I watch as he finishes the run of paint that he’s working on. He’s doing on the fender and stops before looking at me. Shit, the kid is a natural. I take my mask off, and the boys do the same.
“No shit?” he asks. I wince a little. I’m trying to get this Mom thing down, but my mouth gets me in trouble. I’m going to have to get better at that. My hand goes down to my stomach on reflex.
“Yep. Once you get it painted, we’re going to work on the next one. When we have it all back together, it will be our first project that we’ve done together.”
“Beau …” he says, and I can see the shock and joy that washes over him.
“You have real skill, Ty. Slider shows promise, too. That is, if he changes his mind, but he definitely could be a top mechanic, if not. I think you boys have a huge future here at the body shop if you want it.”
“You mean it?” Slider and Ty both ask.
“Definitely. You keep training for a bit and then, if your dads say it’s okay, you can work here after school, and I’ll pay you.”
“Woah,” Slider says. Meanwhile, Ty just keeps staring at me.
“Are you okay?” I ask him.
“Beau,” he says, taking a deep breath. “Are you serious?”
“Of course, I am. I’ve been doing this a long time, and you and Slider both have major talent. Slider is already rebuilding carbs faster than his old man—who is one of my top mechanics. Painting comes natural to you. You’ve got a great future if you decide you want to paint, Ty. You’d both make this garage better if you step in your parents shoes one day.”
“Parents …” Ty repeats.
“You already said I could be your Mom, Ty. You going to take that away from me?”
“Never. I love you, Beau.”
“I love you, too, and Slider?”
“Yo,” he says, making me grin at him.
“I may not be your mom, but I love you just the same.”
“I know. That’s why it’s cool that you’re going to adopt Ty. Now, we’ll be almost like brothers. I just hope my mom gets off whatever kick she’s on. I miss spending time at your house.”
“We miss you, too. I’ll talk to your dad and see if we can set something up. I’ll bribe them if needed.”
“Thanks, Beau.” I wink at him in response.
“What are my three favorite people doing?” Hunter says strutting into the paint bay.
“Beau’s been teaching me to paint. She said I could be really good someday. She mentioned me helping in the garage after school. If I work really hard, maybe one day I could be almost as good as she is.”
“Nah, Ty. You keep working like you have been and one day you’ll be better than me.”
“I don’t think that’s possible Beau. You’re the best.”
“I have to agree with my son. You are the best Beau Harper.”
“This is where they get all touchy-feely,” Slider mutters.
I look at the love shining in Slider’s, Ty’s, and Hunter’s eyes. I immediately feel tears sliding down my face.
I’ve been over emotional for the last few weeks and my guys have been handling me gently. Ty has also been stuck to me. like glue. Heck, my men at the garage have, too. Especially since everything happened with Donald Ray. We found out through Ty that he was the man that Robin had been dating—he just used a different name. There whole plan was pretty easily figured out. We haven’t been able to find Robin. The club had tracked her down to Vegas, but she disappeared. No one has seen her since she showed up at the airport. There are warrants out for her arrest if she ever shows up.
I don’t really know how the club took care of Donald Ray’s body. I just know I was never questioned by the police and Skull,Torch, and King all assured me nothing would ever turn up when it came to him. So, I just stopped worrying about it. I don’t know what that says about me, but I don’t really care either. Donald Ray Hyde earned his death by the pain and misery he inflicted on others. I just got to be the one that delivered it.
“Okay, you guys need to stop. You’re turning me into a blubbering mess,” I grumble.
