Chapter Seven
Quar did a double-take when the tow truck pulled up to the shop. “How in the hell did he figure it out?” He stared at Forest’s battered car.
“Hey, Quar, got some business for you,” Gerry called out from the tow truck. “Guess where I picked this thing up from?”
“I have no idea,” Quar retorted. “Certainly not some club.”
“Oh, definitely not. Never a place like Heads nTails.” Gerry chortled as he got out. “The owner asked me to have it towed here so you can fix it. Didn’t even ask for an estimate. Guess he trusts you, huh?”
Quar’s heart did a happy patter. “Guess so.” He couldn’t decide if he should be irked. After all, Forest hadn’t broken Quar’s rules. He hadn’t contacted Quar about the car or anything. “Did you get a number?”
Gerry tutted. “Nope. Guy saidsomething about that not being allowed. I didn’t ask. Just got his credit card info for the tow.”
Jim leaned out of the office. “Hey, Quar?”
Quar quirked an eyebrow at him. “Yeah?”
“Some guy called and said I’m supposed to let him know the total for his car when it’s done, but we don’t have—” Jim spotted the tow truck. “Oh. Is that POS his car? He said he’d do a payment over the phone oncewe have a total. I think he’s hoping it’s not too much, though. I can see why. If you do much by way of repairs, it’d cost more than that car’s worth.”
Quar was going to have to talk to Jim about calling a customer’s car a POS—piece of shit—where anyone around could hear it.
But not right then. Quar was too charmed and impressed with Forest having found out not only what Quar did for a living,but where his mechanic shop was.Someone had to talk to him about it. Or maybe not. All he’d’ve had to do is look up my name online. Quarry Automotive pops up first thing.
How Forest had found him didn’t matter. Quarry gave him bonus points for persistence and wit.
“Gerry, back that thing in here. I think it’s got a cracked head or two.” Quar stepped out of the bay so Gerry could get Forest’scar inside.
“Crap. A cracked head or two in that thing?” Jim clicked his tongue. “Totally ought to buy a new car. Or a newer car. Like one from the twenty-first century, even. Late nineties would be good, too.”
“Not everyone’s made of money,” Quar told him. “With the economy the way it is, it’ll be cheaper for me to fix this car than for Forest to get a new one.”
“Oh, you know the dude thatowns this rust bucket?”
“There’s only a little rust.” And Quar could fix that. Body repair wasn’t his strong suit, but he did have some skills.
Jim came to stand by Quar. “Ah ha. You’re sweet on this guy. He a sub then? Have I seen him? This seems to have happened awful fast.”
Quar gave Jim the side-eye. One of the downsides of having a best friend and fellow Dom working for him was thefamiliarity between them.
Of course, that was also a benefit. “Gerry, put the keys on the desk when you’re done. Thanks.” Quar nudged Jim’s shoulder. “Come on. Let’s step back by the exit and talk.”
Jim frowned. “Okay. I was teasing but I can see I hit the nail on the head. You know I’m just concerned for you.”
“I do know, and I appreciate it. You’ve been there for me when Mark and Jesseboth took off on me,” Quar said. “If you and Ernest had come to the club Saturday night, you’d have met Forest. He’s—special.”
“Special.” Jim stopped at the back of the garage. “Has he moved in?”
Quar glared at him. “No. He hasnot. And he won’t be moving in any time soon. We had a scene Saturday, and I told him we both needed to take a week and think about what we wanted, what we might beto each other. He’s new to the scene, and to—well.” He shouldn’t tell Forest’s secrets.
“He’s a virgin?” Jim’s question came out loud and seemed to echo in the garage.
Or maybe it just echoed in Quar’s skull. “Shh!”
“Is he?” Jim prodded.
Quar sighed. “Yes, okay? But I don’t know that he’d want everyone to be aware of it.”
“I’m your best friend,” Jim said. “I’m not going to tell him I pulledit out of you. Besides, you need to talk. I need to know all the details so I can help you.”
