Read Online Unsteady (The Torqued Trilogy Book 1) by Shey Stahl - Free Book Online

morning?”
    “Holy shit… okay.” I draw in a deep breath sitting up straighter in the booth. “Yes. I’ll be there Sunday night probably.”
    I can barely contain my excitement. “What’s the address and I’ll meet you there first thing.”
    Tyler rattles off the address, and I write it down on a napkin and shove that in my bag as we hang up.
    In a rush to get back on the road, I pay for my coffee and drive straight through until I reach Lebanon around midnight Sunday night. I pull off the highway and into a truck stop to catch a few hours of sleep.
    As I lay in the back of my bronco, I think about Tyler’s friend giving me a chance without even knowing who I am. I’m almost afraid to think it, but my mind keeps pointing to the fact that for once in my life, things may actually be heading in a good direction. It’s a foreign thought. One that hasn’t crossed my mind in a long time.
     

    LEBANON IS A small town tucked in between the trees off the interstate. Everywhere I look are small privately owned shops, it’s the type of town people come to and never leave. Not because they’re stuck here, but because they want to stay. Hell, I’ve been here all of four hours, and I don’t want to leave.
    As I pull up to the shop, I take in the surroundings. It’s early, maybe around seven, but the sun is peeking over the metal roof glistening like diamonds from the rain that peppered the ground. It’s a large gray building with red and white trim, two oversized doors and then two smaller ones beside it. To the right of the shop appears to be an office with windows facing the parking lot and a covered walkway around the side.
    In front is a stone sign that reads Walker Automotive in stainless steel letters. Immediately I can tell whoever owns this place takes pride in keeping it looking nice.
    I spot Tyler sitting on the tailgate of his Ford truck drinking coffee. I haven’t seen him since I was what, like fourteen? The gravel shifts under my feet as I make my way toward him, nerves rising inside me.
    By the look on his face, I’m a sight he wants to see. “Damn girl….” He slides off the tailgate with ease, standing toe to toe with my five-foot-nine frame. “You’ve grown up.”
    I shrug, burying my hands in the pocket of my jeans shorts, my eyes on my worn-out Converse sneakers. “It happens.”
    Stepping closer, he touches my cheek gently. “Care to tell me what that’s about?”
    Instinctively, I shy away from his touch. “Dropped a wrench when I was doing an oil change.”
    He nods, waiting for me to make eye contact with him. “Uh-huh.”
    He’s waiting for an explanation, and the only reason I give him one is because he got me a job. “Listen, I got into some deep shit back in Oklahoma with Ben, and I couldn’t stay there any longer.”
    Eyeing me carefully, he waits. When I don’t give him anymore, he says, “Okay, so what do you need?”
    “I just need a job. I don’t want anything from you but a job. Not special treatment. Just a way to make some money.”
    “You got it. Like I said, I got you the job. He said it’s yours.” And then he pauses, still staring at the bruise, unwilling to let it go. “Did this Ben guy do this?”
    “Don’t worry about it.”
    Tyler nods, dropping his head forward as he rubs the back of his neck. “You know, it’s been my experience, and those around me, a guy who is willing to leave a mark on a girl doesn’t take lightly to her leaving.”
    “No, probably not.” I know what he’s implying.
    “Is this going to follow you?”
    “It could.”
    Unfortunately, I know it’s going to follow me. As much as I would love Ben to just give up and let me go, it’s not in his nature.
    “Okay, well, we’ll deal with that later. Red will be here shortly. Let’s go inside for now.”
    With a deep breath, I follow him inside hoping I’m not making a mistake.
    There’s a smirk on his face as he looks back over his shoulder before we enter the shop,