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Adrenaline is surging in my veins, and Billy’s overt flirting after what just happened pulls me out of the moment. A laugh starts at the top of my stomach, and hiccups out on a breath, but I quickly shove it down. I don’t want to lose any ground here.

“Thanks, Billy. I’ll see you later.”

“See you around.”

With great care, I turn on my heel and walk out the door. I continue walking boldly, fearlessly away from the garage, all the way back to my office. I think that was a win, but only time will tell.

Chapter 26

Gray

“You got here just in time.” Chuck Hopper steps across a pile of junk to the old rusted-out Chevy Bel Air. “Fella down in Atlanta just called. Said he needed it for a movie. Offered three times what you’re paying.”

I’m not sure what to say to that. I have no idea if Taylor’s prepared to pay more for the part. “Thanks for holding it for me.”

“I’m a man of my word.” He stretches, scratching his oversized belly through the yellowed-white tank stretched over it.

“I can bring my truck around and load up what I need.”

“Just let me know when you’re done, and we can price it per part.”

I spend the next several hours with my tools gutting the old heap. From what Billy and I can tell, Taylor’s kept his car somewhat up to date. Still, we haven’t looked at everything.

It’s late in the afternoon when I’m done. Chuck has a stump of a cigar in the corner of his mouth, and his red face is sweaty.

“Let’s see.” He looks over in the bed of my truck.

I’m standing beside him looking as well.

“Muffler, radiator… what’s that?”

“Clutch.” I shrug. “You never know.”

He does a nod and tallies it up, giving me the total, which comes in right at the amount Taylor authorized. I toss a canvass tarp over the parts and head to the Plucky Duck motel on the highway. It doesn’t look like anyone’s stayed here in fifty years, but the owner shows me to a clean room.

“Just staying one night?” The proprietor Elmer Pepper squints at me like I’m a bank robber.

“Just need a place to crash on the way home.” I do my best to give him a reassuring smile.

“Where’s home?”

The question gives me an unexpected pause. “Oakville.”

His ancient eyes narrow. “You sure?”

The image of Drew waiting for me, sitting on that palette solidifies my answer. “You bet. I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”

“Welp,” he shrugs. “The pool’s clean if you feel like swimming. Otherwise, if you want to pay up front you can take off in the morning when you’re ready.”

“Sure.” I walk with him to the small office and hand over seventy-five dollars.

“Got a card I can scan for damages?” I give him the plastic, and he scans it. “I won’t charge it unless you break something.”

“Sure.” I start for the door, then I hesitate. “I’ll take a picture of the room before I leave in the morning.”

Elmer only shrugs. “Suit yourself.”

I’m dead on my feet when I crash on the scratchy bedspread. I am not thinking about the horror stories I’ve heard about places like this and semen stains everywhere.