Payce's Passions (19 page)

“Definitely.”

Ash turns his head, trying to give us a moment. It’s not like I’m going to have a make out session or something, I don’t do public displays.

“Later.” I turn and walk out.

Chapter Twenty

Braxton

After the lunch rush is done, I walk back into my office and close the door. Payroll is in two days and I have to get everyone’s time through last Sunday together. I need Ash to get everyone’s time sheets together and in my hands.

My cell beeps, it’s Payce.

“U busy?” ~P

“No, perfect timing.”

“You should come over.” ~P

“When?” I send.

“Right now works.” ~P

“Tonight instead?” I type back to him.

“Perfect.” ~P

“Address?” It’s probably a good idea to have one of those when you don’t know where someone lives.

“Oh, yeah. Lol, guess that would help. 2425 Algernon.” ~P

“I’ll call when I’m on the way.”

“Okay, back to work, keep it hard.” ~P

“Just for you.” I send off and put the phone down.

Two knocks on my office door, then Ash opens it and strolls in. He’s got the time sheet folder in his hand. This is why I love having him as my head manager, right on top of things. He opens his mouth to say something, then stops.

“You okay?” He’s already turning around to go to the door.

“Yeah. Just wanted to say sorry, I was kind of a dick to Payce the other night.” He looks down. “I’m also sorry about Aaron. I swear I didn’t know you knew him or that he was like this.”

“Serge told me what happened with Payce, guess he thought I’d be angry. I’m not, Ash. You were the only one who knew the truth about me and Payce, our past, and you were just being protective. I appreciate that.” I nod to him. “As for Aaron, you couldn’t have known. You just remember what Payce said and call him if he tries to contact you at all.”

“I will.” He nods.

“Ash, I’m not kidding. I don’t want you going back home until this is resolved with Aaron, okay? You call someone first. Aaron has gotten worse than when we were kids, he’s dangerous now and that worries me for you. He’s running from the police now and heading to jail. It’s best to cut ties and be done.”

“I’m working on it, it’s a little hard.” Ash turns red when he says that.

“Look, Ash, Aaron is a manipulative bitch, trust me. I’ve known him a long time. He says and does whatever it takes to get his way. He’s on the run and has been hiding out. You know that he damn near killed his ex, right? You’ve got to let it go.” I stare at him.

“How do you know when you’re with the right one? I’m not trying to sound stupid or anything, but hell if I know anything anymore. How does someone even tell if they are in love?” He points to the chair. I nod yes and Ash sits down.

“That’s a tough one.” I sit back down, propping my fist under my chin.

“Do you love Payce?” Ash just blurts it out like it’s nothing. “You’ve been stuck on him for years, never have gotten past him. I’m assuming that you do.”

“Yes. No need to tell him that though or anyone else for that matter.” He knows I’m talking about Serge.

“I won’t tell either of them.” He laughs. “How did you know about Payce though? Hell you two haven’t been around each other in years. All of a sudden he shows up, hangs around a couple weeks and you’re in love again? Don’t you think that’s a bit quick?” He runs his hand through his hair.

“I do think it’s quick, extremely quick, but love is love. When you have it, you know it. Payce and I have a long history together. I have loved him all of my adult life.” I’m not sure he’ll understand, or if anyone gets it besides me and Payce.

“Doesn’t make sense to me. Sorry.” Ash crosses his legs and shakes his foot.

“It’s difficult to explain it. Love is so hard to put into words. When you have it there is nothing you can’t overcome, no matter what the odds. There is no risk you wouldn’t take for the other, even if you knew it would kill you, you’d still do it. You feel it in your heart, deeper than that even, in your soul. It makes you feel complete as a person when you find your soul mate.”

“Guess I’ll understand it one day.” He shrugs.

“Have you ever had that one person in your life that reads you like a book? They know when you’re hurt, when you’re scared or lying. Someone who can comfort you when no one is able too, someone who accepts who you are as a person no matter what. They make you laugh and you know if it came down to it, they’d honestly give their life for you?”
Damn, that describes Payce.

“Yeah, sounds like Serge.” Ash laughs. “But Payce hurt you.”

Holy shit, he has no idea what he just said.
“Payce did hurt me. I never said love didn’t hurt. We’ve been over every bit of it, and I believe him after hearing everything that he had to say. I think Payce was doing what he could to protect me at the time or what he thought would. He thought I’d be better off without him, and being associated with a convict. I don’t think he ever meant to cause damage. Remember me saying love overcome odds, and makes you take risks? That’s what we’re doing now. Something I’m learning is that love also means helping the other person rebuild themselves into something better.”
I don’t know how else to explain it.

“Cool, dude. Best of luck to you. I’m pretty certain you just covered the issue of me loving Aaron or not.”

Serge almost steps in the door when he freezes, turns and backs away.

“Aaron was a good fuck, but he never did anything except rip me down as a man. I guess he manipulated things, so I thought it was more than it was. Hell I don’t know anymore.”

“What are you men doing, all huddled up like a bunch of girl scouts around a camp fire, gossiping? Talking about me I hope and what a great employee I am.” Serge apparently heard us, not disappearing after all, and marches in.

Ash turns to him and starts laughing. “Girl scouts, really? I got your girl scout right here.” He grabs his crotch.

Serge jumps in his lap, moving his ass around on him. “I’ll be your girl scout.”

Ash wraps his arms around him, locking him from moving. “I bet you would. Keep swishing your ass all over me and I might take you right here and now.”

“Promises, promises,” Serge fires back at him.

“You two behave yourself and get back to work. I have to get payroll done and I’ll be out in time for the dinner rush.” I stand up again.

Serge jumps up off of Ash and stands, saluting me. “Aye, aye, coolest boss man, sir.”

“I’m beginning to think Payce might be right.” I wink at him.

“Right about what?” Ash asks me.

“He thinks Serge here may be stockpiling uppers somewhere close, at all times.” I laugh, thumbing my hand over toward Serge.

“Oh now does he? I’ll have you know that Mr. Payce-man is only wishing he had someone as frisky as I am in the bedroom.” He smiles, then freezes. “Oh my God, sorry. I have crap-arrhea of the mouth, I’m sure you are just fine, boss.” He slaps his hand over his mouth.

“Ah hell.” Ash bends over, slapping his knee and starts laughing.

“Payce told you about us? Why would he do that?” I keep a straight face, I love seeing Serge flip the fuck out.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything, even though Payce is my bud and my pal. We talk a lot.” He jumps behind Ash for cover.

“You do? I’m kind of shocked.” I arch an eyebrow.

“Yes we do. I’m surprised he hasn’t told you yet, he tells me all kinds of stuff. I know that he can read people, and that he’s working on that motorcycle in his garage, and how you two did the bootie boogie last night, pretty much anything. Yep, I do.”

“I see. It’s a good thing having him for a friend. He’s the best when it comes to that, he always has been. It’s okay, Serge.” I smile at him, letting him off the hook.

“We’ll let you get back to work now, Brax. See you at the dinner rush.” Ash grabs Serge by the wrists and walks toward the door. “You know that anytime you need time off, for whatever reason, you just call. Serge and I can handle the place.”

I nod and grin at both of them. “Thanks guys. You’re both really good to me and I appreciate you both for everything you do here.”

“It’s good to see you smile and joke around, boss, this is a different side of you. You’re kind of cool like this,” Serge adds in.

They both leave, closing the door behind them.

The news about me and Payce is going to travel through this place like wildfire.

Chapter Twenty One

Payce

Parts are strewn everywhere in my garage from messing with my baby all night, she looks so abused right now. She’ll get better though. I wonder if Brax will get on her or not. He wasn’t thrilled to be on my other bike, but this one is special. She’s my naughty girl, surely he’ll be tempted by her.
Who wouldn’t be?
I can’t wait to show him.

Speak of the devil. I wipe the sweat off my hands, and pull my phone out of my shorts pocket, answering.

“Miss me?” he asks, almost yelling over the music blasting in his truck.

“Yep. You on the way now?”

“Almost there, about ten more minutes. Just exiting the freeway now.”

“Good. Hey, I’m out in the garage right now, but the front door is open so let yourself in. My company truck is in the drive, you can’t miss me.” I finally get the exhaust pipe unbolted and grab my pliers to remove the snap rings. The pipe clangs to the ground.

“You alright, Payce?” His truck radio goes silent.

“I will be when you get here. See you in a few.” I hang up the phone and stand up, walking over to the workbench.

After putting my phone down, I put away a few tools and try to clean up before he gets here, but there’s no way I can do that. I don’t know enough about all of this yet, so I need to keep old parts with the new ones.
God, my garage is a fucking disaster.

I get a beer from the cooler and twist the top. Looking back over at the bike, I walk up and circle around her. She’s going to be great, one day.

I straddle over her and down a swallow of beer, resting one hand on the ape hangers. They’re not properly installed yet, but they will be soon. I close my eyes getting the feel of it, I like it.

“You’re going to be a beast when I’m done.” I pat the bike and stroke her like a puppy.

“Do you always talk to your motorcycles, Payce?”

I grin and turn my head to see Brax kicked up against the side of the doorway, from the house to the garage. He’s taking a drag of his cigarette. His shirt is untucked and sleeves rolled up, just like the first night I watched him from my bike.

“Always, just not the way you talked to your car. What ever happened to it?” I raise the bottle to him, then the cooler, offering him one.

Brax walks over to get one. “I called the shop and they towed her there for repairs. Who knows how much it’ll cost me this time?”

“I can only imagine.” I lean back a little on the seat.

“You talked to Serge about us?”

“Little fucker, can’t keep his mouth shut can he?” I shake my head, laughing.

“It slipped, don’t be mad at him, he really likes you.” He steps over to me.

“I actually like him too. He’s funny as hell and he’s got a good vibe about him. I think he turns it up a notch or two for show, but who knows what he’s really like when he’s not traipsing around your place. Anyway, what do you think of her?” I run one hand down the side of my bike.

“Right now, she looks a bit worn out, but I’m sure she’ll be great when you’re done.” He takes a sip of his beer. “You look sexy as hell kicked back on her, such a badass without your shirt on and tough with that bandana tied on.” He smiles, licking his lips.
Damn!

“Come here.” I reach out for him, and he moves in close enough for me to reach. I slide my arm around his back, yanking him in tighter. “How was work?”

“Good. How about your day?” He rests his arm on my shoulder.

“Piece of cake, now kiss me.” I rub my hand up and down his back.

Brax leans down, tilting my head up to him and presses his lips to mine. “I missed you all day.”