A few months ago: Part 2
Marcus hummed along to the music on his Bluetooth speaker while working on the engine of Harp's Jeep Wrangler. Her ride needed a new part as well as a paint job. Marcus had finished the most important repair and now was just reworking around the vehicle to give it updates where it needed them. He had changed the tires because their tread was in poor condition, replaced both the spare tire and the windshield. The car was in good condition, but it could do with a facelift.
Luca jogged down the back stairs, slowing when he noticed Marcus working on the door handle of the faded green jeep. "Harper's gonna kill you for taking her ride for so long. How does she even get around?" Marcus shot up in surprise, turning around to face him.
"Huh, oh. I gave her my card so she could take an Uber to wherever she wanted." Marcus said, cleaning his hands on an oil stained cloth.
"Hm, so, when's the wedding?" Luca asked, smirking at his colleague.
"Respectfully, shut up. I'm just helping her out." Marcus scoffed as he shut the hood of the car, to lean back against it.
"Oh no," Luca laughed, shaking his head, "fixing her engine after the car stalled, is helping her out, but changing all four tires, updating the paint job and-"
"The tread was nearly nonexistent." Marcus defended.
"Oh yeah, and how about the windshield?" Luca asked.
"There was a crack, Luc." When Luc huffed, he went on. "You know what a single crack can cause."
Luca covered his mouth, clicked his tongue, and then sighed. "You scheduled a paint job for the car and even fixed her janky door. Marcus, the favor ended after the engine was repaired. The jeep has become a passion project now. Are you charging her?" Luca smiled, knowing the answer to his question.
"No." Marcus whispered when Luc said what he had. Damn... "how the fuck are you so sharp?"
"Doesn't take eyes to see what you're doing is going overboard, Marcus. Plus, my partner happens to be a lawyer." They laughed, and Luca scrutinized the jeep. "Yeah, she did need a facelift," Luca folded his arms, meeting Marcus's eyes, "so... let me reiterate, when's the wedding?" He grinned and Marcus visibly evaporated before him. His neck to his forehead was redder than sin, and Luca couldn't help but realize something. "Oh shit. Since when?"
"Luc-"
"You and Harp? Does Harley know? Who else-"
"No one, Luca!" Marcus snapped, grabbing his forearm, then lowering his voice, "no one." Luc nodded, seemingly understanding.
"Alright, so the long game? How much longer do you think you two can keep this secret?" Luca truly wanted to know.
Marcus let him go and shrugged, "No clue, it just happened and is still happening."
Harp wasn't the type to stick to one person, especially not with the list of men who've not passed her vibe checklist. If this had been going on between her and Marcus, then there is definitely something there to unpack. "Hmm, well, it's none of my business. I'll just advise you on the matter, if you two have been rolling in each others bed so much, for quite some time, then you need to ask yourselves, is this a frends with benefit thing, or has it grown into another, more serious matter. Until then, try looking at your arrangement from the outside."
Marcus pondered on his words and nodded. The older one winked, and he opened his mouth, "Don't... tell anyone, Jared included?"
"He's a lawyer. They keep secrets for a living." Luca smirked.
"Alright, but-"
"We never spoke of this." Luca said, turning away from his friend, "Jarvis called. He's coming tomorrow around nine for the paint job. He told me to clarify that if you come any later than 10 am, then he's leaving. Got a wedding to attend." Luca waved off Marcus as he walked around the building.
"Thanks, Luc." Marcus called out. He sighed, looking back at the jeep. "Passion project? Fuck."
》》》》》
Marcus sat on the back porch watching Jarvis work as he nursed a beer that was barely touched due to his running mind. He needed to give Harp her keys back... he sighed and stood, leaving to head down to where he jeep was parked. "Thanks again for coming, Jarvis."
Jarvis turned off his machine, then lifted his face mask. "Welcome, but why did ya call me when ya got Riley in there. He's quite capable."
Marcus nodded. "Yeah, but he's busy, plus, I didn't want to take up the shops resources for free... didn't seem fair."
"Free?" Jarvis chuckled, setting the machine down. "Just who is this baby for? She's been given great care... is she your girl's? Or ya guys?" He grinned, watching how Marcus's ears tinted a deeper shade as he shook his head.
"Uh, no. Just a friend. She was in a sticky situation." Marcus explained, without explaining.
"Huh, it seems like one good friend." Jarvis saw how Marcus was observing the car's body and hummed. He was smittened. "Anyway, I'll have her done in another two days. The wife has been messaging me like crazy."
"Yeah, thanks again. I owe ya one. Send me the bill once you're complete."
"Nah, I'll give this one free." Marcus's eyes shot up to Jarvis' when he said that, and he shrugged, "if a lady got you so dumbstruck, that you rework her entire car, then that's definitely an improvement. You hardly show any emotions towards one person like you are for her. I just hope that she's someone who'll make you into a kept man, Marcus." Jarvis finished packing away his things as Marcus stood there in silence, then nodded.
"Yeah. Thanks again. I truly owe you. See ya, Jarvis." The other man waved him off, and he turned on his heels as his phone vibrated. Marcus checked his watch, and it was indeed the very person that Jarvis was speaking of. Was it obvious that he liked her? That bad? He sighed and turned to jog to his vehicle, ignoring the way his heart raced at the thought of being with Harper.
YOU ARE READING
Into the Wild
Romance[EDITING] Jared Hunter a headstrong lawyer who works almost every time he gets a chance to. His handsome looks and charming attitude have gained him quite a good reputation in the work place, but there's a part of his life that he has been keeping...
