The Searching Game

Chapter 3

"Grease monkey!" a deep voice echoed across the large garage I was working in. I popped my head up from the car I was working on since all the guys here had taken to calling me that. I met Vincent's eyes and urged him to continue. "Your hot friend brought you food," he smiled as Ellie stepped around him with a bag in her hand. I rolled my eyes, but set my wrench down and wiped my hands clean on my jeans. I approached Ellie whom started her way to me.

"Hey cutie," she stated as we met in the middle of the shop. "Leo decided to go pick up food for our lazy day and grabbed something for you too." I gave a quick scan around the room to make the other mechanics stop staring at her. They knew I wouldn't hold back on beating one of them to death if they messed with her inappropriately.

"Thank you, El. You know you guys didn't have to get me anything," I said as I took the bag from her.

"You make us breakfast every morning and dinner if we don't go out or have pizza. We can treat you some times too. You sleep on our couch yet still help pay bills." I started back toward my area and she followed.

"Ellie, you and Leo took in a hopeless eighteen year old kid without a shit load of life skills. Anything I can do to help you guys is something I'm going to do. I have to show my gratitude somehow." Once we reached my project, I moved my toolbox off my lawn chair and sat on the skateboard I used to slide under cars.

"So they gave you this crappy rust bucket?" I dropped the bag of food in my hand and jumped up to defend the car.

"This is a mustang. They are beautiful no matter the condition and you best remember that," I scolded. This made Ellie laugh loudly and she moved closer to look over the car more. "I'm just glad the owner brought it in when they did. Apparently they found it in some old barn."

"Is that why it looks so ancient?"

"Yeah. The frame is still good at least and I've replaced most of the inner workings. All I have left is a fresh coat of paint, four new rims, spark plugs, an alternator, and a new bumper that's being shipped in soon according to Vinny." I looked over at Ellie and realized she had been watching me the entire time.

"You know... you look really beautiful when you talk shop. I didn't understand a single word you said," El giggled and stepped close enough I could feel the heat from her body.

"Well, that's why I'm the mechanic and you get to be my trophy girl making the boys jealous," I joked as I sat back down and opened the bag of food.

"So I'm your trophy girl now?" I rolled my eyes at the smirk she wore. I realized it was a mistake saying that since she won't stop thinking about it now.

"At least you understood that." Ellie nudged my skateboard then to roll me into the side of the car. I swallowed my food before I slammed into it. I flipped her off before taking another bite as she sat in the lawn chair. When I finished eating I started back on the engine. In about an hour and a half I finished what I could do. Ellie spent the entire time asking for explanations on everything I did. I gave them, though I missed the clunking of tools or sound of music from my headphones. I backed away from the engine and stretched before walking over to start putting the new rims on. I stopped when I reached them and decided to pull off my shirt to wipe the sweat and oil from my face and hands. I turned and moved to grab the extra tank top in my toolbox when Ellie kicked it shut. "What the hell? I almost had my hand in there!"

"Sorry Zoey, but I need this view a little longer. You dripping sweat down your toned body with grease everywhere, you were made for a lesbian playboy."

"Ha ha, so funny." I stepped toward the box to open it, but Ellie got up and in my way. "I need to put a shirt on."

"Why?" Ellie gave me a sickly sweet smile.