The Dom’s Submission: Complete Series by Ellis O. Day
CHAPTER 19: Maggie
“You sure you can’t wait?” Maggie asked the Uber driver.
“Nope. Sorry.”
“Okay.” Maggie handed him the money and got out of the car in the parking lot of Mattie’s Machines. She hadn’t thought it was possible but her day had gone downhill after her phone call with Mattie earlier.
David had shown up with his new wife and a surprise for the kids. He was taking them away for the weekend. She could barely afford macaroni and cheese and David was carting them to the amusement park. It wasn’t fair.
On top of that, because of her stupid car, she’d had to call off work—again. Her boss had warned her that one more time and she was out of a job. She couldn’t rely on her car. So, instead of packing, she’d spend tonight looking for a new job.
She inhaled deeply, fighting tears as she headed for the door. This was not Terry’s fault. She was an adult. She’d agreed to let her car be towed here instead of to Tires and More which had been a bad decision. Not only could Terry’s friend not fix her car, but since another mechanic had played around under the hood, Tires and More may not cover the repairs. Still, there was no going back in life, only forward. She opened the door and stepped inside. The building was clean but smelled of grease and oil—car smells, reminding her of her father.
He’d always been tinkering with their car—able to fix things himself instead of paying someone else to do it. She should’ve paid more attention instead of playing nearby, but she’d never been a tomboy type of girl. She’d loved her dresses and dolls.
A very attractive man came out of the garage area. He had black hair and brilliant blue eyes. He smiled at her and she almost melted onto the floor.
“Hello, can I help you with something?” He moved behind the counter.
“I’m Maggie. I spoke with—”
“Terry’s friend.” His smile grew wider and his eyes did a quick dart down her frame.
She should be offended but she wasn’t. There was a look of appreciation in his gaze and he was damn fine looking. “Yeah, I guess you could call it that.” She wouldn’t. Terry didn’t want to be friends. He wanted to be lovers. The sad thing was that he was the closest thing to a friend she had.
“I need to tell you, that you don’t want to have the car towed anywhere else. Junk it.”
That was easy for him to say. He probably had dozens of cars. “I appreciate your opinion and I’m sure you’re a great mechanic, but I really need a car and whatever’s wrong with it may be covered by their warrantee.” She prayed it was because otherwise she had no idea how she was going to pay.
“I doubt that. Whoever fixed it the last time ripped you off.” His eyes narrowed. “Mechanics like that should be fired or arrested.”
“No. You can’t be right.” When it’d broken down again, she’d wondered about that. She hated mechanics. She knew nothing about cars and so many of them seemed to thrive on duping women.
“I’m really sorry, but I’m not wrong about your car.”
“I-I think, I’ll have them look at it anyway.” She opened her purse. “What do I owe you?” She was trying hard not to cry. She couldn’t afford to pay him, a tow truck and Tires and More. She could barely afford the Ubers she was going to have to take home and to work tomorrow.
“Why don’t you come with me?” He came around the counter and went to take her arm but stopped, looking at his hands which were filthy. “Come sit down.” He took a step toward the back room.
She stared at him but saw nothing, her mind whirling with worries. She was going to lose everything. “Can you make it drivable for a little while? Please.”
“I’m sorry, but it wouldn’t be safe. You could break down at any time.” He stepped aside, gesturing for her to proceed him. “Please, have a seat and I’ll get you some water.”
She walked to the waiting room and sat. She had no idea what she was going to do.
“I’ll be right back.” He left.
A moment later a petite, red-headed, young woman, who was as filthy as a mechanic, stepped out of the garage area. “Mattie said to give you this.” She handed Maggie a bottle of water.
“Thank you.” She took it, staring at it. She wasn’t thirsty. She was desperate.
“Are you okay?”
She nodded but a tear slipped down her cheek.
“Hey, don’t cry. Mattie can fix anything.” The woman sat next to her. “And he’ll set up a payment plan for you, if that’s the problem.”
“Really?” There was hope.
“Yeah.” The girl smiled. “Mattie’s a great mechanic. He’s taught me a lot.”
“You’re a mechanic?”
“Yeah.” The younger woman blushed. “I’ve always loved cars. Learned about them from my dad.”
“I used to watch my father. Actually, I’d sit and play with my dolls while he worked. I wish I’d paid attention.”
“I love the work but…” The younger woman glanced down at her clothes and shrugged.
“The dirt washes off and the pay has to be better than being a hostess at Outback.”
“I guess so, but at least you get to look like a woman.”
“Honey.” She took the younger girl’s filthy hand. “Any male with eyes can see that you’re a woman.” The girl was gorgeous—petite but with a nice bosom and brilliant blue eyes that complemented her dark red hair.
Mattie came out of a back office. “Thanks, Leena.” He barely looked at her.
“Sure, Mattie. Anytime.” The young woman smiled at him and Maggie’s heart broke for her. Leena was in love with Mattie and the man didn’t even see her.
“Sorry, I was gone so long. My mom called.” Mattie smiled sheepishly as he sat down in the chair that Leena had vacated. “I couldn’t brush her off, you know?”
“Absolutely.” He was even more adorable now that she knew he respected his mother.
“Anyway, I called Terry and—”
“Why did you do that?” Okay, not quite as adorable as before.
“Ah…you were upset and I thought—”
“I can make my own decisions about my car.”
“Of course, but—”
“Tell me what I owe you so I can leave.” She stood.
“I can’t do that.”
“Why not?”
“Terry said—”
“I don’t care what Terry said.”
“You’d better,” said Terry as he strode into the room.
