He spent more time in the garage than I did back then. When I didn’t excel at mechanics, I’d focused on academics and college plans. Never expected to end up running the business.
“That county contract kept us in the black pretty much all on its own,” Jose said. “But then your dad got worse with his drinking, and he couldn’t meet deadlines. We lost that job before any of you worked here regularly.”
“I just assumed Woodie’s had always had that contract. Damn, that would really be helpful.”
“We could do with some regular bread and butter,” Gray agreed.
“Well, times have changed,” Jose said. “You boys aren’t your dad. Might be something you could have a shot at again, especially with Axel dating that sheriff. It’s not his call, but he’d likely have some influence.” He chuckled and shook his head. “I still can’t believe he took up with an authority figure like that. “
“You’re not the only one he surprised. Dalton is good for him, though. Did you know Axel got a grant to start up an official fostering program for those pets?”
“He didn’t tell me that. I’m gonna have to go over to the junkyard and give him a piece of my mind about staying in touch. Maybe he can hook Enrique up with a cute little kitten while we’re at it.”
“He can hook Enrique up with a dozen kittens,” Gray said with a laugh.
“Enrique’s mom would kill me for that. We best stick to one. Even that is pushing it with her.”
The rest of the day went by quickly. I put out a couple of calls about the county contracts and found out the renewal date would be in the fall. That gave us time to put together a competitive bid. If we got the job, it’d be steady work, but we’d have to be ready for it.
When I got back to the house, Bailey was taking his turn at the stove. “I need ten minutes for dinner.”
“No garbage plates,” I ordered.
“But they’re good!”
“To your white trash palate, maybe! Emory and Shiloh deserve better.”
Bailey rolled his eyes. “Fine. I’ll need at least twenty minutes, then.”
“Take your time.” I continued down the hall. Shiloh was probably working on a lesson plan or grading at his computer.For a part-time sub, he stayed pretty busy, but I could see how much he loved it.
As I got closer, I heard a voice talking. It wasn’t Shiloh. This voice was deeper and a little hoarse, like the guy smoked too much.
The bedroom door was open. I glanced in, halfway expecting to see another person there. But the voice was coming from the laptop.
Shiloh sat in front of the computer, eyes riveted on the screen, where a handsome man—if a little shaggy—was speaking to him.
Did he not shut down the cam site? Was this a client?
“…thought you’d forgotten all about me, but you still care,” the guy was saying. “That means a lot to me.” He rubbed at his scruff, smiling sheepishly. “Shit, babe, I know I’ve made mistakes. I never should have let you go.”
Wait. Wait. I took in the guy’s appearance again, this time clocking the orange shoulders just visible at the bottom of the screen. A prison uniform.
This was Jimmie.
“Brick and Curtis are out for blood,” he said, “and I’m scared. I’ve got nowhere to hide in here if they come for me.” He swallowed. “But you can stop them. You can go back and give them the cash. I know you’ve got a pension from school. Cash that shit out, baby, and end this before one of us gets hurt. Do the right thing for us both, and when I get out of here, we can be together again.”
I waited for Shiloh to tell him to fuck off. That he had moved on. Something. But he didn’t speak. He just sat there, listening to his ex spew bullshit at him.
“We never should have ended,” Jimmie continued. “We were so good together. Remember that weekend we went to Mexico,and you stripped down in the hot tub? You were always a slut, wanting people to see you, and?—”
I exhaled harshly, the words cutting unexpectedly deep, and Shiloh scrambled to grab the mouse. The video paused on-screen.
It wasn’t live, then. It was a recording.
“Am I interrupting?” I managed to ask, my voice stiff.
“No, I—I just don’t want you to hear that.” Shiloh turned slowly in his chair to face me. He looked rattled, but why? Because of what Jimmie said, or only because I’d overheard it? “Holden, that was a long time ago, and I was drunk and horrified by my behavior. Please don’t think that’s who I am, because it’s not.”
