Wrench
A Steele Riders MC Novel
C.M. Steele
Contents
Simon and Mackenzie
Chapter 1
Wrench
Chapter 2
Mackenzie
Chapter 3
Wrench
Chapter 4
Mackenzie
Chapter 5
Wrench
Chapter 6
Mackenzie
Chapter 7
Wrench
Chapter 8
Mackenzie
Chapter 9
Wrench
Chapter 10
Mackenzie
Chapter 11
Wrench
Chapter 12
Mackenzie
Chapter 13
Wrench
Epilogue
Twenty years later
About the Author
Simon and Mackenzie
Sometimes a mother does know best.
Simon “Wrench” West has been hounded by his matchmaking mother for the past eight months to meet the woman she knows is perfect for him. In those eight months, he’s never encountered the woman and starting to think his mom has lost her mind until a broken down car finds his mystery girl on the back of his bike.
Head back to Steeleville for this quick Insta-love Romance.
Chapter 1
Wrench
“I need milk and eggs on your way home from work, please,” my mother says after calling the shop twice today. I don’t even live with her. Seriously, she needs to find a hobby or a boyfriend or some shit. I love my mother, but she gets bored easily. I have a custom build and repair shop to run and don’t have time to chit-chat about nothing. Most of her calls are for the same damn thing. She wants grand babies, and as her only child, it’s my duty to give them to her. I scoff because her attempts are getting feebler.
I roll my eyes when she reminds me that there’s a girl at the store I’ll fall in love with. She’s been at it for a long time with this one, and I’ve wondered if she’s gone senile or something. I’ve seen every single female in that store, and she’s nuts. Two of the females are underage, and the other two are married.
My head always begins to throb when she starts this mess. “Mother, please. I’ll pick up your groceries. Text me a full list, so I don’t have to go back,” I grumble, trying to remain polite. She is my mother, after all. I’d never disrespect her.
“I will. Gosh, I wish you’d run into Mackenzie already. I can’t believe you haven’t yet. She’s absolutely adorable.” The whine in my mother’s voice works my nerves right now. She wants grandbabies so damn bad that she forgets that it’s not that easy. Yeah, I could fuck any woman and possibly knock her up, but I’m pretty damn selective and right now too busy to even take a trip to Dallas to hit the bars.
“Adorable? I’m a grown-ass man,” I bark out, catching Flex, my lead mechanic, smirking as he just strolls into my office to drop off some papers. I needed to keep that door closed. I flip him off while holding the phone to my ear. He needs to get the fuck out of my office.
“Watch your language.” She always gets on my ass about swearing even though I’m already twenty-seven.
“Sorry, Mom.” Flex’s shoulders shake. I’m about to fire his ass if he doesn’t quit that shit. He’s my crew manager, right-hand man, and asshole extraordinaire. Covering the phone, I snarl out, “Get your ass back to work.” He laughs his way out, closing the door behind him.
“You’re a good boy. Besides, Mackenzie’s perfect for you. Trust me when I say it.” This woman is persistent.
“Is she even real?” I question because I’ve been to the store for the past eight months and never ran into this girl. Please tell me she’s not talking about the teen girls that are jailbait. I’m not interested in little girls.
“Yes, she is. I don’t know how you haven’t seen her yet. She works every time I send you there,” she exclaims as if she’s more annoyed than I am, which is hardly the case. I feel like she’s going to try even harder.
“So you gave away your motive, Mother.” I tap my pen on my desk and shake my head. This woman has absolutely no shame.
“I haven’t been hiding it.” I can just see her rolling her eyes at me.
“Well, maybe she’s onto you and hiding from me. Have you ever considered that you pushed yourself so hard on your favorite candidate for grandbaby mama that she bailed on you?”
“I’m sure she’s not. Or at least I was sure, but now that you mention it, I believe she might be. That’s not nice. I think she’ll make beautiful babies with you. Maybe she has a boyfriend.” Suddenly, I feel irrationally jealous over this imaginary woman and her boyfriend. I don’t know the woman, so it’s absurd and I toss that emotion out. It’s just pride over this imaginary woman choosing someone else over me. My mother is driving me crazy.
“Mother, I have to get back to work. I’ll stop off there at nine to drop it off.”
“Thank you, sweetheart.” I end the call and then leave it on my desk because I have a shit load of work to do before I can close up the shop. I scoop up my Windows Surface and head out onto the floor to check in with my staff.
I’m just down the stairs when Boomer walks up to me. “Hey, Wrench, can I have a word with you?” He’s the President of the Steele Riders and the founder of Steeleville. We’ve known each other for years before I came to work here. I offer up my service to the Riders when needed, especially on customizations.
As we shake hands, I ask, “What’s up, Boomer?” Just as he’s about to answer the sound of cutting metal becomes too loud. Holding my hand up to stop him from speaking, I lead him away from the noise around, so we can talk.
As soon as we’re in my office, I close the door and take a seat on my desk while he leans against my metal file cabinet across from me.
“So what’s up?” I ask now that he can hear me.
“I need for you to customize two more trucks this month. With Ghost back, he needs one for him and Grace.” It’s a miracle that Rico’s back from the dead. Our world just stopped when we got the news. We knew he was on an undercover assignment. Still, we knew nothing about it until the fateful day we got the news that his things were delivered to his boss with a sinister message. Now that he’s back, reinforcements are needed for all of the Riders. We don’t know what we’re up against or who, but it’s better to be prepared for war.
Bringing up a new order screen on my tablet under the Riders’ billing account, I make a note to get my calendar and schedule planned. Cyber created a phenomenal software that allows me to merge supplies with the necessary job, billing, and calendar in one massive database that will enable me to multitask that I can access from a tablet or computer. Every workstation has one set up, so the guys can update their notes while they work.
“Got you.” I start typing away, getting all the information entered in my usual slot for Boomer’s orders. They take priority which the system allows for as well. This is one hell of a program that I love. Cyber could make a killing on it. I know he’s working to patent and perfect it.
“Bill it up. How long will it take?” That’s the more challenging part. Even if he’s a top customer, not all parts come in when you want them.
“At least two weeks. I have a shipment coming in from Pittsburgh next week. Any special features?”
“Not for Grace since she’s working with Doc. Ghost is going to be a Deputy now, so you might want to equip his personal truck with the usual.”
“Understood.”
“I’ve got to run. We’re doing a demo in Dallas today after the last storm, so I’m busy for the day.”
“Is someone picking up Crysta
l?” She’s about to have their first baby soon, so someone must be around to get her to the hospital. She’s still teaching at the school for the next week and then they go on summer vacation.
“Yeah, Jackson said he’ll scoop her up and bring her home.” Everyone took turns looking out for every Rider woman. The Prez’s wife had twice as many people watching out for her.
“How long until the big day?” The entire town is excited. They’re the first to have a baby out of the Riders.
“Any day now.” He paces the small space in my office and runs his hand through his hair for the third time since I asked about the baby.
I stand up and clap his back. “Well then, best of luck, Prez.”
He chuckles. “Damn. I’m nervous as fuck. I can handle explosives, but babies are a different story.” A special forces explosives expert, and he’s nervous about a baby. I shake my head.
“You got this. Handle your little guy like them with caution.” A mental image of Boomer walking out, holding the baby at arm’s length, pops into my head.
“That’s my plan. I’m sure Crystal will guide me.” We stand and head downstairs back to the shop floor.
“I’m sure,” I remark. Boomer grabs the door, and we head back downstairs to the shop floor.
“Thanks, Wrench.” He gives me a half-smile. I think I just made him more nervous than he’d been a minute earlier.
“No problem, Prez.” We shake hands and then Boomer walks out of the open garage door. His plate’s always full, so he’s in a hurry.
Flex walks up, wiping his hands with a shop towel. “Boss man, we’re almost done with the adjustments to the Jeep for Mr. Branch. He should be here to pick it up at four.” Even though he’s in charge, he still likes to get his hands dirty.
“Great. Has Sanderson come to pick up his car?” I question, needing to get the ball rolling. It’s already nine and our day is booked. We run the shop from seven to seven daily and have a tow service that operates twenty-four seven.
“Not yet. Sanderson had to work late, so he’ll be here this afternoon as well.” My garage and lot are full of client’s vehicles. It’s just a busy time for us.
I rub my hand over my face. “Good, we have to make some room for the upcoming projects. You have two trucks to install bulletproof glass to the windows next week.” I’m going to be working with my hands today to get a couple more out.
“Great. Did you get that order from Mr. Glendale? He had a request for a restore for a World War II Indian, but he said he’d send his request via email, so it’s detailed and written down,” he adds, joy shining in his eyes.
“Yes. We’re talking price now. He’s got an addiction to classic bikes, which I love.” This is the fifth project he’s ordered in the past three years. He collects old motorcycles and wants them restored to working order. We love working on bike restorations and customizations.
“For sure. Old bikes fun to restore.” I rebuilt six of the bikes I own. Three are pet projects that I don’t have time for at the moment. I know they’re going to take forever because some of the parts are going to have to be replaced with modern reproductions. It’s always better to use original parts, but sometimes that’s not in the cards.
“Well, we’re going to be busy finding the parts,” I tell him.
His brows quirk up, filled with suspicion. “Is it running?”
Grimacing, I sigh, “No, and the motor seized up or so his mechanic says.”
With a huff, Flex adds, “Great. So we have to rebuild the engine. That’s going to cost a pretty penny.”
“Exactly, but really he doesn’t mind. He’s trying to convince me to sell my 1929 Indian, but I’m partial to it,” I say, having my own collection that I love.
“That’s because you’ve restored it so damn perfect that it looks like it came off the line yesterday.”
“Frankie’s the one who did the paint job, keeping it to the original.” I truly have an incredible team. “Which reminds me, I need to check in with him right now.”
“Cool. I’ve got to change the oil on this rust bucket.” He winks and then drops down to slide under a nineteen-sixty-seven Mustang. It’s a pretty ride and belongs to Cowboy.
I go around and meet with the rest of the six-man crew before heading back into my office. I’ve got an onslaught of paperwork that needs to be dealt with. After knocking out payroll, I get my hands nice and dirty for the rest of the day.
It’s well after seven when I’m able to call it a night. Another message from my mother reminds me of the trip to the store. Not that I’ve forgotten. Something in me wants to see if this Mackenzie chick she mentioned is real and why have I never seen her before.
I enter the grocery store, and it’s pretty crowded for our small town. Although the people out in Paxton come up here to get some groceries as well. I pull a cart free from the short line near the door. I’m only coming for a few things, but I don’t feel like carrying a gallon of milk for no good reason after a long day.
Just as I head into the bread aisle, I run into the manager, Mitchell. He smiles nervously at me, and I can almost guess he has an issue that he wants me to deal with. Seeing me obviously in filthy work clothes and the late hour, he knows I’m more than likely not in the mood to be social.
“Good Evening, Mr. West.”
“Mitchell,” I grumble.
“I know you’re busy, but we have another forklift acting up.” Of course, does he only have dummies working here?
“Really? Again?” It’s less than six months since the last time I had to repair them. Either it’s intentional, or someone’s an idiot. They’re not toys and could kill someone.
“Yes. I’m starting to think we need to redo our forklift and pallet jack training.”
“Well, that you can call OSHA for. Either that or ask Garrett. I’m not licensed to certify anyone for that, but it can be dangerous for those not properly trained. Call him as soon as possible on it.” From my tone, he knows that’s an order.
“Thanks.”
“If you want the forklift looked at, I can send someone to inspect it. Either that or you can have it hauled out to the shop,” I offer, looking to see a woman with the green work shirt taking off as fast as she came in, failing to get a good look at her.
“Thanks. If you can send someone in, that would be great,” Mitchell says, his voice trailing off.
I only get a glimpse of her dark hair before she disappears. Internally I’m smiling. I don’t know if this is the mysterious Mackenzie, but now I’m curious. When he sees that my attention is no longer focused on him, he says his goodbyes.
We shake hands and then he leaves me alone to do my shopping. Good. I hope this mystery girl hasn’t cut out for the day. I snatch the bread off the shelf, giving no fucks to what I grabbed. My mom is just going to have to deal with it.
When I rush my cart around the corner, she’s nowhere to be found. Shit. Giving up on my curiosity, I grab the rest of the items and head to the register. If she’s hiding, then fuck it. My mother must have done a number on the girl. She probably feels like I’m a crazy stalker. I go to pay for my groceries and split. I don’t chase anyone, especially some little girl running scared.
After the groceries are in my truck, I pull out down the dark road toward my mother’s. When I arrive, she’s sitting on the porch looking disappointed. “Young man, what are you doing alone?” Did she expect me to kidnap the girl?
“Mom, please don’t start. The girl isn’t interested, and I’m not in the mood to chase. I’m going to put these away and go home.”
“Oh no, dear. I’ve got these. You look a mess. No wonder Mackenzie’s running. Go home. You need a shower. I’m sure you’ve had a long day.” She seems put out that I haven’t fallen for this mysterious woman. I kissed her cheek and left her house before she started up again. It felt good to go to my small house next to the garage. My body’s sore and I’m fucking starving. I pop open my fridge and there’s absolutely shit to eat. Damn it, I grab
a banana that’s already ripe and eat it before hitting the shower.
* * *
A month later, I’m looking through my fridge and find it’s empty as hell. It’s late, but I still head out to the store to buy some groceries, calling my mother just in case she needs some as well. It’s been a couple of days since she sent me on an errand for her.
I enter the grocery store and spend the next thirty minutes, picking up the items I need. Just as I reach the checkout lane, I spot a woman’s ponytail dashing out of view. Shaking my damn head, I help the young bagger pack up my things and pay. If this mysterious woman wants to hide from me, I’m not going to bother. Even if I’m a tad bit curious about how scared of me she is. Who said something about me that has her running? Still, I leave, wondering how persistent my mother was in trying to get us to meet.
After taking all my groceries home and putting them away, I call my mother. “Mom, what did you tell that poor girl about me?”
“Only that you’re handsome and good with your hands and extremely single.”
“Mother,” I snarl out.
“What?”
“Please don’t talk to her about me anymore. I’m not interested, and clearly, she isn’t either,” I tell her. I’m not sure I’m not interested, but I am sure as fuck annoyed that she refuses to even look at me. Damn. I didn’t know my pride could hurt like that.
Wrench: A Steele Riders MC Novel Page 1
