Taz’s office is in the furthest corner in the shop area, right where my first mate told me he’d be going over paperwork. I don’t know the man well, but I know he’s a workaholic with the determination to expand his business. Zayne used to tinker on a few junkers they kept here before his schedule became packed with Violet Wonders business. Sometimes I even wonder if he regrets agreeing to get back together with us to tour again. I knew he was content being behind the scenes, which is another reason I think the public will be disappointed when they hear he won’t be going solo—something I asked when we were alone the other day point blank.
His exact words were, “Don’t be a fucking idiot.”
“Hey, Garrick.” Taz takes my hand, grip tight as we shake before he gestures toward a stained green upholstered chair across from his desk. It looks like his guys have come in here after working on a few cars to sit down and chat with him, but I couldn’t care less.
Taking a seat, I drape an ankle over my opposite knee. “Rylee already took her car,” I state, needing confirmation anyway.
He nods. “Bright and early. Looked a little off, but we all have those days.”
“Off?”
Taz leans back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest. “You know the situation. Most people who have to take residence in their vehicles have a reason to. But if there’s anyone who can manage to pull their self together, it’s her. Headstrong. I can tell. It’s in her eyes.”
Nodding slowly, I sit back in the chair. I guess it isn’t just me she’s mesmerized with one look. “I need to know where she went. I might have made a mistake.”
His brows raise. “What kind of mistake? She do something she wouldn’t have?”
“No, nothing like that.” I glance around the room. There’s a corkboard with a few different business cards, advertisements, and pamphlets hanging on it. “You told Zayne you gave her information on a homeless shelter, right? Do you think she’ll go there?”
There’s hesitation on his face that doesn’t make me feel confident. “Can’t be sure. She seems stubborn, so I suppose it’ll depend how desperate she gets.”
I don’t like the sound of that. “How many times have you come across situations like this?”
“Here? A lot. California isn’t a cheap place to live, especially not where the celebrities are. People think they can move here for a shot at stardom, and then learn real quick it doesn’t always work out right away, if ever.”
California has the biggest homeless population in this country, a fact I never thought of much until I brought Rylee home and Googled it out of curiosity.
Squeezing my eyes closed, I thumb my lids. “How dangerous is it to be sleeping in your car? Anything can happen out there.”
“Can I ask why you want to know? I mean, anyone Zayne vouches for must be a decent person, but I can’t help but wonder why you’re so invested in this girl. I didn’t think you knew her.”
His curiosity isn’t surprising, but not even I can explain it properly. “Guilt mostly,” I admit, clearing my throat. “There was a misunderstanding. Or I think there was. I’d like a chance to apologize if I can.”
“You’re already paying for her car repairs and the towing,” he points out. “That’s more than most people would do, especially in your position. What more do you want to do for her?”
A small smile curls up my lips. “You have a girlfriend? Wife? Significant other?”
He gives me a slow nod, curiosity laced in the motion. “Wife.”
“Do you do the bare minimum when you fuck up instead of finding ways to apologize to her?”
Taz winces. “She’d have my balls if I didn’t make an effort.”
I snort. “Exactly. I mean, Rylee and I aren’t anything special. But that doesn’t mean I don’t owe her an apology for being an asshole. At least I can own up to that.”
He considers that for a moment, watching me carefully. There’s something about his pointed gaze that I force myself to acknowledge. I don’t look away or break contact, and that seems to gain his respect. Dad taught me the power of eye contact when I was younger, saying that people will see your true motives if you let them look into your eyes for even a second.
Whatever Taz sees must be worth giving me what I ask for. “If she winds up at a shelter, it’ll be the woman’s one over on Weller Ave by the old strip mall. Won’t promise you that she’ll pop up, but it’s a start.”
I stand. “Thank you.”
“Garrick?” he calls out. Stopping at the door, I turn to him. “Who do I contact about the bill?”
Smirking, I pull out my phone and give him the number to my manager, Michael, before heading out of his office. A few mechanics notice me and stop what they’re doing. One waves, others gape. It never ceases to amaze people when I show up places. I’m not the most personable or best liked guy like Zayne is. I tell it how it is, even if my bluntness gets me into trouble, and I have a reputation that I can’t seem to change no matter how hard I try.
Some people will always see me as the stuck-up rich rocker who always gets his way.
But something tells me Rylee is going to give me a run for my money.
6 Rylee
I’ve worked inside worse places than the rundown McDonalds currently offering me spotty Wi-Fi. I ordered one of their sad, wilting salads and a water despite the judgmental look I received from the teen behind the counter because I felt guilty for taking up a seat without ordering much. Though it doesn’t look like many other people mind doing the same without handing over cash for crappy food.
Perched at a table in the farthest corner from the customers coming
