Drive [h.f-t. & j.l.] (COMPLETED)

Chapter 17 - Smooth Talker

smooth talker - killing roy
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josephine's pov

I quickly walk over to Priya before she could walk further towards the garage.

"I saw you driving around in this amazing car-" She starts but I cut her off.

"So you followed me?" I say and she frowns at me, a puzzled look on her face.

"You told me you had some huge fight with your dad. I was worried." She says, voice quiet and I sigh, glancing back at the garage.

"You really can't be here, Priya." I say and as I look back at my best friend she's looking behind me, curious.

"What is this place? An auto body shop? Are you staying with Hero and his friends?" She asks, looking back at me and when I don't say anything, her eyes widen a bit. "You're really staying here? Jo, you know I've been supportive of you branching out, but this is going way too far." She says and I run a hand through my hair, shaking my head.

"Please just trust me, Pri. You still do, right?"

"Of course, I'm just.. I'm worried about you.." She says and I give her a small smile.

"I promise you, I'm fine here. I'll explain everything later." I say and she just looks at me for a feww moments, lips pressed together.

"..You promise." She says finally, uncertain and I try to give her the best smile I could muster, nodding.

"I promise." I finally say and she nods slowly before stepping forward and hugging me tight. I put my arms around her, squeezing her back. 

"I love you. Please stay safe." She says and I smile.

"I'll try." I say quietly and after a few more moments we pull apart and she gets back in her car and with one last look, drives off.

I return to the garage, my heart weighing heavy in my chest. Across the room, Emilia and Levi are already hard at work stripping down the '61 Maranello, which is jacked up off all four wheels. 

"Hand me that pneumatic impact gun. I'm gonna get this headlight out. Levi? Are you even listening?" Emilia says and Levi sighs as he hands her the tool.

"Sorry, I was just saying a few words before we commit this vehicle to the great scrapyard in the sky." He answers and Emilia chuckles before seeing me approach. 

"Josephine! Maybe you can help.." She says and I try to put on my best smile after that encounter with Priya. I knew she was just worried and while I loved hanging out with the crew, I didn't want my best friend anywhere near the things they did. I push the thoughts away as I help Emilia with the headlights, using the power tools to quickly yank out the bolts. Soon, I've helped Emilia and Levi fill up a cart full of car parts. They roll it away to be sorted. Still feeling hurt after my conversation outside, I rest against the side of the car.

"Whoa! Hey!" A voice says, coming from beneath me and as I look down,  Jax wheels out from under the car, lying flat on a low, rolling cart. "You trying to drop this hunk of junk on me?" He asks, with a hint of amusement in his voice.

"I'm sorry! I didn't know you were under there. Can I lend a hand?" I ask, just wanting to keep doing something to distract myself. Jax stares up at me, debating for a moment. "I just.. really need to keep my mind occupied right now." I add and he sighs, nodding.

"Fine. Lay down on the creeper over there, it's one of the carts I'm lying on. It's called a creeper. Don't ask why I don't know the answer." He says and I drag the creeper over to lie back on it, and roll under the Maranello with Jax, lying side-by-side. He bites a small flashlight between his teeth, digging his hands up into the undercarriage. "We're trying to get this driveshaft out, got it?" He asks and I nod, quickly adding 'Got it'. After working quietly for a few moments, Jax speaks up again. "So.. what's got you all mopey?" He asks and I sigh, glancing at him.