“You forget who signs your paycheck, Joey?” Lochlan asked, still trying to keep Lennox from knocking him on his ass.
“Whatever.” The man stormed off.
“Sophia, happy to see you,” Lochlan greeted, walking to her.
“Hi,” she whispered, her heart still in her throat.
Leaning closer, he whispered to her, “Keep him in line, will you?” Kissing her cheek, he walked off.
A soft hand wiping her cheek followed by a set of lips had her eyes widening at the bold move. “What was that for?” she asked Lennox.
“Don’t need his lips on you,” he mumbled, walking over to the hood of the car he was working on.
She had to stifle her laughter at the possessive move.
Watching as he worked, she got to admire his methodical mind as he expertly and precisely put the car together. She had no idea what any of the parts were called, nor what they did, but she understood that each piece was like a puzzle. Needing to fit perfectly into certain spots or nothing would look right.
Legs crossed, leaning back, her eyes searched the rest of the building they were in. Cars, some half-built, some in stages of dismantling, and others complete, were in three rows, and for the first time, she wondered about his marketing.
She’d always enjoyed creating eye-catching flyers for school fundraisers. A picture was already forming in her mind about how to show the business aspect of his shop.
Stupid Sophia.
The images quickly died as the most haunted phrase of all time bit her in the ass. She knew it was dumb. He was obviously very successful if the shop’s fullness was any indication.
The need to be a useful person in society was riding her hard, though. She was desperate not to go back home. She would do almost anything to stay away.
“Soph?” Lennox’s voice pierced her out of control thoughts.
“Yes?” She put a smile on so he wouldn’t guess where her mind had been at.
“You wanna tell me what’s been going on with you?”
Shaking her head, she contradicted herself by speaking anyways. “Braxton and I got into a fight this morning.”
Wiping his hands, he walked over to her. “About what?”
Quietly she answered, “My uselessness and stupidity as a person.” Shame shook her entire body.
“Say what, now?” He sounded confused.
Closing her eyes, she said louder, “My uselessness and stupidity.”
He was silent for so long, she began to worry that maybe he agreed with everyone else.
“I should go.” Her words were quiet as she slipped off the bench she was sitting on. He made no move to stop her as she went through the door they’d entered. Chancing a glance back at him, he was still in the same spot.
As she walked into the front office, Mac and Joey were standing there as her tears threatened to spill. Mac smiled at her. Joey sneered, “He done with you already?”
Her gasp was audible as Mac shot Joey a dirty look.
Stupid.
Useless.
Whore.
She was nothing.