“Good,” he says gripping my shoulder. “I like you, son, but if you hurt or disrespect her in any way, I won’t hesitate to kick your arse. You understand?” When he smiles at me, I feel the corners of my lips turn up. This is not how I envisioned this conversation going. Indi and I will never be more than what we are, but it’s nice to know that her father isn’t repulsed by the idea of his daughter being with someone like me.
“Yes, Sir.” He nods and taps my shoulder like he’s pleased with my response.
“I called past the wreckers this morning and collected your personal belongings from your car,” he says passing me the plastic bag he’s holding. “I threw out the cancer sticks I found in the glove compartment. Don’t let me catch you smoking again, you hear.”
“Yes, Sir,” I answer dropping my head. I feel like a child being scolded, but on the other hand, I like the fact that he seems to care.
“I also found this.” He pulls a crumpled piece of paper out of his pocket. Without even opening it I know what it is. The sketch I did of Indiana. Fuck. Why did I leave that on the floor of my car? I should’ve thrown it in the trash, but for some reason I couldn’t bring myself to do that. “Did you draw this?”
“Yes,” I answer reaching for it. He pulls his hand back.
“It’s good. Do you mind if I keep it?” Christ. This conversation is getting more awkward by the minute.
“Sure,” I tell him. I’m sure I could draw another one if I wanted, which I don’t. We’re friends. Nothing more. “You’re not going to show her are you?”
“The picture?” he asks, a small smile playing on is lips.
“Yes,” I answer shyly. I don’t want her to think I’m obsessing over her or anything, because I’m not.
“Not if you don’t want me to,” he says, his lips turning up further. I have no idea why he’s smiling. I divert my eyes. The way he’s looking at me is the same way Indi does. Like he can see straight through me. He clears his throat. “Why didn’t you have full insurance on your car?” he asks changing the subject. I’m grateful for that.
“I couldn’t afford it.”
“Fair enough. The guy at the wreckers owes me a few favours, so I’ve asked him to get started on the repairs to the body. You can sue Cartwright for the damages. His parents can afford it. I’m going to talk to his father about it. He’ll probably agree to pay for the repairs before it comes to that. He won’t want this going public.”
“Thank you,” I say extending my hand out to him. Even though I’m still pissed about my car and the fact it’s going to take weeks, possibly longer before I get her back, I couldn’t ask for a better outcome.
The rest of the week goes by without incident. On the days my mum needs her car, she drops Indi and I at school. The other times she lets me take it.
Ross talked with Cartwright’s father. He was right. He didn’t hesitate to agree to pay for any repairs needed for the car—in exchange for our silence, of course. Fat lot of good that’s going to do. This is a small town. Shit’s already spreading like wild fire.
Late Friday afternoon, Ross comes knocking on my door. “Got a spare half hour?” he asks. “I need your help with something.”
“Sure. Just let me tell my mum I’m going out.” I have no idea what this is about, but I go along with it. Once I’m seated in the passenger seat of his car, he informs me why I’m needed.
“It’s Indiana’s birthday on Sunday, so I’ve decided to buy her a small car. That’s where you come in. I’m working all day tomorrow, so if I’m going to have it here for Sunday, I need to pick it up today. You’re going to need to drive it home from the car yard.”
“Are you giving it to her today?” I ask.
“No. Frank across the road is letting me hide it in his garage until Sunday morning. I’m taking that day off to spend it with her.”
“Okay. Cool. Does she have her driver’s licence?” She’s lucky her father can afford to buy her a car. I know if my mum had ever been in that position she would’ve done the same for me. She always let me borrow hers though, until I could afford to buy my own.
“Yes. Only her provisional licence,” he answers.
It’s getting dark when we arrive back at the house. Ross got me to park down the road for five minutes so he could go in the house and distract Indi. Frank was already waiting out front with his garage door open when I pulled into his driveway.
I had no idea it was her birthday this weekend. It has me thinking, should I get her something? We’re kind of friends. Friends do shit like that I guess. Christ. I don’t want her getting the wrong idea about us.