Painted Lines Read online

  “Well it seems we have a small issue that needs to be cleared up,” Marc started as soon as everyone was seated. “It appears that Ms. Lewis here seems to have an issue with Mr. Dyson.”

  I bit back a snort, an issue? Really? What I had against Mr. Dyson was a restraining order.

  “So Ms. Lewis what do we need to do, to make all this work? Hmm?”

  I stared at the idiot sitting in front of me, trying to figure out if he was serious, make this work? I did not see that happening anytime soon. Instead of answering I just stared at him, which caused him to fidget and then look down at the papers in front of him.

  A voice I hadn’t heard since I was fifteen chose that moment to speak up, “Marc, now why should my team be penalized for Scout’s issues?”

  I looked towards him and glared my issues? He wouldn’t know a damn thing about my issues. Marc cleared his throat and I looked back towards him.

  “Well I understand your feelings on this, Ace, and I would love to work out a solution so both teams can compete, with their original members.” He stated looking at me meaningful.

  “Hold on, are you threatening Scout?” Asked Simon.

  “Well it just seems that since she’s the one with the problem working with Tristan,” I flinched at that name, “it would be best for all if she stepped down if no other compromise can be made.”

  I could feel the heat coming off Simon as he was getting more and more pissed off not that I could blame him. I cleared my throat, wincing a little. “Did you get a copy of the restraining order?” I asked.

  I heard a snort from the enemy camp but refused to look over there, Marc nodded his head, “I did.”

  “So then you understand that I cannot be penalized for the restraining order.” I said carefully.

  “The lawyers are looking it over.” He stated dismissively, as if I couldn’t possibly understand what the restraining order stated. “If we had more information about this, it would be easier to make a decision,” he continued, “so anyone want to inform me?”

  My father opened his mouth to speak but I beat him to it, “There is a gag order on the case, if anyone associated with the case speaks about it, that person can be and will be held in contempt, so no we will not be informing you.”

  Marc looked over at my father, I could feel him glaring at me from where he sat, but I refused to look at him.

  “Oh this is such bullshit, you mean she can have a restraining order against Tris and not even have to say why? How is this fair?” A voice I did not know stated angrily.

  “Life isn’t fair.” I murmured still not looking over there.

  He snorted, “Like you know anything,” he said dismissively.

  Marc looked at me. “Ms. Lewis, please you have to understand, I cannot in good faith just accept that as an answer—” but was interrupted mid rant by someone walking in the room. I looked over and there stood Saul, he walked over and put both hands on my shoulders and squeezed.

  “You okay, Girl?”

  I nodded my head. “Yes, sir.”

  “Uhm, excuse me, who are you?” asked Marc.

  Saul ignored him and looked over to where Ace sat, “Ace,” he growled. Ace just stared back, not looking the least bit happy about him being there.

  Marc realized he was being dismissed as unimportant and cleared his throat. “How about we just keep you two at different sides of the building, hmm, that way everyone gets to compete?”

  “Is that 500 feet away?” I asked.

  “Well no,” he said looking more deflated.

  “Then he will be arrested,” I stated firmly, “for breaking the restraining order.”

  “Fucking hell, how is that fair, he gets arrested for some slight he pulled when you were a teenager?” said the unknown voice.

  “A slight?” I asked quietly, starting to get pissed off by all of this, they were acting as if what he did to me, what happened to me was a simple case of hurt feelings, not destroying my fucking life.

  “Girl,” Saul barked. I realized that I was starting to rise from the chair I sat back down and took more breaths.

  “I don’t know who you are boy, but since you have no idea what you are talking about keep your mouth shut, and you,” Saul stated looking at Marc, “someone wants to talk to you.”

  He pulled out his cellphone hit a number then put on the speakerphone a second later my lawyer’s voice filled the air. “Well hello Saul, I take it we have a problem,” he stated and I heard paper rustling on his side.

  “Yeah,” Saul answered.

  “Well then, this is how it’s going to work, that restraining order states that Mr. Dyson cannot be within five hundred feet of Ms. Lewis, if he is, he will be arrested. It also states that Ms. Lewis shall not be the one penalized for the restraining order, if you do anything that impedes to her competing based on this, you will be sued. Let me promise you this, if we sue you over this the prize for winning this competition will look like pocket change at the end. Now, Scout, are there any other issues?”

  I looked up at Saul and he nodded. “They want to know why I have the order.”

  He chuckled on his side of the phone; it was not a happy sound. “There is a gag order on the case, and let me assure you that if anyone who was associated with that case even breathes a word about it, I will go straight to the court and have you arrested. I will then sue you for many things. Now Scout if you need me you have my number, call any time dear, oh and I contacted the police department for you.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Not a problem, anything else?”

  “No, thanks, Ben.” Saul answered.

  “Okay then, talk to you later.” I heard a click and looked over at a pale-faced Marc.

  “Anything else?” I asked. When he shook his head I stood and walked out the door.

  I was waiting for Saul and Uncle Matt to finish discussing me as if I was not there when an arm wrapped around my shoulder, I glanced over and saw Liam standing there with a smirk. “Ah hell.”

  “Harper Lee, I wish you were a Pony Carousel outside WalMart, so I could ride you all day long for a quarter.”

  I laughed and shook my head at him. “You’re an idiot, did your lines really help pick up guys?”

  “Got Kale, didn’t I?”

  “Yeah, but from the way I hear it Kale got you, not the other way around.”

  He shrugged, “All worked out the same way.” He nodded towards my father who was bent over whispering to the person who was in the meeting with us.

  “Yeah, I saw them.”

  “Wonder what they’re talking about.”

  “Probably about how I am the anti-christ,” I grumbled, “what’s funny is that he’s acting all protective and supporting of you know who, but if Cas came up to him he would bring him back into the fold in an instant forgetting about the other guy.”

  “And how pray tell do you know this?”

  “He’s been trying since it happened and Cas just ignores him.”

  “I knew I liked Cas for some reason.” He mumbled.

  I smiled at that, everyone liked Cas. I leaned into Liam, “I’m ready for him to be home.”

  “I know Harper Lee, we all are.” He said, hugging me against him.

  “Remember when we first met?”

  “Oh you mean when you nearly took my head off with a baseball bat, yeah not something I am likely to forget.” He said dryly.

  “I didn’t know who you were, and you were in my brother’s house.”

  “Sixteen year old Scout was scary,” he shivered mocking me.

  “Shut up.”

  “You were what five foot flat?”

  I sniffed. “Five one,” I corrected him.

  “Uh huh, your brother found it hilarious though.”

  “Yeah he did,” I laughed. “So what do you think the verdict will be?” I asked gesturing towards Saul.

  “That you are not to be left alone,” Liam stated, “because we already decided that.”

  I nodd
ed, nothing new in my life, only this time it wasn’t them being overprotective asswipes, it was justified.

  “I’m ready to get started.” I said looking over at the other groups waiting to begin.

  “Me too, once we get working we can forget all the drama for a little while.”

  “Exactly,” I agreed, “I need an outlet.”

  “Well your art supplies are at the house,” said Simon coming to my other side. “Cam and Zadok are there as we speak.”

  “Yay,” I squealed clapping my hands, “my baby boy.”

  Simon rolled his eyes. “I think you like my son more than me, sometimes.”

  I looked at him like he was crazy. “That’s because I do.”

  At that point, the assistant producer called us to attention and began staging us where he wanted us to start the first challenge, finally.

  We watched as the host of the show, Eddie Zant, who would also act as a judge, introduced the next challenge. I was ready to get started on this.

  “So before you can actually build a bike, you must come up with a concept,” Eddie stated looking at the camera. “You’re mini challenge is to create, draft, and sketch a concept.”

  He looked around, I guess for dramatic effect. “You have one hour.” He stated. I rolled my eyes and looked over at Simon.

  “Ready?” I asked, all three heads nodded and I pulled out the sketchpad I had brought with me.

  “Ideas?”

  “Just do it, Scout,” Simon growled.

  “Why don’t you?”

  “Because we all know you’re better at this, now do it.” He snarked.

  “Now do it,” I mimicked, “like you’re my husband.” I went to work designing a bike, asking for input now and then. I had the draft done quickly then went to work on a full color concept sketch, including a kick ass paint job.

  When I finished, I looked up at the clock and saw that we still had ten minutes left, I showed them the draft of all the machined parts, engine, and technical measurements, and then I showed them the sketch.

  “Everyone happy?” I asked.

  They all three just stared at the sketch; I was beginning to get worried.

  “How is it you think I am better at this than you?” Simon asked quietly.

  I shrugged, “’Cause you are.”

  “No Scout, I cannot do what you do.” He said still staring at the sketch.

  I looked around and found every other team still hard at work. “So everyone happy?” I asked again.

  “Yes,” they all three said.

  “Good, now I am going to take a nap, wake me when the judging starts.” With that, I laid back closed my eyes and took a catnap.

  Chapter 7

  I felt something nudge my foot and I opened my eyes to find Eddie Zant staring down at me. I couldn’t tell if he was angry or amused, and really couldn’t care.

  “Comfortable?” He asked.

  I shrugged as best I could lying on the floor. “Could use a pillow,” I said looking up at him.

  He shook his head at me and held out a hand, “Get off the floor, Scout.” I shook off his hand and rolled to my feet.

  “Need something, Eddie?”

  “Just wondering what you were doing, you only have five minutes left.”

  I shrugged and looked around. “We’re finished” I noticed all the other teams were still hard at work.

  “You’re finished?” He asked looking at me like I was crazy, I wanted to tell him that I hadn’t been crazy yet today.

  “Yep.”

  “Mind if I look?”

  “Are you allowed to before the judging begins?” Cocking my head looking at him.

  He chuckled, “Yes, I am allowed to.”

  I nodded over at Simon who had the sketches, “Ask him, he had them last time I saw.” Then I sunk back down to the ground and closed my eyes.

  “Is she okay?” I heard Eddie ask.

  “She’s fine,” snapped Kale, “just tired.”

  “Huh.” Eddie grunted and I heard paper move then footsteps walking away. I smirked, Yeah, doubt me, do you?

  I heard someone yell time up but I ignored them and laid there not wanting to get up. It wasn’t the most comfortable place I had ever slept, but it also wasn’t the worst. Although, I would be bringing a pillow and blanket with me tomorrow to keep around for catnaps.

  “She can’t sleep here.” I heard someone say.

  “Why? She’s not hurting anyone,” responded Liam.

  “Because she could get hurt.”

  “No, she won’t, nothing hurts our Scout,” growled Kale. I sighed—he was in protective mode.

  “Can I talk to you?” Simon asked and I looked up and saw he was walking away with one of the staff, I already knew what that conversation would be like. Simon explaining that my meds made me tired, and that it was better to let me have my catnaps than it was to deal with a tired, pissy Scout. Heard it before, tired of it, but not tired enough of it to stop the meds, that would be a very bad idea.

  A few minutes later, we were all called to attention, and staged once again. I avoided all hands that reached for me, earning me dirty looks but I really did not care. I did not want to have another panic attack; two in two days was enough for me, thank you very much.

  When they had us the way they wanted us, the judges came around checking out our sketches, we were the next to last team in the lineup so by the time they got to us I was ready to just go home. Finally, three of the four judges walked up, I noticed early that Ace wasn’t judging the mini challenges, couldn’t say that upset me.

  “So who is the artist?” asked Sterling.

  Liam, Simon, and Kale all pointed at me, I scowled at them; they knew I didn’t want the attention, just the money.

  “Nice work,” said Eddie. I nodded at him and watched the judges go to the last group.

  The judges walked up to the front of the group and started talking, I ignored it for the most part, and I didn’t need to hear once again the need of design concept in bike building. Finally, they started calling out the worst designs then the best, we were in the top three as well as Uncle Matt, Ace & Lace.

  Uncle Matt being in the top three didn’t surprise me, but Ace & Lace did, since I had never seen any of these guys before or heard of them. I shrugged it off and looked back towards the judges waiting for them to state who won.

  “And the winner of the first mini challenge is Team Misfit Cabal,” said Eddie who looked in our direction, “For this, you get first choice.”

  I had no idea what he was talking about first choice, but guessed we would find out soon. We were rearranged once more, and I dodged hands and hid behind my crew. We were facing the wall where what looked like a sheet was draped around something; my guess it was the first challenge.

  Eddie walked up, pulled the sheet off, and lined against the wall were beat up retro pedal cars; I smiled widely.

  “Your first challenge is to restore these pedal cars, you are to restore all the working parts, though paint job is up to each team, we do not expect the paint to be like original. These cars once restored will be donated to an auction and all proceeds will go to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.”

  I looked over the cars trying to see which one seemed to be in the best shape and would go from there.

  “Team Misfit Cabal, you won first pick of the car, the other teams will draw numbers. So choose who will be picking out your cars and let’s get this started.”

  I looked over at Liam, “You’re up.”

  He nodded still studying the cars. I knew he wouldn’t choose the one in best condition, or the worst, he would go for something in the middle range so he could get his hands dirty.

  “Team Misfit, your choice.”

  I watched Liam pace in front of the cars then turn around and go back to the one I had noticed at first, and watched him reach down and pick it up bringing it back to our group. I smiled at him, he chose well, this was going to be fun. We watched as the other teams went through
and pick out their cars.

  “You have one hour to get a plan made, and a list of materials you will need. No work can be done on the cars today.” Eddie said then we were dismissed to go back to our stalls.

  Once settled in Liam and Kale went to work inspecting the pedal car’s metal work, if it worked, how it was made, and anything that needed to be repaired. Simon took notes of what supplies we needed, work that needed to be done, and who would be doing what. I went to work on the design aspect, paint schemes, modifications, and the small details that would make it amazing.

  “What kind of shape is the seat in?” I asked.

  “It could definitely use being recovered,” said Liam, “but the frame of the seat seems to be in good shape.”

  I nodded and went back to my design. I wanted to keep the paint scheme simple, and then add some flare with pin striping and possibly lace treatment. I was debating color schemes, when I heard a crash, and looked up. I saw a pedal car upside down against the far wall. Looking around again, I found the guy who worked for Ace in the face of one of his teammates. I went back to work; no way was I going to be involved into that mess.

  At the end of our hour, we had a game plan on how to proceed, and I was excited about this project. I loved that it would be donated to a charity auction. I wanted to give them the best we could do. We packed everything up, locked up all our sketches and ideas for the night, then locked up our stall giving the stall key to the assistant producer and left for the day.

  We pulled up in front of the rental and I saw my baby sitting there in the sunlight and squealed. I jumped off my Ducati running to my pride and joy, my 2009 Iron 883. I squatted down pulling my helmet off so I could look her over, make sure she was just as I had left her, and let out a breath when I found her as perfect as when I had last seen her. I stroked over her flat black tank, the purple and silver pin striping, all my own custom work. Saul bought her after she was totaled in an accident and we completely rebuilt her from the ground up, then when I turned eighteen he gave her to me.

  “Welcome back, Stella.” I whispered climbing on and starting her up, her deep rumble settling me in ways I hadn’t been in days.

  I heard someone clear their throat and I looked over my shoulder to find not only the three stooges, but also Cam holding Zadok and Saul watching me.