Forging Thousands: Money for Love, #2

1

DECLAN

I ’m thinking waffles, Mila said. She plopped down in her usual chair and clapped her hands together.

Was that supposed to be a question? I raised my eyebrows.

Please? she added with a grin.

One of these days, you’re going to have to make me breakfast, I said. After almost six years, I think it’s your turn.

It’s not safe for children under ten to use the stove, Mila said. She spoke as if she were reciting a line from the stove’s manual. So, for another four and a half years, it’s all you, Dad.

You have an answer for everything, don’t you?

Mila shrugged and settled into her seat. I laughed and shook my head. There were days when I would have sworn she was almost sixteen, not six.

How’d you sleep last night? I asked as I mixed the waffle batter.

Good, Mila said brightly. I had a dream that I hit a home run, just like Alex did, remember? She told us about it at the restaurant when we saw her.

I remember. My stomach flipped at the sound of Alex’s name. Do you remember what else she told you?

About my swing? Mila frowned. Yeah, I do. I’ve been working on it. Can I show you after breakfast?

Sure, I said. But you have practice this afternoon.

I’ll save it, then, Mila said. I don’t want to use up my swings now. If I don’t show Coach what I can do, he’ll put me at the back of the lineup.

I don’t think the lineup matters yet, I said, trying not to laugh. You’re just starting out. Everyone on your team is still learning.

The other kids are still learning, Mila said. I’m perfecting my skills.

I snorted. Where did you hear that?

Uncle Samson. Mila shrugged.

Of course.

As if on cue, the back door swung open, and my little brother stepped through. He held his arms open wide and grinned at Mila.

There she is! he said. Get your butt over here. I need a hug.

Mila ran over to him, and he lifted her easily into his arms. She hugged his neck before he put her back down and slapped my shoulder.

Hey, brother, he said. How’s it going?

Good. I shrugged. What’s up with you?

Rough night, he said.

What’s her name? I rolled my eyes.

No girl, Samson said. I didn’t go out last night. That’s why it was rough.

You what?

I turned away from the stove to look at Samson straight on. He looked tired, but his eyes weren’t red, and his hair laid flat and neat on his head. It was the first Saturday in years that he didn’t look hungover.

It’s possible, you know, he said. I don’t go out every weekend.

Yes, you do, Mila said.

What do you know? Samson teased. You’re, like, three.

Five!

Same difference, Samson said.

Two years is a huge difference, isn’t it, Dad? Mila demanded.

Quit bickering or neither one of you gets waffles, I said.

Damn, you’re a hard-ass this morning, Samson said.

Watch it. I shot him a warning look and then looked pointedly at Mila.

It’s okay, she said. I’ve heard worse.

Samson snorted. I fought the urge to punch him. Instead, I rolled my eyes and focused on the waffle iron.

This was how almost every Saturday morning went. Mila woke up, asked for breakfast, Samson showed up (usually hungover), and by the time we all sat down to eat, I was mentally exhausted.

When’s practice? Samson asked while we ate.

Two o’clock, I said.

Want me to come? Samson asked.

Mila?

Sure! she said. You can see my new swing. I’ve been working on getting more power.

Power? Samson raised his eyebrows at me.

Yup, Mila said. I keep hitting ground balls and everyone knows that sucks. I’m trying to get stronger, to put more oomph behind my swing.

Oomph? Samson’s eyebrows rose even higher.

She’s determined. I shrugged.

You know you’re only five, right? Samson asked her.

I’m the one who just told you that, she said. You thought I was three, remember?

I know how old you are, goof, Samson said. I was there when you were born.

You were? Mila asked curiously.

"Well, not like there there, but I was there, Samson said. In the hospital."

Really?

Yup, Samson said. Your dad would have been a mess if I wasn’t. He was really nervous.

Don’t lie to my daughter, I said.

It’s not a lie if it’s true, Samson said.

You were nervous, Daddy? Mila asked.

Just excited, I said.

Why?

Because I wanted to meet you, I said.

Mila smiled. Her eyes lit up with warmth and all my exhaustion faded away. It was hard to be a father sometimes and even harder to be a brother, but moments like this kept me going. They made everything worth it.

Speaking of meeting people, Samson said. I’m going to the shop next week.

You are? I jerked my head around to face him.

He nodded. Alex called yesterday, he said. She said I could start shadowing her.

Good, I said, trying to keep my face blank. That was part of our deal.

I know, Samson said. You didn’t have to do that.

It was nothing.

It wasn’t nothing, Samson said. I’m really excited to learn from her. She’s a freaking legend in the Virginia motorcycle community.

She is? I asked. I thought you hadn’t heard of her until Barry mentioned the shop.

I hadn’t, but I’ve been riding more lately. I ran into a few guys the other night. We got to talking, and they told me a few stories about Tanner Bikes.

Stories? My interest was piqued.

Yeah, Samson said. Apparently, Alex is one of the best mechanics in the state. They all take their bikes to her.

Why was the shop failing, then? I asked.

I asked about that, Samson said. I guess all the older guys have stopped riding as much. The usual customers are fading away, and they aren’t getting any new ones.

Makes sense.

I looked down at my plate. Talking about Alex got my mind spinning. It was hard not to obsess over her. Every time I heard her name, I saw her green eyes in my head, and my stomach flipped. I hadn’t seen her since I told her about paying off her debt. It was only a few days ago, but I already missed her.

I like Alex, Mila said suddenly. I wish we could see her again.

Samson frowned. He looked from Mila to me with a look of confusion in his eyes. When he turned back to Mila, he was clearly suspicious.

Have you spent a lot of time with her? he asked Mila. I cleared my throat. He ignored me.

A couple times, Mila said. She’s the one who told me about my swing. She played baseball when she was a kid, just like me. Did you know that?

No. Samson shook her head. I don’t know her that well.

Me neither, Mila said. I really like her, though. She’s nice. I like her a lot.

Samson looked at me, but I just stared at Mila. I knew she was curious about Alex. It was obvious they’d warmed to each other instantly, but hearing Mila talk about Alex that way felt different.

You don’t usually like anyone, Samson said, putting a voice to my thoughts.

I do too, Mila said. Just not people who are mean or who talk too much or who don’t understand baseball or who—

We get it. I laughed. You only like certain people.

Yeah. Mila shrugged. Whatever. I just know I like Alex.

I smiled and avoided Samson’s eyes. He was burning a hole in the side of my head with his questioning gaze. I knew he wanted details about me and Alex. Ever since he caught wind of my feelings for her, he’d been insufferable.

So, you gonna be jealous? he asked when Mila left the table to watch TV.

Of what? I asked.

Me spending time with Alex, Samson said.

You’re working with her, I said. There’s a difference.

I don’t know, man. Samson sighed dramatically. All those hours in that hot garage, working on bikes, sweating -

You’re disgusting.

And you’re jealous. Samson laughed. I knew it.

I’m not jealous, I said. Besides, Alex wouldn’t touch you.

Ha! Samson threw his head back and laughed louder. I knew it.

You don’t know anything.

I stood up to clear the table. Samson stood to help me, but he let the subject drop. He would tease me about Alex again, it was only a matter of time, but he knew better than to push me too far.

Besides, even I didn’t know how I felt about Alex.

So, how’d she take it when you told her? Samson asked.

Told her about what? I blinked, coming back to reality.

About buying the shop, Samson said.

I didn’t buy it, I said. I just paid off her debts.

And put yourself down as a partial owner, Samson said.

Yeah. I shook my head. She was okay with it.

Really? Samson said doubtfully. She was fine?

She was hesitant at first, I said. But I think she knows I didn’t have a choice. She wanted my help. This was the only way for me to do that.

Was it? Samson asked.

I thought you wanted to buy the shop? I snapped. Wasn’t this whole thing your idea?

Yeah, Samson said. That doesn’t mean I’m not curious about your reasoning. You fought me on it for weeks, and then suddenly, you jumped on board.

Alex asked for help, I said simply.

But she didn’t want you to buy the shop, Samson said. She didn’t ask you to become a partial owner.

I had to cover our asses, I said. Think how many times we’ve been burned before. Or, how many times Dad was. We couldn’t risk being screwed over. This was the only way I could help Alex and protect our investment.

All right, Samson said. Hell, I’m not complaining.

I’d kick your ass if you were, I said. I didn’t have to throw you in as part of the deal. I’m sure Alex isn’t all that thrilled about showing you the ropes.

She’ll love me, Samson said. He flashed a sickeningly charming grin. Women always do.

Alex isn’t like the women you’re used to, I said. She’ll see right through your act.

My act? Samson laughed. I’m au naturel, brother.

I ignored him and finished cleaning the kitchen. Samson had gotten me thinking. Why did I let myself get so involved with Tanner Bikes? Alex had wanted help, but Samson was right. The last thing she wanted was my name on her business. In fact, she was pissed off until I explained myself. And even after, I knew she was just thinking of ways to buy me out as quickly as possible.

It made financial sense, that much was true. Having a stake in the company was smart. Deep down, though, I knew that wasn’t my only motivation.

If I just handed over the money, I wouldn’t ever have to see Alex again. She could pay me back in her own time, in her own way. We wouldn’t need to meet face-to-face again. That thought made my chest tighten and my stomach ache.

Becoming Alex’s business partner made sense. It helped her shop. It helped my company. It was smart. And yet, I didn’t care about that. I only cared that I would get to see Alex for at least a few more months, maybe longer.

2

ALEX

Ibarely rode my own motorcycle anymore. Every time I decided to ride, I instinctively climbed on my father’s old bike. My own sat abandoned in the corner of my garage. I hadn’t taken it out in weeks. So, when my mother called to invite me to dinner, I didn’t even think about it. I grabbed the keys to my dad’s Harley and hurried outside.

It was still waiting for me, exactly where I’d left it the day before. I climbed on, pulling my helmet over my head as I did. My mother would have lost it if I pulled into her driveway with my hair flying free, my skull unprotected. No matter how many years I rode, she never stopped worrying. Not once.

It was a beautiful day. Not too hot, but not at all cold. I picked up some speed on the road, listening as the wind whooshed around me. Within seconds, I felt free. I grinned and gave it some more gas. It was easy to forget about safety on the road to my mother’s house. Most of the way was windy backroads that hardly anyone ever drove down. I could get the bike up to dangerous speeds without even thinking about it.

There was only one stretch of road where I knew to be careful. The backroad dumped me out onto the main road that led to town. I turned left and drove past the shop before cutting the bike down another deserted road, but I kept the bike moving slowly, my mind suddenly focused on something other than speed.

Passing the shop made my stomach sink. My view was blocked by the giant warehouse that stood just in front of the shop, but that didn’t matter. I knew the shop was there. Just behind the warehouse. Waiting for me. Reminding me of my failure.

I gripped the handles of my dad’s Harley tighter than ever. My stomach felt heavy, and it burned with the truth. The shop was saved. I had another year to get things moving. Declan saw to that. It was a relief. When I told my mother and Garret, they were both thrilled. They practically wanted to throw me a party, but they didn’t understand. They couldn’t.

Declan’s help wasn’t a success. It was proof of my failure. I couldn’t pay my bills. I couldn’t keep the shop open on my own. I needed help, and without it, I would have lost the shop only four months after my father’s death. That wasn’t something to celebrate. It was pathetic. I was humiliated.

I pulled into my mom’s driveway and yanked the helmet off my head. My long, dark hair fell free over my shoulders. I shook it out, enjoying the way the wind blew gently across my forehead. When I turned my head, I saw my mom waiting for me by the back door. She smiled and hurried forward.

I could have knocked, I said as she hugged me.

I was excited to see you, she said. We’re celebrating, after all.

Celebrating? I asked, dreading her answer.

Yes, she said. Of course, we’re celebrating. You didn’t lose the shop, Alex. You did it!

I didn’t do anything, Mom.

I stepped around her and hurried inside. She followed me closely. I could hear a bounce in her step that I wished would go away. I didn’t want her to be happy. Not about this.

Honey, Mom said. This is a good thing. I don’t understand why you aren’t happy.

When I turned around to face her, she was staring at me with so much genuine concern, I felt my chest tighten. I didn’t want to ruin her good mood. It wasn’t often that she felt happy anymore. After my dad’s death, she’d become a shell of her former self. The last thing I wanted was to take one more thing away from her.

I am happy, I said. I just wish I could have done it on my own.

Declan wanted to help you, Mom said. If he didn’t want to, he wouldn’t have bothered.

He didn’t exactly do it for free, I said.

What do you mean? she asked with a frown.

Shouldn’t we eat? I gestured to the already set table.

Sure, Mom said. But don’t think for a second that eating is going to get you out of this conversation.

Mom, I said warningly.

Alexandria.

She sat down in her usual chair and stared at me with a look I knew all too well. It was a challenge. It said, I can do this all day, kid. I’d seen that same look a thousand times throughout my life, and no matter how hard I tried, I never won.

Fine. I sighed and sat down. Declan put his name down as partial owner of the shop.

Mom blinked. She stared at me blankly. I stared back. Didn’t she understand? With Declan as part owner, the shop was no longer mine.

Did you hear me? I asked.

Of course, I heard you. She leaned back in her chair. I’m just not sure what the big deal is.

The big deal is, he owns the shop, I said slowly. Declan Gamble owns part of Tanner Bikes. The shop isn’t only mine. Not anymore.

And?

How can you be so cavalier about this? I demanded. You were there when Dad opened the shop. You helped him. You watched him build the business from nothing. You were with him through all those struggles and—

Which is how I know it doesn’t matter who owns the shop, so long as it stays open.

How can you say that? I couldn’t believe her.

Because it’s the truth, Mom said.

You don’t understand.

I looked away and glared at the wall. I was acting like a teenager, but I didn’t care. Despite everything, I expected my mom to be on my side. She was supposed to be the one person who felt this loss as strongly as I did. For her to dismiss it, for her to act like it was nothing …

Explain it to me, Mom said patiently.

Forget it, I said. Let’s just eat.

Don’t do that, Mom said. Alex, talk to me. If I don’t understand, then help me to.

Her eyes were glued to my face. When I finally met her gaze,