“Hell no.”
Crush didn’t look like himself. He had a bandage around his head, his hair was disheveled, and his right hand was especially plump from the saline they were giving him intravenously.
He rubbed his eyes, his hands still discolored from working in the garage.
After I stacked a pillow behind him, I found the buttons that automatically brought up the back of the bed until he could sit properly. “How did it happen?”
“I slipped. Always thought I’d bite the dust from a car falling off a lift.”
“Was Red or any of your guys there?”
“No. I had something to finish up. A customer was bringing in his bike, so I was waiting around for him while cleaning the shop. I guess he’s the one who found me.”
I sighed. “You scared the hell out of me.”
He reached around and touched the back of his head. “They put a few stitches in. I don’t see what the fuss is about.”
“You were unconscious. And your belligerent attitude didn’t help matters. You should be more cooperative so people won’t assume you have a brain injury.”
“I ran out of fucks when they kept poking me with needles and asking me crazy shit like who’s the president and what year I was born. None of their damn business.”
“What’s your name?”
“Crush.”
“What’s my name?”
“Raven Imogen Graves. Black. Whatever. You’re dating that peckerhead with the Matrix coat and pissy attitude. I told him to clear out a few trees, and he starts whining about snow.”
I patted his knee. “Yep. You’re fine.”
He picked at the tape on his hand. “I need to get Harley.”
“Is he at the shop?” I gripped his hand to stop him from pulling any tubes out.
“He usually comes with me. I don’t think he wanted to get out in the snow. Can’t blame him. I went home at lunch to let him out, but he’s been in there all day and night without supper. He didn’t eat.”
“Don’t worry about him. He’ll be fine for a few more hours. You need to take it easy. No work.”
Crush flicked an irritated glance my way.
“Don’t argue. It’s snowing outside anyhow. Nobody expects your shop to be open. If you’ve got something important going on, your crew can take over.”
“They’ve been doing a lot of taking over lately. Makes me look like I can’t hold my own.”
“No, it makes you look like a successful mechanic who has a lot of other important things to do. I can’t make you retire. It’s your life. Just think about pulling back on all the hard labor. You hire competent, loyal workers, and they’re capable of handling everything on their own. You can pop in and supervise, but I don’t see why you have to be working on every single vehicle.”
“Because my name’s on the sign?”
I glanced up at the clock. “Breakfast should be anytime now. I want you to order something good and eat every bite. Keep the tubes in your arms.”
“I gotta take a piss.”
“Then drag the pole with you. Do you want to lean on me?”
He looked away. “I don’t need help.”
I held his arm and looked down at his tattoos. “We all need help. Look, I’m gonna keep an eye on you for a couple of days. No arguments. I could always leave you with Ren—”
