Chapter 4

Ford

"Thanks for making sure she gets to school today," I whisper to one of the older women in the trailer park. I don't normally like to leave Felicity, I definitely prefer to make sure she gets to where she needs to go, but today I have to work early. "I'm doing an extra job at the shop ..."

Mabel holds her hand up. "Ford, I don't wanna know about it. You may not be involved in what you were previously, but if you are, I don't want to know about it."

My face is trained not to show anything, and I'd like to not be involved in what I was previously, but I have bills to pay, a fucking kid to raise. Food, after‐school care, clothes, it all costs money, and I'm running lower and lower every single day. "I appreciate it, Mabel."

"I know you do, and I'll always help you."

Felicity is snoozing on Mabel's couch as I leave. She'll wake her up in enough time to make sure she's ready for school, and then verify that she's dropped off. This is one thing I won't have to worry about today. Getting into my old‐ass SUV, I back out of the driveway and head to the main road. The sun isn't even fully up yet. I wish I were still at home in bed, waiting to face the day instead of already looking at it head on.

Pulling into the gas station, I park, and glance inside. Ashley. She's a complication I hadn't counted on. A surprise I wasn't prepared for. She looks fucking miserable standing there behind the register. Like she's trying to hold back tears that are threatening to escape down that beautiful face of hers. Her fucker of a father should be in jail next to Felicity's mother, but some people don't get what's coming to them the way they should.

Getting out, I walk in, tipping my chin at her as I head over to the cooler. There's a plethora of energy drinks that all taste horrible and make my heart pound, but I need them to stay awake. Going up to the counter, I slap the can down, and give her a smirk. "Pack of Marlboro Reds too."

She looks me up and down, her light eyes traveling all over my body. "Both of those things are going to kill you, ya know? Fifteen thirty‐five."

"So will old age, but at least I'll enjoy these." I quirk my eyebrows at her, as I slide sixteen bucks across the counter. "Unless you wanna give me something else to enjoy." This is the first time I've blatantly flirted with her like this, and I don't even know what makes me do it right now. Other than the fact I need to feel like something besides a father working his ass off, and she appears to need something besides this damn job.

Her head tilts to the side. Tongue goes out to lick her lips. "You keep playing your cards right, Chevy, and I might."

I snort loudly, laughing at the guts she possesses. "You know my name's Ford, and if I'm lucky maybe you'll be screaming it one day soon." With those words, I turn on my heel and walk toward the door.

"What about your change?"

I turn back to face her. "Keep it safe for me. If I ever need something, I'll ask for it back."

She takes the coins out of the register and slides them in her pocket. "All you have to do is ask."

The garage is quiet and empty when I get there. Just the way I prefer to work. Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I fire off a quick text to my contact.

F: Where did you leave the car parked in the garage?

C: It's in the back, right hand corner, with a tarp covering it. I need to make sure the damage is fixed as soon as possible. My son was in an accident and I don't need it traced back to him.

F: Got it. I need half the payment. Is it here?

C: In the glove box. I'll give you the rest when the job is complete.

This feels so disgusting. I promised myself I would go straight once Felicity came into my life, but I just can't seem to make it work. Not even living in that shitty trailer. The rising cost of everything is killing me. Even though Tonya is in prison, and it's apparent I'm taking care of Felicity on my own, I can't get food stamps. The only thing the state is willing to give me is healthcare, which does help, but not with the day‐to‐day, making sure she's fed well, has milk, because that will help her grow strong, or fruit and veggies. There are so many times I feel like a second‐class citizen because I'm her dad, and not her mom. There are little to no programs I seem to be able to qualify for, and that's why I'm right back to where I swore I'd never be.

Opening the glove box, there's a sealed envelope. White and thick, stuffed full. Running my finger along the edge, I rip open the paper and quickly count the bills inside. This will make a dent in what I need, but it won't be enough. I'll have to do around four of these jobs, and the quicker I do it, the better I'll feel. Putting my earbuds in my ears, I turn up my rock playlist and get to work.

Two hours later, the first employees start coming into the shop, and I quickly cover up the car I'm working on.

"You're here early, Ford," Isaac—the newest guy on the crew—mentions as he walks in.

I shrug, acting like it doesn't matter. "Gotta do, what you gotta do, kid."

"What'd you do this morning?" He asks, taking a drink of his coffee.

I've been around long enough to know when people are being way too nosy for their own good. "Not that it's any of your business, but I had some bodywork to get caught up on." I didn't lie, but I didn't tell the whole truth either. "A private job, but I'm good for what we need to do today. You won't have to worry you're gonna need to pick up my slack. So let's get to work."

I don't miss the way he looks at me, trying to see beyond what I allow others to witness. No matter if he's just trying to be nice, or what, I won't allow him to fuck up what I need to do for my daughter. There's no one more important to me than her, and I'll be damned if I let this little shit push me into a corner that I won't be able to get out of.