Chapter 21: Dropping by the Garage

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They were only a couple blocks down from the house when Dom spoke up.

"We're going to stop at the garage first, I need to drop off those parts Jesse needs."

"Okay," July said.

Dom took the next left turn and again July paid attention to his driving. A couple minutes later, he pulled up to DT Automotive. Dom parked in his spot and started to get out. "Come on, I want you to see the place."

July got out of the car and offered to help Dom with the parts even though there weren't very many. Walking to the back entrance, they entered and found a greased stained group lounging around eating lunch. Everyone was there except Mia and Brian.

"Hey," everyone called out.

"Hey," Dom and July replied.

"Here are those parts Jesse," Dom said handing over the parts.

July thoughtlessly handed over her parts; she was too busy looking around. It was a good-sized garage. A couple of cars were in the garage with their hoods open. It was a lot different from Sam's shop back in Texas. There were more tools and some gadgets she didn't even know. Sam's shop had just been the town's general auto shop where people got their oil changed and parts fixed and the occasional engine job; it wasn't anything like this. Dom saw her looking around and smiled at the awe look on her face.

"Did you order all the ones I wrote down for you?" Jesse asked July, bring her attention back to the group.

"Yeah, Harry will have them by Monday."

"Sweet. Let me know if you have any questions about setting up any of the parts and when you're done, let me know and I'll come over and tweak it up a bit."

"Well, I know I'll need help on the turbo and whatnot, so when I get there, I'll let you know."

"So what are you two up to?" Vince asked taking a bite of his sandwich.

"Wouldn't you like to know," July teased, winking. Vince made a shocked faced and almost choked on his food, which caused everyone to laugh.

"We just went down and got parts with Harry and now we are going to lunch," Dom said once the laughter had died down.

"Did you ask her?" Vince asked.

"Ask me what?" July said turning around to face both of them with a raised eyebrow.

"Just if you wanted to go to races tonight," Dom replied offhandedly.

"Oh, yeah, I'm going," July said like it was nothing big but inside she was really nervous about the races. She had never been to one, she felt as if she was going to be that dumb girl standing there.

"Awesome, another girl, now you can help Mia and me gang up on the guys," Letty said grinning. She then came over to July. "So you really are going to race?" she asked as soon as the guys started talking.

"Yeah, Dom asked me to go."

"You've never been to one, have you?" she asked, even though she was already pretty sure of the answer she would get.

"No, I haven't," July admitted, opting for truth. She wasn't going to make a fool of herself with this group right off the bat by lying.

"Mia will probably be over to help you get ready tonight and I'll probably be dragged along," Letty replied.

"Cool," July said just as her stomach gave another loud rumble. "Guess I'm more hungry than I thought. Let's see if I can get Dom going." July then turned towards Dom. "Come on Dom, I'm hungry," July said pouting.

"Okay, let's go. We'll see you guys later," Dom said, starting out the door.

July grinned at Letty. Letty couldn't help but be a little jealous at how easily July got Dom to do something and how quickly he had reacted. Then she looked over and saw Leon talking to Jesse. As if knowing she was staring at him, Leon looked over at her and winked. She instantly felt better; Leon always knew when she needed him. She was with a great guy who would always be there for her. Letty laughed at the grin still plastered on July's face and waved her away.

"Remember, me and Mia will be over later tonight," Letty called after July.

"How could I forget? Bye guys," July said waving.

Everyone said their good byes and then July and Dom left the garage.

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tbc…