It's About Time (Blossom Peak #4)(49)
Nick cups the side of my face. “And that is why you are the remarkable person that you are, Dilynne. You care about people. You’re able to see that people’s actions are more about them than they are about you.”
“He still hurt me, but…”
“Carrying around that anger hurts you more.”
I nod, feeling my chest loosen as the truth about my feelings starts to click into place.
Is that what I’ve been doing? Fighting with him because it was easier than admitting that the two of us might actually have something in common?
The truth is, I forgave Elliot a long time ago, once I realized he’s been dealing with his own demons—something I understand even more after our talk the other night. Seeing him on the verge of a panic attack really did something to me.
“Have you ever talked to Elliot about what he said?” Nick asks, pulling me back to our conversation.
“No.”
“Well, maybe it’s time to bring it up.”
I shake my head. “Not sure bringing up the past will do any good.”
“ You’d be surprised. We hold onto things because we think we’re protecting ourselves, but really, it’s like carrying around a backpack of bricks. It’s just weighing you down, and when you finally give it up, you’ll be surprised how much lighter you feel.”
Swiping under my eyes, I move back to my rocking chair. “I don’t know. My focus right now has to be on Motorlux.”
“Are you on track to finish in time?”
“Yeah. The fuel system is my priority this week, and then all that’s left is the electrical. I finally found the dashboard gauges I need, but the guy who has them lives in Georgia, so I have to make that trip in a couple of weeks.”
“If you need a road trip buddy, you know I’m game.”
I smile over at him. “Thank you. I’ll definitely let you know. Normally, I’d ask Laney, but with the baby…”
“Laney and Fletcher are going to be parents,” Nick says wistfully. “Your brother has a daughter now, and Rhonan has another kid on the way. You sure you don’t want to join that club?”
I gag dramatically. “No thank you.”
Nick holds his stomach as he laughs out loud. “Just checking. Besides, not sure you could fit a car seat in the Porsche, right?”
“No, you can’t. I’m going to try to sell the Porsche at the auction anyway.”
Nick’s smile falls. “What? I thought…”
“I know. I debated keeping it, but if I sell it, it would help the business so much. Plus, it would help fund future projects. Besides, Raven gets me where I need to go just fine.”
Nick and I both turn to look at my Camaro that’s sitting just outside the open garage door. “Yeah, she’s a beauty.”
“She holds sentimental value too,” I say, meeting his eyes again.
Bec ause when Elliot made me question myself, it was Nick and this car that brought me back to reality.
That’s one of the many reasons I love cars—much like people, they’re complex and full of pieces that have to be put together in the right order and right place. And when they are, they can take you places you never dreamed of.
Chapter 16
Dilynn e
Flashbacks & Doubt
Age Fifteen
The bell rings, signaling the end of fifth period, when I finally get to go to my favorite class of the day: auto shop. Hoisting my backpack onto my shoulder, I weave through the crowded hallway to the door leading outside, where I can cut across the basketball courts to the auto building.
Laney doesn’t have this class with me, otherwise I would walk with her. But the truth is, I’m the only girl in the whole school who takes auto, a detail that is becoming more obvious and more annoying with each passing day. I knew it would make me stick out like a sore thumb, but I’m surprised at just how much it’s become a topic of conversation, especially among the boys.
“ Hey, Dilynne!” Justin Cook calls out to me from the other side of the asphalt, jogging in my direction.
“Hey, Justin.”
“You ready for auto shop? Today we’re gonna learn how to change a tire, right?”
I scoff. “Child’s play. I can’t wait until we actually get to take the engine apart, especially a big block 454.”
Justin’s brow furrows. “What’s that?”
I roll my eyes at him. “Amateur.”
“There goes the grease monkey!” some boy calls out, drawing our attention in his direction. I recognize Nikko Ventura’s voice immediately, and my eyes narrow. “Oh, and her little fanboy!” Nikko laughs and then high-fives his friends, which includes Elliot Thorne.
Elliot is one of my brother’s best friends, also a senior. Normally I wouldn’t care who he’s hanging out with, but seeing him laugh at Nikko’s remarks stings more than I would have expected.
Justin grabs my upper arm gently. “Just ignore them, Dilynne.”
“Trust me. I could give a rat’s ass what Nikko Ventura has to say about me.”
“Where are you going, Dilynne?” Nikko calls. “Home Ec is in the other direction!” He doubles over laughing at his own outdated joke as Justin and I turn the corner and head into the auto building.