Danni had to force Dustin out the front door that night afraid that Mike may show up at any time. He honestly didn’t want to leave her having a good feeling she felt the same way too. Seeing as she pulled him back inside for another long kiss not once but twice before she playfully kicked him in the ass and told him to go home. Trevor and Tink were curled up on the sofa when he walked in late. Trevor asking how the talk with Mike went.

When he said Mike wasn’t home both of them looked at him. Trevor brushed it off like whatever but Tink gave him this smile like she knew something he didn’t. Dipping out on them saying he was worn out and just wanted to sleep. However, sleep took forever to come to him. His skin still smelt of Danni as he lay alone in his bed thinking two rounds wasn’t anywhere close to being enough to fill his hunger. His time with her barely scratched the surface.

The next morning he woke not rested but happier than he ever been. Hopping in the shower getting ready for the day. Looking in the mirror as he noticed Danni left a love bite on the side of his neck. Which he smirked at thankfully, it was pretty disguised by his tattoo. Gelling back his hair that Tink fixed for him. Got his sides all faded up and the top trimmed so it laid back just like he wanted it to. When he walked into the kitchen, she gave him the same look as she did the night before.

“What?” He questioned.

“Nothing.” She responded with an eyebrow arching at him.

“Then stop acting like you know something I don’t.”

“Tink knows what?” Asked Trevor walking in kissing her on the cheek.

“That’s what I’m trying to figure out.”

She looked at the two of them, then laughed before serving them breakfast like every morning since he’s been here. Tink was really spoiling them. It’s not good to spoil a man this way. Something one will come accustomed to and expect it. However, it was a nice feeling to be cared for by someone to Dustin. Getting a real sense of home staying here with them. 

The rest of breakfast was pretty quiet for the most part, just having small talk about what they planned on doing today. Trevor telling him he better talk with Mike as soon as he can and Tink telling him to act right while at his informal interview with this Shay guy. Dustin knew it was out of love, but he was over being told what to do by others. He was done with being barked around to do what everyone else wanted of him. It just angered him that he couldn’t think or do anything on his own, ever. What everyone else wanted constantly flowing through his mind like there was no off button.

 * * * * * *

Walking through the front door of what he assumed was the towing office building sign out front reading SHAY’S TOWING in buzzing blue neon lighting. Laughing as he noticed it was in a prime location too; having an impound lot to one side and a junkyard across the way. There was no one at the front desk once he walked in, tapping the silver bell on the counter in front of him. Looking around, he noticed a bulletin board that pulled him away, eyes scanning over what appeared to be the mugshots of everything that had or currently worked here.

“Just a little reminder of where you don’t want to be again.” Spoke a voice from behind him.

Dustin turned around giving him a look like he knew what he meant. Preferring his freedom not wanting to go back anytime soon or at all if possible.

“Dustin I assume.”

“That be me.”

“Ah good early, I like that. I’m Shay the owner of this fine establishment.” Shay let out this odd laugh as he reached out to shake Dustin’s hand.

“I was pleased to get your call. Nolan told me he had another guy. Just had one move on to something better and one that didn’t quite work out so it wouldn’t be a stretch to say I’m hurting for some help around here.”

“You’ll be the one helping me out.”

Dustin being honest with him he was the one in dire need of employment.

“I like that attitude.” Responded Shay as he waved Dustin on to the back where his office was.

Taking the seat that Shay motioned him to sit in across from him, barely sitting down before he got straight to business.

“So I run a tight ship here much like Nolan does. I don’t take shit or lip from anyone. I expect you to show up on time and by that, I mean on time if not ten minutes early. I expected to be treated with respect along with all the other guys you will be working with. I don’t care if you like the guys or not. Personal feelings do not and will not affect the job at hand. Uniforms will be clean at all times. No fighting with anyone. No getting in trouble outside of work either.”

Dustin leaned back in his chair slightly as Shay went over everything, taken back by some of it. He was harder than Nolan. Feeling like he was signing up for more than just a job. This thought apparently showed on his face too.

“Is there a problem with any of this?”

“No.”

Shay went on for a few more minutes before he finally finished.  Handing over a few papers for him to sign to make it official. Letting him know that he will be starting tomorrow unless that was a problem which it wasn’t. He just had a meeting with Nolan in the morning but he could be in after that. Letting him know that his uniform will be in his assigned locker. Also, he went by the same rules as Nolan so he was allowed to search at random and inform Nolan of anything he found here that could affect his parole. Just someone else to add to his list of people who can invade his privacy and he can’t do anything about it.

He filed away the few papers in the bottom drawer of his desk before standing up, giving Dustin another firm handshake stating that he hoped this worked out for the two of them. Dustin agreed because he knew he needed it and that this was his only real option.