Page 84 of Hash

That’s how I feel right now.

“It’s probably from your crazy ass weekend. You need to have a chill night in tonight and relax and let everything wash off of you.”

“Yeah, maybe,” I mutter as I wrap my arms around myself.

Hash arrives about half an hour after I told him I was finishing up, pulling up right out front. He climbs out of my car and rounds the hood of my car, stopping at the passenger door. He opens it up and rests his arm on the frame, waiting for me to climb inside.

“Hey, baby doll.” Hash smirks as he looks me up and down as I approach. “Have a good day?”

“Yeah.” I give him a soft smile that only feels half forced as I slide into the car.

Hash slams my door shut and, in what’s quickly becoming my favorite pastime, I watch him saunter around the hood of the car to his door.

“What’s next?” Hash asks as he turns the car on.

“Pick up Cormac and go home. I don’t usually stop anywhere else unless I need to pick up a random thing or two.”

“Easy enough.” Hash pulls away, heading toward Cormac’s daycare. “Your car is shit, babe. It’s running, but barely. And when was the last time you got new brakes? You were running metal to metal.”

“The brake light hasn’t come on, so I didn’t think I needed to have them changed yet. I haven’t blown through any lights yet.” I shrug. Hash looks over at me with his jaw dropped like he can’t believe what he’s hearing. “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“The brake light?” Hash asks.

Now, it’s my turn to look at him in confusion. “I’m not trying to offend you, babe, but shouldn’t a mechanic know what a brake light is? I shouldn’t have to explain it to you.” And I hope he doesn’t ask me to because I’m not even sure I fully understand it.

“I know what a brake light is…” Hash says slowly. “Do you know what a brake light is?”

“I just told you.”

“Aisling.”

“Hash.”

“You don’t wait for your brake light to come on to change your brakes! Are you crazy?” Hash exclaims, looking at me with a bewildered expression. “Nine times out of ten, that light comes on because of an electrical issue or low fluid, not because your pads are getting a little low. Jesus Christ, woman.” Hash shakes his head.

Oh.

Oops.

“Well, now that you’re here, I won’t have to worry about it.” I smile at him as I pat his arm.

Hash grunts and says nothing more. The rest of the ride to Cormac’s daycare and home is silent between the two of us with the exception of Cormac’s baby babble. While Hash and I were talking, the weird feeling I’ve been having all day seemed to disappear, forgotten about, but now that I’m home it’s back.

“Are you staying for dinner?” I ask Hash once we’re in the house.

“Not tonight, baby doll. I spent all day working on your car. I have some club business I need to take care of.”

“Okay,” I say, trying not to sound bummed.

Snuggling up with Hash in bed sounds like the perfect end to my day, especially when I’m feeling like this.

“What’s wrong?” Hash asks as he studies my face.

“Nothing.” He’s already done enough for me today and doesn’t need my shit that’s probably something made up in my head put on him.

“You’re sure?” Hash presses, not looking convinced.

“I’m sure.” I give him a tight smile. “I need to get this guy fed and bathed.”