Getting Schooled (The Wright Brothers #1)(45)

Justin let out a heavy sigh. “I don’t know, man…”

“Good thing he isn’t asking our opinion then, right?”

There was silence for a few seconds as Justin stared at me with narrowed eyes, and then shook his head. A moment later, he laughed. “You know what? Yeah, you’re right. I need to get some damn business,” he chuckled.

“You really do. Would you even be in his business like this if you were writing a book you actually liked?”

He scoffed. “Hell no. I’d be in my characters’ business instead.”

I shrugged. “So there you go. Finish the book so you can move on to some folks you actually want to write about. Or you could get you a woman of your own…”

“Whatever Jay. I’ll be back around three to get Bri.”

We exchanged a quick goodbye, and then Justin headed off. I went back inside to check on Brielle, and after breakfast, she and I kicked it hard. Cartoons on the TV, dolls and hexbugs on the floor, polish on the toenails of my prosthetic, which she was in awe of. After lunch, I left her to mostly to herself with her tablet, while I set up my laptop on the couch beside her and finished the first draft of a paper for my Modern Black Lit class.

Which of course took my thoughts straight to Reese.

Not that they hadn’t been already, but writing about this book – which I’d already read before and was one of my mother’s favorites – brought her closer to the forefront of my mind. I wondered what she would be doing today. Was it too soon if I wanted to see her again later? Did I really care about “too soon” and other bullshit like that?

I forced my thoughts back to my paper, since the draft was due on Monday. A little after three, Justin arrived to grab Brielle, and I got dressed for my short evening shift at the dealership.

Lucky for me, I was in the service center today. Most of the jobs were just tune-ups and normal maintenance, but even that was better than that salesman shit. I’d been back there for a couple of hours before Pops came by, looking for me.

“You got plans for dinner, son?” he asked, catching up to me as I climbed out of a car I’d just finished detailing.

I shook my head as I swung the door closed. I’d still been thinking about seeing what Reese was up to, but as of now, “Nah. Why, what’s up?”

He pushed his hands into the pockets of his slacks. “Well, I wanted all you boys to come over tonight so we can eat and catch up. And… meet a friend of mine.”

Immediately, a smile spread over my face. “A “friend”, huh? Would it happen to be the friend whose house you spent the night at last night?”

“How the hell do you know that?” His expression shifted into a scowl, and he crossed his arms over his chest.

I shrugged. “Streets be talking, Pops. Streets named Justin.”

“That boy, I swear.” Pops shook his head.

“He’s just concerned about you,” I said, clapping him on the shoulder. “Justin kinda took on most of the load when you were going through it right after Mom died, so he’s protective. He did say she was fine though. And that she was half your age.”

Pops chuckled. “She’s not half my age. She’s only ten years younger.”

“Still, she must be pretty damned bad if she’s got you ready to introduce her to the family.”

“Would you expect anything less from your old man?”

Shaking my head, I laughed. “Nah, I really wouldn’t. So what time are we meeting your “friend”?” I asked, passing him to pick up the car’s service history sheet from the metal counter at the front of the room.

“Seven-thirty.”

I nodded. “Aiight. That’ll give me time to go home and grab a quick shower.”

“Good. She’s got a daughter about your age, who she’s bringing too. Pretty young woman…”

I lifted an eyebrow. “Me dating your “friend’s” daughter would be kind of incestuous, wouldn’t it? And besides, I already kind of have a… a… girlfriend.”

Before I could think of an appropriate term to use for what I wasn’t completely sure was a relationship, Pops started laughing.

“What did I tell you boy? Hope you’ve got money for a ring.”

I sucked my teeth. “Come on with that, man. There’s not gonna be a ring any time soon.”

“You sure?” He grinned. “Yesterday, you “weren’t even dating”. Today, she’s your girlfriend. Looks like things are moving pretty fast to me. I might mess around and get another grandbaby.”

“Chill,” I insisted, even though I was laughing. “You playing, you might mess around and get your little young tender pregnant. Mess around and get me a sibling.”

Pops shook his head. “Took care of that possibility long ago,” he chuckled. “Last baby was twenty-eight years ago, and I sure intend to keep it that way.”

“Yeah, yeah.” I looked up at my father, and smiled at the joy on his face. “Seems like she’s got you hooked.”

He grinned. “Yeah, she does. Haven’t felt like this since Cilla. Reminds me of when she and I first started dating. Your momma had me hooked too.”

“That’s all I need to hear then,” I said, nodding. “I’m happy for you. For real.”