Riches To Rags

Chapter 7: Assistance

 Chapter 7: Assistance

None of us got to where we are alone. Whether the assistance we received was obvious or subtle, acknowledging someone's help is a big part of understanding the importance of saying thank you."

~Harvey Mackay

"No, no, no!" Rae mumbled.

Turning the key one again in the ignition, the engine rattled and kicked as smoked began to come from the hood. The piece of shit didn't want to start up. She had things to do. Quickly hopping out, Rae slammed the door and kick the tire twice while scream obscenities. She walked over to the front and slammed her hand on the hood of the car in frustration, which was a mistake. Pain shot through her hand and her wrist as she brought it to her chest.

"Shit!" She cursed.

The truck was truly a piece of shit. Rae was surprised it lasted this long with her. With her good hand, she popped the hood open  and coughed as clouds of smoked escaped. This was just another huge bump in the road. Now, she needed a car to get her places. Rae had been working for Uncle Pete for two weeks now and she was getting paid tomorrow. Some of the money that her father gave her she still had but she was smart enough to know that the money wouldn't be enough for a down payment on a new car. 

Carla had told her that the truck would give her problems now and them, but she didn't expect this. 

"Seem's like you having problem's," a voice said close by.

Rae looked up as Levi strolled in front of her and smiled. He put his keys in his pocket and shuffled his gym bag on his shoulder. She took in his appearance. He was dressed in dark jeans that fitted him well with a white muscle shirt that showed of his strong shoulders. She could smell his cologne from where she stood at and he had no complaints. He looked extremely nice.

Last time they talked, Levi gave her the impression that they would never talk or be civil outside of problems that had to do with her apartment. She blamed herself, but she was still hurt by his words. It stunned her that he was here talking to her now.

"Yeah, something like that," she mumbled.

"Where were you going?" He asked.

"Down to the Compton Swap Meet," she answered, rubbing her arm up and down. "I need to find  a dinning room table and Carla said they have some."

He watched her nervousness and couldn't help but wonder why. "Well I can take you down there now," he offered, pointing behind him towards his car. "I was going to the gym but that can wait."

"Wait, what?" Rae questioned. "You want to help me?"

Levi stuffed his hand in his jeans and glanced at her. "I was harsh to you yesterday," he begun. "Didn't matter how you talked to me or what you said. I shouldn't have respond to you like that." 

"I'm not accepting your apology," Rae said crossing her hands over her chest.

"What!" He shouted angrily. The woman was unbelievable. "Are you serious? I'm admitting that I was a little harsh on you and I'm genuinely apologizing, but you won't accept it!"

Rae stood against the rusty truck and smirked. "I'm not accepting yours," she begun slowly," until you accept mines."

Levi sighed and lowered his head to the ground. "I appreciate your third apology," he replied.

"I really am sorry," she commented. "All of this is new to me and I was lashing out, but that was no way to handle it. I barely know you and it was wrong. Truce?"

When she extended her hand for him to shake, Levi observed it before taking it in his.  A strange sensation as their hands touch causing Rae to pull it back immediately. Levi ignored the obvious attraction as if nothing happened but a friendly handshake, but Rae felt it. It was something that she felt when her and Adam touched. For the life of her, she didn't understand her attraction to Levi. He was a handsome man, no doubt about it, but he wasn't her type.