Picture of Jonah and Liam  :)

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Chapter 10

Liam

It was a week since that morning when I first started flirting with Jonah and I just can't stop!  It's too easy!  Mostly though, I just like it because I like watching him blush because of something I said or was doing.

I am a mean, mean person.  Heehee.  I love teasing him now that I know he likes me the way I like him.  I mean, I always knew he loved me and we had a special relationship, as Brett once said, but I never really thought about it until recently and I started looking at him differently.   Sometimes I just like to look at him, he's so amazing.  He's tall and built and...beautiful...and...um...sexy!!!

I remember one time last year, maybe in the Fall I think because I'm pretty sure it was the beginning of school and we were getting ready one morning.  We were still in me and Brett's old apartment, but of course Jonah was there too because his Dad was a real jerk.  Brett had come to get me after his shower and when I was done, Jonah took his.  Usually after I got dressed I went into the kitchen to have a bowl of cereal.  Back then Jonah only made a real breakfast on weekends because school started so early.

I was really tired and dragging so it took me a lot longer to get dressed and even when I was done, I just wanted to lay back down and go to sleep.  Jonah came in and he was only in a towel.  He told me to wake up and go have breakfast, and when I opened my eyes, he was standing by the bureau picking out clothes.  I had cleared out half the drawers for him since he was always up here anyway.

Water was dripping from the ends of his hair and rolling down his back and I couldn't take my eyes off him.  Then he turned around to tell me again to go get some breakfast and I watched a few more beads of water roll down his chest.  His muscly, perfectly toned chest, I have to add.  I'd never really looked at him like that before.  He was always like my big teddy bear that I cuddled with, like Brett.  But that day he looked different to me than Brett.  Very different.

Brett was handsome and almost as big as Jonah, but I never saw him the way I saw Jonah.  It was weird, the longer I looked at him, the more I started getting this funny feeling in my stomach.  Something I'd never felt before.

"I'm not hungry Jonah," I told him, "my stomach feels funny."

"Are you sick?" he asked and his face looked really concerned.  He pulled up a pair of boxers, hanging his towel on the desk chair before he walked over and felt my forehead.  "You're a little flushed, but not feverish or anything."

"I don't think I'm sick, it just feels funny."

"Like you have to throw up?"

"No."

"Do you need to stay home from school?  I can bring you down to Aiden's grandparent's apartment.  I have a biology test today so I can't stay with you and neither Brett or Aiden can afford to miss any days this early in the year."

"No, I can go to school."  As much as I didn't always like school, always getting picked on or even bullied when the guys weren't around, I didn't want to stay home if they were all going.  So I got up and followed Jonah to the kitchen once he was dressed.

"I'll make you some toast, it might be easier on your stomach than cereal and milk."

Ever since then stuff had been happening that I didn't really understand.  Then I started to figure it out when we talked about stuff in Health class, "morning wood" as the other guys called it and "wet dreams", like what happened recently.  I was afraid to say anything to anyone, especially Jonah.  I thought he would be mad or disgusted.  But when he told me about his feelings and that when it happened to him it was because of me!!  I couldn't believe it!

The only problem was that he still saw me as a kid.  Poo :(

I mean, I am kind of.  I don't know what I want to do, if anything.  But sometimes I want to kiss him and I like the feeling when we hug and cuddle and sometimes it feels good to rub up against him.  And...I wouldn't mind touching him and stuff.  Like, running my hands over his chest and his ripply abs.  Not sure if I want to touch lower, but maybe.

School started this week, and so far it's going okay.  Luckily that guy Xander doesn't go to my school.  Jonah told Brett to go meet with the Principal before the first day of class to make sure.  I think if Xander did go there he was gonna make Brett change my school or something, I don't know.  I'm glad that he doesn't because I didn't want to change.   My school kinda sucks, but at least I'm used to it.

"You ready to go Leelee?"

Jonah was walking me to school today before he went to an orientation at U.C.L.A.  He starts University next week and I'm a little worried he's going to get really busy with school and working part-time and I might not get to spend as much time with him.

"Yeah Jo, I'm ready."  I picked up my bag and followed him out the door.  I had on my Infant Annihilator T-shirt with black jeans and my purple converse.

"You have everything you need?  Did you put your lunch in your bag?" he asked.  

Yep, just what I was thinking, like I was a little kid.

"You made me do it in front of you right after you made it," I deadpanned, giving him a 'd'uh' look. 

"Oh." He blushed.  

Score for me!  I made him blush again, I tried my best not to smile, but I think the sides of my mouth went up a little. 

"Sorry Li, I'm just a little nervous today about orientation.  I know it's stupid, but it's totally different than High School."

"Yeah, but remember the guys we met when we went to campus, they were all cool, so don't worry."

Now who gets to be the smart one!

"You're right kiddo," he said with a grin as he ruffled my hair.  "Thanks!"  Jonah put his arm around my neck and pulled me into a hug, kissing the top of my head.

"Don't mess my hair up!  Brett put stuff in it to make it perfect!" (I may have whined this, but I'm allowed to because of my age.)

"You have 'product' in your hair?" he teased, stressing the word product like it was some totally surreal concept.

"Just a little," I replied, glaring at him.  I looked pretty damn good too!  "We Mathews men have a look to keep up," I objected, mimicking the words Brett had said to me when he was fixing my hair this morning.  "Brett said he'd take me to get my ear pierced this weekend too," I blurted out.

"Really?"  

Why did he sound sad?

 "You can come too, Jonah if you want."

"I didn't even know you wanted to get your ear pierced," he said, sounding...like he felt left out or something.  I didn't even know myself until yesterday when I saw this cool guy at school in a leather jacket, jet black hair and what looked like a dagger earring.  He was smoking outside during lunch when I walked out to sit on the steps.  I hate to sit inside the noisy cafeteria where all the cliques have their tables and I don't really feel like anybody wants me to sit with them.  Last year I sat with the guys, but now it's all different.

So I was looking at this guy's earring, he was wearing a Metallica T-shirt which was the first thing I had noticed because I love Metallica and I was wearing one of mine too.  When he caught me looking, I got worried at first because I thought he would get mad and maybe hit me, but he smiled and nodded his head.  When he finished his cigarette he flicked it away and came and sat next to me.  He didn't say much, but he said his name was Max and he was new here.  He was a senior and he told me he liked my T-shirt.

"Umm...I kind of decided last night," I told Jonah.  "You didn't get home from work until late so I didn't have a chance to tell you.  Brett said because I was under 18 he had to come with me because some piercing places won't do it without a guardian there if you're under 18...but you can come too."

"Did he say where he's taking you?"

I shook my head no.  "I think some place that Aiden told him about."  I remembered that Aiden had driven up to spend the weekend with Tonya.  He seemed to really like her and they had been going out on lots of dates.  Hmm...

"Yeah, I'm coming, I want to make sure their tools are all sterilized and the place is clean."  Jonah interrupted my train of thought, so I just shrugged my shoulders.

"Okay."

We walked for another five minutes until we go to my school.  Jonah had been quiet like he was thinking about stuff, so I didn't want to disturb him.  When we got to the steps I noticed Max with some other kids and he turned and nodded his head.  I smiled and nodded back before turning to Jonah.

"Okay beaner.  Have a good day.  Stay out of trouble and if anyone bothers you, go find Blizzard or Bubba."

"Seriously," I asked, "you don't know anyone with normal names?"

"They're okay, they're big and know how to take care of any punks who bother younger kids."

I furrowed my eyes at the last part.  Would he always look at me that way?

"I'll see you later, okay Li?"  He leaned closer and gave me a hug and a quick peck on the lips.  As he started to pull away I quickly leaned forward, adding my own kiss to his lips.  He smiled and started to walk away, and I remembered my idea.

"Jonah!" I called out and ran the few steps to catch up.

"What Leelee?"

"Umm...tomorrow is Friday."

"Yup."

"Can...can we go on a date?  Like a real date?"  I flashed him my best smile mixed in with a bit of puppy dog eyes.  He smiled back and thought about it for a few minutes.

"Sure, squirt."  He ruffled my hair and kissed my forehead before heading back to the sidewalk.  

Okay, one point for Liam for getting Jonah to agree to a date...but calling me squirt and the whole mussing my hair and forehead kiss...it pretty much put me right back at square one.

I turned back and headed up the steps to go to my locker.

"Hey Liam," Max called out as I passed him and his new friends, "cool T-shirt!"  

His friends turned around and looked to see who he was talking to.  I didn't really know them, but they didn't glare or anything.  One of the girls even smiled.  They were all wearing mostly black and some of them had T-shirts with some of the other bands I liked.

"Thanks!"  I smiled, hopefully it wasn't too goofy looking and hopefully my cheeks didn't turn as red as they felt. 

I found my locker, taking out the slip of paper with the combination and got the books together I'd need for my first few classes.

 I'm going on my first date tomorrow, I thought to myself with a big smile.

--------------------------------

Brett

It was a Thursday, so I was on oil changes again;  Mac and his scheduling theories.  I guess a lot of people liked to get them done before weekend road-trips and such.

"Mrs. uh..Danvers," I called out as I entered the waiting area.  I only had one more job after this and then Mac said I could go home for the day.  Liam had started back at school this week and I'd been on edge for the last several days worrying about him there without any of us.  The kids we'd hooked up to keep an eye on him were okay, but they weren't going to be as careful as we were and I knew if he had just one bad experience it was going to throw off all the progress he'd been making over the summer.

"That's me!"  A middle-aged woman stood up, bringing me out of my thoughts.

"Hi, I'm Brett.  I just changed the oil on your Volvo."  I went on to explain to her everything I did.  I showed her the air filter I had replaced and explained why, fanning open the once white filter that was now almost black with all the crap that it was used to protect the engine from.  I told her that I had reset the indicator that would remind her when she needed to have her oil changed again and how important it was to keep up the schedule and finally I handed her the keys and walked her outside to where I had parked her car.

She was really sweet and thanked me several times for what a great job I did as she got in her car and noticed how clean it was.  We had a High School kid working afternoons now, so I wasn't at the bottom of the totem pole anymore.  I had him vacuum the car while I did my work as there were lots of cookie pieces and dirt on the floor, which I attributed to the car seat strapped in the back.  Finally, I wiped down the dashboard myself to get rid of the dust that had built up.  Maybe it was silly, but I loved cars and I hated to see them treated poorly.  I was pretty obsessive about detailing my own car, but I loved sitting back in it and seeing how it gleamed when I was finished, even if it was a piece of crap car, it was still mine.

"This is amazing, thank you so much, Brett.  Here, let me give you something for your extra work."  Mrs. Danvers went to grab her purse.

"Oh, that's not necessary Mrs. Danvers.  It's just part of the service; we're not allowed to accept tips."  Mac had a policy against them and with the amount he charged the customers I could understand, even though I occasionally saw other mechanics discreetly accept them, I wasn't going to do anything to jeopardize my job and we did get paid pretty well anyway.

"Really, well thank you so much.  I'll be sure to call Mac and tell him how pleased I was and when I come back, I'm going to ask for you to be my mechanic."

"Thanks, Mrs. Danvers, have a great day!"

When I went back inside I brought the paperwork up to Alva who was managing the scheduling today.  "Okay, Brett.  You have one more oil change and it should already be in your bay.  The paperwork is on your bench."

"Thanks, Alva."

I quickly washed my hands in the staff restroom and headed back down to the repair bay that I was using today, where Alva or Mac had directed the next car to be brought into.

"You're all set kid," I heard Mac's voice as I walked through the other bays on my way to mine.  "I'm taking off early, so once you've taken care of this one, you can head out.  Great job today, as usual."  He gave me a light slap on the back before he took off towards his office.

Mac was a great boss.  In his early 50's, about the same height as me at almost 5' 11".  His salt and pepper dark hair, slight softening around the middle and a slightly weathered face were the only things that hinted at his age.  Otherwise, he was a force to be reckoned with as he managed the garage with a fair, but very firm hand.  Nobody dicked around when he was in the shop and even when he wasn't because he somehow always knew when anyone wasn't doing their job or being inappropriate.

From two bays down I could see the shine of the dark... GT350...not just any GT350...THE Ford Mustang Shelby GT350...the one owned by him.  It was almost a week ago that we had the "run-in" I guess you could call it, on the members-only floor of the club I went to with Aiden's co-worker Paul.

I took a deep breath to calm my heart rate.  After all, it was pretty clear he wasn't interested.  He already had a boyfriend or sub, whatever you want to call it; I was just some punk kid who worked at a garage. 

Well, I wasn't going to take it out on the car.  This was my baby, my dream car even if it wasn't mine.  I could worship the car and ignore the man.  He was back in the waiting area and I could just do my job and maybe I could even convince someone else to take him the keys and run through the checklist with him, then I wouldn't have to see him at all.  There's gotta be someone here who owes me a favour; I've been doing their grunt work for weeks now.

I walked over to my work-bench and picked up the clipboard. Nothing out of the ordinary, simple oil change.  My eyes caught a small notation in the comments section.  Requested Brett specifically for service.  My cheeks burned and my heart rate picked up.  Okay, that means nothing, he knows I love the car and I've already started getting a good reputation for my attention to detail; he just wants the job done right.

I grabbed my tool box and headed to the car.

Fuck.

Standing there, leaning against the entryway to the bay, arms crossed at his chest, was none other than Dr. Jamison...err...Eli...no Dr. Jamison, himself.  He was Dr. Jamison now, a customer and I would treat him professionally like any other customer, so I put on a professional face and stepped closer.

"Umm, hi...Dr. Jamison.  I'll have your car all set in about half an hour, Sir."  I kept my face blank and devoid of any hint that he affected me in any way.  "If you'd like to take a seat in the waiting area, I'll bring your keys up as soon as I'm done."

He just stood there, observing me with a slight frown on his face.  "I'd actually like to talk to you, Brett."  His voice was that deep smooth calm that made me want to fall at his feet.  No Brett, get yourself together!

"Umm, well, I have work to do and uh..." I pointed up to a sign on the wall:

Due to liability, employees only allowed in the work bays, 

all customers please make yourselves comfortable in our waiting area

 with complimentary coffee and tea for your refreshment

Dr. Jamison looked up at the sign and frowned even further, his eyebrows furrowing slightly.  When he returned his gaze to me I just shrugged my shoulders and opened the door to the GT, pulling the hood release.  The good doctor hadn't moved, but hadn't stepped into the bay either.  Walking around to the front I pulled up the hood and secured it open, all the while willing myself to keep calm.

I took a second to admire the beautiful engine...at least he took care of my baby, the engine was immaculate.  I was about to grab the tool I would use to open the oil plug when I felt his presence just behind me, stealth mode. 

"Come here a sec, I want your opinion on these brake pads."  

He walked over to the side of the car closest to an empty bay, his voice had that same silky feel, but there was a slight tone of command and it kind of pissed me off.  But this was my job and I had to remain professional for both my sake and Mac's; this was his business.

I followed him over to the driver side front tire.  He was crouching down so I followed right beside him.  "What's your concern, Dr. Jamison?" I asked stiffly.

He let out a sigh as he looked at me, but turned back to the wheel and ran his finger over the black caliper that held the brakes. Brembo calipers, I hope I wasn't drooling.  If Dr. Jamison didn't give me wood, these would.  "Do you think these brake pads need to be replaced?  It's been making a bit of a squeaking noise when I brake."

I kneeled down to get a closer look and ran my finger where he had been pointing, sticking it in a little further to feel the pad.

"From here it feels okay; we'd have to get it up on a lift to be sure.  Let me get it up and I'll inspect all four.  They should all be at the same level or we really have a problem."  

We both stood up and I went over and put the hood back down before I pressed the switch that would lift the car.  "You do need to stand back outside the bay now; it's for your safety."

Dr. Jamison walked back out to the entryway as his car rose up, once I had it high enough to stand under I went to each wheel with a flashlight.  "What do you think?"  His deep voice felt like it was inches behind my ear and turning slightly I saw him looking up at the wheels, only inches away.

"They look fine," I huffed, slightly irritated.  "I guess you're used to giving the orders, not taking them," I blurted out before I could stop myself.  I tensed once I realized what I'd said.

His face broke out into a wide grin and he started laughing.  My shoulders relaxed slightly and I might have been smiling a little too.

"Really, they all have even, normal wear and tear," I continued, walking from wheel to wheel.  "You still have a fair amount of miles to go until you need to replace them.  The squeaking you heard, was it after rain or had you gone through a puddle?"

"It might have been raining earlier that day," he confessed.

"They were probably just wet, if it continues we can take the wheels off and see what's going on in there, but I think for now you're okay."

Dr. Jamison followed me out from under the car and over to the bay door where the switch was.  "Now I really have to get working and you really shouldn't be in here or I'll get in trouble with my boss."

"I'll leave on one condition," he replied with a smirk.  Oh god.  Can someone just kill me now?

"What, Sir?"

"You come with me for a test run when you're finished with the oil change, you can listen to the brakes and see if you hear anything.  I'll even drop you off at home after, or back here if you need to pick up your own car."

"Umm...I don't think that..." I started.  Granted, I had lent my car to Aiden, he had taken a few days off and was visiting Tonya up at the ranch, but taking the bus seemed like a smarter plan than spending more time than I had to with the man that tormented my libido.

"I know you want to drive this baby and I just want to talk to you, it won't take long and you can check with Mac if you want to, he knows I'm a stand-up guy."

"Uh, Mac left for the day."

"Just ten minutes of your time...or a ride home, whichever you want."

"It's only a fifteen-minute ride to my apartment, so, yeah, okay," I relented, "but only if I get to drive," I added with my own smirk.  If I had to spend fifteen minutes with this guy, I was going to make sure I got to at least drive the GT.

"It's a deal.  Now, I'll go sit in the waiting room, just take good care of my baby."

"Of course, Dr. Jamison."

"Eli," he grumbled and then turned and walked away.

I went to grab my tools and get started.  His baby, you know you're secretly my baby, I thought to myself as I caressed the side of the car with a grin.

Most of the other mechanics had left for the day as I returned to the front office.  I'd already cleaned up and changed my clothes before driving the GT up front.  I handed the paperwork into Alva who was busy on the phone making appointments; she nodded, holding up a receipt indicating that Dr. Jamison was all paid, so I made my way to the waiting area with his keys.

"Normally I'd go over everything I did, but I'll just tell you on the way," I said walking and seeing he was the only one in the waiting room.  He stood up and followed me out and I gave him a quick rundown.  Of course, everything was in order as I only needed to change the oil and oil filter, the air filter was still clean and all the other fluids were all topped up.

Once we were in and belted, I pulled out of the driveway and headed to the highway.  I usually just drove through the city to get home, but I wanted to see how she felt on the faster road and then I could just take the exit that was closest to my neighbourhood.

"Don't get a speeding ticket," Dr. Jamison joked as I opened up the engine once we were out of the city streets.

"Don't worry, there's too much traffic to really give her a go anyway."  

He hadn't started talking yet, so I just let my mind focus on the road and the car; loving the way the engine reacted to the smallest movement of my foot and the precise handling of the steering.  It more than exceeded my expectations and I'm sure I looked like a little kid in a candy store with a silly grin on my face and eyes wide as saucers.  I kind of eyed Dr. Jamison in my peripheral vision and he was just watching me with a content smile.

The exit I needed came up too quickly and with a sigh, I followed the route to the apartment and then pulled up just outside the building.

"Well thanks, Dr. Jamison; she's a real sweet ride."  

I started to get out of the car when he stopped me with that voice of his.

"Hold up Brett, we haven't had our talk yet.  I wanted to let you focus and enjoy the ride."

"Okay, what did you want to say...if it's about the other night, I know all about the confidentiality, I'm not going to tell anyone I saw you there."

"That's not what I wanted to talk to you about, I'm sure you got the full lecture on that when you signed in."

"Then what is it?"

"I want to know why you were there."

"I told you, Paul invited me upstairs.  I went to the club, the downstairs part, with my roommate and a bunch of his coworkers, Paul was just telling me about the other part, and I was kind of interested."

"Are you planning to go back?"

"I don't know, maybe."

"I don't think that's such a great idea, Brett.  It's not a game, you know.  This lifestyle can be very enlightening and fulfilling, but it can also be dangerous if you're not mature enough to understand what it's about, how to handle yourself and who to practice with and who to stay away from." 

His damn stupid calm voice was now just irritating me.

"So...you're saying I'm an immature kid and I should stay on the playground?" I ground out, my hands fisted in my lap.  I was trying to keep calm, but I could feel the anger brimming inside and I was almost shaking with the effort of holding it in.

"I have to go," I blurted before he could respond and I swung the door open, jumping out like a jack-in-the-box.

"Brett," I heard his deep voice calling me.  He opened his door and got out as I stalked to the door to our building.  "Brett, wait."  Now he had that commanding tone again, but it meant nothing to me.  I quickly keyed in the front door code and bolted in just as I saw him start to follow me.  The door closed and locked once again before he could get to it and I could hear his muffled voice, deeper and sterner as I passed the mailboxes and opened the second door.  Once that was closed I quickly took a step to the side where he couldn't see me and I leaned back against the wall.

I was literally shaking now as the strong emotions brimmed inside me ready to explode.  I let my body slide down the wall until I was sitting, resting my head on my knees as I took gulping breaths to calm down.  I was angry, but...what else...disappointed?  The one person who makes me feel something and he thinks I'm not mature enough to play in his league.  He doesn't even know me; he knows nothing...nothing about me.

He probably saw what he did to me and this was his way of letting me know he wasn't interested.  After all, he already had someone he was fucking...why would he have any interest in me.  I lifted my head and banged it against the wall few times trying to whack some sense in my head.

Get yourself together Brett.  You don't have time for this.  I haven't needed anyone so far, I don't need anyone now.  I took another couple of deep breaths and stood up, bracing myself with one final hiss and headed up the stairs.

Unlocking our door I relaxed my face and walked in.

"Brett!"

"Hey baby brother, how was school?" I asked with a forced smile.

"Meh.  How was work?"

"It was fine.  Do you have any homework?"

"I guess..."

"Come on; let me see what you have.  Maybe I can help you with some of it before Jonah gets home.  If it's all done before dinner we can watch a movie after."

"Okay, I don't have much and none of it's hard, I was just being lazy."

"I know kiddo," I laughed.  "Let's turn off the TV and get it done so it's out of the way."  I walked over and gave him a kiss on the head before turning the television off.