I sat down at the end of the table closest to the door. A quick escape was always a good idea, especially with Mason around. I watched the food disappear in less than five minutes and wondered where they put it all. The guys were all tall and muscular and looked like they worked out regularly, not stuffed themselves full of donuts.
“Shut up and listen,” Mason said, and everyone settled at the table. “We have a few things to go through but not much time because we’re behind on the Camaro.”
A few groans followed his announcement, but after one look from Mason it was quiet again.
“Clay, you get the Shelby. They finally brought it in, and it’s in even worse shape than they told us originally. Engine rebuild and complete paint job for that one.”
“Got it boss,” Clay said and saluted.
“Landon, how are you going with Teak’s car?”
“I’ll be done by tomorrow morning and can give Darren a hand with the Camaro.”
Mason shuffled through some papers on the table. “Yeah, that sounds good. It’s our priority right now. If anyone wants to do overtime, it’s approved until further notice. And if you finish a project, you’re on the Camaro.”
I lifted my hand and Mason’s focus shifted from the guys to me. “Stella, you want to help with the Camaro?”
I once again fought the urge to roll my eyes and folded my hands in front of me, throwing a toothy grin at him. “We need to order more paint. There is no red or black left.”
His irritation shifted to Landon. “That’s your job to make sure we are fully stocked.”
“Give me a break, man. We’ve been so busy I didn’t even have time to scratch my ass, let alone remember to order paint.”
“If you would stop using the garage as your personal fuck mobile, you wouldn’t be behind.”
“What are you talking about?” Landon asked.
“I found a pair of lace panties in my bay this morning. Spoiler alert: they weren’t mine. Now look up what we’re out of, and let Stella know.”
I felt all the anger escape me, like a deflated balloon. It hadn’t been Mason hooking up, but Landon. And Jameson was going to call Mason. I had to call Willa. Now.
Landon ignored Mason’s sharp tone and got up. “You got it, bossman.” He turned to me and smiled his boy-next-door smile at me. “I’ll be by later.”
“You can send her an email,” Mason said, rolling his eyes.
“I like to talk to people face-to-face. None of that online stuff for me,” Landon replied and opened the door. “And you should maybe have a drink or three, you look tense.”
Before Mason had a chance to respond, Landon left the room.
“I’ll put the list of upcoming jobs up on the board as usual. If anything urgent comes up, I’ll let you know,” Mason said and organized the papers spread out on the table in front of him.
I guessed that signaled the end of the meeting, because everyone got up without a word and disappeared. I was left in the room with Mason and jumped up to avoid any awkward situations. I had a call to make. Before I could make a silent escape, I knocked my pen off the table in my haste to get out the door.
“I just talked to Jameson,” Mason said. Fuck me, why couldn’t I ever catch a break. I stopped crawling under the table and looked up.
When I didn’t respond he went on. “He said that you want to go back to your apartment and that you would be fine.”
“I know. That’s what I’ve been telling you for days,” I said, exasperated that it only got through his thick skull once he heard it from his brother.
“You can get your stuff tonight after work. The front door’s unlocked, so just go in.”
I shot up, banging my head on the table. “Fucking crap on a stick,” I exclaimed and rubbed my head. “And why wouldn’t you lock your door?”
“Nobody ever comes out there. And I have a dog.”
“Because he is such a great guard dog. I don’t think anyone has ever died from being licked too much.”
“He’s a smart dog. If someone just rocked up at the house and he didn’t know them, he would attack.”
