*Author's note: Thank you to all those following along with my guys. I appreciate all your feedback, and most importantly, your continued patience! This has been a trying time for the world and my hope is to provide a little bit of escape from our collective trauma. This is a work of fiction and while it takes place in a realistic setting, it does not take place in our reality. With all that said, I've decided not to address our current climate in my writings moving forward. The worlds I create in my head always have and will forever be safe spaces for all who enjoy them. Stay safe out there everyone and as always, thanks for reading!*
With Garrett Restoration expanding, Ty felt we needed a brick and mortar office. Aside from all the steady work Damien provided renovating his father's portfolio, we were booked out through the year. Raises were given, new positions created and employees hired, all in preparation for the relaunch. With Damien's help, Tyler saw the vision of his business shift and it started with the purchase of a row of storefronts in the old downtown area. The block of abandoned properties consisted of a corner unit with an auxiliary space on one side, two separate units on the other, all beneath two levels of apartments and an adjacent parking lot. The surrounding area was in the midst of revitalization at the moment so it seemed the perfect time to jump in. At the same time, Red and I began tossing around the idea of starting a little side business of our own. We'd had such a good time redoing my garage and building Bruiser's dog house that we figured we might be able to make a little extra money restoring old furniture. A few yard sales later, we'd bought, and sold, a bedroom set, a couple bookshelves, and an armoire. Tyler overheard us talking about our next project and offered us a deal. "Build me a desk plus 10% of your net and you guys can showcase in the new offices. If you do as well as I think you will, we can talk about getting you guys a shop." We readily agreed, and a few days later we finalized our deal.
Garrett Property Restoration and Furnishings was born over brunch at Tyler's house with our partners there to witness. We'd still have to work out of my garage mostly but Tyler allowed Red to keep a workspace at his place for when he stayed over with Gianni. There was even talk of letting him have his pick of the apartments once they were finished. The following Monday new work crews were arranged to expedite the relaunch and give Red and me space to store our finds. A couple days after that, Ty came to me at the job site with a phone number. "Call 'em up and tell 'em what you need. Can't expect to make a profit wasting money renting tools," he said, with a pat on my back and walked off. It wasn't until I talked to Red that I found out that Tyler had extended us a credit line with one of his trusted suppliers. Apparently it was a part of the fifteen grand capital he invested into our side of the business. We made a list, Red and I, over lunch and called in our order after work.
Two weeks later, my new GPRF email received its first non-company message. My order was ready but because we ordered preowned to save money, I also forfeited delivery options. I'd have to make the two-hour drive myself to pick it all up. With Red off with Gianni for a food truck competition, I'd have to make the trip alone. Or, since I'd need his truck, I could ask Breeze.
It seemed like a good idea, at first. I planned to surprise him with a nice room at a casino for the night. I even prepared myself for the fact that he might want to spend his afternoon gambling instead of hanging out with me at the warehouse. Reservations were made at all of the casino's restaurants at various times so we'd have some flexibility. There was a mixed lounge within walking distance if he really wanted to step out. We hadn't had many nights out since I'd gone back to work and when we did, it was usually nothing spectacular. Dinner and a movie, maybe drinks after at our favorite sports bar, nothing that required him to show off his expensive taste in fashion.
It started out as a surprise with me asking him to pack a bag before he left for the gym, which led very quickly to an argument about his need to know for what occasion he might be packing. My insistence that he didn't need a suit because I didn't own one wasn't enough information for him. Eventually, frustration got the best of me and I blurted out my plans as I stormed out to the garage. I had a list to check anyway, and a barbershop appointment, plus a quick video chat with Red to go over our schedule for the next week. I had a ton to do and wasn't much interested in Brion distracting me with his nonsense. That didn't matter to him, of course, and he came out to the garage pouting his apologies for ruining my surprise, even canceled his afternoon availability so we could hit the road a little early. "I can be done before noon if you want," he asked with that cocky grin and I rolled my eyes.
"Well my cut ain't 'til then so it's whatever," I muttered as I moved past him to get back in the house. Breeze followed me inside, all the way to the side door where I set the smart doggy door to open so Bruiser could come inside when he was ready.
"Cool, I'll be ready to go when you get here."
We both knew it was a lie, so I wasn't surprised to hear the shower running when I came home at half-past one. It wasn't until I got into the bedroom to find his empty garment bag on the bed amongst an array of clothes still on hangers that I got a little pissed. But I didn't say anything, even as he picked at me for not changing out of my "work" clothes. I hadn't intended on telling him about the pick-up until we were well on the road and that plan hadn't changed, so I quietly headed out to his truck to wait. Halfway through Aquemini, Breeze finally made his way to the passenger seat and I pulled off without a word. I hoped he might go to sleep, but there was coffee in his travel mug and he pulled out his laptop as soon as we got on the highway. I could have objected to his distraction but I welcomed the silence it provided. We were already well behind schedule and the traffic wasn't helping.
"That was the exit wasn't it," he said, without looking up from his screen, his fingers gliding easily over his keyboard as he filled in a spreadsheet. "You should've let me drive man. We could've went the back way..."
"If you was ready when you said you'd be, I'd have already dropped you off," I said, not meaning to out loud, but all he did was shrug.
"I had to check on one of my clients...and what you mean drop me off? You trying to get rid of me," he asked with a snort and closed his laptop, slipped it back into his bag.
"Maybe?"
"Wait...you mad feral bruh," Breeze said, turning in his seat to face me but I kept my eyes on the road. "I already told you I was sorry about earlier..."
"Chill, bud you're good," I lied and he knew it, took my hand from where it rested on the center console.
"Not yet, but I got you when we get to the room," he said and wiggled his eyebrows, but I didn't bite and he sucked his teeth. "Fine, be like that, I'm still gonna take care of you later."
"You better," I told him and slipped my hand from his only to toss my phone in his lap. "Call the hotel and tell them we'll be there by six."
"Six? All we gotta do is circle back. It's barely 3, bruh..."
"Mufucka I know what time it is," came through clenched teeth and Brion furrowed his brow, bit down on his bottom lip as he unlocked my phone. He made the call as asked, but his right knee wobbled back and forth as he did. His voice was even and polite as he chatted with the desk agent, all the while he stewed. I could feel the heat coming off him and I prayed they keep him on hold a few more minutes
