Page 5 of Without You

She shakes her head and furrows her eyebrows. “I don’t get it.”

I glance over at Katie who’s smiling wide, her hand pressed to her chest as she nods at me. She bites her bottom lip, her eyes alight with happiness. For me. I don’t know how I know it, but I do. I smile back at her before regrettably turning my attention back to Hannah.

“I signed a contract with a company that produces those videos, Hannah. They want me to do all the work to get the trucks and other vehicles ready per the talent’s specifications.”

“Talent?” she asks quietly. I know her well enough to realize that the wheels are turning inside her head right now. She’s hoping that I’m lying, but even if she doesn’t want to admit it, she knows the talent I possess. Plus, I’m not a liar. Never have been. What’s the point in lying when it only causes problems?

“You know. All those guys who I listen to on the radio but you can’t stand because you say their music sucks? Yeah, those are the ones. My customer, the producer, had me sign a contract that I’d do all their work. It was a nice little bonus.”

I spin around and face the crowd. “I apologize, y’all, if your quiet lives are interrupted once in a while when they come here. Seems these country music guys know what they want and like to be pretty hands-on. Might be around quite a bit.”

Murmurs of excitement happen but it’s Uncle Zeb’s voice that breaks through the crowd, “You shitting us, boy?”

I chuckle. “No, Uncle Zeb. I’m not shitting you.”

“He’s not your uncle!”

“He can call me uncle all he wants, Hannah! That boy’s family!”

She rolls her eyes and huffs. “Fine. Whatever. Congratulations, I guess.”

I smirk and face her. One last time.

“Thank you, Hannah. Means a lot to me. I know I wasn’t the man you wanted and I’m happy about that. See. You cheating on me with Cameron did me a favor. Helped me to clearly see what — and who — I want in my life. And someone who’s,” I turn and quickly say to her parents, “sorry about this, but you know it’s true,” then I say to Hannah, “a stuck-up bitch who thinks she’s better than everyone else, has no room in my life. I signed a seven-figure contract with a company I never saw coming my way and I can’t tell you how excited I am about that.”

I don’t miss the quick inhalation of breath when I say the figure out loud. It’s really no one’s business, and I didn’t intend to say it, but the alcohol has loosened my tongue a bit. Besides, it kind of helped drive the point home.

Hannah clears her throat. “Well, good for you. Hope that works out for you.”

She just blessed my heart again without saying the words. ‘Hope that works out for you’ is her way of saying, good luck, you’re going to need it, because you’re just a grease monkey and will find a way to screw it up.

I don’t let her words get to me, though. Because I know the truth. I’m amazing at what I do, and the fact that I just signed this contract is proof of that. Customizing a truck that comes off the line is what I do best. Working on their motors, making the exterior and interior unique so it doesn’t look like another one out there, it’s what I was born to do. And now, I’m getting recognized for it.

I offer her my biggest grin, hoping that she realizes that I didn’t come here to impress her. “Thanks, Hannah. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have celebrating with my buddies to do. See, they’re actually happy for me.”

“I’m happy for you, boy!” Uncle Zeb hollers.

“Us, too.” I hear behind me and turn around. Hannah’s mama is standing, her hands clasped together in front of her. “We are so proud of you. Always knew someone would take a second look at you and never look back.” She walks around the table and comes to me, hugging me tightly. “Not that this was the best time to let us know, but I’m still very happy for you,” she whispers.

“Sorry about that. Might have had a little to do with the celebrating that happened beforehand.”

“Figured as much,” she says, wrinkling her nose at me. “It’s okay. I understand.”

“It wasn’t because of this,” I say, throwing an arm behind me toward Hannah and Cameron.

“Figured that, too. You two didn’t belong together.”

I chuckle and widen my eyes. “You’re right about that.”

“Not that I don’t want to spend more time with you and hear more about this new venture, but it’s probably time for you and the boys to head out. This is her reception, after all.”

I wince. I know it’s not my best moment. “Sorry, ma’am. Truly.”

“Enough of the reunion, already, Mom!”

“Hannah. Cameron. I apologize for the interruption. I wasn’t thinking clearly, but I wish the best for you both. May you have a long and happy marriage.”

“Thanks, Brody,” Cameron says, giving me a nod. “But if you don’t mind, we’d like to get on with our night.”

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