Caleb swallowed the lump in his throat, but he never broke their gaze. His heart beat erratically and he felt like he couldn't get enough air or that he was going to be sick, but he never, ever wanted to look away from her.
"I hate those words too, Caleb," she continued quietly. "And like you, I've heard them all. I wasn't going to say any of them because I know how meaningless they truly are, no matter how well-intentioned. Sometimes all you need is someone to sit silently with you and not say anything at all. Even if they're a complete stranger."
The last part came out as a whisper and his brow furrowed. Something nagged at his mind but he couldn't for the life of him think what it was. So he stood there, like an idiot, which tended to happen to him a lot where Maddie was concerned. The worst sensation of remorse was building in his gut.
Caleb raked a hand through his hair, opened his mouth to say something, but then closed it. Everything he thought to say sounded hollow.
Maddie nodded at him and then her gaze slipped to the door. "I think I'll head out, after all. You're right, I can start working on the laptop tomorrow."
There was another clawing sensation in his chest, but this time, it had nothing to do with his aunt and everything to do with watching her leave. As she collected her purse from the ground and pulled out her ridiculous collection of keychains, he caught her hand in his own. Maddie looked up surprised, but didn't pull away. Caleb marveled at how soft and small her hand was compared to his, just one more reason why he had no business being with someone like her. They were too different, night and day. She was like paper and he was unrelenting steel. But damn, her hand, her warmth, felt good.
Caleb felt like he should say something, so he went for honesty. Later, he would probably curse this moment and wonder why he even bothered. Right now, however, he felt that he owed her an explanation.
"I'm sorry," he murmured. "I have a temper. I say things that I shouldn't because it's easier for me to keep people out. I can be mean and I can say ugly things, but don't for a second think it's because of you."
Maddie's lips parted and he wanted nothing more than to taste those lips. He held himself back and dropped her hand, telling himself that he wouldn't miss the connection.
Then he had to go and ruin it. "But this doesn't change anything between us. If you're looking for something, it won't be me, all right? I can't give you that. I'd rather you just come in to work. It makes for a cleaner break."
Caleb watched as her face dropped and it did strange things to his heart.
"If that's what you want," she said quietly after a while, nodding. Instead of relief, Caleb felt unsettled. She gave him one last look. "Goodnight, Caleb."
Then she left.
NINE
Around 6:45 the next evening, Maddie finally pulled into the parking lot at the garage just as Peter stepped out, a worn backpack slung over his shoulder.
He paused when he saw her and she waved at him, smiling, when she climbed out. "Hi Peter, how was your day?"
"Good," he murmured shyly. Maddie had never met a shyer teenager, but she thought he was sweet. He had dark hair, dark green eyes, and a lanky build, but she would bet that the boy could eat more than an athlete. Thomas had been much the same way in high school and Maddie had envied him for every dessert and burger he packed away, no added extra fat on him, whereas Maddie could eat a slab of cheese and feel it settle around her hips.
"Heading home? You must've had a long day."
He shrugged, glancing over his shoulder at the garage, and then looked down at his feet, the tips of his ears pink, even in the muted light.
Maddie smiled and then locked up her car. "Well, I'll let you get home. See you tomorrow!"
He gave a brief wave and then he was off, turning right onto the main street and disappearing in the darkness. When Maddie entered the garage, she asked Brian, "Is he always so shy?"
The older man huffed out a small laugh, digging through a toolbox at his feet. The radio was playing a blues station, an empty Coke bottle sitting next to it on the workbench.
"Yeah, he barely talked when John took him on, but he knows his way 'round an engine so I guess it didn't matter much. He'll warm up to you eventually. Much like our Caleb, he doesn't trust anyone new. I don't think it's very good at home for him either."
"Really?" Maddie asked, furrowing her brow. "How so?"
Brian shrugged. "Dad's a drunk from what I hear. His mom doesn't care much either. So, I let him hang 'round here after his work's done."