Page 61 of Kissed By the Trillest Thug 2

TRIGGA

The impact gun rattled in my hand as I tightened the last lug nut before lowering the Silverado back to the ground.

“All set.”

I wiped my hands on a shop rag as the customer walked over.

“Appreciate you, young man.”

“No problem.”

The older gentleman climbed into his truck before giving me a wave as he pulled out of the service bay. I watched him disappear through the open garage door before reaching for the work order sitting on my toolbox. A few months ago, I never would’ve imagined this being my life. Now, I couldn’t picture doing anything else.

There was something satisfying about honest work. It was something fulfilling about fixing something with your own two hands and watching somebody drive away happy.

“Tahari.”

I looked up. Mr. Browne was making his way across the shop floor with a clipboard tucked beneath one arm.

“Yes, sir?”

He stopped beside the truck I’d just finished and glanced over the work order.

“You rotate the tires?”

“Yes, sir.”

He crouched for a second, looking everything over before standing again. He gave me a small nod.

“Good.”

That was it. It was just one word, and for me that was good enough. He walked away like the conversation never happened. I couldn’t help but smile. The guys around the shop always joked that if Mr. Browne only had one word to say, then you were doing something right.

I folded the work order and set it on the completed stack.

“Tahari.”

I turned toward the service counter. One of the advisers leaned out of the office.

“Your last appointment canceled.”

I looked up at the clock, and it was four thirty. Guess I was done for the day. I untied my apron and tossed it into my locker before grabbing my keys. As I headed toward the parking lot, Ghost crossed my mind. The truth was that we hadn’t talked much since Mr. Browne showed up at his apartment looking for me. Life had gotten busy. I was juggling three major things in my life: school, work, and Maliah. All while trying to build something I could actually be proud of.

Still… the way Ghost sounded on the phone didn’t sit right with me. He said he was good, but I knew better. I climbed into my car, started the engine, and pulled out of the lot. Whatever was weighing on my brother. I was about to find out. The ride over to Ghost’s apartment didn’t take long. By the time I pulled into the parking lot, the sun had already started dipping lower in the sky. I cut the engine and looked around. Ms. Gia’s car wasn’t in its usual spot. I figured she was still at work.

Lately, she’d been picking up more shifts at the hospital. She never complained about it, but I knew why she was doing it. Ghost wasn’t bringing in money like he used to. I climbed out of the car and made my way toward the building. The familiar smell of somebody grilling on one of the balconies mixed with the thick Miami heat as I took the stairs two at a time. When I reached the apartment, I knocked three times. It took a minute before the lock finally clicked. Ghost pulled the door open. For a second, I just looked at him. He looked tired. Not physically but mentally. It was like he hadn’t slept much.

“You gone stand out there staring at me all day?” he asked.

A small grin pulled at my mouth.

“I’m deciding if I should come in.”

He stepped to the side.

“Man, get your ass in here.”

I laughed under my breath and walked inside.