A Biker's Ruby Amongst the Tools

RUBY

Today was eventful. I had not planned on meeting and dealing with a couple of stupid bikers. I’ve dealt with them all my life. Dad’s shop used to have them coming all the time. It was his specialty, whereas mine is muscle and classic cars. I still know how to work on the bikes though. But when Dad retired, most of his clientele didn’t want a girl mechanic.

And this is why I have to resort to fixing my neighbor’s cars and offering help to anyone not sexist. There have been a few times I’ve even had to pretend to be the secretary, skillfully redirecting inquiries and promising that the mechanic is out to lunch to get a client. Sad, I know.

Lucky for me, though, I was able to find this book. Now I just need to study it and get his car done so I can pay the bills on time.

Mom and Dad retired and moved back east to live with a couple of friends and enjoy time alone. My sister lives with her fiancé about two hours away. So it’s just me in our old house, trying to survive on my own.

I’m sitting in my house with both phones when the office cell rings. The office phone gets forwarded to a cell I bought specifically for the shop.

“Big Stan’s Auto Shop. Ruby speaking. How can I help you?”

“Hi, Ruby. It’s Steve. I was wondering if I could drop off my old truck?”

“Hey, Steve. That’s not a problem. How’re Tammie and the boys?”

“Good, good. How do your parents like it back east?”

“They seem to be enjoying it. You know them. Just bring the truck by any time and I’ll get right on it. I gotta go though. I need to study about electric motors for this one car.”

“All right, sweetheart. Don’t study too hard, and come by for dinner one of these nights. Tammie hates that you’re all alone. You know you’re like a daughter to us.”

“Aww, thanks, Steve. I will. I promise. Bye.”

“Bye.”

I love Steve and Tammie. They are my parents’ best friends and live just down the street. I grew up with their boys and was closest to their oldest son, Robert. We used to play football together in the yard, and he would even help in the shop from time to time.

I haven’t seen him in ages though, and I lose myself in a few memories before the office phone rings again.

“Big Stan’s Auto Shop. Ruby speaking. How can I help you?”

“Ruby? The beautiful girl from the bookstore, Ruby?”

My heart stops for a second. It’s that delicious voice of the equally delicious biker from earlier today. Damien. Why is he calling? Before I can utter a word, he beats me to it and speaks once more.

“Listen, don’t hang up. This is the fourth garage I’ve called.”

Finally, I find my voice. “Can I help you with something? Does that man you were with need another lesson in mechanics?”

He chuckles, a deep husky sound, and I have to hold the phone tighter so I don’t drop it. “I wanted to apologize for him. Dozzer sometimes doesn’t think before he says something. He was out of line.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it, but it’s not like I’m not used to it.”

There’s silence on the line, and I realize I should be asking him about whatever problem he’s having. “You said I’m the fourth garage you’ve called. Is there something you need? If I don’t have it in stock, I can probably order it for you.”

“Well…” He chuckles again. “First, let me say that I swear I’m not a stalker. But I liked what I saw, and I was wondering if I could take you out sometime.”

As I listen to Damien on the phone, a man in the background shouts, “Give it to him, baby!” and a woman laughs.

Damien hastily covers the phone, but I can still hear him say, “Shh! Shut the fuck up!”

My heart sinks in my chest. It never stops hurting. Of course it’s another prank. I hurt his friend’s pride, so he has to hurt me.

“Look,” I say. “Don’t you think you’re a little too old to be playing these games? Your friend was being an ass. It doesn’t mean you have to be an ass too. I’m not interested.”

I ended the call before he could say anything else and tossed the phone on the table. Taking a deep breath, I will myself not to cry. It has been a while since this has happened, but seriously, how much can a girl take? I can’t win because I’m a girl, and I can’t win because I’m fat and ugly. I get it already.

I stand and pace the room, trying to calm myself down. I’ve got too much work to do to let this get to me. I shake my head, take a seat, and try to focus on studying compound DC motors. I have to work on that car and have it done by Tuesday, or I’m not going to be able to pay some bills.

My phone dings, and I freeze. He couldn’t possibly have gotten my personal number, could he? Lifting the phone, I see it’s a message from my bestie June, and I let out a sigh.

I try to go back to reading, but I’m stuck thinking about Damien. On the outside, he’s a god, but after the phone call… Did he really think I’d be stupid enough to believe he could be interested in me? Regardless, I don’t even try to date anymore.

Deciding to put the book away for the night, I go and take a shower before bed. I’m tired and I’ve been having trouble sleeping anyway. Checking all the locks and windows, I make sure the house is secure before heading upstairs.

In bed, I keep tossing and turning. Why can’t I stop thinking about him?