“Why wouldn’t it?” my brother asked. “You’re smart as hell, For. They’d be foolish not to hire you.”
“What if I answer a question wrong?”
“Considering you have no idea how to even change the oil in a car, I think it’s a solid guess that you’re going to answer something incorrectly. That’s not what you should focus on. Yes, give them an honest answer, but if you don’t know how to do a task, push what you are good at. Spin it so you show your skills. Your ride will be here any minute.” Hartley said he had a friend who was driving me who knew the city well. He’d also said it was better if I wasn’t alone. I didn’t know what the hell he was getting at, but he was adamant. I knew the city by now. I’d been here long enough. This was one of those pick your battles situations, and I wasn’t choosing this one.
The door to the studio opened, the bell over it ringing. Sheldon walked in with his blond hair pulled back and a faintscruff on his jaw. When it was loose, his hair fell almost to his shoulders. Why I found it so appealing was down to the man wearing it. I couldn’t forget how he was the last time I saw him though, how he left like he didn’t care to be in front of me any longer.
His eyes caught mine and held them. Before either of us could say a word, Hartley stepped in front of me to face Sheldon. “Thank you for coming. Forest needs a ride and you’re just the person to give him one.” I could feel my face burning. I’d ask what was wrong with my brother, but this was par for the course with him.
Sheldon nodded, his eyes not leaving mine. He didn’t react to what my brother had said. No joke. No sarcastic comment. Shit. I still had zero clue what I’d done, and Hartley didn’t either. He said he’d barely seen Sheldon.
“Where are we going?” Sheldon asked. “I’m guessing you cleared this with Jordan. I’m not usually a driver.”
My brother turned, rolling his eyes as he did so. “Please. Like I’d just ask one of his best guards for a favor without telling him. Jordan was fine with it. He even said it was good you were getting the fuck out of his building for a while. His words, not mine.” Hartley put his hands on his hips and looked me up and down. “You’re going to do great. Just remember what I said. Go, before you’re late.”
“Thank you for your help.”
He waved me off. “It’s nothing.” It wasn’t, but I didn’t press it.
Sheldon had a black Lincoln Navigator at the curb. He opened the passenger side door for me, which was a surprise. I tried not to let it show as I climbed in, and he closed the door. My hands shook while I buckled, and it was not because I was nervous about the interview.
“Where are we going?” he asked when he got behind the wheel and started it.
“JJ’s shop.”
He raised an eyebrow, then turned to pull out onto the street. “Why are we going there? If you don’t mind me asking that is.”
“I have an interview.”
Sheldon’s foot hit the brake, causing me to lurch forward, the seat belt catching me. “Shit. Sorry, there was a rabbit.” He accelerated again.
I turned around, although there was no rabbit in sight. “I’ve never seen one in the city.”
“They’re rare, but every once in a while they pop out. Daring fuckers. Why are you looking for a job there? You’re not a mechanic.”
“No shit.” I chuckled. “It’s for the office manager. I want to do a job that’s different from what I’ve done in the past. Maybe it will be more exciting.”
“Or maybe you’ll get your ass shot when someone comes looking for JJ and aims at his shop.” There were enough stories going around that I’d heard it had happened before, but not in a while. JJ was hardly there.
“Has there been an incident recently?”
Sheldon rubbed the back of his neck. “No, it’s just… You have to be careful.”
“I’m going to be tucked away in an office, not standing on the sidewalk flagging potential customers down.”
“It’s still dangerous.”
The SUV swerved as Sheldon abruptly changed lanes. The way his knuckles whitened as he held on to the steering wheel had me tensing.
“What’s happening?” I asked. “Is there something wrong? Is someone following us?”
His head whipped in my direction for a second. “What? No, why would you think that?”
“You’re pissed and I can’t figure out why.”
“You’d be safer in an office environment or working from home.” Was that what this was about? I was so damn confused. The last time I’d seen him, he acted like he couldn’t get away from me fast enough. Now he wanted me safe at home rather than pursuing a new career?
I was about to ask him what was going on when he turned the SUV around in the middle of the street and parked along the curb. “What time is your interview?” Damn, he drove fast.
