Page 102 of Control Freak

Holden

Banshee playedin the snow that had fallen overnight, turning everything a crisp white that blanketed over our dead grass, rutted dirt drive, and worn porch railings.

Her joy was infectious, and I couldn’t help but smile big before leaning over to kiss Shiloh’s cold lips. “Wish I could stay, but I have to get back to the shop. Not all of us get snow days.”

I’d already pushed my lunch hour well beyond its bounds, but it was difficult to choose spreadsheets that refused to cooperate over my boyfriend’s smiles. A smile I could kiss now. Would wonders never cease? I wasfinallygetting somewhere. Like my brothers, I had a boyfriend, and I couldkisshim.

Shiloh chuckled, eyes sparkling. “Banshee and I are gonna play in the snow all day.”

Banshee jumped around, looking like a bunny, her white coat disappearing into the landscape. Thankfully, her pink, happy tongue made her easy to spot.

I snorted. “Careful what you wish for. You might never get her inside.”

An old Buick LeBaron pulled into the auto shop parking lot. From this distance, I couldn’t see who was driving, but I didn’t need to see. I knew.

“Hey, Jose is here!”

“Jose?” Shiloh asked.

“Oh, he used to work at the shop. He’s kind of a surrogate grandfather to me.”

His eyes brightened. “Can I meet him?”

I’d never gotten that moment where you introduced your boyfriend to your family. Not when I’d brought Shiloh home to my brothers as nothing more than a friend.

My stomach fluttered with nerves. “Sure. Come on over to the shop with me.”

We trudged through the snow, Banshee following along, then racing ahead, then circling us while giving sharp, happy barks.

The bay doors were closed today to keep in the heat, so we had to use the regular door. We stepped inside, stomping snow off our shoes, and bypassed the small customer lobby area to enter the work bay.

Banshee stayed outside, but I wasn’t worried about her running off. She was content to play nearby.

The scent of motor oil hit me right away, the smell of home. Jose’s wide smile and snowy hair were bright in the dingy garage. A little boy of about six clung to his hand, his grandson, Enrique.

All work had screeched to a halt when Jose arrived, as to be expected. I cast a look at everyone standing around. “Why are you all standing around? The boss leaves, and the mechanics play?”

I was joking, for once. Jose was like family, and we all loved to catch up when he visited.

“It’s my fault,” Jose said. “They were hard at it when I got here.”

“Well, of course it is,” I said, unable to suppress the smile overtaking me. “You’re trouble.”

He chuckled. “Compared to Axel? I don’t think so.”

“Axel is boring now,” Bailey said. “He’s dating the sheriff.”

“I heard that.” Jose looked past me to Shiloh. “He’s not the only one with a new young man, huh? I retire, and suddenly, I miss everything.”

“Hi,” Shiloh said, stepping forward and extending his hand.

“This is Shiloh,” I said. “He’smynew young man.”

Jose clasped Shiloh’s hand. “Nice to meet you, son. Do you hug?”

Shiloh didn’t miss a beat. “I love hugs.”

Jose swept him into an embrace, patting his back and whispering something I couldn’t hear into his ear. Shiloh nodded and smiled, so I trusted it wasn’t anything too bad.