Be All, End All

The guys were cool about meeting Roman. Even Low came out of the office when the commotion of him being introduced turned to talk of cars.

Gregg, Leon and Vince took him through the garage, showing off their work. Darynn stayed back, just watching, smiling at their antics. Then the group was heading out of the garage, talk of their own racers. Guess it was a mid-morning break. Low for once followed with them, presumably to see the purple Spyder Rome was driving.

Darynn parked her hip against the open bay door and watched them move up the street. The Spyder was really tight. She had to wonder where Rome had come by such a prize.

His smell gave him away. He’d moved silently, approaching her from behind, but something he wore, cologne, aftershave, deodorant, carried a scent that let her know how close he was.

“Can I help you with something?” she asked, not turning to acknowledge him.

“In my office.”

When she turned to follow him he was already halfway across the shop. She sighed and moved after him. A gut instinct told her this wasn’t going to be a friendly conversation.

He motioned for her to close the door and she did, feeling like a kid sent to the principal. Was she to have her palms smacked with a ruler for her insolence?

“How do you know Roman?”

Huh? She had expected anger, not calm questions, and definitely not about Rome. “We grew up together.”

“When did you start sleeping with him?”

Darynn’s brain balked at the question. “I don’t think that’s any of your business.”

“When you’re in my back lawn it’s my business.”

He was so damn cool about it. Barely any emotion showed through as he purposely said such antagonizing things.

“That is my damn trailer. We were square on the cost of utilities so under our agreement I have rights as a tenant. One of those rights is to have guests in my home without being policed by my neighbor.”

He stood, facing off with her with just the desk between them, “It’s not policing to check on you when men are barging through your door at night. I didn’t expect to find you fucking the guy.”

“So? Who cares what you expected? And who cares if I was fucking him? I’ve been fucking him for years. Once more ain’t gonna change nothin’.”

His face was hard as he stared at her. “I didn’t expect you to be giving it up so easily.”

She nearly punched him, but managed to keep her fists at her sides, with careful restraint. “You have no room to talk to me about my sex life. You all lead troops of bitches through that house. I’ve been with two people in as many months.”

He straightened his stance, pulling back from her, his expression hardening even further. “This isn’t about me.”

“Yeah, I think maybe it is about you. I may have disrespected you, but if you want to point fingers about what I’m doing in my home you better start off on better ground. You’ll flunk the comparison.”

“Who I fuck has nothing to do with you,” he growled, getting in her face again.

She leaned toward him, “You’re right, and ditto.”

They were silent. Neither pleased, but having nothing left to say.

Darynn moved to the door, needing to be away from him. “I’m taking the day off. Rome’s not here for too long. I’ll catch up tomorrow or something.”

“Whatever.”

She took a deep breath and held it. Hand on knob. All she had to do was turn it and go. Be all, end all. Instead she turned to face him, swallowing her surging pride for a second. “Be all, end all,” she whispered the thought aloud, and then to him, “For what it’s worth, thanks for coming to check on me.”

He frowned, eyes narrowed at her thoughtfully, and she wondered if he’d heard her first words. “I was coming to check on the burglar. Don’t need you killin’ nobody.” His retreat into the safe haven of their sarcasm was nearly a physical act.

Darynn smiled, “Yeah, well, a girl’s got to do. But thanks, anyway. Next time I promise to have a real life burglar.”

She pulled the door open, content that they were at least parting on speaking terms.

“Rynn.”

“Hmm?” She stopped, waiting.

He stood and came toward her. As her eyes rose further and further to keep eye contact her breath quickened. At last he stood before her, leaning against the open door frame. One large hand slowly lifted. His thumb rubbed lightly along her jaw and for the moment she was frozen, willing to accept anything he did.

“Next time, could you keep from doing the burglar until the door’s closed?”

She gasped and slapped at his hand, backing away from his grinning face. “Fuck you.” She left the garage hearing his soft chuckle. Asshole!