Chapter 17

Tommy's Harley shop was bigger than I expected. He not only repaired Harleys, but he was also a certified dealership. The man looked to be in his early to mid-forties with short dark hair liberally sprinkled with gray. He had broad shoulders and looked pretty fit. He walked with a slight limp, and then I caught the unnatural motion of his left foot and realized he was wearing a prosthetic. His bearing and overall attitude screamed former military and probably an officer, so I straightened my posture out of long habit.

Tommy chuckled and said, "At ease, soldier. It's been a long time since I wore the uniform."

I relaxed and gave him a sheepish smile. "Sorry, sir." I shook my head. "I mean, Mr. Chambers."

He held out his hand. "It's just Tommy."

I shook his hand. "Okay, Tommy. Thanks for giving me a chance to interview with you."

"Marco had good things to say about you," Tommy replied. "He said you assessed the problem with his bike in less than five minutes and was able to get it running again in less than ten." He motioned for me to follow him through the repair bay into a small office. He sat behind his desk and indicated I should take the single chair set in front of it. "Do you always carry a battery charger in your car?"

I shrugged. "Yeah. You never know when someone will need a jump."

"True," he replied.

I liked Tommy already, so I wanted to be upfront with him. "I don't know if Marco told you, but I don't have my certification to repair late-model Harleys. I'm certified to repair older models."

Tommy nodded. "He told me. He also told me you knew more about his bike than he did. He was impressed when you told him you learned everything by reading repair manuals and watching YouTube videos. I'd say it shows a hell of a lot of dedication."

I felt my face heat with embarrassment. "I couldn't afford the late-model class and taking the time to get up to Bloomfield was tough. When I took the six-week early model course, my boss gave me a hard time for leaving early on class days."

Tommy frowned and clenched his jaw. "Where do you work right now?"

"Jeff's Garage in Bradley Beach. I've been working there since I was sixteen."

His frown deepened. "Jeff Healy?"

I looked over at him in surprise. "You know him?"

He grunted in the affirmative. "He was friends with my oldest brother, who's twelve years older than me. Jeff was always a miserable prick. I guess he still is."

I choked, trying to hold back a laugh. "He seems to have a real problem with me going on my training weekends for the National Guard."

"Probably because he was dishonorably discharged from the Army after only two years in."

I blinked in surprise. "I didn't know that."

"Not too many people do. I only know because my brother told me. He wouldn't tell me what Jeff did. He just said it was pretty bad." He grimaced. "I'm surprised he didn't try to talk you out of joining the National Guard."

Somehow, that bit of information about Jeff didn't surprise me. "He didn't know," I said. "Nobody but my sister, Allie, knew about it. I didn't want to deal with anyone giving me shit for joining."

"Why didn't you just go active?" he asked.

I shook my head. "I couldn't leave my sister for that long. I had to be gone for boot camp, but it was in the summertime, and I arranged to have her friend's parents take her while I was gone."

Tommy looked confused. "What about your parents?"

I didn't want to get into my sad life story with the guy who might be my boss. On the other hand, he seemed genuinely interested and concerned. I let out a slow breath. "My parents aren't…great. I pretty much took over taking care of Allie when I was fourteen. I worked odd jobs until I started working for Jeff when I turned sixteen."

"But you stayed in high school. Good for you."

"I had to. I knew quitting school would be a one-way ticket to being exactly like my father. I didn't want that. I wanted to make something out of my life."

"I have no doubt you will." Tommy glanced up at the clock on the wall. "Shit. Here I am, being nosy about your life story, and I'm supposed to be interviewing you. Charlie's going to kick my ass if I'm late."

I tilted my head. "Charlie?"

He looked me straight in the eyes and answered, "My husband."

I didn't miss a beat. "Well, you don't want him mad at you."

"You don't have a problem with that?"

I shook my head. "No, sir. Why would I?" What I didn't mention was the confusing feelings I was having for a certain hotel manager.

He grinned at me. "Why indeed. And it's Tommy." He stood and came around his desk. "Come on. I have a small task for you." He headed back into the garage, where a late-model Harley Sportster stood on a raised lift.

"Do you know how to use the diagnostic software?" he asked.

I brightened. "Yeah. I went to a Harley show last year and got talking to one of the reps for the software company, and he let me play around with it. He used me as an example of how easy it was to learn to use the diagnostic equipment."

"All right, show me what you've got."

I hooked up the machine to the bike and ran the diagnostic check through all the systems. I checked the tablet and found the problem right away. "Looks like the fuel injectors are bad."

Tommy was watching me quietly, his arms crossed over his chest. "That's right. What's next?"

Tommy let me use his tools and watched as I carefully removed the clogged injectors. I looked over at him, feeling a little embarrassed. "I forgot to ask if you had the replacement parts for these."

Tommy went to the workbench behind him and picked up a box. "Got them right here."

He brought them over to me, and I got to work cleaning up the engine and installing the new fuel injectors. It probably took me longer than it should have, but I was pretty satisfied with what I'd done. I stepped aside so Tommy could check my work.

He took his time looking over the engine, making sure everything was seated properly. Then he lowered the lift and started the bike. The sweet rumble filled the bay. After he turned it off, he was smiling. "Nice work, Zach. And that's without the certification course."

"Thank you," I replied.

"Now, about the certification," Tommy began. My heart sank because I knew I had to have it. He was a certified Harley dealer. He couldn't have an uncertified mechanic working for him.

I blew out a breath. "I just came into some money, and I can probably get a student loan for the rest…"

Tommy put up a hand to stop me. "No need. The shop will pay for it."

"What?" I wasn't sure I'd heard him right. "You're going to pay for it?"

He shrugged. "Not me. The shop." He handed me a rag to wipe off my hands. "You'll be a real asset to the team."

"I…wow. I don't know what to say."

"Just tell me when you can start," Tommy said with a lopsided grin.

Excitement bubbled up in me. For the first time in forever, it felt like I was heading in a direction I wanted to go instead of being dragged along by everyone else's wants and needs. My eyes were burning, and my throat was tight. My voice was hoarse when I answered, "I just have to give Jeff my two weeks' notice on Monday."

Tommy clapped me on the back. "Excellent."

I cleared my throat. I always had such a hard time asking for things, especially since he was going to pay for me to go to school, but I had to. I rubbed the back of my neck. "So, what's the salary? And what about health benefits?"

He steered me back to his office. "I have that paperwork in my desk. I think you'll be happy with your salary. Benefits start thirty days after you do." I sat in the chair in front of his desk while he opened a file drawer to get the paperwork.

A man's voice called from the garage, "Tommy?"

Tommy's gaze shot to the clock. "Shit. In here, Charlie."

As soon as Charlie walked through the office door, I rose to attention like I was on springs. Charlie was tall and lanky, with steel-gray hair cut military short. He had an air of authority about him that told me this man had been at least a colonel before he retired.

Tommy rolled his eyes and sighed. "Don't scare the new employee, Charlie."

Charlie went around the desk and kissed his husband. "I wasn't trying to scare him." He came back around to greet me. "At ease, soldier." He held out his hand. "Charlie McCaffrey."

"Zach Kelley, sir." I rolled my eyes at myself. "Sorry."

"It's fine, Zach. You just get out?"

I shook my head. "National Guard, sir. Joint base."

He nodded his head. "Good unit. I take it you're in the motor pool." I nodded. "Have you been in long?" he asked.

"It'll be twelve years in June." It was really hard not to tack sir onto everything I said to him.

"So, you're a sergeant?"

"Staff sergeant."

Tommy came around and put an arm around Charlie's shoulders. "Enough interrogation, Colonel. Let the man be."

"I was getting to know him," Charlie objected.

Tommy kissed his cheek. "I know you were, love. But his internal officer radar is going nuts. He's doing his damnedest not to salute you. Ease up."

Charlie sighed. "Yes, dear."

Tommy chuckled and handed me the paperwork. "Look this over and let me know what you think."

I glanced down at the top sheet and saw the starting salary. I looked up at him with wide eyes. "This is a lot more than I'm getting now."

Tommy smiled. "We want people to stay."

I nodded. My heart was hammering. This was going to make my life so much easier. "I'll take it home and look over the rest." I held out my hand. "I look forward to working for you."

"I look forward to having you here," he replied.

I shook Charlie's hand as well. "It was a pleasure to meet you."

He smiled. "You as well. I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot more of each other. I have to drag him out of this place three or four times a week."

"That's patently false," Tommy protested.

Charlie looked around the office. "Am I not standing here in your office making sure you're not late for our dinner engagement?"

"I was hiring a new employee," Tommy grumbled.

Charlie put his arm around Tommy's shoulders and steered him toward the door. "And now you're done. It's time to go home, so we're not late."

I chuckled. These two were fun. "I'll get out of your hair so you can lock up. I'll talk to you soon, and I'll see you in two weeks."

I was grinning like a fool the whole way to my car. I immediately pulled out my phone to text Miguel.

Me

All done with my interview

Miguel

How did it go???

Me

Tommy offered me a job on the spot.

Miguel

That's fantastic! Congratulations! What about that certification you talked about?

Me

The shop will pay for me to go to school. And the salary is a lot more than I'm making with Jeff.

Miguel

That's amazing. I'm so happy for you!

Me

Thanks. Want to go out tonight to celebrate?

There was a long pause before Miguel replied.

Miguel

Sorry, I can't tonight. I have a date.

A knot formed in my stomach. Miguel had a date. He hadn't said anything while we were at work. When had that happened? Now, my heart was hammering for a different reason. Miguel had a date, and I didn't like it. What the fuck was wrong with me? I had to answer him. I had to say something.

Me

Ok. We can celebrate tomorrow at Easter brunch. You are still going, right?

Miguel

Of course. I'll be there with bells on. I'll see you tomorrow at noon.

Me

Ok. I'll see you tomorrow.

I did not throw my phone across my car like I wanted. I set it down and sat there, trying to figure out what I was feeling. My head was a mess. I started to picture what Miguel might wear on his date. What kind of makeup he'd apply. Would he wear that sheer top he wore to the nightclub? With each memory of Miguel, my cock thickened and lengthened and my grip on my steering wheel tightened. I finally let go and shook out my hands. I couldn't deny it anymore. I was attracted to Miguel and had no idea what to do about it.