Charlie: Northern Grizzlies (Book 4)

by M. Merin

  And we’re off. The ride is over before I can catch my breath from the feel of his hard abs beneath my hand.

  “Hop off now, Charles.” Connal reaches a hand back to help me. “Better get used to this.”

  “I don’t mind the walk, Connal, really.” I try to hand the helmet back, but he ignores me.

  “Get that coffee on then start in on the first lane again.” He says, walking in to meet Royce, who’s watching us closely.

  After stashing my helmet and throwing on my overalls in the back bathroom again, I don’t have a moment to spare in the next few hours. The shop really has been backed up, so Connal has stacked appointments for oil and filter changes. Halfway through the morning, I trip, knocking into the used oil bin and some sloshes out. I look around for the guys, who are both under cars; before I rush off to the closet with the cleaning items.

  “FUCK!” Comes Royce’s roar. “Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.”

  Rushing to the door back out to the garage; I see Royce flat on his back near the oil spill and Connal has just rolled out from under the car he was working on.

  I’m standing in the doorway holding the Caution: Spill Area triangle, a container of sawdust, and some towels. Connal takes in what just happened and simply rolls back under the Shelby he’s working on.

  I walk towards Royce, knowing no matter what I say he won’t be happy. I plop down the Caution sign first.

  “Can I help you up?” I ask, shifting the other items in my hands.

  “Get the fuck away from me.” He growls and I swear I hear a chortle from under the Shelby.

  “Um, if you have oil on your boots…”

  “Give me the goddamn towels, then start spreading the sawdust. Don’t say another fucking word to me.” I do as he says, then turn back to Connal’s office.

  Bringing an ice pack from the employee fridge, I lay it down on the table near where Royce is stretching. A moment later, I jump as it smacks the wall over my head.

  “Enough!” Connal bellows. “Don’t fucking treat Charles like that.”

  “She’s trying to fucking kill me!” Royce roars back. “You might not care since you banged her, but her screw-ups are painful!”

  Every word he says is bad enough; however new customers have arrived and they’re looking between us like a tennis match.

  “We didn’t.” I weakly say. Realizing Royce misunderstood Connal giving me a ride to work.

  “I didn’t. Now back to work. ” Connal voice drowns mine out before he storms over to see to the customers.

  Connal

  Goddamn Royce. I didn’t even think of what it looked like, riding up with her like that this morning. He can get fucking used to it though, cause it felt damn good. Jake was right about her not eating enough though; the bulky clothes she wears covers up the fact that there’s not a lot of meat on her bones.

  Finishing up with the customer, I place an order for a couple pizzas to be delivered for a late lunch. Should be enough left over for her to eat tomorrow also. Don’t want to be too obvious about this.

  Jake and I talked things through last night and we’re going to try to get Charlie to accept us as a package deal. Since the first time we had a ménage during a drunken night our unit was on leave, it’s just always been something I – and he – enjoyed more than going back to one on one.

  We’ve played with the idea, over the years of setting up house with one woman. The last woman we had an ongoing relationship with turned into a disaster, but we both feel so drawn to my new mechanic that we want to give it a try again.

  Before I make it back out to the garage, my phone is ringing.

  “Hey, I found a company in Michigan that makes custom sized mattresses.” Jake starts. “I think eighty-five inches wide would be good, what do you think? A king is seventy-six.”

  I think that’s more than Jake spoke all last week.

  “Putting the cart before the horse there, aren’t you?” I ask, closing the door to the reception area.

  “I have a feeling about her.” He says, more subdued. “Besides, we have to get an order in with Gunner to build the bed frame; so it’ll take time.”

  “I think eighty would do it. She’s tiny, Jake.” I sigh; hoping he’s right. “Hey, she liked the helmet; good call on that.”

  “Yeah?” I can hear him smiling through the phone. “Did she bring lunch?”

  “No, I’m handling that. You’ll pick her up when she’s done?” I ask.

  “Yeah, just give me a twenty-minute heads up.” He disconnects after that.

  Standing there holding the phone, I shake myself as I realize I’m staring at her legs under the car. Grinning, I go and grab my own creeper. Sliding in next to her, her startled eyes inches from mine.

  “Wasn’t this a tire rotation and alignment?” I ask.

  “Yep. I was just going to come get you.” She directs my gaze up to the transmission mount. “The mounts are all going, Connal.”

  “How’d you figure that out from a rotation?” I smile, wanting to test her a bit.

  She rolls her eyes at me. “Sheet said the car was pulling to the left, so after I did what I was supposed to, I got in and changed gears a bit. If you want, I can show you; but the engine clearly moves when you shift from reverse to drive and back again.”

  “Miller’s a cheapskate, he won’t be happy about this,” I tell her, gaging her response. “You good to explain it all to him, when his son brings him back?”

  “Suuure.” She says, biting that plump lower lip of hers.

  All I want to do is lean over and take it in my teeth. She must see my intent because her eyes widen and her…

  “OUCH!” I end up yelling in her face as Royce kicks the shit out of my leg.

  “Hey, your pizzas are here; I ain’t paying for ‘em.” He announces, walking away before I can retaliate.

  “You’re not fucking eating them then either, I guess?” Rolling out and heading towards the delivery kid in the reception area. “Come and get it, Charles. Feel free to do another of your ninja attacks on Royce later also.” I add, louder than necessary.

  “Not fucking cool, Man.” He growls. I turn to see him giving Charlie another dirty look, nearly tripping when she sticks her tongue out, mocking him.

  Good thing Royce is leaving on that run later this week; he needs the time to chill the hell out about Charlie’s mishaps.

  After she moves the car she was working on and cleans up the lane a bit, she wanders in; filling up her water bottle but eyeing the pizza.

  “Help yourself,” I tell her, indicating the other plates.

  “Can I chip in?” She asks, making my jaw drop.

  “Royce, how come you never offer to chip in?” I look at him shoveling his second or third piece into his mouth.

  “Cause you’re a cheap bastard and it’s like a bonus,” He responds with his mouth full, smirking at me.

  “Huh.” I smile at Charlie. “Better get to it before he eats your bonus then.”

  This seems good enough for her and she eagerly dives in. When she nearly matches the slices Royce consumes, my stomach twists around the pieces I ate. She’s trying to eat slowly, I can see that; but more than anything, I can see how hungry she is and doubt she had much for breakfast; hoarding whatever was left from what Jake got her. When she slows down, I ask her to put the leftover box in the back fridge.

  “Shit, Man,” Royce speaks up from right behind me as I watch her walk to the back. “When do you think she last ate?”

  “Nothing regular, that’s for sure,” I answer as quietly as he asked, surprised he caught on. “Trying to figure out how to move up her payday.”

  “I’ll pick up bagels in the morning; those’ll last a few days.” He says, before heading back out to work; redeeming every negative thought I’ve ever had about him with that simple statement.

  I walk back to my office and see Charlie coming out of the bathroom; arranging her overalls over her bulky shirt.

  “I’ll order you a couple uniform
shirts, need your size,” I say, walking in. “And I need you to fill out some forms, should have done it yesterday. Do you have a bank account? That’s the easiest way for me to pay you.”

  “Oh, yeah; I have a checking account.” She shrugs, looking down. “I meant to ask, what days we get paid?”

  “Every other Friday. I’ll pay you this week in cash though. Otherwise, you’d have to wait another week.”

  “Is that a problem? I’d appreciate it if you could.” She looks up at me, relieved. “Do you need me on Saturday? I wanted to start looking for an apartment nearby.”

  “Could you work until one?” I volley, looking forward to extra time with her. “Will switch off Saturday’s between you and Royce, but he’s got other business this weekend.”

  Jake

  I ride up to the garage a bit early, just to make sure I catch Charlie. She’s standing outside dealing with Andy Miller and his son. For once those assholes are smiling, so my hackles go up.

  Parking around the side of the building from them, I hang back to eavesdrop. I listen to her answer questions about the timing to get his engine mounts replaced; then he confirms that she’ll be the one doing the work.

  “Oh, I’m not sure, Mr. Miller; depends on the schedule when the parts arrive. Now can I just get your signature here that you’ll pay for the parts and I’ll get them ordered today?” She nicely spins the part where Connal has her on shit work during her probation period.

  “I’ll only sign it if you do it. You found it; I doubt that other slacker around here would have noticed.” He says, finally sounding like the grumpy asshole the whole town knows him to be. “Connal! Get your ass over here.” He bellows over Charlie’s head.

  Meanwhile, his son actually leans in to smell her hair.

  “Back the FUCK up, Junior!” I yell, halfway across to them before I realize what I’m doing.

  “Jake?” Charlie turns to look at me but not knowing how close Miller’s son had stepped to her, she knocks into him.

  The next moment seems to play out in slow motion. She bounces back from him but catches herself before landing on her ass; he’s not so lucky. His foot slides and he reaches out, trying to right himself but gets his father’s wrist and nearly pulls him down on top of him. Junior’s head makes a sickening crack on his bumper on the way down.

  Momentarily dazed, Junior is bleeding pretty well from his scalp.

  “Dumbass,” His father berates. “Didn’t you learn anything from smelling that waitress last year?! Get in the car.”

  Royce is quickly there with a couple hand towels, applying them to Junior’s scalp. Miller signs the document for the parts before apologizing and driving off.

  “What just happened?” Connal speaks up for the first time, still not entirely sure what he just witnessed.

  “Well for one, you seem to have hired the only person who can get Old Man Miller to spend money without throwing a hissy fit,” Royce says while laughing.

  “What’s funny?” I ask him.

  “I’m just happy she didn’t hurt me this time!” He says, heading back to the car he was working on.

  “He was smelling my hair?” Charlie’s nose is scrunched up, as she looks to me for confirmation. “That’s so creepy.”

  “Well, I’d say he learned his lesson,” Connal drawls. “Why don’t you go clock out for the day?”

  “Charlie?” I finally speak up again. “Can you grab your helmet? I’d like to take you for a ride?”

  She takes a moment, looking back and forth between Connal and me; uncertainty clear as day across her face. She finally nods and moves inside without another word.

  “Did you place those orders, Jake?” Connal asks me, although his eyes follow her path towards his office.

  “Yeah. With delivery, it’ll be about five weeks for both items.”

  “Gotta find a place for us to live. She’s apartment hunting on Saturday. You have any objection to me making that difficult for her?” Connal finally looks over to me.

  I shake my head, beaming as she heads back to us. Taking the helmet from her, I fasten it on her head; ensuring the strap is the right length.

  “See ya later,” Connal says, as I help her get on behind me.

  Right after I blow by the motel, I feel her tugging my cut. “Where are we going, Jake?” She shouts out when I slow at a Stop sign.

  “Thought I’d show you the town? You’re new here, right?” I call back.

  “That’s nice, but it’s probably kidnapping if you don’t explain that first!” She yells back, laughter in her voice.

  I shrug, enjoying the feel of her behind me. We ride through and around town; I occasionally point out places of interest. Finally pulling up to the overlook past Rusty’s Bar; I help her off. She immediately removes her helmet and walks towards the viewpoint.

  “It’s beautiful here!” She smiles back at me. “Is this where you brought girls when you were in high school?”

  “I’m from back East.” I let her know, enjoying her smiles. “Met Connal in the Army and kind of followed him here when I got out.”

  “Oh? No family left?” She reaches for my hand, looking sympathetic and I remember what Connal told me about her upbringing.

  “Big family. They’re loud and in everyone’s business.” I use her hand to pull her onto my lap as I sit on the stone ledge.

  “That doesn’t sound so bad?” She looks up at me.

  “They wanted me to be a lawyer.” I raise an eyebrow as her giggle washes over me.

  “Jake, I met you yesterday and it doesn’t seem like you talk nearly enough to want to do that.” She blushes and looks down to our intertwined fingers.

  “Loud people never really stop to listen, though do they?” Moving our hands upwards, I tilt her chin. “I really want to smell your hair, but don’t want you accidentally knocking me off the ledge here?”

  “I haven’t showered since last night.” She says while scrunching her nose up. Before another moment has passed, she has leaned back into my chest until her head is under my chin.

  We stay that way, quietly passing the time until I notice the light starting to fade.

  “Come on, we’ll meet Connal for dinner,” I say, nudging her off my lap.

  “What? No, I haven’t showered and…” She starts looking nervous.

  “Please Charlie? On me?” I lead her to the bike, “Besides, I didn’t have time to shower after work either.”

  Chapter 5

  Charlie

  I feel like I’m caught up in a whirlwind.

  I sit on the bike behind Jake; one arm around his waist, the other on his back between our bodies. I could have sworn Connal was thinking of kissing me earlier, and although not completely decided on that matter; I was surprised when he didn’t say anything about Jake taking me on the ride after work.

  Although not nearly as surprised as I was to find myself on Jake’s lap, enjoying the view; feeling comforted for the first time in a long time. As we ride away, it occurs to me that was the most romantic thing any man has done for me.

  Since I’ve graduated from high school, I’ve just been working and studying. A time or two, at parties I found myself kissing and getting groped by some guy who was never comfortable enough to look me in the eyes again; so I pretty much gave up on that.

  Now I’m off to dinner with two guys. And not appropriately dressed, but even if I had showered first, I’d be mortified to show up in a different top; what with the girls and all. I start to relax a bit when the restaurant seems to be a mid-range hamburger place. Jake parks next to Connal’s bike and ushers me in; we find Connal waiting in a U shaped corner booth, I’m quickly sandwiched between the two of them.

  As nervous as I am, I’m happy to discover how easily the conversation flows. Connal takes the lead guiding the conversation. I sit back and listen to their stories, some from the military and some of Connal’s childhood; then of one time he went to Jake’s parent’s house for a Christmas. Apparently, they were shocked t
hat he, a Utah native had never been to any of their favorite western ski resorts. And finally, his misadventures on his ride across America that led to him settling down in Idaho.

  Jake knows these stories as well as Connal and occasionally jumps in with his own version of events. Before I know it, they are ordering dessert; unconcerned that I cannot eat another bite. While they dig into pie, I tell them about my first foster home.

  Laughing about the hoarder with several cats, how I had been there a day before I realized there was another foster child living in the maze of junk and how the foster parent kept saying, “Look out for Harold, he’s around here somewhere.” I thought she was talking about a cat, but Harold was actually her dead husband who was decomposing in a spare bedroom. I was out of there the day I happened upon him.

  I always considered this a funny antidote about my first weeks as an orphan. As I stop giggling, I notice the look of horror on Jake’s face and pure sadness on Connal’s.

  “I’m so sorry, Baby.” Jake whispers, leaning his forehead down and pressing it against mine. “I’m so sorry you had to live like that.”

  Being pulled in the other direction, Connal anchors me against his side in a tight hold. Lightening up after a moment, he looks to Jake, then back at me.

  “We’ll find you a good place to live, OK, Charles?” He’s staring so intently, I nod at his words without considering his meaning.

  “I’m sorry,” I say, trying to blink back tears. “I didn’t mean to…”

  “Shhh, Charlie,” Jake says, taking my hand again and giving me his beautiful smile. My mouth pops open and his smile widens, showing off dimples I would kill for.

  “Show off,” Connal mumbles, waving for the check.

  As we head out, I pause to put on my helmet.

  “Ride with me, Charles?” Connal calls from his bike.

  Before I can say anything, Jake starts his bike and says, “I’ll pick you up from work tomorrow.” Leaving me to Connal and my head spinning again, he peels out without another word.

  Feeling suddenly shy, I quickly mount up behind Connal and hold on to his hips as he heads back to the motel. Pulling into the lot, I’m getting the glare of death from the motel manager.