No time to dwell on what couldn’t happen. He had other things to worry about. What the hell was he goingto do about his car? He leaned back against his seat and closed his eyes, exhaustion overtaking him. Suddenly he felt every one of his thirty-two years. He just needed to think things through.
* * * *
Ben made his way through the showroom and store, turning off lights and locking up. Fatigue was settling in and he was looking forward to watching some television and going to bed early.
He chuckled. What a big night he had planned. God, he missed those days in his twenties when he could go out all night and still be able to function the next day. He had to face it—he was getting older.
As he walked outside, he was surprised to see another vehicle besides his in the parking lot. Deciding he’d better check it out, he headed over to the car. The parking lot lights were on, so as he got closer, he saw Angus in the front seat. He appeared to be asleep.
Ben stared at him through the window for a moment, still surprised at how his body reacted at the sight of the man. Angus shifted in his seat, so Ben knocked lightly on the window in an attempt to wake him up.
Angus snorted a little and his head rolled to the side, so Ben tried the door handle. It was unlocked. Heopened the door and squatted down until he was face-to-face with Angus.
“Hey,” he whispered, not wanting to frighten the man. “You okay?”
Angus’s eyes fluttered open and he bolted forward. “W-what…what’s happening?”
Ben couldn’t help it—he reached over and grasped Angus’s shoulder. “I was about to ask you the same question. You were sleeping in the parking lot here.” He gestured with his head to indicate his own vehicle. “I was just heading home.”
Angus flopped back. “Damn! I can’t believe I fell asleep.”
Ben squeezed his shoulder and reluctantly let go. “You okay to drive home?”
Angus’s shoulders slumped and shook his head. “My car won’t start and my phone died.”
“Pop the hood and I’ll take a look at it,” Ben said, pulling himself to a standing position.
Angus perked up. “Really? That’s…that’s great. Thanks!”
Ben heard the familiar click and moved to open the hood.
Angus climbed out of the car to look over the engine with Ben. “Can you tell what’s wrong?”
“Uh, yeah. Looks like it’s a spark plug. Possibly two.”
Angus blinked at him.
Ben smiled. “I can easily fix it for you, but I’ll need to get the plugs tomorrow morning. Everything’s already closed.”
Angus’s eyes widened as Ben moved closer. “You don’t need to do that,” Angus argued.
“It isn’t a big deal. Won’t take me long at all. How about I give you a lift home now and I’ll let youknow when it’s fixed tomorrow?” Ben thought for a moment. “Do you need a ride in the morning to a job?I can take you then, too.”
Angus shook his head. “No, I work from home.”
“Writer, right? Guess you can work wherever you want, huh?”
Angus nodded. “Yeah. Kind of.”
“Okay. My car’s just over there.” Ben pointed to a dark SUV. “Where do you live?”
* * * *
Angus followed Ben to the vehicle, helpless to think of another solution, but not sure he wanted to be in such a small space with the man.
Ben hit a button and the doors unlocked. Angus opened the passenger side and climbed in, settling onto the soft black leather seat. When Ben had first offered to take him home, his heart had stuttered, fearing Ben meant on a motorcycle. He was immensely relieved when Ben had pointed out the SUV.
He glanced over and watched Ben start the engine. He couldn’t look away from Ben’s hands. When Ben hadhad his hands in the engine, touching and moving things, Angus had been mesmerized. Now Angus found himself staring again. Ben’s hands were big. Powerful. He tried not to think about how those hands would feel on his body, or grabbing his hips from behind.
He sighed and turned to the window. He really needed to get laid. And not by a biker.
When Angus had given him his address, Ben said he knew exactly where abouts it was and, judging by the turns he was taking, Angus believed him. He would be home soon and could finally collapse and put this day out of its misery.
“I hope you’ve reconsidered and plan on coming to class tomorrow.”
Ben’s voice jolted Angus out of his thoughts and he shook his head. “No. Not gonna happen.”
“Do you mind if I ask why?”
Angus turned to look at him in the darkened car. “I don’t like motorcycles.”
Ben shook his head. “Uh, yeah. I got that.”
Silence hung between them and Angus sighed. “Motorcycles are dangerous.”
“They can be,” Ben said, his voice quiet. “Life is dangerous, Angus.”
Angus snorted. “No shit.”
Ben stayed quiet as he pulled off the highway and turned into Meadow Ridge.