Racing Hearts (Hollows Garage Book 3)

Another few days went by as I learned more and more about my roommate. I learned that he likes things clean, really clean, which surprised me considering his job included him getting so dirty. He was constantly joking and laughing about things, and I could barely figure out how to handle such a sunshine personality.

Even before coffee? Who was that happy before coffee?

Not that I didn’t like it. I just didn’t know what to do with it. I was used to being grumpy and everyone being grumpy back, but he seemed unfazed anytime I was that way with him, and I couldn’t understand why.

On top of it all, he kept helping me in the kitchen even when I said he didn’t have to, and trying to make me laugh the entire time.

My temporary roommate was an enigma to me, and I wasn’t even sure if I had enough time to begin to understand him.

I winced as the front door shut and that organization-obsessed roommate walked in. His mouth dropping open as he took in the state of the kitchen and living room.

“What. The. Fuck,” he mumbled.

“I did not realize what time it was. I thought I had more time to clean up,” I said, moving things around the covered countertops.

Not only was every surface of the kitchen covered in things I was using for cooking, but the living room was covered in my clothes. “I had been working to sort through those,” I said as he looked it over. “That’s when I realized I needed to get started on cooking, then needed to walk Riot, and I almost burnt some things I was prepping for dinner, so I came back in here and honestly forgot about the clothes.”

He picked up a corseted top that was hung over the back of the couch and his eyebrows jumped up.

“Well, seeing this makes me a little less annoyed. And what is this one?” He asked, holding up a bra that had straps crisscrossed to my neck. “Seems a little flimsy for a Rottweiler harness?”

I grabbed it out of his hand. “That’s for me, not the dog.”

A smile crept over his face, but I could tell he was trying to hide it.

“Oh, you have some real kinks then, huh?”

“Not kinks. I just have good taste.”

“I think that’s the same thing?” he asked, eyeing the leather in my hand.

“It’s clothes, Jax. I wear this.”

“In public?” he asked, stunned.

“Yes. In public.”

“Fuck,” he mumbled, still staring at it. “Did not realize your kinks included exhibitionism.”

“It’s clothing!”

“Right, right.”

I went over, shoving clothes down the couch into a pile. “Forget about that. I’m sorry. I’m sure you hate the mess, but I lose track of time once in a while. I also lose track of what I’m doing, but I’ll clean all of it up.”

He shook his head. “It’s fine. I don’t really understand how you forget an entire living room of clothes, but it’s fine. I’ll be out in a few minutes.”

I nodded, assuming that was my cue to clean up and clean up fast, so I moved. I started throwing all of my clothes back into suitcases and then ran back towards the kitchen. I was still cooking, so I wouldn’t be able to clean it all, but at least he might not have a heart attack when he came back out.

“What are you doing now?” he said, his eyebrows shooting up as he returned, the living room almost empty again.

“Trying to clean up before you came back out?”

“Where did all the clothes go?”

“Back in my suitcases.”

He looked over and went for them, dragging the big one back into the bedroom with him.

“Come on. And grab that other bag.”

I didn’t move, not knowing what he was doing, and too afraid to find out.

“I know you’re still standing there, and if you don’t get in here with that bag in the next ten seconds, I will start digging in these to find all the lace and leather things I saw laid out on the couch.”

I groaned, grabbing my bag and heading into the room. “I’m only coming in because I know this is a threat you would follow through with.”

When I walked in, he was reclined back on the bed with a smile.

“I did not think about the fact that you were living out of a suitcase. Sorry. The dresser is yours. I did keep the one drawer if you don’t mind, but I will see what I can do about making room in my closet, too, if you need it.”

“What? No way. I’m not taking over your space in here, too.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re already mad about me taking your space out there.”

“I am a little surprised at how…scattered you are, but you’re not taking the space. We are sharing it.”

“But you’re mad we are sharing it.”

“No, I just haven’t shared my space with another person in years and when I did, it was with three other guys who each only had a mattress and one backpack of clothes. There was nothing to make a mess with. Now I have a big ass dog living here and a woman who seems to be a tornado.” He threw me a charming smile. “Please don’t come attack me. You’re a beautiful tornado that I really enjoy being here so far. And he fits his name, but I like Riot here too. It’s actually nice not always being alone.”

“Even when I make a mess and forget it?”

“Even then. Although, I do not know how you forget about a mess right in front of you.”

“You know, out of sight, out of mind? Mine is more like, right in my line of sight and I know for a fact I will maybe clean it later when my brain can process that it’s a cleanable mess.”

“That sounds…exhausting. I would rather just clean it up and forget it.”

“Me too, but I can’t. I let it sit and drive me out of my mind first,” I said with a laugh, the knot in my chest easing.

“Well, I can’t promise not to follow after you with a mop and bucket, but I will not be mad about your mess. Although, I would also love to know more about how you manage to forget everything while you are doing it.”

“It’s easy. I start one thing, remember the other thing I have to do, and start that immediately. Then it’s a domino effect.”

“Well, regardless, I won’t get mad about it. I might get annoyed, but not mad.”

“I’m beginning to think you are a bit of a softie. I’m surprised.”

“I told you, I like to consider myself a romantic.”

“Isn’t that the same thing?”

“Not to me. One means I’m a pushover to everyone, the other means I’m only a pushover for certain people.”

“I guess if that’s how you take it.”

“It is. As for tonight, let’s do things in an order. Please. Finish cooking, feed the animals that are sure to show up when they smell whatever delicious food you are making, walk your little rhinoceros, and then come put your clothes away while we watch a movie.”

“We going to cuddle too?” I said, joking, even though I was enjoying the view of him, leaned back and relaxed.

He only smiled harder.

“I thought you would never ask.”

“Kidding.”

“Damn. I like to cuddle while watching movies. Who wants to just sit there?” he asked.

“Who wants to be constantly touched?”

He pointed two thumbs at himself with a laugh.

“And fine,” I said. “We will do things in your order. No guarantees that I won’t get sidetracked, though. And thank you. This was really nice of you.”

He got up, ruffling my hair as we headed towards the kitchen. “I have to keep the peace if I want the company and the food.”

“You’re really just using me for the food,” I said, motioning to the meal I was putting together on the counter.

“You’re really just using me for my apartment, my mechanical skills, and my body.”

“Your body? I’ve barely touched your body.” I couldn’t help my eyes wandering down him. Not that I hadn’t wanted to touch him.

“No, but I’m your bodyguard. You need my body.”

I rolled my eyes. “I think you’re giving yourself that title, not me. Which means I haven’t used you for your body at all.”

He leaned down a little, his face closer to mine now. “I had to punch someone just to get you here safe. I’d say you needed my body.”

“But I didn’t ask you to do that.”

“Oh, got me on a technicality. Do you think you’re not going to need my body again?”

“Stop talking about me needing your body. I won’t be needing it for anything, and when you say it like that, you know it sounds dirty.”

“It’s not my fault if you have dirty thoughts about me. I just meant you’re going to need my bodyguard services again.”

“You’re fired.”

He laughed, but whatever comeback he had was interrupted when my new phone started ringing on the counter. I froze.

It was such an immediate reaction, the fear shooting through me so fast at the thought of it being Slaughter or Tristan on the other end. It wasn’t logical, but I couldn’t help the way my body tensed. Jax was still looking at me, his hands already going to my arms, rubbing them to get my attention again.

“Would your friends be calling me now?” I asked.

“No. Everyone is here. If they needed you, they would come in.” He looked over at the phone, his eyebrows shooting up as his hands dropped from me immediately. “Hot Raf? As in Raf from the race track?” he asked, not hiding the shocked tone.

“Oh, shit. Yes. He put his number in my phone.”

“And you didn’t bite his head off? You haven’t even put my number in your phone and you live with me.”

“I live with you temporarily. And no one said that I didn’t bite his head off a little.”

That made him smile.

“Are you worried that I’m only mean to you?” I asked, laughing.

Half his mouth twitched. “Maybe.”

“Don’t be. I’m mean to everyone.”

“Well, at least I’m not special. Did you want to call him back?”

“With you standing right there? Not a chance. I could only imagine what would come out of your mouth.”

“Raf would understand. We’re friends.”

“You are?”

“Hang around the track enough, you’ll be friends with everyone at Holt. Does he know you’re staying with me?”

“No.”

“Interesting. And do I get to put my number in your phone yet?”

I rolled my eyes with a huff and grabbed the phone, handing it to him. “Hurry up before I change my mind.”

“Grouch,” he mumbled, adding his number and smiling proudly when he turned it back to me.

“Even hotter Jax,” I read.

“Maybe you need a rating system,” he said. “One through five on the hot scale. Raf is about a two, and I’m obviously a five.”

“Is that how girls are in your phone? Like a five is ‘I would sleep with her again,’ and a one is ‘only sleep with her when desperate.’”

He went quiet, and I immediately felt bad when I saw his face. I was used to being bitchy to people around me. I didn’t care if I hurt them, but the sad look on Jax’s face made me feel horrible.

“Not quite. I’ll be in the living room, annoyed, so feel free to call your boyfriend without me around.”

He grabbed a plate of dinner and walked out.

“He is not my boyfriend,” I said, grabbing my plate and following him into the living room, sitting back on the couch where my makeshift bed was. “I met him one time.”

“No, but knowing Raf, he will want to be. At least for this month.”

“Are you saying he’s an asshole?”

“Not at all. Raf is a great guy, but he likes short-term relationships. Many short-term relationships. Apparently you already think both of us do, though. But if you like him, he’s no one to fear or worry about. Just don’t get attached.”

“I’m not really the ‘get attached’ type,” I said.

“No? I am so shocked. You seem like a sweet little angel that falls in love with anyone.”

I rolled my eyes. “Right. I think that’s the exact vibes I give off.”

He flipped the lights off and fell back down onto the couch. “What type of movies do you like?”

“Scary ones, funny ones, a little of both?”

“Does this mean that we have to watch some gory horror movie where the clown is laughing the entire time?” he asked, the deadpan look on his face bothering me.

“You like that movie, too?” I asked excitedly, already knowing he probably hadn’t even seen it.

“That was a purely made up suggestion, but of course you have an exact movie in mind. Is that really what you want?”

“Your apartment, your movie choice,” I said, irritated that he still wasn’t smiling. There wasn’t even a hint of the humor that I had already grown used to in his tone.

“Comedy it is.” He clicked through options.

“I was just kidding about the rating girls and sleeping with them thing,” I said.

“No you weren’t. Would you be surprised if I had something like that?”

I thought it over, my mind immediately comparing him to Tristan and his friends who were around Jax’s age. “No, I guess not.”

“So you weren’t really kidding, and if that is your attempt at an apology, you failed.”

“Ouch,” I said, trying to lighten his mood.

“I get you’ve been around super shitty people, but I don’t like all the assumptions that I’m a shitty person, too. If I do something that makes me one, by all means, treat me accordingly, but I don’t think I’ve done anything to make you think I’m anything like Slaughter or Tristan or any other asshole.”

“No, you haven’t. Not even a little.”

“Then treat me accordingly.”

“Okay, I think that’s fair. I will try,” I said as he clicked into a movie.

 “That isn’t a comedy. That’s a romantic comedy.”

“And? My fragile eyes can handle it if they make out.”

“I figured as much. I’m just surprised you would pick something so…”

“So? Romantic?”

“Yeah.”

“Do you have a problem with my movie choice?”

“It’s not that I have a problem. I guess I just don’t understand it? The tattoos, the cars, the group of racers you hang out with. It all makes you seem like one type of person, but now you want to cuddle and watch a romance movie?”

“Okay, was that one an invitation?”

“It was not,” I said with a laugh.

He groaned. “Fine. And yeah, I don’t know. This is just what I wanted to watch. And if you have an issue with it, I can move to my room.”

The sudden harshness in his tone made me freeze. Considering he wanted to cuddle a second ago, I didn’t think he was still mad about the phone number thing.

“Did I upset you again?” I asked, wishing I didn’t care.

He turned to look at me, his eyes roaming over my face, and whatever he saw he seemed happy with because he finally continued.

“No, I’ve just had some people in my life lately tell me how terrible it is that I’m like that. Maybe I’m a little pissy about that, but you didn’t do anything.”

“What do you mean? Like your friends are telling you that they don’t like you?”

“The crew? Not at all. I dated someone who decided that I had false advertising. I apparently made it seem like I’m some mafia-style hitman that races cars and she was very disappointed when that wasn’t the case. As you can see, I like romance and cuddling and whatever other shit goes with it.”

“And she was mad about that?”

“I think it was more disappointment for her, but yeah, she wasn’t happy about it. In her mind, guys aren’t supposed to be like that.”

I couldn’t help it. I started laughing.

“That’s funny to you?” he asked with an amused laugh.

“Yeah, because the night we met you punched Tristan without hesitation and I assumed you were going to be a brute. I figured you would be all violence and anger, but then I found out that you’re just…not. Not completely. I’ve lived the life with a mean, violent person, and it’s funny to me that someone is out looking to have that in their life on purpose.”

“I’m sorry you had to live with someone like Slaughter. And that’s possibly the nicest way anyone has ever told me how perfect I am,” he said with a grin.

“I did not–”

“Shhh, relax. I won’t tell anyone how sweet you are. Our little secret. Since we aren’t cuddling, can I at least lay down here? Are you okay if I’m within a foot of you?”

“It’s your couch,” I said, waving my hand.

He grinned as he laid down, propping his head on a pillow just inches from my thigh. His couch was big, but between my makeshift bed and how tall he was, he wasn’t trying to get close to me on purpose exactly. There just really wasn’t more room.

He didn’t seem to think anything more of it, only shifted to his side to watch the movie.

It only gave me uninterrupted seconds to look him over without his eyes on me. It was obvious that I couldn’t compare him to Slaughter or Tristian, but he wasn’t exactly a sweet, innocent guy either.

My brain kept trying to put him in the right category, and as soon as I thought I had it, he did something to make me question where he belonged. From romantic movies to punching people, he felt like such a contradiction. I hadn’t had many guys that I truly liked in my life. Even less that I had liked and spent time around. I felt so far out of my element that I wasn’t sure what to do next.

I knew what I wanted to do, but those ideas seemed out of the question.

I didn’t know exactly who Jax was, but I knew that I should keep my distance until it was time to go. In just over a week, I would leave and probably never see him again.

And that’s exactly what I wanted.