Chapter 2

The Torettos were now down to only two. Dom and Mia. Neither one ever talked about their parents. It had been Dom's dream since he was a child to own his own garage. Fixing up classics, enhancing racing cars...and to take care of his sister were the only things he had left to live for.

Ashley strolled into the restaurant and saw Mia and Letty talking...stopping instantly as she entered.

"Hey girls. Where's Dom?" Ashley just got to the point, somehow knowing that Letty was probably gushing to Mia about how much she hated her.

Mia smiled and pointed to the back office. "Thanks." Ashley smiled back.

As she pushed the door open, there he was. Sitting hulked over reading the newspaper. Ashley figured he was probably fishing through ads to find a new "10-second-car". She walked in further and shut the door closed behind her. Dom didn't even turn around..just sat there waiting. He was sitting on the very edge of the wooden chair, quickly bouncing his left leg up and down.

Ashley climbed behind him in the chair, straddling his back with her long, lean legs.  She put his head between her hands and planted a hard kiss on the top of his shaved head and made a kissing noise as she slipped down to a seated position. Wrapping her arms around his waist, he kept reading. "What has got your attention so much?" Ashley asked.

"Ah nothin'." Dom replied, grinning, still not turning around. He closed up the paper and leaned his back against Ashley rubbing her arms softly. "How's it going at the shop today?"

"Harry is keeping us busy as hell today..unloading all the new inventory. You should come down after work and see all the new parts he ordered."

Suddenly the door burst open, and both Ashley and Dom quickly snapped their heads around to look. It was Letty. Standing there with her puckered up, vicious face. "Dominic, we got shit to do. Quit fucking around in here and get out here and help. You've really slacked off on your work since this bitch started hanging around."

Dom jumped to his feet and got up in Letty's face. In a deep, scowling tone, he answered, "Letty..I don't know what your fucking problem is with Ashley, but I'd suggest you not have another outburst like this in my shop again. We're over. If you can't accept it, than stop coming around me because nothing is going to change."

Letty backed out the door, both middle fingers in the air scorning Dom in Spanish. Dom shut the door and reached his hand to the top of his head, heavily rubbing his face all the way down to the nape of his neck. Ashley just sat there, not even turning around to see what was going on.

********

I really hated that Letty had to be that way with me. I mean, I understand that she cares for Dominic, and is bitter when he gives his affection to someone other than her. But this bullshit was really starting to overwhelm me.

********

"Dom, I think I'm gonna head back to work now." Ashley said slowly, ending her sentence with a heavy sigh.

"Baby, please don't let her get to you like that. Don't give her the satisfaction. Just let me deal with her...it won't be a problem anymore, I promise."

*****

Dom's words somehow soothed me and made me relax about the whole thing. Maybe it was his tone, maybe it was how his face looked whenever he consoled me. He knew just the right things to do to make everything better...always.

*****

Dom and Ashley began to hug each other tightly. He kissed her cheek and gave her a little squeeze. "Tonight, lets go out..just the two of us. It'll make you feel better."

Ashley looked in his eyes and smiled. "Ok, but if Letty comes within 20 feet of me, I can't promise that I will keep composure." Both of them laughed. "Well honey, I love you. I'm gonna head back to the shop and help Harry...he's up to his neck in work."

"Ok. Tonight then. I'll come to your house about 8:30. Wear something sexy." Dom wiggled his eyebrows and gave Ashley a goofy grin to make her smile...it worked.

Dom followed Ashley out of the office and watched her pull away from the shop.  Letty could see Dom standing in the restaurant through the open door in the garage. She stood up and wiped her greasy hands off on a rag that was laying on the hood of the car.

Dom sat down at the counter and Mia glanced at him, then over at Letty, then back to Dom. "Dominic..I was talking to Letty right before Ashley got here and she was telling me something that I think you need to hear." The words seemed almost hard for Mia to say.

"What is it, Mi?" Dom asked, arching his eyebrow.

Mia swallowed and leaned over the counter. "You know the guy that replaced Brian at Harry's after he left?" Dom shook his head. "His name is Seth. Well, Letty told me that..she thinks something is going on between Seth and Ashley."

"What the fuck are you talking about?" Dom quipped, sounding very annoyed. Letty, still watching from the garage with a very deceitful smile on her face.

Brian noticed Letty and asked, "What are you staring at Letty?" he walked over to stand beside her to see what her interest was.

"Nothing Spilner. I was just looking to see if someone was in the restaurant..fuck off."

"Dom, I'm sorry...I'm just.." Mia started.

"Listen to ME Mia, NOT Letty. Letty is just trying to stir up shit for us. Do you think she wants to see me actually happy with another woman??? Letty's got problems and if she thinks she can spawn it off on me, she can fucking think again. I've about had it." Dom stormed out of the shop and got in his car. As he peeled out of the parking lot, Mia looked to Letty with a look of confusion on her face. Mia knew Ashley almost better than anyone..would she do that to Dom?

Brian came in and sat down to take a break. "What's got you looking so worried, Mi?"

"I'm not sure Brian. Do you...do you think it's possible for Ashley to be interested in Seth?" she asked shakily.

Brian gasped, almost laughing. "From the moment she met Dom, I've never seen her LOOK at another guy, let alone fuck one."

"Well...Letty said..." Brian quickly interrupted Mia's sentence.

"I'd trust Ashley's heart over Letty's words anyday. Don't listen to Letty, Mia. She's trying to make everything complicated for Dom. You know she can't stand to see him living life at a good pace."

"Maybe you're right."

"I know I am sweetie. Just let Dom take care of it." Brian smiled and leaned over the counter to kiss Mia.

Back at Harry's, Ashley and Seth were back to work. It seemed like there was an endless amount of boxes. Behind one was another...and another...and another.

"Guys, I hate to break it to you, but it looks like you two might have to stay here a little late tonight. We've got to get all these parts put away before the store opens tomorrow." Harry said, regretfully.

"Oh no...not tonight...Dom and I..." Ashley thought.

Seth smiled at Ashley. "Oh don't look so stressed. It'll be fun! No worries."

Ashley looked up a moment and saw Dom's car pulling in front of the store. As he walked through the front door, he pulled his sunglasses from his ears. Ashley got up and ran over to him.

"Dom, I've got bad news." He looked at her very concerned.

"What is it? Is something wrong??" he asked.

"Well...Harry wants Seth and I to stay late tonight to get all the inventory away before we open tomorrow. So that means..."

Dom charged in, "So that means no "us" tonight. Fine." Dom turned and walked at a quick and heavy pace to get in his car.

********

I couldn't help but be shocked. Dom NEVER acted that way if something came up. What the hell is bothering him so bad?? Did something happen at the shop after I left? Is this another scheme of Letty's?

*******

"Oh fuck." Ashley muttered under her breath. She knew she had work to do...so she just put the questions to the back of her mind for now. "I'll call him tonight and see what is going on," she thought.