The Fix Up

THE FIX-UP

By

G.A.HAUSER

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © G.A. Hauser, 2017

THE FIX-UP

Copyright © G.A. Hauser, 2017

ISBN Trade paperback: 978-1548-6851-4-0

© The G.A. Hauser Collection LLC

This is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or business establishments, events or locales is coincidental.

All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

WARNING

This book contains material that maybe offensive to some: graphic language, homosexual relations, adult situations. Please store your books carefully where they cannot be accessed by underage readers.

First The G.A. Hauser Collection LLC publication:

September 2017

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Chapter 1

I think he’s cute. Do you think he’s cute? He’s cute, right?

Who is?

Anne Henshaw pulled her friend and coworker, Dani Fields closer. Shane.

Um, Anne? Aren’t you married? Dani glanced at Shane Moore.

Not for me. For my cousin Jean.

Yes. Shane is cute, and really nice. Is he single?

I think so. Shit. Help me out. Anne pulled Dani along with her.

Shane was at his desk on his computer, a hands-free earpiece in his ear. He was typing on his keyboard when he noticed them. Hi. What’s up?

Anne nudged Dani, as if she wanted her to say something. Dani cleared her throat awkwardly.

Anne tried not to get lost in Shane’s blue eyes. Hi. Um. Hi.

Dani cracked up.

Shane rolled his chair back slightly to face them. Hi, he repeated and chuckled.

Anne dragged Dani away. I can’t.

You’re insane. Dani laughed and returned to her desk.

Since she wasn’t big on matchmaking, Anne felt like a moron and sat back down at her desk, returning to her work.

She thought about her cousin Jean and tried to figure out a way for her to meet Shane. He was sweet, smart, handsome, and funny. A perfect match for her sweet, smart, pretty cousin.

Shit. Anne bit her nail and wanted to ask. She inhaled deeply and stood up, trying not to chicken out.

~

Shane kept working on his computer file. He checked his mug for coffee, and it was empty. He removed the earpiece and stood up, seeing Anne hovering behind his chair. It made him laugh. Hello again.

Shane, I feel like an idiot. Anne ran her hand over her hair nervously.

Why? He held his empty mug and rested one of his knees on his chair seat.

Would you be interested in coming with me and some friends on a wine tasting tour?

As Shane thought about accepting, he wondered why Anne had never asked him to join her previously. I may. Where’s it at?

Napa Valley. We’re renting a limo so no one’s driving.

Shane glanced at the other office workers. Who else is going?

Anne became even more nervous, putting on a thinking face and counting on her fingers. Um…my husband, uh…my cousin Jean…umm…

Shane waited to hear a familiar name.

My cousin JP…umm…

You want me to come with you? It sounds like it’s just your family. Is anyone else from work going?

Um…not so far. Are you seeing anyone at the moment?

Shane rolled the chair closer, using his knee. Am I seeing someone? You mean dating? Not at the moment, no. Why?

Anne exhaled loudly. I thought maybe you might like to meet my cousin.

Shane tried not to laugh at Anne’s nervousness. Okay… He chuckled and then cleared his throat.

Cool. I mean, it’s just casual. No pressure. Just a few people going wine tasting. That’s all.

I understand what you mean. He stood straight and gestured to the employee lounge. I was headed to get coffee.

Anne backed up to give him space.

So, just let me know where and when. He moved away from his desk.

Cool! Anne smiled in excitement.

Shane was flattered she had asked, and headed to lounge to fill his cup.

~

Anne hurried to her desk and removed her phone from her purse. She sat in her chair and called her cousin Jean.

Hi. What’s up?

I invited a guy I work with to come with us tomorrow. Anne peeked over a divider, keeping her voice low.

Okay.

I think you’ll like him.

Uh oh. Did you invite him to meet me? Like in a blind date? Jean sounded panicked.

Chill. He’s really sweet. I did say it was a fix-up. I think you two would hit it off.

What’s his name? Who is he? What’s he look like?

His name is Shane. He’s cute. Really cute.

I can’t believe this! Anne! I’m so nervous!

Why don’t you come over for dinner? Then I can show you a photo of him. Trust me, Jean, he’s adorable. Anne peeked over her divider. Let me get back to work.

Crap. I’m freaking out.

Don’t freak out. It’ll be fine. Anne watched Shane return to his desk holding his coffee mug. He was really cute.

I’ll get you for this.

Ha. See ya. Anne put her phone into her purse and smiled as she went back to her typing.

~

Wearing a hardhat and harness, John Paul ‘JP’ Shepherd cut branches off a sick oak tree. In the sweltering heat of the Northern California summer, JP let a limb fall to the street below. He shifted the basket on the scissor lift machine and cut a few more heavy dead branches.

Wary of power lines, JP took a look at the branches and shouted to a coworker, Coming down!

He was acknowledged.

JP lowered the basket and unhooked the harness, then stood near the trunk of the tree and inspected it from below. He dripped in sweat as the hottest part of the day hit.

JP…take a break and drink some water.

JP removed the hardhat and gloves and ran his hand over his damp hair. He picked up a bottle of water from a cooler and drank it, ready for the weekend.

He removed his phone from his pocket and read a text from his sister, Jean. It was a reminder for a wine tasting tour she had set up with their cousin, Anne. He sent back, ‘got it’ and pocketed the phone again.

Roy walked closer to him, looking at the tree. I think that’s good enough. There’re no more limbs endangering power lines.

Okay. JP finished the water and helped another worker grind up the big branches in a chipper. As the sweat felt like drying crystals on his neck and back, JP hauled heavy branches to the machine to clean up the mess.

~

Shane shut down his computer after saving his work. He stood from his desk chair and noticed Anne still typing at her computer. He lingered behind her. Where are we meeting tomorrow?

Anne perked up and her cheeks grew red. Oh! Duh. She handed him a pen and notepad to scribble on. My husband Rich is going to be our designated driver to the winery. He doesn’t like wine. She chuckled. Just write down your address and we’ll pick you up. Around eleven?

He wrote his address for her. Cool. How much is it?

If we split it between us, it’s thirty-five each, and that includes food. You know, snacks and stuff.

Who do I pay?

Me. Don’t worry about it. I know where you work. She smiled at him.

See you tomorrow.

See ya!

Shane checked his phone and then walked to the building’s main entrance. He left through double glass doors and was hit with the heat of the day. A warm breeze blew from the north creating a stifling sensation. He wasn’t a big fan of summer here, where the heat could reach 108 or more.

He pointed his remote key fob at his red sports car and unlocked the doors. He knew it was going to be boiling hot in the interior. There was no shade where he had parked. He opened the doors and felt the blast like a furnace.

Once he started the engine and turned on the air conditioner, he sat down and put on a pair of sunglasses.

Though he wasn’t a fan of fix-ups, he didn’t have any plans for the weekend, and wine tasting sounded like fun.

He liked Anne, and even though they had never been social, work was a good place to meet new friends. He could have drilled her about what her cousin looked like, and asked her questions, but what was the point? He wasn’t going to be alone with her, so it didn’t matter to him.

Shane put the car into reverse and headed home, thinking of a quiet evening.

He parked in the driveway of a house he shared with his friend, Chelsea. He and Chelsea had dated for around a year, but that hadn’t worked out well. They did, however, do very well as platonic roommates.

He climbed out of the car, his dress shirt damp at his low back from the leather bucket seat. As he held his house key in his palm, Shane checked the mailbox and removed the contents, then entered the two bedroom, two bathroom, home. He looked around for Chelsea. Hello?

Since it was a Friday night, he figured she was out. He tossed the mail on the kitchen table and headed to his bedroom. He undressed, standing naked in the bathroom to wash his face and hands. He stared into the mirror and touched the soft facial hair on his jaw, then yawned and decided to rinse off in the shower.

He waited for the water to warm enough to tolerate and stepped into the tub. As the water washed over him, Shane revived a little bit, shaking off the long week, and long hours.

Once he had dried off, he slipped on a pair of gym shorts, and then raided the fridge. While he decided on dinner, he drank a beer.

Chelsea had the right side of the refrigerator, he had the left. And, his side was vacant, except for beer, and bread.

His housemate’s leftover pasta was calling his name. Before he pilfered it, he found his phone. He sent her a text message, ‘Your pasta salad is about to be devoured.’

He got a laughing emoji. He sent her one more. ‘Are you out or still at work?’

‘Out.’

He put his phone aside, and took the bowl of salad out of the fridge, opening the lid. It was corkscrew pasta with fresh spring veggies, and he was starving. As he munched it, leaning against the counter and snarfling it down with a fork, his phone chimed again.

‘I’m with Stacie and we’re going to see Wonder Woman. Wanna come?’

‘Nah. Thanks, tho.’

‘you need a life!’

‘I have one. You and your good food.’ Shane chuckled and continued to consume the pasta, down to the last curly noodle.

~

JP stood under the showerhead to wash the grit and sweat off his skin. With his palms flat on the wall, JP faced the spray and closed his eyes, feeling the fatigue in his muscles from the physical labor. He managed to scrub himself clean and shut off the taps, dripping wet and exhausted.

He moved the shower curtain aside and stepped out onto a mat. He stood in front of the vanity mirror and rubbed the towel over his head of wavy hair. He tossed the towel over the rack and took a moment to think. The heat drained him.

Being a laborer in the summer wasn’t fun.

Once he gathered his strength, he brushed his hair and ran his fingers along his facial hair.

It was Friday night and thoughts of calling friends to go out for dinner or a drink surfaced. The shower had given him a second wind. He left the bathroom and stood naked as he held his phone. He sent his buddy Trevor a text, ‘what are you up to?’

‘Was thinking of calling you. A few of us are grabbing a beer at BJs.’

‘when?’

‘now?’

‘see ya there.’

‘kewl.’

JP looked through his pile of clothing, sniffing for something clean. He needed to do his laundry, but that’s what weekends were supposed to be for. He found a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, and put it on. Once he was dressed, he checked his hair and then picked up his wallet, opening it. With a plan for food and company, JP left his small apartment and hit the bank ATM, then drove to the popular dining spot on Nut Tree Parkway.

He found parking in a lot that was filling up fast. Several chain restaurants shared the same strip mall.

With his phone in his palm, JP let Trevor know he had arrived.

‘get a booth in the bar, there are four of us.’

JP appeared to be the first one to arrive, which surprised him, but, he did live in Vacaville, five minutes from the restaurant.

As he entered the packed establishment, JP looked towards the bar area. Several televisions were showing sporting events; baseball and car racing. When he had the chance, he approached the hostess. Four for dinner. He pointed. Is the bar okay?

Sure. Just seat yourself there.

He bypassed her and had a look around. No tables were available. He stood at the bar and kept track of who was about to leave their spot.

The bartender asked, What can I get you?

The dark porter on tap. JP took out his wallet. Just as he received his drink a group stood to go into the main dining area. He snatched the beer and claimed the booth.

As the party vacated, JP scooted into the padded bench, avoiding the empty plates and glasses left behind.

A busboy cleared the table quickly, cleaning it up, and wiping it, then he set out cloth napkins rolled with silverware, on the table.

JP held his phone and scrolled through his social network as he drank the beer.

A text came from Trevor. ‘you here?’

JP scanned the crowd for him, spotted him, and waved.

Trevor sat across from him, putting his phone next to his place setting. Christ, I always forget what a zoo this place is on a Friday night.

Who’s coming? JP finished his beer.

Brandon and Seth. Trevor looked for a waiter.

JP sent his sister a text, ‘who’s driving tomorrow?’

‘Rich.’

‘Is he picking me up?’ He heard Trevor shouting out to Brandon.

‘He can.’

‘Good.’ JP waved at a