I lifted my eyes to his, seeing guilt painted right across his face. Maybe he understood because he was like me. There’s nothing wrong with either of us, we just lack that filter that keeps the wrong words from coming out sometimes.
“It’s okay. I should go see how he’s doing.”
I practically ran back into the open garage bay, almost crashing into Harley who’d been heading my way.
Coffee splashed everywhere for the second time today, mostly missing both of us, but making my embarrassment and humiliation hit the red level of the ‘I’m a loser’ scale.
“Oh my god! What’s wrong with me today?”
“I knew you didn’t really like drinking that shit,” Harley muttered, laughing as he steadied me, and then his eyes found mine, and the smile dropped from his face.
“Jesus. Are you okay? Did…” he glanced behind me, and his frown became a scowl, “did he do something to you? Did Rocket hurt you?”
He sounded like a protective boyfriend, and why was I suddenly gutted that he wasn’t mine? Why was I suddenly wishing that I could run to him with every little problem, and let him fix it for me?
“He thinks we’re fucking,” I blurted, and Harley froze, his eyes widening at me, before he blinked rapidly, seemingly lost for words. Why the hell did I just say that? Gahhhhh! Swearing was so unusual for me too, and yet I just blurted that out.
“Uh…” Harley released my arms, and backed up, rubbing his thumb over his bottom lip, his stubble making a scratchy sound.
“I… Oh my god, I didn’t mean to say that!”
Harley grinned, still looking a little shell-shocked, which wasn’t that unusual for people having conversations with me.
“Don’t worry, little lady,” he backed up to crouch by my motorbike, but I caught his low murmur,“I should be so lucky.”
Did that mean he wanted to, or didn’t? Did he want me to hear him or not? I stood there like an idiot for a moment, and he finally tilted his head up, catching my gaze.
“You want me to talk you through this?”Oh. Doing my best to push aside the humiliation, and overwhelmed state of mind he’d left me in, I crouched beside him, watching as he pointed.
“Your pads are buffed to a shine, meaning you’re riding your brakes a little. It’s not a problem, but I’ve adjusted your brake lever travel, so that braking will be easier for you, without needing more pressure from your hand.” He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, his breath leaving him in a sharp gust.
“I made things weird, didn’t I? I’m sorry, Harley, I really am. I say dumb things, and people get uncomfortable. I’m used to it, but I try, I really do.”
I started to get up, and Harley’s hand caught mine, halting me before I really moved. If anyone else touched me as much as he had today, I’d have been a mess, but his touch didn’t upset me in the same way as other people’s did.
“You don’t say dumb things, and you’re not making me uncomfortable. I’m just, I guess I’m still remembering how it felt to hear you say that word.” He groaned and looked at his hand, still gripping mine.
“Wh… what word?” I felt like minutes passed before he met my eyes again, and he breathed one single word that burrowed deep inside me, making me want things I shouldn’t be wanting.
“Fucking…”
My bottom lip suddenly burned, and I realised I was biting down hard on it, but what was I trying to do, stop words from coming out? Stop a moan of need from escaping?
Harley’s eyes focused on my lips, and suddenly I was looking at his too. Were we about to kiss? For real this time? Not my stupid attempt, but the real thing. Was this really happening?
“Gonna head out, man. Wanna get measure…andI’m interrupting. Fuck me. Later!”
Rocket disappeared, but the spell was broken, and we both straightened up, his hand falling away from mine, and the residual warmth I’d been enjoying dissipated too fast.
“Uh… anyway, you’re good to go. You shouldn’t have any more problems, but you uh… you know where to find me if you need anything.”
I dug in my pocket for my phone, to access the payment apps stored on it, but Harley gently pushed it back down.
“I barely did anything, Caroline. There’s no charge.”
“But…”
“Just buy me a coffee sometime.” He grinned and headed for the counter, then suddenly spun on his heel, lifting a finger in the air.
