Head Over Boots

9. Somethin' 'Bout a Truck

I feel my face burn scarlet, looking at the floor to avoid eye contact with Nate.

"I believe I said I was just the babysitter," I blurt out, eyes still concentrated on the ground. At the same time, Nate says "we're just friends Uncle Greg." We freeze as we make eye contact.

"Oh ho, we'll you've both just told me different things so want to get your stories straight?" Greg lets out a belly laugh. "Just remember to use protection, I don't wanna be a great uncle yet." By this time my face is scarlet.

"She's my friend and babysits Jen because Jen adores her," he insists, when I look up I notice his face is a similar shade to what mine must be.

"If you say so," Greg says, clearly not believing us. "You three enjoy your lunch, I'll take munchkin to look at some cars." He calls Jen over heading out towards the back of the shop while the boys lead me into a break room.

"So tell me really, is there anything going on between you?" I knew this was coming, Luke loves to play the overprotective brother who has to know everything going on in my life.

"Jeez Luke, I'm not dating Nate, I'm not dating anyone so can you just lay off it?" I snap at him.

"Look, I'm sorry, I'm just worried, after last time-" He sighs before I cut him off. "We don't need to talk about that, so just shut up about it." I get up and put the napkin from my ice cream in the bin as they get their lunch out.

"Okay, I'm sorry I won't bring it up again" he apologies, guilt in his eyes, knowing I don't like to be reminded of that time.

"So what films did you watch?" Nate breaks the awkward silence left after Luke's apology.

"Both Peter Pan films, though looking at her now I'm thinking we should have watched Cars," I laugh, looking out of the window that looks down onto where Jenny is running around looking at all the cars with her uncle having the time of her life.

"She loves it, she used to come with me when I'd work after school, my aunt worked on  reception then and would keep an eye on her, but she spent most of the time with us working on cars."

"Sounds like Wren," Luke buts in, "She was technically receptionist at the last garage I worked at  but spent more time out with us working on cars."

"Hey, don't be jealous cause I can change a tire faster than you!"  I poke my tongue out at him.

We spend time relaxing and talking, Luke and Nate get on really well, seeming to have bonded over football when Greg appears with Jen, telling the boys it's time to get back to work.

"See ya later," Luke walks back out with a quick wave to me over his shoulder.

"I'll walk you out," Nate stands and follows me and Jen to the front of the shop, pulling his little sister into a hug before facing me. "I'm working until 5 tonight so I'll be home a similar time to my ma,"

"You told me this morning, we're going to go do some arts and crafts," he's as protective of Jen as Luke is of me, I know it's not because he doesn't trust me, older brothers are just built to worry.

"Okay, thanks for the Ice cream, I'll see you girls later," he waves to us as we walk away.

-

"Honey I'm home!" I hear Nate call out jokingly as the front door closes.

"Hey," I smile as he walks into the kitchen where Jenny and I are sat finishing Jen's picture.

"Hey, what are you making?" he peers over Jenny's shoulder at the paper covered in glitter, googly eyes, and purple feathers.

"Look!," Jen signs, "It's a purple bird. Do you like it?"

"It's gorgeous, did you have a good day with Avery?"  he replies, kissing her cheek.

"It was super fun! The park was the best part," she tells him, I smile softly at the interaction between them.

"Good," he replies before turning to me "Did you want to stay for dinner? Mum has text to say she'll be back in half an hour so I'm cooking pasta and bolognese sauce."

"Sure, it's my turn to cook at home tomorrow so why don't you two join us? As repayment for all the times you've fed me." I invite, feeling guilty about how many meals I've had here.

"I told you this morning that you don't need to repay us, we appreciate everything you're doing for us already, but I would love to come for dinner tomorrow," his bright blue eyes look deeply into mine, making my breath catch in my throat.

"Okay, my mom will be painting so it will just be us, Charlie and Luke. Do you want any help?" I offer as he turns to start gathering cooking supplies.

"It's alright thanks, ma keeps the sauce premade so I just need to heat it and cook the pasta."

I start to clear up the table as he cooks, watching as Jenny walks over and tugs the bottom of his shirt, signing to ask if she can go watch TV.

"Yes, until dinner is ready" he responds, "Avery, could you keep an eye on the pasta for me? I'm just going to change, I'm all oily," He gestures down at his clothes.

I nod as he walks out of the kitchen, only to arrive back 5 minutes later in a fresh t-shirt and shorts.

We sit at the island making small talk about college as the pasta cooks.

Nate is dishing it up while I get Jenny from the living room as Jane walks in the door.

"Hey Ma, dinners ready now, I invited Avery to stay," he sets 4 plates down on the island as I help a tired Jenny onto the stall where there is a smaller portion.

"Hello Avery, did you have a good day? I hope Jen behaved," she says as she helps the young girl cut up her food.

"We did, she was an angel," I tell her, eating my own meal.

"What did you get up to?"

"We watched some films, had lunch in the park, then got Ice cream and went to see Nate and my brother at the shop, I had no idea Jen loved cars so much!" I laugh, remembering how excited she was running around, looking at all of the different cars with her uncle.

"Just like her brother," she rolls her eyes, "I swear she'd spend all day at that shop with him and that brother of mine if I let her!"

"I was the same in LA, I worked as a receptionist but spent most of the time with my brother working on the cars."

"You will have to spend some time with Nate at the garage then! You already know Jen loves it."

"You're always welcome, Uncle Greg loved you and according to your brother you know your way around an engine," Nate nods, giving me a small smile.

We finish the rest of our meal making small talk until Jenny starts to fall asleep at the table.

"I'll take her up to bed," Jane says, picking the small girl up in her arms.

"I better get going, I text Luke to tell him I'll be late, if I'm much longer he'll start getting the wrong idea about me and you again," I laugh, picking up my bag.

"I'll walk you out," Nate stands and follows me to their front door. "Would that be so bad though?" he softly asks as I open it. "If he had the wrong idea?"

It takes a few seconds for my brain to catch up with what he's said, and then longer to

actually form a sentence. "He's just protective," I finally decide to tell him.

"Uh, okay, so, I'll see you tomorrow?" Nate suddenly seems uncomfortable, shifting from foot to foot.

"See you tomorrow," I smile, walking out the door.

I walk into my bedroom as my phone chimes.

Nate: Did you get home safe? Nxx