The drive from the cul de sac to the auto shop had been very quiet. The only time anyone spoke was when Terrence told Edd where to turn. As Edd drove he thought about his friends. He knew he was shutting them out, but he didn't quite know how to let them in. He didn't want to weigh them down with his emotions and problems. It wasn't fair to them, they had already been through so much because of him.
Edd was so preoccupied with his thoughts that when they got to the shop Terrence had led them to that he just handed the guy a piece of paper. Edd figured that the people in the shop probably wouldn't take him seriously, he definitely didn't look like the mechanic type and he knew it. But Terrence on the other hand looked exactly like the kind of person who'd know about auto parts and motorcycles. So even though he hated Terrence he was just a little happy about the fact that the older man could help him get what he needed to finish rebuilding the bike.
In the shop Edd quietly looked around while Terrence talked to the sales associate about the items he needed. He tuned out their chatter as he focused on not breaking down in the middle of an auto store. It smelled like rubber with a hint of grease and sweat. It reminded him of Kevin, and sitting in his garage while the red head worked on his bike. Edd thought of how Kevin always seemed to just glow as he worked on his bike. He would try to tell Edd what it was he was doing, but he was just so enamored with Kevin that he never really paid attention.
As Edd aimlessly wandered around the shop he came upon an aisle that had a bunch of paints. While looking through the many different colors he realized he was going to need to repaint the bike. He hadn't really thought about it before but he knew he couldn't keep it the same color. Kevin had the bike originally painted black with chrome accents and features. Edd wasn't sure if he could keep it that way though. He hoped that wherever Kevin was in the afterlife he wouldn't be too upset with him if he painted the bike.
He was about to head back up to the front to see if Terrence had gotten everything when he had an idea for inspiration. He knew what color he would paint the bike. He also knew that if Kevin was here he would probably love it. For the first time since the night of Kevin's accident Edd found himself smiling. When he got back to the front of the store the associate had all the items ready to go. Edd pulled out his debit card and got ready for the lecture his parents would give him about recklessly spending his money.
Terrence looked at Edd and shook his head. "Don't worry about it. I have a store card here. You can just pay me back."
Edd raised his eyebrow in suspicion. "I'd rather not be indebted to you. Besides I have the money now, so I'm going to pay for it now."
Terrence grunted and stepped away from the counter. "Fine, I'll wait outside."
After everything had been paid for and bagged Edd hesitated. "Sir, is it possible to make custom paint colors for cars and motorcycles?"
The associate tilted his head to the side and stroked his beard as he thought about it. "Yeah, I know a shop a couple of hours away from here that does custom painting for different vehicles. You want me to give you one of their cards?"
Edd nodded his head. "Yes, thank you" He said, reaching his hand out.
After putting the card in his wallet and collecting all of his new parts Edd walked out of the shop with a smile on his face. It was such a small thing, but Edd was actually looking forward to something. And it wasn't something he'd decided to do out of guilt or fear. It was something that he genuinely wanted to do. He was so caught up making plans for his custom paint color that he had completely forgotten about Eddy's brother waiting for him at the car.
His smile evaporated when he saw Terrence leaning against the passenger side door of his car. It's going to be a long drive home, he thought as he unlocked the doors. Terrence got in the car while Edd loaded the trunk with his haul of parts. When Edd walked to his door he stopped for a moment to take a deep breath. He was trying to ground himself a little before getting back into a vehicle with someone he detested so much.
The drive home was much like the first, but this time he didn't need any directions, he remembered the way home pretty clearly. He was trying to get back as quickly as possible so he was going a little over the speed limit. Suddenly out of the silence a strange gurgling noise came from the passenger seat.
Edd glanced over at Terrence and then focused back on the road. "What was that? Are you going to be sick? Let me know now so I can pull over before you vomit in my car."
Terrence chuckled at the younger man's reaction. "Nah Double Dude. I'm just hungry. Someone came by earlier before I could fix myself something to eat."
Edd rolled his eyes. "First of all, no nicknames. Not from you. Second, how very passive aggressive of you."
"I wasn't trying to be passive aggressive. I was trying to make a joke."
"Well you aren't funny. But if you are hungry I can stop somewhere so you can get something. I suppose I owe you at least that since you did do me a favor today."
Terrence stared at the side of Edd's face for a minute as he decided how to respond. "I guess just take me home. I can make myself something there."
Edd had hoped that he would stop for something. He had really meant it when he said he didn't want to be indebted to Terrence. "Fine."
"Okay then."
The rest of the drive home was filled with more silence. Edd could feel himself tensing up the closer they got. He recalled the look on Eddy's face as they'd passed each other and he knew that whatever was waiting for him couldn't possibly be good. He also knew that whatever it was that Eddy had to say was probably exactly what he deserved. Edd knew that he'd been a terrible friend these last few weeks. He just hoped that they wouldn't stay angry with him forever.
Edd was so fixated on the situation with his friends that he hadn't really been paying attention to the road. Somehow he found himself a lot closer to home than he thought he was. As he refocused on what he was doing he tried to push his anxieties out of his mind. He found himself repeating what he needed to do like it was a mantra. As he turned onto their street he noticed storm clouds and thought about the first time Kevin had kissed him.
He slowed down as he pulled up to Eddy's driveway, he noted that Nazz's car was still there and was relieved. Eddy couldn't stay too mad when Nazz was around, she had such a calmness about her it was hard for anyone to be upset in her presence.
Edd put the car in park so he could let Terrence out. "If Eddy gets mad just tell him to come to my house."
Terrence simply nodded before opening the passenger door and getting out. Before he shut the door he leaned down and looked at Edd. "You know that day in the kitchen, I wasn't trying to be a dick to you or about you. I was just trying to mess with my brother. I realized that day when I saw you carting the motorcycle to your house that what I had said was really messed up. I just wanted you to know that I didn't mean any of it and I'm sorry that I said those things."
Edd felt his jaw clench as he remembered what he'd overheard at Eddy's house that day. He remembered how rude and insensitive Terrence had been, not just to him but to Eddy too.
"Just tell Eddy to come by my house." Edd said through clenched teeth.
Edd had no intention of acknowledging Terrence's apology. He didn't know what the older man was trying to do, but whatever it was Edd wanted no part of it. When Terrence understood that that was the only response he would be getting out of Edd he shut the door and turned to walk up his driveway. Edd put his car into drive and whipped his car around quickly so he could head back up to his house and unload all the parts out of his car.
Edd hoped that at the very least Eddy would get his message and actually come by. Edd decided since it was already so late in the afternoon that he'd stop working after he put everything in the garage. It was the first time in a month that he had decided to take a real break from working on the bike.
Authors Note: I just wanted to take a minute to say thanks for sticking with me so far. I really appreciate it. I also wanted to take this opportunity to assure you that if you think you know where this story is going I can promise that you have no idea. So stay tuned and I hope you continue to enjoy reading this as much as I have enjoyed writing it.
