The sun was low in the sky, the warm Texas heat shining down on you and Joel. You were under his truck, him leaning against the side teaching you how to change the oil. He would have rather taught you something about contracting, considering that was his job, but you’d wanted to know how to change your own oil instead of paying more for someone else to.

“Alright, now you just find the cap and unscrew it.” Joel hummed, his accent strong. He took a sip out of his bottle of whiskey, sighing at the burn it caused.

You did as he asked, finding the cap and unscrewing it. “Got it.” You called from underneath the car.

“Atta girl, you did well.” Joel patted your thigh, a warm laugh escaping him.

“You want anything to drink?” He hummed, moving towards the fridge in his garage. “You can stay over for a bit if you want. Sarah’s off at a friends house for a sleepover.”