The Ride Of My Life: Chicago

Chapter 21

After getting back to garage later that night everyone is waiting around to hear what happen between Saul and the 'contact'. Saul told everyone what happen from the beginning to the part that Tyler and I come out from the shadow to come with a sort of a plan to get everyone out of this before calling it a night.
This morning when I woke to go to the kitchen Tyler was there making breakfast. And even got the table set for the both of us.
"Morning. How you sleep last night?" Tyler said over his shoulder before focusing on the food.
"All right." I said, looking around the small kitchen.
"Breakfast will be ready in minute. You can take a seat at the table."
I walk over to the table and take seat. The table is filled with beacons, hash brown, sausage,toasted bread, cut up orange in slices and pitcher filled with orange juice.
"Do you go all out on breakfast for yourself or when you have company over?" I ask looking at the amount of it in front of me.
"No, I usually have a bowl of cereal, along with some fruits." I nodded, even though he couldn't see me.
"You really don't have to go all out. I would of been fine with cereal."
"Yeah, but then I be a horrible host for not making you a great breakfast, now would I." Tyler came over with two plates in his hands. One is sunny side up and the other is scrambles egg. "I didn't know which one you'll like so I made both."
"I like either, but mostly scramble." I said, making my plate of food.
"Noted." that is all Tyler said before making his own plate. I wanted to tell not to go all out again, but then he probably argue with me about being a horrible host to his guest that stay here for temporarily. So, I let it go for now and focus on something else.
During breakfast it was awkwardly silence for a few seconds before Tyler started up a conversation to eased up on the awkwardness.
"So, got any plan for today or you just gonna hang up here all day?"Tyler asked getting the last piece of beacon.
"Well, I got to study for test that coming this week." I said.
"So, your plan on doing studying all day."
"No, I was planning on doing it later. Why? You wanna hang out today?"
Before he can even say anything Nyla came into the kitchen.
"Come on, Estelle, you're with me this morning." Nyla said.
"With you? Where? What are we doing." I ask. Confused as to why she asked me to come with her.
"Since when do you give the orders around here?" Tyler said teasing a little.
"If she's going to live here, she'll have to carry her weight just like everyone else."
I look over to Tyler to see that he have a half-smile on his face.
"I think you just landed yourself a job." Tyler said.
"Get ready. We're heading out in ten minutes." Nyla said and walk out of the room and back downstairs to the garage.
Before she left I was about to tell that I didn't take any clothes with me when I left home.
"You alright, Estelle?" Tyler asked, getting up from his seat and carry his empty plate to the sink.
"Yeah, I just have one problem." I said. Taking my empty plate to the sink and stand next to him.
"What's that?"
"I didn't bring any clothes with me. When I left home."
"Oh."
"Yeah." I nodded. "I could stopped by and get some. Dad probably in the office by now." I looked at the clock on the wall behind Tyler. It's eight thirty-seven., so he should be in his office at the station or unless he took the day off to spend some time with them and told what happen yesterday between us. And I really don't want to go home if they there and memory of yesterday to come back.
"Maybe Rylee, or Jordan, or Nyla would loan you some if you don't want to go back your house." it like he could read my mind of what I was thinking about just a second ago.
"Yeah. I'll ask one of them later." I said, walking to the door that led to the stairs to the garage shop. "I'll see you later." Tyler waved his hand as I walk out.
When I got downstairs I pass by Saul's office which the door is cracked open little bit. I looked through to see that Mateo is in there and his in a hushed conversation with his father.
"...it's our only option." I hear Saul said to Mateo. Who is stand a foot away from him.
"Don't think we can time it right." Mateo said.
I backed away from the door not want to eavesdrop them for whatever they talking about and just go meet Nyla by her car waiting for me.
I walk over to the passenger side and about to open the door when says something.
"We're not taking my car." Nyla said, getting off the hood of her car and stand in front of it.
"We're not. Then what are we taking?" I asked, a little confused again.
"You'll see."
"Now you're just messing with me."
"Maybe. But if you want to stay here, you'd better get used to a day in the life of a career criminal."
It's about thirty minutes walk from here to Torrence and 112th Street Terminal. During the long walk to the bus stop, we didn't talk much but kept to ourselves. And I still don't know where we're going or why we taking the bus. And when we go on the bus we got off at third bus stop and continue walking down the street. Some building looks better than others. Some have boarded up window, others have like chain link fence on it when closing up for the night.
I stayed close to Nyla since I don't know too welled of this part of the street.
"What we're doing here?" I asks. Looking around the neighborhood, once again.
Looking at this neighborhood make me feel sad in the inside. How do people survived living out here in this part of town. Do they feel safe? That got me thinking if the people her feel safe and unharmed and can defend themselves in a bad situation. And if they trust the enforcement to come and protect them from all that, like my does for is town.
"Saul told us, to be here." Nyla said. Not looking back to me as she keeps on walking to where ever we're going to.
"You don't really strike me as the type of person who does something just because someone says, so. How'd you end working for Saul anyway?"
"Well, I... because I owe him." is all she says.
"You owe him... your life?" I said, with caution.
She sigh. "Not exactly. I wasn't about to be killed... at least not that time. He did save me from something. I was in a pretty dark place, and he pulled me out"
"Wow."
"That's why I'll run with him. For as long as it makes sense. Alright, we're here." Nyla said, stopping by an alley. There's two old building between the alley. There's not much beside a back door to the buildings and a dumpster. And trap covering a car under it.
"What's this?" I asks. Curious and maybe little confused as to why we're here.
"This the job." Nyla said, going over to it.
Nyla took the trap off the car to reveled a black1964 Ford GT40. And might I says, it's beautiful and it's in great condition like nobody haven't driven it for a long time.
"It's a 1964 Ford GT40. It's one of the rarest in England."
"Nice." I said. Looking at the car, once again. "So what are we supposed to do with it? Keep it? Sell it?"
"Destroy it." Nyla said, so natural. Likes she done this before with hesitation, what so ever.
"What? Why?" I shocked when she says that.
"Marching orders from the Night Skull. They need this car off the face of the earth. We're to take it back to the garage, strip it for parts, and melt down what's left.
"But it's pristine! Someone's cared for this car for almost sixty years! Why would they want something like this destroyed?"
"It's probably hot. You know, wanted by the police in a major crime.
"Then why don't we keep it and use it to turn in the Night Skull?"
"Great idea, let's snitch on a gang of powerful killers. The criminal justice system will definitely arrest them before we're all hunted down." she said, getting mad. I didn't intend to get her mad, but try to help to rid of them for good, likes I though last time when we stole the supercars.
"Okay, fine. But still... we have to destroyed it?"
"In this line of business, it doesn't matter how nice something is or how hard you worked on it. If it gets tainted, you gotta salvage what you can and junk the rest." That's seem so depression for the years work on it, just be destroy because some aren't careful to what they're doing. I know it just a car, put a lot people worked so hard to build it and test everything to make sure it ready to be out in the world for some to drive it and take care of it for very long time.
"That's depressing."
"That's life for ya. Brutal and unforgiving."
"I think it's only that way if you let yourself believe it it."
"I like that you think I was born like this and not that the world made me this way. We all grow up eventually"
Nyla went over to the driver side and reach under the seat to receive a set of keys. Standing up straight, she hesitates, biting her lip. Looks likes she got something on her mind or thinking of something.
"Actually... why don't you take the wheel?" she grin. "In fact, because I'm being so generous, I'll give you some pointers. Hopefully the boys haven't ruined your driving technique already."
"who says, I needed pointer?" I said, acting likes I feel defended.
"Trust me, everyone needs fews pointer. I give them."
"Okay." I get in the driver seat, putting on the seat-belt and looks over to Nyla waiting for her to give me the key. "Well?"
"Well? What?" Nyla said, likes she confused or something.
"Are you going to give me the key? Or, we just going to sit here?"
"I could, but I think you should learn how to hotired a car. If you ever lose a key or happen to steal a car without a key to make a getaway or something."
"Okay. What do I do then?"
Nyla showed me step by step how to hotwired a car. After few attempted I finally got it started.
"Good. There you go." Nyla says, with a smile on her face. I think this is the first time I ever seen her smile like this before. "Okay, let's go, on a little joy ride before heading back to the shop."
ꕥꕥꕥ
"What took you guys, so long?" Jordan said, coming over to us.
We just got back to the shop after taking a little detour around Chicago and might I say, it been fun.
"Took a little detour." Nyla said, handing the key to Jordan.
"Awe, seriously. Next time take me with you, guys. We could have a girls day out." Jordan wince a little but in a joking way.
"Ooh, could I join too?" Kaden asked, few feet away from us. He working on a car.
"No. It's just us girls, no boys allowed."
"Fine. We'll have our own boys day out, then." Kaden turn to the guys. "Right, guys."
Mateo is at the desk as always, Tristan is also working on a car and Tyler just came down from the apartment. And he had no clue what's going on.
"What are you talking about?" Tyler said, going to the car that Nyla and I brought back and examining it.
"That we should have a guys day out, too. Like the girls."
"Yeah." Tyler sound like he not paying attention and focus on the car, or he is and sound like he's not.
"So, you be down to a guys day out or night, whatever suit better?"
"Maybe." is all Tyler say before going to Jordan get the keys from her.
"I'll take it, as long it not a 'no' from you." Kaden says, going back to car he's working on with a small smile on his fave. I wonder if Mateo would go, if the do hang out. And I hope it goes well for all of them especial between him and Tyler don't get along that well. If it doesn't the twins will stop them before anything go too far with them, I trust Kaden and Tristan to keep an eye on them and keep everything a bay until they ended theirs guys day or night out.
Looking around the shop everyone has something to do beside me. I could go with Tyler and maybe help him or stay here and see if anyone needs help, but I highly doubt it. If they don't need any help then maybe I could do some school work or study since I miss Friday when everything went downhill.
"I'll be around back with Jordan and Nyla. Taking the car apart." Tyler said to me. "You can stay down here and see if any of them needs help or go up to the apartment and relax or whatever."
I nodded. "Okay."
Tyler got in the car while Nyla and Jordan walk toward the back to get ready to destroy that beautiful car. Tyler pulls out of the garage and went around back. I wonder why they doing it out in the back and not in the garage, probably to have more room , since there's others car here beside our in the garage.
Once more, I look around everyone is focus on their task, so I didn't bother asking if they need help with any thing and if so they could call for me when they do. For now I went up to the apartment.
Before going up the stairs I heard Mateo spoke up from the desk. "Hey, could you take Gizmo with you. He doesn't like loud noise when they use certain tools, kind of freaks him out sometime." Mateo said not taking his eyes off the computer.
"Yeah, sure." I said, going over to get Gizmo.
In the apartment I went to my room and got my school books and went back to the living room sitting on the floor between the couch and coffee table. Because I'm not sure if Gizmo could lay on the couch next to me while I study.
An hour later of studying gizmo have his head resting on my lap sound asleep. I got done reading few chapter of history. Putting my book on the table and about get up to stretch even those I don't want to wake up Gizmo because he looks adorable sleeping. I head someone came into the apartment. At first I thought the person be coming to living room, but didn't since they couldn't see me on the floor. Until few second the person came into the living looking down at me with a goofy smile on his face.
"What are doing down there?" Tyler asked.
"Sitting with Gizmo while I study. I wasn't for sure he could he sit on the couch. Most people not let their pets on furniture. So I figure I sit with him." I said, looking to Gizmo then back Tyler.
"No, he fine on the furniture." I nodded.
"Are you, guys done tearing the car apart?"
"Yeah. All's that left is to save part if we needed them and sell the rest to a scrapyard that we don't need." Tyler came over and sit on the couch and picked up a notebook that I been taking notes. He looks so concentrate how I take notes. "So are you done studying or you taking a break?"
"I'm done for now. Plane on studying later. Why?"
Setting the notebook on the table. "Well, it's almost six. And I figure we could either go out to eat or I cook something for the both of us. Which is it?"
I took a moment to think about it.
"What the best food you ever made?"
"I make a mean Buffalo chicken enchiladas."
"Okay. Let have that then. Do you have the ingredients?"
"I think I do. Let me go see and if not we could run to the store to get the ingredients."
Tyler went to the kitchen seeing if he have everything to make the enchiladas. Looking down Gizmo is still sleeping, so I gently pat him, his fur feels a little ruff, he might need a bath soon.
Gizmo made a little howl in his sleep and it's cute.
"Okay. We need a few ingredients." Tyler said, coming back to the living room. Naming a the ingredients we needs from the store. "Gizmo, let's go."
"We taking him?" I asked.
"Yeah. He loves car ride. But we barely take him, since we're kind of busy around here." I nodded, like I understand when I see them doing work or side jobs for Saul whenever they have one, but mainly they focus on trying to get Saul out from a deal with the Night Skull.

When we got to the store. Tyler left the back window down a little for Gizmo and some food and water. Even though we won't be long in the store. It's not hot out yet but it nice to look out for them especial in hot summer and don't know how long you'll be in the store.
Walking around the store while looking for cream cheese, when I hear someone called my name out.
"Estelle." I turn to see who called me. And I wish I haven't, because the sight of her just standing half foot away from me and Tyler.
"Kathrine." I said, in surprised to seeing her here. The last time I saw her was couple weeks ago, maybe even more.
"How are you, dear.? It been a while since I saw you?" Kathrine said, as friendly as ever. And now I feel all the emotion that I felt on Friday, but I feel more betrayed, hurt and anger toward her after calling me 'dear'.
I felt Tyler elbow me lightly, snapping me out from what I'm feeling.
"Um, I'm good." I said, not making eye contact. The longer I look at her the more I feel the emotion and I might break. So I want to try and hurried up with this little chit chat, before I do.
"That good to hear. I'm just picking up few things." I could feel Tyler feel little uncomfortable just standing here not knowing what going to happen next. "I should get going. Oh, before I forget. Could you ask your father to check on my car? It making that noise again."
"Um..." I was going to say something snarky, but I chose not to, just in case she goes back and tell my dad like their no boiling hot water under bridge already. "We're not seeing eye to eye, right now."
She got a shock look on her face, concern for me, like any mother would but I don't want her to be concern. Since she kind of the problem that cause things to go bad beside me going behind dad back by hanging out with Tyler and the crews.
"Is everything, okay." she took a few steps and reach her hand out like she going squeeze my shoulder in a confront way. But I stepped back a little putting a little distance from us.
"Yeah. We have a little disagreement. But I'm staying at friend for few days to give us a little space." I know it might sound great, but that the only thing that pop up in my head. Even though I don't know when I'm going back to dad. It hard to tell.
"Well, okay. I try calling or message him later." I nodded. "It's nice seeing you. And I hope everything worked out with your father. Bye."
I didn't say anything when she walked away from us. I just stood there in the middle of the aisle, trying to check my emotion in check.
"You all right, Estelle?' Tyler said, putting his hand on my shoulder to confront me. I nodded. Because if I spoke I might cry right here in the middle of the store where everyone will stare wondering what's wrong with me.
After a second, taking a deep breath, I went back to what we came here for and try to ignore what happen seconds ago.

Tyler been looking over to me from the driver seat, ever since we left the store. I been ignoring it and look out the window. Gizmo have his head sticking out the window as the winds hit his face. He also have his tongue sticking out, too.
There music playing in as background, which you can barely hear with the window down the wind blowing in, but that's fine.
When we got back to the shop everyone is still around, but look to be getting ready to leave soon. And I'm not in the mood to talking to anyone right now.
Tyler park the car in his usual spot and turn the car off. The second he did, I got out and then Gizmo, while Tyler get the grocery bag from the trunk.
Putting my head and walked to stair to the apartment, I heard someone say something, assuming that Tyler did something to upset me. But he hurried up to defend himself explaining what happen.
"Okay. Here the plan." Tyler said, once he walked into the kitchen and setting down the bag on the table. I'm sitting at the kitchen table waiting for him to show so I could help make dinner. "You going to relax, watch some TV or something. While I make dinner for the both of us."
"You, sure? I could help out." I said. He probably don't want me be in the way and mess things up since I'm not in the mood and bring him down too.
"Yeah. I got it." he smile assuring me he got everything and could do it alone.
"Alright. Just call for me if you need assistant."
"Will do."
Getting up from the kitchen table I went back to the living room. I was plan on studying a little but I'll do it later. So instead I turn on the TV, went on HBO MAX and start watching Tom and Jerry. My favorite cartoon as a kid growing up. Gizmo must be downstairs guarding the shop instead being up here with us.
About twenty minutes later, Tyler walk in the living room taking a seat next to me.
"Great show." he said, nodding.
"Did you watch it when you were growing up?"
"Yeah, me and one kid, I use to hang out before going to a different foster home, would be watching almost the whole day. Even after school, too." I look over to him and see that he have a blank expression on his face. Thinking back to his childhood, I must of struck a core bring up old memory that are painful to him. How can someone go through my families until they finally one that make them feels like they are apart of it. Probably a few out of thousand of families out there looking to foster a kid. And the kid holding on hope to find a family. I want to ask but I don't want to bring up memory that might be painful to him, so I leave at that until he ready to talk about it more.
"How long does it take for the food to be done?" I ask, changing to a safe conversation.
"About thirty minutes." he said, relaxing more into the couch. I then lay my head against his shoulder and watch the TV.
Thirty minutes later Tyler went to check on dinner and wait another five minutes before saying it's done.
We're sitting at the kitchen table enjoying the food that made for the both of us. And might I say it's amazing. He even put on some music in the background. It's like we're on a date. But we're not, at least I think we're not, hard to tell. For now I believe we are two people having dinner and nothing more. Even though there were few time we shared a moment together over the last few weeks, since I know him.
After dinner I went back to the living room once again to study a little more before going to bed, since tomorrow is Monday and I have to go back to school.
"Studying more? You have a big test on Monday.?" Tyler ask, coming into the living room. He must took a shower, his hair is wet and he wearing pajama pant but is also shirtless, showing off his abs.
"Um.. I don't know, I just study just in case, since I didn't went to school on Friday. I could of have test in one of my classes." I said, trying to stay focus. When he's just about two feet away from me and is wearing only his pajama bottom.
"Need any help."
Before I can say 'I'm good' he took the my science book from me and start looking over the page that I been reading and taking notes.
"Hey. I'm still reading that page." I said. Getting off the couch and try to get the book from, but he keep moving around the living room reading. Every time I go in a direction he dodge me and go the other way. Until I grab him by the arm but then trip over the coffee table making us fall on the couch and I landed on top of him.
Without hesitant Tyler drop the book and wrap his arm around me. And we lock eye contact with each other.
Not sure what to do next, I just froze in place looking into his eyes and breaking contact. I know I should be moving off him but I can't, it just feel right being right here in his arm.
Then a thought came into my mind, telling me this is our moment and I should just do without thinking about. Like that night at the street race when he won the race against Jack. That very moment when he kiss me and we ignore all the people surrounded the car and it felt like it just the two us and nobody else there to ruin that moment. That how it felt right now.
And it looks like Tyler thinking of that moment too, because next thing I know is his lips are against mine and he tighten his hold on me.
After fews second kiss gotten deeper, Tyler moving his one hand under my shirt and placing it on my hip and his other hand is on the small of my back. I move my hand down his chest and stop just before the pajamas pant waist line.
"Estelle." Tyler said, my name in a husky voice.
"Yeah." I said, in almost whisper.
"Are you, sure? We don't have to if your not ready?"
Am I ready to take thing a little further with him. We only know each other for the last few weeks. I don't want to ruin what we have, whatever we have that we got going on here.
Sitting up straight and looking down at him. Tyler puts his hand on my waists
"Estelle?" Tyler said, once again in a low soft voice. "You think we should take thing slow." I nodded. "Alright. We'll take thing slow. When ever your ready." He lean up and place a gently kiss on my forehead before pulling me down with him lay in his arms, just cuddling each other for the rest of the night.