Page 15 of Pit Stop

Eleven

Tillman

As I climb into the back of the truck, I look at the date on my phone. Nearly six months since I left Los Angeles. My mind wanders to what everyone there is up to. No matter how much I try to put the past behind me it’s always there. The family I left behind. Decker crosses my mind more than anyone though. Not because our friendship mattered the most but because I wonder if he’s still living. Did he get away with the story I came up with? Is he still having to run suicide drug loads for the SK? I sincerely hope not, considering everything.

About two months after I left Los Angeles, a large golden colored envelope showed up at the place I rented. Only one person knew where I was, and it was Axell. I had touched base with him briefly a few weeks before. I needed to get his money back to him; plus, I knew that if the police were going to watch anyone it would be Decker and not Axell. Although, I had my doubts about the police being concerned about Boris’ death. I probably made their job easier if anything. When I opened the envelope all of my money from time with the SK was inside, along with the money I had sent Axell to pay him back. Ten grand and then some. My mind raced because I honestly didn’t think I’d ever see this again. At least at that point in time I knew Decker was still alive.

The money had definitely helped me get set up. I had landed in New Mexico a week after leaving California. I’m not sure why I stopped, but I did. A small town in the southeast corner of the state that nearly borders Texas. It’s an oilfield town, and if it’s one thing I’m not afraid of it’s hard work. The money can be great too and at least this money is clean. I’m at the bottom of the barrel when it comes to the job. Mostly I run from one spot to the next and gather stuff for everyone else. A lot of the time it has nothing to do with my job but that’s okay. By the end of the day I’m exhausted, and when I get back to the place I’m calling home I shower, heat up a frozen dinner, and fall asleep watching mindless TV. I’d rather be exhausted than anything else. At least if I’m dead for asleep I don’t have nightmares plaguing me.

Tonight I’m exhausted, but I got a random day off tomorrow so I’m going to work on getting some laundry done. I’m in desperate need of clothes. I might also look into some stocks. The stock market seems like a smart investment. If there’s one thing I learned while watching Emmet run the SK was how to work money into more money. Yes, of course we could all go down the path that Boris took us down and mess with drugs, but I’m not interested in that. I’d rather be poor and homeless than to go there again.

The next day, I walk a couple of blocks down with my laundry. As my stuff is drying, I look over a newspaper. My eyes instantly go to the stock market. Luckily, there’s one thing I’ve always had a natural knack for and it’s numbers. I study the stocks and where they stand before making my decision on which two I’m going to buy into. I make a few calls and by the time my laundry is done, a good portion of my money is invested in a couple of companies I have a good feeling about.

When I reach the place I call home I put my laundry away and then head back out to grab some food. This time I take the car, Axell’s car. A part of me knows I should have probably ditched it just to be safe, but the other part of me just can’t let go of that last little part of my life. New Mexico is known for green chilies and Mexican food, so I head through the small desert town to a local Mexican restaurant. I sit on the patio and enjoy my food. My mind wanders to everyone once again. This is why I like working. It keeps my mind in check. When I’m busy running errands or helping the guys rig up or rig down, I don’t have time to sit and think about my past life and those people I had to leave behind. After I finish, I head back home to take a quick shower and fall asleep watching TV. Before I know it, I’m up and at again. Heading to work.

****

A few years later…

I’m standing behind my desk, phone to my ear, closing another deal as I take in the Dallas City skyline. There’s a knock on my door before it opens. I turn around and watch as Zeke, my partner, enters the room—a shit-eating grin on his face. I shake my head before I even ask what’s going on because this man seriously has no poker face. I finish up my call as Zeke makes himself comfortable in one of the two oversized black leather chairs positioned in front of my desk. “Yes, I expect that in my email within the hour. I’ll speak to you soon.” I end the call and take a seat behind the large espresso colored wood desk. Leaning back, I run my fingers through my hair and meet Zeke’s eyes. “What’s up with you?”

Zeke Kutcher, a tall, lanky cowboy with blonde hair, brown eyes, and dimples that make all the girls swoon, tosses a large stack of papers onto my desk. “We got the lease.”

Music to my damn ears. A few months ago, Zeke and I got into a bidding war over a piece of land that happens to be sitting on a shit-ton of oil. We weren’t the only ones that got wind of the possible oil so the next thing we knew a bidding war was going on and we were front and center. However, this stack of papers lying on my desk means we won, and we can finally move forward. “It’s about damn time.”

“What’s our next move?” Zeke asks. His eyes light up with excitement at the possibilities of what this job could bring to us. The amount of money... well, to be honest, it’s mind-blowing.

I swivel around to stare at the setting sun on the Texas skyline and take a deep breath. “Gather a crew.” Zeke leaves, surely chomping at the bits to get to drilling. Hopefully, the numbers are correct. My mind wanders to my past life. Axell, the rest of the James brothers, and Decker. Even the Street Kings come to mind, although I can’t escape those memories. Their symbol permanently inked into my skin and memories that haunt me every night I close my eyes. I wonder if anyone would even recognize me now. In the past few years, I’ve grown up. My investments in the stock market paid off for me. Being in the oilfield helped me learn the ropes. Then I met Zeke while working in New Mexico on some rig. We both wanted more and here we are now. One of the biggest oilfield companies in Texas. Who would have guessed two runts would have made it this far?

My phone alerts me of an email and I swivel back around to my desktop to get back to work. Day turns into night, and I stand up stretching my stiff muscles. It’s Friday which means one thing... time to race.

I pull up, my blood already pumping with the adrenaline that comes every time I slip behind the steering wheel of a sports car. Most Friday nights this is where you find me. While Texas is big on football, I’m big on racing. Thankfully, Dallas has a small street racing scene. As I pull in, something causes the hair on the back of my neck to stand up. An unfamiliar car is parked a few spaces down. I slow my speed as I approach because I’m curious. We don’t get newcomers often. No one seems to be around that I don’t recognize so I pull into a space and set off to find Colson, the guy in charge of all the races.

I spot him and head that way when a familiar voice calls my name. “Tillman.”

That’s when my instincts went on high alert. I turn around slowly and standing in front of me is the last person I expected to see in Texas... Decker. Based on the two guys flanking him... my past has caught up to me in my present.

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