Troubled with Tattoos

Chapter Three:

Hot Guys At The Car Garage

I jogged down the creaking stairs of Aunt Cherry's small home after hearing my name being called. My tight dark jeans hugged my legs as I hopped down the stairs.

"Oh, there you are," Her eyes lit up, "Could you do me a favor?" She pleaded. What kind of question was that? Of course, I'd do her a favor after all she's done for me.

"Sure, what can I do?" I ask hoping for something rather easy. She smiled as if she was surprised I offered to help.

"I need to check on the car today at the garage but I don't have the time. Could you maybe go down and see?" Her long eyelashes batted. Yesterday while she was out running errands her old car broke down once again.

Her dirty blonde hair was pinned back and her work clothes were on. I would gladly do anything she asked, however, I'd need directions or a map for this quest.

"I'd love to, but I don't know how to get there," I bit my lip. I didn't know how to drive so I'd have to walk. Yes, I know, who has ever heard of a seventeen-year-old without at least her permit? Well, my parents weren't exactly the most supportive.

"Oh well don't think I'd make you go somewhere without giving you directions," She chuckled patting my shoulder. She reached over grabbed a pen and paper to write down the directions.

"First, you walk down to the end of this street, then you take a right onto Cornelia Road. It's a funky name for a road if you ask me," She joked around. I loved how carefree and outgoing Aunt Cherry was, the same way mom used to be.

"Once you reach the center of town where the library is, go past the park and take a left onto Houston Ave. Now that's the road that the shops on, but be careful at night that road gets very creepy," Her eyes bugged with emphasis. Well I shouldn't be gone that long, right?

"Alright well, I best get going sweet pea, good luck and don't forget the directions" She kissed my cheek goodbye and headed out the door. Looks like it's just me, myself and I. The familiar feeling of loneliness occurred. 

I could always bring Ollie, her small chihuahua. "Ollie!" I called out hoping he wasn't deaf. I could hear small pitter-patters of nails hitting the floor. Ollie appeared around the corner with his tail wagging everywhere.

"Wanna go for a walk?" I asked grabbing the leash off the counter. He barked jumping around with his tongue hanging out.

I hooked the leash onto his collar grabbing a thin sweatshirt on the way out. The directions were folded up into my pocket.

"Let's go" I muttered to myself closing the door behind me. I jumped down the front steps of her deck as Ollie pulled on the leash.

I shrieked quietly as he tugged forward, he mustn't go on very many walks. I followed the first direction which was to go all the way down this road and then to take a right onto Cornelia Road. Ollie seemed to calm down and was walking at a normal speed.

After stopping a few times for Ollie to pee on every tree he saw, we finally reached Cornelia Road. Now somehow this round is going to lead us to the center of town. This town was very green, there were trees and flowers planted everywhere. I wonder what it looked like when spring comes around.

Ollie's legs grew tired from all the walking and we were at a much slower pace than before. Cars passed by us as we walked against traffic.

I couldn't help but let my mind wander to my future. I would save up money from working at the shop and go to college. I had never considered I'd have much of a future but now that im away from my parents I had endless opportunities. I had just felt slightly guilty for leaving them.

Ashton had wanted to a fireman for a short amount of time when he was younger. I had no idea what I wanted to be, with Ash being sick I had never thought of a career. But now I knew for sure I want to help people. I want to help children in some way or another. I made a mental note to look up college programs nearby.

I eventually began carrying Ollie as he grew very tired, but one thing was sure; we were lost. I had always been good with direction but I was too lost in thought. We've been walking on this long road for an hour now, there is no library insight. I know we didn't miss any roads because it's only been straight.

Maybe it was farther down? I kept walking forcing my aching legs to keep moving. It was two o'clock in the afternoon and the sun was still shining.

After walking for another half a mile I saw what looked like the center of a town. There was a pizza shop, a gas station, and a library with a playground in the middle.

The directions said to go past the park onto Houston Ave. I looked up from the piece of paper seeing a road right behind the park.

"Alright Ollie, let's go" I talked to the tired pup. I pat his head while crossing the busy street. Other people were out and about walking around making me feel more comfortable. At least I wasn't alone. However, I had wondered if any of these people would recognize me. My hometown was only an hour away. 

Kids were running around at the playground happily reminding me of little Ash. I wish he was still here, I wish he never got sick. I looked away from the children focusing on not getting lost again.

I sighed as we reached the Houston Ave sign. At least we were on the street the shop was on. I took a left like she wrote continuing our journey.

After a few ways down we finally reached our destination. The garage was huge and looked busy inside. There was a giant sign that read Hayes Bros Garage. 

I hope dogs are allowed because there is no way I'm leaving him out here. I opened the door to the shop sniffing in the faint smell of gasoline. A bell dinged above my head catching the attention of a man behind the front desk.

"Can I help you?" The man behind the counter asked. I walked in further reaching the counter hearing machines working from the garage.

"Hi, I'm here to check on my aunt's car," I told him tapping my fingers on the counter. The man had good looks for an older man, no wrinkles or even smoker lines. Although his eyes were captivating, a dark brown.

"You would have to ask my son. He's in the workshop just ask for Austin." He nodded towards the door that led into the garage. He flashed me a friendly smile. Austin, I burned the name into my brain. 

I nodded grazing over to the door with a window on it. I opened the door the noises getting louder as I got closer inside. There were cars on lifts, cars on the ground, some in pieces. Hoods were up, cans of oil stunk up the garage and a small radio was playing in the far back. Ollie whined and I pat his head to calm him.

There were tables on wheels that slid across the cement floor. Tools were scattered around the cement floor, the toolboxes were nearly empty since the tools were everywhere else.

There were guys working on engines and some rolling under the cars on creepers. I picked up Ollie deciding that carrying him would be better.

I walked in further not knowing which boy was his son, there were at least five guys in here. Three of them were young and attractive, while the other two were old and looked like they hadn't showered in days. So what does a shy girl do in a shop half full of hot guys? Well, let's find out.

I walked with Ollie to find Aunt Cherry's car. I passed silver cars, black cars, and blue cars but not a single red car appeared. Each car varied in sizes, structures, and colors. There were cars of all different kinds; Honda's, Fords, Jeeps, Mustangs, I even caught a glance at a yellow Camaro.

I walked around a table saw seeing the familiar red car peek through the back.

I recognized it instantly. There was a tall, dark-haired boy working on the black car next to it. I walked carefully not to step on anything to the old red car. He had tattoos all up his arms and I hesitated to even say something.

The radio was over here making it too loud to hear anything else but engines, machines, and the music.

"Hey!" I shouted over at him. He didn't even glance at me. I stepped closer poking his back with my finger.

He turned around leaving me stunned, he was definitely the man's son. He had dark brown hair that was messy on his head and piercing blue eyes. He looked secretive, intimidating and like the type of person you don't want to mess with.

I took my eyes off him and his muscular self-daring myself to speak. "Uh, hi I'm, uh, I'm here to check on my aunt's car." I choked on my own words.

He just stared with an eyebrow raised waiting for more, I mean clearly there were tons of cars in here how was he supposed to remember which one was my aunts? Besides the fact that she was a regular here.

"You're going to have to be a little bit more specific." His husky voice was loud over the machines.

"It's red," I yelled loud enough so he could hear me. The realization hit his face and he walked over to the only red car in here.

"Oh, you mean this piece of junk," He chuckled, patting its side. I frowned in return.

"That piece of junk happens to be one of a kind in my family." I snapped crossing my arms. How dare he insult Penelope like that.

Yes, we name our cars in this family, Penelope's been around for quite a while now. The red paint was chipping and she was breaking down quite often. Cherry made more than a enough money to buy a new car but she hated the thought of wasting Penelope's remaining mileage.

He raised one of his dark eyebrows giving off an unamused look. He crossed his tattooed arms mimicking me. My eyes betrayed me and caught a glance at his biceps that he was surely flexing. 

"That's funny I don't remember asking," he mumbled to himself quietly as if I couldn't hear him. As he continued to speak I realized how big of a jerk this attractive boy actually was.

"I checked the spark and fuel nothing was wrong, however, I think your car broke down because your lug nuts weren't tightened securely. So I tightened those and it seems to be running fine," He stated knowing exactly what he was talking about. I, on the other hand, had no clue what he was saying. It sounded like a foreign language to my inexperienced ears.

I nodded pretending to know exactly what he was talking about. He wiped his dirty hands on a rag nearby.

"You have no clue what I'm talking about, do you?" He chuckled. I frowned my face heating up from embarrassment. He rolled his light blue eyes not looking surprised.

"Typical," He said smugly.

"Sexist much?" I surprised myself with my quick wit.

"Anyways, your aunt might want to get some new tires soon, these ones have seen better days." He said kicking the front one. Tires, I know what those are.

"They last longer when they aren't being kicked." I said. He seemed amused that he was annoying me. I didn't want to give him the satisfaction but part of me wanted to see him smile just one more time.

"Nice dog." He pointed out. He pats his head leaving an oil stain on his fur.

"He's also my aunts," I said snuggling him closer.

"Dogs aren't allowed in here." He smirked leaning back against Penelope.

I glared at him and he grinned in return. His teeth were perfectly straight like his fathers. They were ghostly white. What toothpaste does this family buy? He used his thumb to point to a sign behind him. I frowned again, moving slightly so I could see the sign that read No Dogs Allowed.

"We just put it up yesterday." He shrugged. Well, what does he want me to do, leave?

"What happened yesterday that made you put up a sign?" I questioned out of general curiosity.

"Austin!" A loud voice yelled. The boy in front of me groaned rolling his eyes.

"What?" He yelled back. He put away a few tools waiting for a response and wiped his hands with an unused rag. I couldn't help but awkwardly watch.

"Come here!" The person yelled back. He looked back at me "Well I gotta go, tell your aunt she can pick up the car tomorrow." He told me before jogging off to whoever needed him. I nodded taking Ollie out of the oily smelling workshop.

Thankfully it wasn't dark out when I left the garage. I'd hate to have to walk alone with a chihuahua as my only protection in the dark.

When I finally made it home the smell of stew hit my nose like a bus.

"Oh you're back just in time, dinner's almost done. I had an awfully long meeting to attend." Cherry spoke knowing it was me without even turning around.

"Did he say what was wrong?" She asked stirring the pot. I unhooked the leash from Ollie's collar setting him free. I debated on telling Aunt Cherry I'd gladly go to the car garage again for her just so I could see Austin again.

"Yeah, the lug tugs weren't tightened all the way." I shrugged putting the leash on the counter. She turned around with an amused look and a plastic spoon in her hand.

She smiled widely, "You mean lug nuts?" She laughed. I sighed loudly, I definitely didn't know the basics of a car.