Page 22 of Mechanic Next Door
13
Peach
I wake up to warm,perfect sunlight streaming through the window. I roll over with a smile on my face and when Thomas isn’t there, I remember that he woke me up softly some time this morning to tell me he had to go into work. I sit up in his bed and rub the sleep from myeyes.
Not that we did much sleeping. I pull my knees up and put my elbow there, my palm finding my cheek. I can’t believe the stuff he did tome.
I never would have dreamed he was such a beast in the sheets. Such a dirty talker. I’m in for a real treat. I always imagined sex with him would be mind-blowing just because of who he is and how much I love him, how long I’ve wantedhim.
This was…hm. I laugh to myself a little. I wasnaive.
This was on another level. He drew things out of me that I didn’t know were there. Little sexy things. I knew I’d love to be on top, his hands roaming over me, his hands guiding me, his hands helping and loving and exploring me. But I didn’t know I’d transform into a cowgirl riding his big dick into thesunset.
I laugh at myself. This is all toomuch.
Swinging my legs around so my feet find the floor, I slide my feet into the slippers I know he likes to use around the house. I think the last time I was in his house was six months ago now, and when I was here he wore these slippers around. I should do the same. I go to the bathroom to fix myself up a little before going downstairs in some sweatpants and a tee I was able to find in his dresser. It’s when I get downstairs that I realize I don’t have my purse with me, which means I don’t have my phone with me,either.
I go to the kitchen to call his cell from his landline. When there’s no answer, I feel a knot tie up in my throat. He always answers. On the first ring, in fact. I hang up and punch in my number. Maybe someone at the bar took my phone home with them last night instead of leaving itbehind.
“Hello, Thomas?” Ronnieanswers.
“No, it’s Peach.” There was a thread of tension in her voice when she answered. “Is everythingalright?”
“Yeah,” she says, “yeah, everything’sfine.”
“Um.” I realize this is a little awkward for both of us. I’m realizing it’s now clear why I’m calling from Thomas’ house phone. I don’t care, though. In fact, I’m happy for the awkwardness if it means I get to be with Thomas on the other side of it. It’s just another little reminder that I have him. “Sorry for being weird. Have you talked to Thomastoday?”
I pad over to the living room and grab the remote, flipping the channelsabsently.
“No, I haven’t been able to reach himyet.”
When I flip past the local news my heart freezes in my chest and the knot in my throat getstighter.
“Sorry Ronnie, I have to call youback.”
I hang up and toss the phone on the couch behind me, my legs nearly giving out under me as I fall to a seat on the edge of thecouch.
“A wreck around eight this morning has left the interstate backed up for three miles. Sources state a driver fell asleep at the wheel and veered out of his lane, causing a ten-car pile-up. There are no fatalities but four passengers were air-lifted to WatsonGeneral.”
My hand flies to my lips and my hot tears erupt in my eyes. With a shaking hand I grab the phone and dial Thomas again. It rings several times before going tovoicemail.
I call the garage, but there’s no answer there either. I don’t know any other of the guys’ numbers by heart. I take a deep breath and exhale, but when my lungs empty I collapse to my knees and put my face in myhands.
Those miles of interstate are the ones Thomas uses to get to work. He was there. He was at the wrong place at the wrong time. I can feel it in mybones.
“Thomas,” I cry softly, my chest heaving under the weight of confusion and panic. “Please, please Thomas. Just be okay. Please. I love you. I needyou.”
