Say It

Chapter 4 (Trent's POV)

I finish my last job of the day. The hardest part of filling Mrs. Neal's washer fluid was listening to her talk about how much she missed her husband. I could only imagine what it is like to lose the person you love most. Most people never get to find that love that last a lifetime. It was obvious the Neal's had it. My parents have it; I can see it in the way they look at each other. Like they couldn't breathe without the other one there. I hope to have that one day. When I watched Mrs. Neal pull out from the parking lot, I noticed Kacey's car is still here.

"Hey dad why is Kacey's car still here? I finished it over an hour ago."

"I don't know son, let me look at the key hooks."

Her keys are still hanging so mom never got them. We start walking to the front lobby and you can hear my mom and sisters laugh. But the sound that made my spine straighten is her laugh. I don't like the way it makes my stomach feel like it's in knots. I had this same feeling when she would laugh the last time we met. Why is she still here?

"I was wonder why you never came and got Kacey's key when we were done Rosie. Now I see you guys were having a party." My dad says after opening the door with a smile he reserves only for my mom and Kayla.

I look at all three of their face and each are shining bright with happiness. The one shining like the sun itself is Kacey's and I can't look away. Her and Kayla keep bumping shoulders giggling. Do they know each other? I shake my head trying to regain focus, I have no clue what they have been saying the past few minutes.

"Yeah, small world. I knew Kayla's family owned a business; I just wasn't aware it was this one."

Well, I guess that answers that question.

"So, what do you think Kacey, is my little girls wedding going to be everything she has ever wanted?" Why is he asking her about the wedding?

When mom and Kayla start the wedding talk, my brain normally decides to wonder. I filter through the pieces of the conversation I did hear. Trying to remember if they ever mentioned Kacey's name. I remember Kayla going on and on about how bubbly and pretty her new wedding planner was. If I had to describe Kacey, bubbly and pretty are two words I would use. Along with talkative and spacey. She seems to be in her own word of rainbows and glitter.

"Kayla has some great ideas and I'm so happy she is giving me the opportunity to help her dream come true." Well yeah, it's your job to plan and execute a wedding. That's what you are paid for. I mentally add with an eye roll. I know my mom seen me and was probably reading my mind because she gives me disapproving look. The answer she gave seem to really please my family though because they are all smiling in aww of her.

"Well, I know we didn't talk a lot about the wedding, but we can meet later and work on some things. Just text me when you are free, and I will help with whatever I can. Okay?" Kacey said in a cheerful tone. They hugged and Kayla thanked her and promised to be in touch soon. My mom walked around the desk and hugged her as Kacey spoke "Thank you Rose for the good laughs and your help with the wedding." Mom just gives her a warm smile in return.

"Okay Mr. Reed thank you for the oil change."

"Please just call me Trent."

"Okay well thank you Trent."

She finally looks and me with soft eyes and a smile that makes my throat feel tight. "Just Trent, I'll see you around" giving her a nod back she finally leaves. I watched her exit and rub my hand down my face, letting out a deep sigh.

"Why did she just call you that?" Leave it to my mom to pick up on that.

"She was the young lady who was run off the road with a flat tire. When I fixed it, she asked way my shirt said Bub, I told her. Then she asked if our name was short for anything. I told her it was just Trent. Now she keeps calling me that." I say rubbing the back on my neck looking anywhere but in my mom's eyes. I know what is about to happen and I need to nip it in the bud as fast as possible.

"Sounds to me like she is flirting with you" she replies with a giggle. She is trying to keep her tone light, but I know she is making a suggestion. She always says girls are flirting with me. After me and my ex broke up it has just gotten worse. Now that Kayla is getting married, she feels like it's her job to find me someone. I'm perfectly capable to find someone on my own. Before I get the chance to reply Kayla adds. "Oh my gosh! You too would make such a cute couple. She is pretty, right? Why don't you ask her out? I'm sure she would say yes. She is single."

"No that's okay. She really isn't my type."

That wasn't a total lie, but they don't need to know that.

My dad's eyes widen, then he face rests in a scowl. "What do you mean? What's not to like? She is sweet and easy on the eyes. Owns her own business, gets along with your mom and sister. What more could you ask for?"

"I guess, but she is a little too much for me. Like who is that happy?" I say with a shrug trying to show indifference. They all three start laughing at me. Trying not to get to pissed off, I take a deep breath. I know they like her, but they don't know the real her. She could just be being painting herself as a nice easy-going girl. I have already been fooled by a fake before, it won't happen again.

"Son, you could probably use someone like her to bring some light into the grey cloud that follows you around." My dad says while he pulls mom to the front door to leave.

"Bye! Love you kids. Bub, lock up please."

I head back out into the garage to close the bay doors and put up the rest of my tools. I know Kayla has more to say because she follows me with the look on her face she only has when she is going into big sister mode.

"Bub, I know you think she isn't being genuine, but I have spent some time with her. Kacey is seriously the sweetest person I have ever meet. She would do anything for anyone. She has been though a lot, but she just has a good outlook on life. I really do think that she would be good for you. It's not like you had a great experience with your last relationship."

If anyone knows how bad my last relationship was it would be Kayla. Since my last girlfriend was Brittany, her best friend and maid of honor. We dated on and off since I was eighteen. That was until a little over a year ago I ended things for good. I found her in bed with someone she was in nursing school with again. We fought a lot and really didn't want the same things out of life. That was just the straw that broke the camel's back.

For a while it was really awkward because Kayla and Brittany were still best friends. Which wasn't a big surprise because they were friends before we ever stared dating. Eventually I just learned to ignore her whenever she was around. It was just another part of life that didn't work out in my favor.

"I appreciate the advice sis but it's not going to happen. Even if I wanted to, I'm sure she would say no, I don't think I'm her type." I turn to lock the door and I hear her scuff.

"And what makes you think that?"

 I'm trying to come up with a good answer as we walk to her car. She hands me her keys knowing I'm going to ask for them, a habit me and dad have. I start her car and finally turn to catch her stern gaze. "Kacey seems like the type of girl who wants a guy who works a nine to five. Someone who will take her to a fancy restaurant. Someone who is cleaned up. I'm none of those things. I work whenever I need to; however long I need to. I would rather eat pizza and watch a movie. Then go a place where I can't pronouns the dishes. Look at me I have grease on my face. My jeans are still black for the oil I spilled on them weeks ago." To my annoyance my sister just looks at me with a goofy smile and shakes her head.

"You don't see it, do you? Maybe you should stop giving her the cold shoulder and open your eyes you might be surprised at what you see."

"What that supposed to mean?"

"Don't worry little bro, you'll figure it out." With that she leaves me with my thoughts racing to figure out what she meant.