When the working day is done

They returned to Bob’s Bike Shop, and they split up. Jenn stayed out of the garage and away from Scott and Julio, Scott threw himself into his work, and the day passed. Scott and Jenn closed up the garage quietly, but as he left the shop to take Audrey back to the Carter house Jenn stopped him.

“Scott, are you okay with this?”

“With what?”

“With us working together, it’s going to be awkward.”

“I’m not going to run away Jenn.”

“Okay.”

“Are you okay with it?”

Jenn scowled. “It isn’t what I was hoping for, but I can handle it.”

They left it there, their relationship strained and weird, but both of them intending to remain friends.

Scott didn’t go straight to the Carter house, he rode around a bit, thinking about Jenn and processing his feelings about their situation, thinking about his future at the garage, but mostly he thought about Suzie and how he was going to proceed in their relationship. It was exciting just as much as it was nerve-wracking. He really liked her, even when he was trying to put an end to. . . whatever they had going on, he had wanted her. Now he had to navigate turning that into a relationship. He also couldn’t avoid thinking about all the possible complications that could come from that relationship.

He finally pulled into the Carter’s garage almost at supper time. He went down into the basement, took a quick shower and got dressed for dinner. As he headed out the door of his makeshift bedroom Suzie was coming down the stairs.

“Hey Scott, dinner is ready.” She looked good, even dressed casual, denim skirt, a “Thriller” T-shirt and Black sneakers. It didn’t matter, she always looked good.

“Thanks Suzie,” he said smiling.

“What has you so happy today, Scott?”

“I’ll tell you later.” He said, thinking not as much about what he would tell her, but what he intended to do to her.

Suzie looked at him, puzzled as her cheeks turned pink.

Scott went upstairs to the dining room. It smelled great. He walked over to Mrs. Carter, took the salad bowl from her and set it on the table.

“Thanks Scott.”

He turned to Mr. Carter, “Anything to drink Mr. Carter?”

“Yeah, could you grab me a beer?”

“Certainly, he said, anyone else want one?”

No one said anything so Scott so he went to the basement fridge and grabbed two beers, then a third, just in case Doug actually showed up.

He headed back upstairs, looked at the table, Suzie, Mrs. Carter, Mr. Carter, he could live this kind of life.

“Thanks Scott,” Mr. Carter said as he took his beer.

Scott sat down next to Mr. Carter, Suzie on his other side.

“So, Scott, how was work?” Mrs. Carter asked.

“It was good, the other mechanic, Julio, is pretty funny, and we work well together.”

“Jenn is your boss, right? How’s that?” Mrs. Carter continued. Suzie stopped, her fork half way to her mouth.

“It’s good, a little awkward, but not bad.” It wasn’t a lie.

“Hey guys!” Doug called from the garage door.

“Doug, you want dinner?” Mr. Carter asked.

“Yeah, is it okay if Marissa joins us?”

“Oh God Douglas, is she out there, what are you doing? Invite the poor girl in.” Mrs. Carter was already on her feet heading to the garage.

“Hello Anne.” Marissa said warmly.

“Come here, you are always welcome here, anytime.” She said, glaring at her son as she hugged Marissa.

Scott went to the kitchen to grab another place setting. Suzie followed him in.

“Seriously Scott, you’re killing me, what’s going on with you?”

Scott stepped to her and kissed her, short but with promise of more.

“I want to give us a try, Suzie.”

She smiled, but looked worried. “You’re not teasing me, are you?”

“I wouldn’t do that to you Suzie, I finally made up my mind.”

She smiled, but looked a bit overwhelmed. Suzie grabbed a glass for Marissa and went back to the dining room. Scott followed her and they set a place for Marissa.

“Thanks.” Said Marissa as she sat down.

“You want a beer?” Suzie asked.

“Yeah, I’d love one.”

Suzie handed her the beer Scott had brought up for Doug.

“Can I get one too?” Doug asked.

“Sure, there’s more in the basement.” Suzie answered.

Scott laughed as he sat down.

“Marissa gets a beer and I have to get my own?” Doug asked, sounding a little hurt.

“Well, duh.” Suzie said. “We like her.”

Marissa laughed at that one.

“I can’t believe this.” Doug complained.

“Don’t worry Doug, I’ll get you one.” Scott said as he got up.

“Thanks,” Doug said, “At least someone likes me.”

“Maybe he just feels sorry for you babe.” Marissa said.

Everyone laughed. Doug just turned red.

“Maybe I should date Scott.” Doug said to Marissa.

“That’s what I keep telling you!” Scott yelled from the stairs.

When Scott came back up with Doug’s beer the conversation was all about Marissa, what she was doing, how she liked Franklin, how she liked her work. Scott was grateful that she had taken the focus off of him, let him avoid any questions he wouldn’t want to answer before talking more with Suzie.

He was enjoying dinner, Mrs. Carter made incredible lasagna, and the salad had some really good olives in it. She had even made homemade bread, he couldn’t help but wonder if she had expected Marissa. He sat there enjoying dinner when he felt it. A hand on his thigh. He glanced around, saw no one was looking at them before giving Suzie a look. She smiled back and kept moving her hand on his leg.

Scott was trying his best to pay attention to the conversation, and eat his dinner, but Suzie was incredibly distracting. She would rub his leg, then brush against his crotch. He knew he should stop her, but he really didn’t want to.