Falling for the Wingman (The Kelly Brothers, Book 3) (4 page)

“It’s not my fault you have a cute ass.”

He climbed into the driver’s seat with a grin, but as he drove off, it faded.

What the hell had just happened?

And worse, what had he gotten himself into?

Chapter Three

Alex straightened up from under the hood of a late-model Lincoln Town Car and wiped the grease off her hands with a shop cloth. God, she hated messes like this, especially when they could’ve been prevented in the first place. “How many miles do you have on this, Miss Martha?”

“Oh, I don’t know,” the older woman replied, her eyes rolling left and then up toward the ceiling. “Maybe a hundred and twenty thousand miles.”

Jermaine, one of the other mechanics, checked the odometer and shook his head. “I think you’re confusing that seven for a two, Miss Martha.”

“Oh?” she asked innocently.

Alex silently cursed. “It looks like your timing belt went out. You were supposed to have changed it at around a hundred and fifty thousand miles.”

“How long will it take you to replace it?

Now came the hard part—delivering the bad news. “If I had gotten to it before it snapped, it would’ve been just a few hours of labor. But now that it’s gone, I need to check your cylinders and make sure none of them were damaged. And if some of them were, then we need to discuss whether or not you want me to rebuild the engine or just scrap the car.”

The older lady tightened her purse to her chest.

Please don’t have a heart attack on me.

“Oh, dear,” Miss Martha said in a higher voice than normal, “how much would that cost?”

“Two to three thousand, depending on how much damage there is.”

“Oh, dear.” She started to sink, but Jermaine steadied her long enough to guide her back to the chair against the wall. “I don’t have that kind of money on hand.”

Not many people did unless they were the McClures or the Ramseys or one of the other big families in town. Most of the people in Jackson Grove were blue-collar folks who worked in the lumber or paper mills around town. That was the only downside to having the only car shop in area—she was a cause for some of the major expenses they were dealt.

Alex gave her hands one final wipe and tossed the towel into the laundry bin. “Come into my office, and let’s talk some more about this in an air-conditioned room.”

She closed the door behind them and waited for the older lady to sit down before speaking. “I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news.”

“No, it’s okay, Alex. I knew the car was getting old, but Hank always took care of these things for me, and after he passed, I just forgot about tune-ups and the like.” Miss Martha’s eyes teared up at the mention of her late husband, and Alex reached for the box of tissues on her desk.

“I understand if you don’t want me to work on the car.”

“No, I need a working car, and I definitely can’t afford a new one.”

Alex peeked out the window to make sure no one was nearby to overhear what she was about to suggest. “I tell you what—let’s make a little deal. You were kind enough to give Caleb a room on short notice, so why don’t we just do a trade. I’ll fix your car in exchange for you letting him stay at your B&B those three nights.”

“But Alex, dear, that doesn’t equal the cost of the repair.”

“I know it doesn’t, but in a town this small, we all need to look out for each other.”

“No, I simply can’t agree to this. I feel like I’d be taking advantage of you.”

Damn Southern pride. Alex looked out into her garage and came up with a new game plan. “You know, Miss Martha, you’re probably one of the best cooks in town.”

“Why, thank you, dear.”

“And I know my boys would appreciate a nice breakfast or lunch from time to time. How about you throw in a few catered meals for us so we can call it even?”

The older woman’s foggy blue eyes brightened, and a smile returned to her face. “Now that sounds like something I can agree to.”

“Sounds like a plan. Let me do a little more digging in your engine, and once I get the final estimate, we can negotiate how many meals that would be.”

“Bless you, child. I don’t know what I’d do without you. You have your father’s heart—always looking out for everyone in town.”

Alex forced the smile to stay in place when Miss Martha mentioned her father. He’d been born and raised in this town, and after law school, he’d come back here to practice. Over the years, he’d taken more and more responsibility for the community onto his shoulders, from writing out wills to helping the local unions negotiate contracts with the mills to serving as mayor. In the end, the stress was his undoing, triggering the heart attack that had ended his life way too soon.

He was also the one who fostered her love of cars, and every time she stepped foot in the shop, she thought about him.

She noticed the minute hand on the clock sweep over the six. It was quitting time. “I’ll give you a call tomorrow with the estimate.”

“Thank you again, Alex.”

“No problem, but please, let’s keep this between the two of us.”

“Of course, dear.” The older woman paused at the door, a mass of wrinkles gathering around her mouth and eyes as she grinned. “And you were right about that young man—he’s definitely a looker. If I were about fifty years younger, I’d be all over him.”

Alex wondered how many times she’d already “accidentally” brushed against Caleb’s bottom since he’d arrived.

As if on cue, the man in question strolled into the shop, earning a flirtatious little wave from the B&B owner. “I’ll see you in the morning, Caleb.”

Alex fought back a laugh from the look of panic that flashed across his face. He gave Miss Martha wide berth as she left the shop.

“How’s your ass?” she teased.

“Don’t ask.” He pointed to a large splatter of oil under the oval nametag on her coveralls. “Cute.”

“Hey, I’m a working girl.” She’d given up years ago on trying to be as neat and pretty as her sister. She was much more comfortable with grease on her hands than makeup on her face. “Sorry for the mess. Just give me a few minutes to get cleaned up, and we can go get dinner.”

“Just a few minutes?”

“Yes, just a few minutes. Unlike Kourtney, I don’t require an hour of prep work to go out. Besides, I think you’ll enjoy seeing this.” She poked her head into the main garage. “Jermaine, I’m done for the day. Can you lock up?”

“Sure thing, Alex.”

As she led Caleb up the stairs to her apartment above the shop, she heard the familiar clang of the metal garage doors closing. By the time they were ready to leave, her crew would have the shop tucked in for the night. Alex unlocked the door to the second floor of the converted warehouse and motioned for him to follow her to her private workspace that was separate from the rest of her living quarters. “Take a look at this baby,” she said she opened the door.

Caleb’s mouth fell open. “Is that a Roadrunner?”

She nodded, her chest swelling with pride. “Yep, a 1971 Plymouth Roadrunner with a retractable air grabber and a 440 six pack.”

“Nice.” He ran his hand along the freshly painted hood with its orange and black stripes. “How did you get it up here?”

“This used to be a cotton warehouse, and it’s sitting on a lift that goes down into the garage.” She pointed out the metal arms that were folded neatly along the floor around the car. “When I’m done, I’ll be able to drop it down into the garage and give it a whirl.”

“How much work’s left on it?”

“I’m still putting the engine back together, and I’m waiting for another bucket seat to come in from the upholsterer, but I’m getting close to finishing it.”

“Sweet.”

“Take your time checking it out while I get a quick shower.”

“I definitely will,” he replied, his eyes never leaving the car.

That was one thing she always liked about Caleb. He got her obsession with the classic muscle cars of the sixties and seventies. Not many people did, especially not her mom and her sister. Her dad had, though.

Alex ducked into the shower long enough to scrub all the grime off her skin and put on a simple T-shirt with her favorite pair of denim cutoffs and sandals. Her damp hair fell over her shoulders in a tousled mess. She’d given up on straightening it years ago. As soon as she stepped outside in the humidity, it would curl up again.

She found Caleb where she’d left him, still fawning over the rebuilt Roadrunner. “Where did you get this stereo console?”

“I found a guy online who makes face plates that look like the originals so I could have my HD radio without detracting too much from the ambience.”

“I like it.” He climbed out of the driver’s seat and ran his hands lovingly over the top of the car. “You’ve done a fine job on this.”

“Thanks. I wish I could say it was a restoration, but it needed some updates, especially if I wanted to make that engine a little more fuel efficient.”

“These cars are all about horsepower, Alex, not miles per gallon.” He gave the car one final pat before turning his attention to her. “So, what’s the game plan for tonight?”

“We’re having dinner at the Sugar Belle Café.”

“Any reason why?”

She grinned, but that didn’t stop the butterflies that were multiplying in her stomach. Time to put her plan into action. She hadn’t been lying when she told Caleb that it would drive her sister nuts to hear he’d moved on to someone else. She only hoped that by the time Kourtney tried to woo him back, he’d already be head over heels for her. After all, she was the one who’d written those letters. Now she needed him to see she was the girl he wanted, not Kourtney. “Do you know who meets there every Monday night for pie and gossip?”

He dug his hands into the back pockets of his jeans. “I’m scared to ask.”

“The Junior League.” She took his hand and pulled him toward the door. “Normally, Mama and Kourtney would be there, as they are members of the organization, but with the wedding so close, they’ll regretfully be absent. However, all of their friends will be there.”

“And you think a repeat of last night will spark Kourtney’s jealousy?”

“No guarantee, but it will definitely get back to her. Of course, Miss Ada runs a respectable establishment, so we may need to tone it down a notch.”

Caleb ran his hand through his freshly buzzed hair and hesitated at the top of the stairs. “It just seems wrong, like I’m cheating on her.”

The butterflies hardened into a lump of stone and sank in the pit of her belly.
Please don’t let him back out before I have a chance to convince him that I’m the one he wants.

She gulped back her fear and scrambled for an answer. “You’re not cheating on her. After all, she’s the one who dumped you and hopped into the next man’s bed.”

He pressed his lips together. “Gee, thanks for making me feel better.”

“Just stating the facts. Besides, we’ve only exchanged a few fake kisses. It’s not like we’re sleeping together.” Although she wouldn’t turn him down if he offered, provided that it wasn’t just rebound sex.

On the other hand, rebound sex with Caleb Kelly may be worth the damage it would do to her heart.

“Yeah, they were just fake kisses,” he repeated as though he were trying to convince himself of that.

Her pulse shifted into high gear. Maybe he’d enjoyed those kisses as much as she had. Score one point in her favor. “I promise to keep my lips off yours tonight, if you want.”

Of course, she made no promises about her hands.

“Let’s just play it by ear.” He traipsed down the stairs to the back door of the garage. “So, it’s just dinner tonight? No public make-out session?”

She giggled. “Nope, not tonight. And tomorrow is an even more private event.”

“Sounds like you have the whole week planned out.”

“This is entirely my idea, and I’ll take full responsibility for it. Tonight, we just need to act like a cute couple in front of the gossipmongers. Tomorrow, we’re going on an outing with a couple of my friends, and by Wednesday, I bet you my 440 six pack that Kourtney will jealous enough to single you out when we go over to Mama’s to help with the wedding favors.”

“And then I’ll have my time alone with her to find out what the hell happened.”

“Bingo. Now, put your game face on. We’re heading into battle.” She looped her arm through his and led him across the street to the Sugar Belle Café.

They walked through the front door to the mostly empty restaurant, but that didn’t stop her from draping herself over him when the owner approached them from behind the lunch counter. “Evening, Alex,” she said, her white teeth sparkling against her dark skin in a welcoming smile. “What brings you in tonight? I thought you’d be at your mama’s helping out with the wedding.”

“They don’t need me until later this week. Besides, I wanted to bring Caleb in for some of your sinfully delicious cooking.”

“I’ll be more than happy to give him some. The boy could use a good meal or two. Take a seat anywhere except for that big table, and I’ll be over with some menus.”

“And some sweet tea.” Alex scanned the restaurant and chose a booth in clear view of the Junior League table. She slid in and pulled Caleb into the seat next to her. “When the ladies come in, you know what to do,” she whispered, nodding to the table set for twenty.