Page 85 of Pretty Wild

I lean against the counter, glancing around the room. Over in the waiting area, the owner of the Honda is reading a book while we complete her car repairs. No one else is in the room, so I turn my attention to Gladys. “What’s going on?”

She stops what she’s doing and levels me with a gaze. “Apparently, there’s some reality TV star in town, and everyone is looking for her. She was dating that Vaughn Cramer guy, the one who was in that big movie last summer?”

“Why is everyone looking for her?”

“Who knows? Apparently, she has a big online presence and following. Makeup, a YouTube channel, and more. I don’t know, but like I told those girls, ain’t no TV star hanging around Wright’s Auto Repair.”

My heart drops into my shoes. “If anyone gives you a problem, let me know. We’re asking everyone who isn’t acustomer to leave the property. We don’t know anything, and even if we did, we wouldn’t tell anyone.”

Gladys stares at me, and I can tell the moment realization sets in. She nods. “No one will hear a peep from me, Marcus. You have my word.” I turn to walk out of the office, when she adds, “Check on that girl, okay? Make sure she’s all right in the midst of this chaos.”

Of course Gladys would realize the woman everyone is looking for is Ryan. They only met one time, that I know of, back when Ryan stopped by to invite me to lunch. Perhaps it was the adamant and protective tone I had, but whatever the reason, it doesn’t surprise me she’d figure it out.

“I will,” I assure her, stepping outside and grabbing my phone. I head past the open bays and walk straight to the corner of the property, where the shop parking lot meets the tow yard.

Instead of calling Ryan, I dial someone else.

“Hey.”

“You got a minute?” I ask TD.

“Super busy, man, and I’m pretty sure I know why you’re calling, so that’s why I answered.”

“So you are aware.”

He snorts. “Hallie and Jillian called me earlier. Ryan was at the coffee shop, which was crawling with people, so they asked me to come and drive her home. She said she’d stay there and keep the doors locked, but I haven’t been able to check on her since I dropped her off. With the influx of people, I’m dealing with all sorts of shit, man. Traffic accidents, trespassing, and illegal parking are the top of the list right now.”

“Shit, man.” I swallow hard. “I’m sorry.”

“Why are you sorry? You didn’t do any of this,” he says insistently.

“I know, but…” I pull my hat from my head and run my hand through the sweaty strands. “I hate this. For her. For you. For everyone.”

“We’re used to the extra tourists, but this is a whole new level, man.” He sighs. “I gotta go. Call if you need me. I’ll answer for you, but if I don’t, I’ll call back.”

“Thanks, TD.”

“Check on her.” Then, he’s gone.

I click over to Ryan’s name and tap the screen. It rings once, twice, three times. After the fourth ring, it goes to voicemail, but it won’t let me leave a message since it’s full. I hang up and call a second time. When that call also goes unanswered, I tap a little too hard on the screen. “Fuck.”

I look at my busy shop, and I know what I have to do. It won’t take me too long to run out to the cabin and check on her, so that’s what I’ll do. Moving to the first bay door, I holler at Dale. “Hey, I’m gonna run home really quick. I didn’t take a lunch, so we’ll just call this a late lunch break.”

He looks up, his eyes full of concern. “You all right?”

I nod. “I need to check on my tenant.”

“That pretty lady having issues?”

“Yeah,” I reply, patting my pocket to make sure I have my keys.

“All this ruckus is for her, isn’t it.” It’s not a question. When I don’t answer, he replies, “I thought she looked familiar.”

My eyebrows shoot sky high. “You watch reality TV?” I find myself asking, completely surprised by this revelation.

Dale just shrugs his shoulders. “Lots of pretty girls on that show.” He winks and turns his attention back to the vehicle he’s working on. “Better get a movin’. Make sure Ryan is good.”

“You got Buddy for me?” I ask, even though I don’t need to. I know he’ll be in good hands with Gladys and Dale. He waves me off, letting me know he’s got my dog.

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