all afternoon. By the time we finished and ate a delicious dinner with his parents, I was beat and practically fell into bed.

The following morning, I pulled up to Rose City Assisted Living. Mom had left her car keys at the front desk, and I drove her car to the shop so that Mia could provide an oil change. Mom loved Mia and requested her every time there was basic service on her car. And since this was my day off, Mia happily took over some of my jobs. It was the only way she could make it from apprentice to mechanic, and she seemed fine with the slower learning curve, especially with a new baby at home.

We’d have to get someone to run the front office if she became full-time in the garage or left to find another job, which would be a bummer. Tucker sometimes joked that she should replace Brett, who was shit at organizing his own paperwork and always got grease stains everywhere.

While I waited, I shot the breeze with Tad, who watched Mia dreamily from near the air compressor. I almost made fun of him until I remembered Tucker