Nathan and Brooke were drinking a beer in the nearby bistro while waiting for the tow truck. The parking lot was just across the street, so Nathan was content to glance out the window from time to time. The bar they had found was quite welcoming, although a little empty at this time of day. There were a few regulars, gathered near the bar, occupying the place. Nathan and Brooke were sitting on the leather benches.
BROOKE : So you don't even have a spare tire in your ultra-modern car!?
NATHAN : That's a thoughtful choice. Do you know how much it weighs and how much space it takes up in a trunk?
Seeing Brooke's perplexed expression, Nathan seemed keen to provide her with more detailed technical explanations.
NATHAN : A spare tire weighs at least fifteen kilos of dead weight, so it also makes you consume more fuel!
BROOKE : That's a great theory! A car loaded with electronics and equipped with all the assistance and gadgets... But devoid of the only useful thing you would have needed to leave faster!
Nathan looked at Brooke mischievously, as if he was proud of his next line that he thought was full of repartee.
NATHAN : That's a point of view that would be valid under one condition... that it would imply that I know how to change a tire.
Nathan didn't know it, but this admission had just made him lose almost all his chances of going back in Brooke's esteem. His hopes flew into pieces... Nathan was definitely not the bad boy he was trying to sell her.
NATHAN : Ah! I think our savior is here... Let's go!
Brooke followed Nathan to the parking lot. A man was already kneeling in the back of the car. He stood up.
LUCAS : ...
BROOKE : ...
Brooke definitely wasn't expecting him. And neither was he, judging by her reaction. Lucas' gaze flickered from Brooke to Nathan, his eyebrows furrowed first in incomprehension and then in tension. He tried to pull himself together and in a barely controlled calm tone, he greeted Nathan then looked at Brooke, tense.
LUCAS : Hello Brooke.
At first flattered by her upset reaction which undoubtedly showed a hint of jealousy and possessiveness... The images of last night, cut short against her will, came back to Brooke's face at the same time. With a falsely detached air and indifferent tone, she greeted him briefly.
BROOKE : Hello.
She then looked away quickly to further show her disinterest.
Lucas, hesitant, stared at Brooke for a few seconds. But Nathan didn't give her the opportunity to react.
NATHAN : Thank you for coming, Father. But without wanting to offend you, I was hoping for a specialist...
LUCAS : There's a bit of a shortage in the area, especially for an urgent intervention like this... Especially since a mechanic isn't really necessary. Changing a tire is within the reach of any healthy man.
NATHAN : So you're an expert in flat tires!? Oh, and my mother told you I didn't have a spare tire?
LUCAS : Yes, sir! I brought one back with me...
Brooke thought she heard a slightly contemptuous and mocking tone in Lucas's response. This impression was completely confirmed when Lucas then answered Nathan's second question.
LUCAS : I didn't make it my job, but you could say that mechanics are in my blood... For a long time.
NATHAN : It's reassuring to know that you have passions to occupy your days even if God occupies your entire heart...
Lucas stretched his lips in politeness, but then his gaze turned to Brooke.
LUCAS' THOUGHT : Mechanics in his blood, God in his heart... And Brooke in his skin...
Brooke watched Lucas finish preparing his equipment, which he spread out on the ground near the shredded wheel.
LUCAS : Did you tighten the handbrake so I can be sure the car is stable?
NATHAN : Yes, yes... But be careful with my rims, they cost me a real fortune!
Lucas let out a little smirk that Nathan didn't notice, Brooke did.
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : It's not crazy love between these two... Nathan's slightly superficial side seems to irritate Lucas.
Lucas positioned the release key on the first bolt and unlocked it with disconcerting ease. Impressed, Brooke's eyes inevitably darted to his already well-defined biceps, which contracted further. She was quickly absorbed by the captivating scene of this handsome man indulging in an activity that she considered most manly. Once the bolts were loosened, Lucas grabbed the jack and just before he positioned it under the car...
BROOKE : Can I?
Lucas looked up at her, interested and curious.
BROOKE : What?! Women are just as capable as men of changing a tire... And I love doing it, too!
LUCAS : Of course, I just didn't expect it, that's all... You do the honors, then!
Brooke had smiled defiantly at him and placed the jacktowards the reinforced part of the rocker panel to house the jack head. On her knees, she checked that the mechanical jack was resting firmly on the ground before turning the crank. Lucas had joined her at ground level and she guessed that he was checking that the jack was well placed before letting her continue.
BROOKE : You doubted me, didn't you?
Lucas looked almost disappointed, moving closer to Brooke and whispering:
LUCAS : You could never disappoint me... Even if you tried with all your might.
The priest's soft and suave voice made Brooke lose her mind a little again... His scent seeped into her nostrils.
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : Now that's a nice confession...
Disturbed by his tender and disarming words, Brooke followed her instinct and her desire to get closer to him. Still on her knees, she took the handle of the crank and began to operate it with the strength of her arms.
BROOKE : On the other hand, I'm not against a little help and strong and powerful male muscles...
Lucas laughed but immediately approached to grant her request. He placed himself behind her, slightly sideways. When Brooke didn't move, Lucas placed his hand over hers. It was exactly what she was hoping to provoke. Lucas' hand was large and warm. It completely covered Brooke's hand. His fingers curled over the back of her hand. An electrifying shiver ran down Brooke's spine along its length. She felt Lucas' breath so close to her.
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : His gentleness mixed with his masculine power so pronounced ... He drives me completely crazy!
Brooke secretly hoped that Lucas was as troubled as she was ... Because she couldn't see his face.
LUCAS' THOUGHT : I'm sure she did it on purpose ... And me, completely dependent, I run to the edge of the precipice.
Their hands then worked in perfect symbiosis to raise the car until it lifted off the ground. They both lost themselves in this intoxicating moment to fully savor the proximity of their bodies ... Forgetting everything else, Brooke imagined Lucas' hand, surprisingly expert, running over the most sensitive areas of her body.
NATHAN : Hey! I think my car went up high enough there!
Abruptly interrupted and brought back to reality by Nathan's panicked voice, Brooke and Lucas stopped their movement and realized their stupidity. Their confused looks then joined in a deep and sincere connection ... Immediately followed by a great burst of spontaneous and knowing laughter.
BROOKE : Oh, shit! Sorry Nathan!
LUCAS : Brooke seems to have trouble controlling her strength...
Brooke gave him a falsely annoyed look and gave him a little nudge with her shoulder. Lucas laughed even more at her touch and his hand tightened again to go in the opposite direction... Once at the right height, Brooke finished unscrewing the bolts and removed the flat tire. Lucas passed her the spare tire which she replaced on the empty space. Lucas then gave her the bolts back one by one. Each time their eyes met and their fingers brushed, their cheeks seemed to redden a little more... Brooke engaged the bolts by hand then tightened them with the wrench. She lowered the jack to lower the car to ground level. She stood up and proudly passed the wrench to Lucas.
BROOKE : I'll leave you and your pretty muscles to tighten the bolts firmly one last time...
Brooke walked towards Nathan, who had stayed away and was then coming to meet them.
NATHAN : Let me help you put the equipment away... At least I'll feel like I've been useful.
LUCAS : Leave it, my hands are already covered in grease, I'll take care of it!
Nathan didn't insist, apparently delighted to be able to avoid getting dirty... He added:
NATHAN : Ok, but let me offer you a nice cold beer, Father!
LUCAS : I wouldn't refuse, I'm thirsty!
Surprised but delighted by Lucas's relaxed and more casual attitude, Brooke led the way towards the bar.
As the waiter brought three beers to the table, the conversation continued.
LUCAS : On the other hand, you shouldn't delay in taking your carriage to the garage... And the sooner the better.
NATHAN : I have to go back to Paris tomorrow at the end of the day... I'll make an appointment for Monday morning.
LUCAS : I don't think that's very prudent... A spare tire only lasts 50 to 100kms maximum.
NATHAN : I'll drive slowly or I'll ask my mother to lend me her car... In any case, I plan to come back very quickly! Maybe even next weekend...
Saying this, Nathan gave Brooke a charming look that was very obvious and full of innuendos. Lucas noticed it immediately and he made a point of steering the conversation onto another topic.
LUCAS : Debie won't hesitate for a second to lend you her car, she's such a responsible and generous woman.
NATHAN : That's right! Although I must admit that she can be a bit stifling towards her offspring sometimes...
BROOKE : Better a smothering parent than a completely disinterested or even inconvenienced parent by the existence of their own children...
NATHAN : I suppose you're right. And you seem to be speaking from experience... Your father? Your mother?
Brooke instantly regretted having reacted so quickly to his remark about Debie's overly maternal side. Nathan had taken the opportunity to push her to reveal more about this painful subject that she could have done without.
BROOKE : In fact, the less I talk about it, the better I feel!
Finally understanding that she really didn't want to talk about it, Nathan then addressed Lucas.
NATHAN : And you, Father? Your parents weren't too disappointed to learn that they would never have grandchildren?
Judging by the discreet smile he was displaying, his remark was surely intended to relax the atmosphere a little... But Lucas's suddenly closed face nevertheless indicated to him that it was quite the opposite.
LUCAS : Like Brooke, it's not a subject I easily approach because they are unfortunately no longer of this world ...
Brooke was not indifferent to the sadness and melancholy she perceived in Lucas ... He noticed it and smiled at her.
LUCAS : I became a priest after their death so I will never know if they would have approved or not my choice of life ... That said, I am convinced that my mother would have shown unwavering support if it made me happy ... As for my father, although he was a devout Catholic, he was more focused on occupations, let's say lucrative. But I dare to believe that if my brothers had taken charge of making the family business prosper ... He would have approved.
BROOKE : How many brothers do you have?
LUCAS : I have three, two of whom are older than me ... I also have two little sisters.
BROOKE : Wow! I always dreamed of having at least one brother or sister... You had 5 all to yourself!
LUCAS : Yes... And I'm not even talking about my many cousins! I couldn't even give you a number!
The atmosphere relaxed and Brooke enjoyed learning more about Lucas' family and past.
NATHAN : All this made me really hungry! Does anyone know if they cook here?
Lucas and Brooke looked at each other with a sullen look since Nathan hadn't made any particular effort.
BROOKE : It's true that I'm a little hungry too... And I think I saw some menus right there behind.
Nathan turned around to grab three menus from the next table then handed them to Lucas and Brooke. Lucas seemed hesitant.
LUCAS : Maybe we should head back now, huh? I still have a lot to do and...
NATHAN : As you wish, Father, Brooke and I are going to grab a bite to eat... Right, Brooke?
Lucas looked at Brooke, full of hope. He seemed to be hanging on her every word... Nathan too.
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : Let's try a little experiment...
Brooke decided to play it cool to Lucas' possible presence in order to gauge his reaction.
BROOKE : Indeed. I would be honored and delighted to share this meal in such charming company. Lucas, we're not holding you back...
In shock, Lucas's startled eyes became piercing when he caught Brooke's inappropriate and audacious wink.
LUCAS' THOUGHT : Good heavens! She's provoking me and even finds it amusing... I shouldn't follow her on this slippery slope. But, if I leave... She'll be left alone with this guy who only thinks about one thing...
LUCAS : I guess my stomach won't refuse a quick little snack...
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : I knew it...
During this impromptu meal, simple but delicious, Brooke learned a little more about the two men. As she introduced him, Nathan did not lack professional ambition but she found that he sounded a little hollow. Car, house, clothes, gadgets ... His concerns seemed to be limited to pure material satisfaction. In addition, she had managed to read him like an open book. He sorely lacked mystery to intrigue her ... It had to be said that Lucas inevitably overshadowed her as his activities were commendable and his past intriguing. As the meal slowly came to an end, Brooke did not want it to end at all ... As she looked around the room, a brilliant idea came to her mind. She stood up and said, defiantly:
BROOKE : A game of pool?
The two pairs of male eyes watched her as, from behind, Brooke was already walking towards the pool table. She was smiling without them seeing her. Lucas and Nathan, disconcerted, found themselves alone for a few moments...
NATHAN : This girl is stunning... Personally, I'm in! And you, Father?
LUCAS' THOUGHT : Yes, absolutely stunning...
LUCAS : It's been a long time but I should be able to get out of it honorably, at least I hope!
Before getting up, Nathan mumbled something under his breath. Lucas thought he understood the words spoken...
NATHAN : Besides, I really want to see how she handles a cue!