Then I take his hand and we take my dad to get the help he needs.
Finally.
* * *
Tazen and I take Dad to the rehab center. I’m still uncomfortable about the entire situation. I’m still upset and confused over what happened between Dad and me, but I’m also uncomfortable with the fact that Tazen is paying for it. I mean sure, we’ve got something solid between us but it is such a massive expense.
I would have found a way though, even if he didn’t. After what happened, I know this is the only place Dad can be now. I have a pain etched deep down in my heart at the thought of him being alone, but I no longer have a deep sense of guilt. He needs this place, and I need to figure out how to live my own life. I won’t sell his shack, I’ll clean it up with the money from the sale of the garage so when he gets out he has a place to live.
Me … I’m finding my own place.
It’s time for me to move on.
Dad tells Tazen and me that he doesn’t want us to take him inside, that he would rather do it alone. That hurts me, but I don’t argue. I don’t have it in me to argue. When he hugs me, I’m stiff as a board, but I manage to pat his back lamely. I don’t cry, in fact, I’m not sure I have any tears left. He hurt me, he stole something from me I’m not sure I’ll get back easily. I need time to process all of that.
“Good luck,” I say. It’s all I can say.
“I’m sorry, Quinnie,” he says on a whisper. “I’ll prove to you I want to change.”
I nod. “I hope so, Dad.”
I watch my father disappear inside the large building and then I turn to Tazen. I don’t know what my expression says, but it must say a lot because he reaches out and cups my jaw in his hands. He steps closer, treating me as if I’m china and I’m about to break. “Are you doin’ okay there, angel?”
I look up into his eyes. “It’s the best thing for him.”
“That isn’t what I asked.”
I look away, but he tilts my head so I’m forced to meet his eyes again. “I’ll be okay, Tazen.”
“Are we going to have problems with me doing this?”
I sigh. “I can’t let you pay for something like that … we’re together, yes, but … that’s a lot of money.”
I hesitate and he jumps in.
“I’m going to tell you something, and I want you to pay attention because I won’t say it again. First, I make more money than you could begin to imagine, so the expense for this is nothing to me and it’s the least I can do after buying out the garage.”
My heart swells. It swells and explodes.
“Second,” he goes on. “I’ve been in your situation, angel. You might not know it looking at me, but I know how it feels to live in a difficult situation…”
Now my interest is piqued, but I say nothing and let him continue.
“Third.” He leans in close, pulling me to him. “I’ve had a lot of women but none of them have managed to get under my skin the way you have. You drive me batshit crazy and make me feel fucking incredible all at the same time. I don’t know if we’ll go far, I don’t know if it’ll last, but I hope to god it does because you’re changing me. I need that to be enough for you right now. I need you to let me help.”
Something beautiful and warm explodes in my chest, something that coats all the ugly and makes me feel something I haven’t felt in my entire life … joy. Pure, unadulterated joy. And I want more of it. I want as much as I can take. So, with a smile, I say the only thing I can, “Tazen Watts … are you officially asking me to go steady?”
He bursts out laughing.
I think that’s a yes.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
It’s been two weeks since Dad went in and started his long road to recovery. He hasn’t called me. The nurses and doctors have informed me that the first four days were agony, but he’s slowly getting better with each passing day, but it’s still a long process that requires a lot of work. I’m glad that he’s getting through. I’ll call and visit him as soon as I can, but we both need this time.
I’m feeling better about everything, and have tried to push the incident to the back of my mind by keeping busy at work. Tazen has kept me occupied by helping me sort Dad’s house and apartment hunt for my own place. We’re going away tomorrow, back to L.A. to visit his other garage and attend the massive unveiling of a car. Plus we’re going to watch a race with one of his builds, and attend a charity function.
I’m looking forward to it for more reasons than one. Getting away is something I need desperately, and getting away with Tazen I think I might just need even more. Things between us have been good. We’ve been spending time together, we’ve worked together, even though it’s on separate jobs, and we even went out to dinner last night. There’s something between us, a deep spark that’s proving to be rather beautiful.
I’m nervous about going away for a few days, but it’s a good nervous. Being alone with Tazen isn’t something I thought I’d ever be doing. Then there’s the fact that he’s taking me to his original garage. That blows my mind. I’ve wanted to see where he started for so long, ever since I first watched his show on television. There’s something about seeing where someone started out.
“How’s the fix coming along?”
I jerk out of my thoughts and stare over at Toby, who has his arms crossed over his chest. He’s giving me his usual angry look. I still haven’t figured that guy out. Damn him. I will get the better of him eventually. He has me curious, that’s for sure. I give him a bright smile even though he’s giving me a glare.
“It’s fine.”
He raises his brows. “Fine?”
“Yes.” I nod. “It’s fine.”
“Tazen asked when it’ll be complete.”
“Tell my hunk of a boss, that if he wants to know that, he can ask me himself.”
I get back to work and listen to Toby’s grunt. I smile and focus on the task at hand. I might also be thinking about what I’m going to take for our weekend away. We’re going to a charity dinner, which means I’ll need a nice dress. I wonder if I have time to go and buy one before we leave. I’m deep in this thought, when a hard body presses against my back.
“Are you being difficult, angel?”
I grin at the sound of Tazen’s voice. His hand slides around and lands on my stomach, pulling me back into him. “No, I said it’s fine. That’s an answer.”
“I’m thinking you’re pushing me to bend you over another car.”
I shiver. “Maybe I am.”
He presses his lips to my neck and we hear the grunting of the guys around us.
“Fuck, take it outside,” Rick mutters.
I grin and turn, reaching up and hooking my arms around Tazen’s neck. Then I lean in and kiss him. I make it deep and hard, with loads of tongue.
“Jesus,” Drasco yells. “That’s sick.”
“It’s awesome.” Kellan laughs.
“Fuck,” Toby grunts.
I pull back and see Tazen is grinning, obviously impressed by my show of affection.
“I’m going to leave early today. I need to get a dress.”
He shakes his head and I frown.
“We’re going to a charity dinner,” I point out. “I can’t go without a dress.”
His lips quirk. “I already got you one.”
I blink. “You got me one?”
“Yeah, I got you one.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “You got me one.”
He chuckles. “Okay, my sister got you one. I gave her your size and she got you one, well, it’s actually three so you can choose.”
My mouth drops open. “Three?”
“Yeah, baby, three.”
“But … I don’t need three.”
He leans down, brushing his lips against mine. “Only the best for my girl.”
His girl.
That feels nice.
“Yes, but … three?”
He leans back with a wolfish grin. “That’s three for me to peel off.”
I slap his chest. “You’re an animal. And … you got your sister to do it!”
He shrugs. “She thought it was fun.”