Chapter one
Mack liked his life. It was simple. He rented one half of a huge garage on the outskirts of town from his best friend Bobbi with a plain but practical studio apartment above it. She was never there really, stopping by occasionally more to say hello than to worry about collecting the rent. He finally had his own place, his own business. He’d always been a mechanic but having opened Mack’s six months ago, he was enjoying being his own boss. Business was steady and he was starting to build a reputation and see some repeat business. Essentially, everything was going to plan. Or it had been until Hunter stopped by the garage with some news.
Hunter was Bobbi’s ex-husband, although as Mack knew to his cost, they couldn’t be together but they sure as hell couldn’t stay apart. Hunter was a British mercenary with a mouth that didn’t stop. He was also Mack’s second-best mate, Bobbi taking the top spot as the more sensible one of the two, and the one he met first.
‘Mack, me old mate!’ Hunter shouted out in greeting. ‘Is it ever good to see you. You look even bigger than the last time I saw you, are you bench pressing the cars now?’
Mack sighed, typical Hunter, try to get on his good side, which meant bad news was coming. Mack’s six-foot seven frame meant he had always stood out. He worked with his hands, was on his feet all day shifting heavy parts around, with that and the occasional gym session he was a big man. ‘Hunter. Cut the crap, what’s up?’ Mack said, stopping to wipe his hands on an oily cloth. He went over to the small fridge and pulled out two bottles of beer, tossing one to Hunter.
‘Good news actually Mack. Bobbi sent me. She’s out of the country right now.’ Bobbi was always out of the country. Mack knew her work was top secret and tried not to ask or assume, but sometimes he did wonder what she actually did on these missions of hers. ‘She wanted me to let you know you are going to have a roommate. Well, a garage-mate I guess.’ What Hunter was saying didn’t make any sense.
‘What are you on about Hunter?’ Mack replied, ‘the garage is mine.’
‘Yes, technically you do rent the garage, but Bobbi has rented out the spare half,’ he gestured to the back where there was mainly empty space and a small unused office. It was true, Mack didn’t need all of it. The place was virtually the size of a hangar, but he didn’t know how he felt about sharing his space.
Hunter downed his beer and continued with his message, ‘Bobbi says you will like him. A lot actually, she said he’s just your type.’
Mack raised his eyebrows at that, he did not need anyone trying to fix him up, especially with someone he was going to be forced to work alongside every day.
‘You have been single forever. He’s an engineer, you probably have a lot in common. She said something happened a few months ago when he worked for-, when he worked elsewhere. There was an accident. After that he decided to try working for himself, consulting. She said he struggles sometimes with his words and his hands occasionally shake, but he still has it all up there,' Hunter tapped his head, 'he just can’t transfer it out.’
Great, thought Mack. He was being set up, but not romantically, Bobbi probably expected him to take his guy under his wing. She did have a habit of picking up strays and depositing them at his door. Mack huffed. ‘Fine. He can come but he has to keep to his side of the garage, I will keep to mine, then we’ll get along just fine. By the way, what’s his name?’
‘Fitz. Bobbi is usually a great judge of character, I mean she married me, right? So just promise me you’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.’
Mack nodded. ‘When’s he coming?’
‘In about half an hour.’
Mack spluttered on his beer. Typical Hunter to deliver the message at the last moment giving Mack no chance to back out. They shared another beer, Mack couldn’t see the point in working on anything now when he knew there was an interruption heading towards his lovely quiet work-space. A little while later they heard a knock and Hunter went to let the new tenant in.
He was shortish, slim, with dirty blonde curls and dazzling blue eyes. He moved nervously, tucking his fingers into the ends of the sleeve of his cardigan, before asking, ‘Hunter?’ Hunter nodded and pulled the man inside. Bobbi was right about one thing, he was definitely Mack’s type, if a little young. Mack was 42 and this kid looked to be in his 20s. Fitz was followed in by a pretty brunette with a large smile and wide keen eyes. Well that put an end to any romantic overtures, probably a good thing, best to keep things professional.
‘Oh Fitz, isn’t this marvellous?’ she said, turning towards the smaller man. ‘All this space! I bet you can’t wait to get started.’ She had a crisp British accent. Fitz didn’t look quite as keen as she did. He stood to survey the space, his eyes finally widening when they settled on Mack.
‘Hi,’ Mack said, trying to smile and make a good impression for Bobbi. The guy looked terrified, he didn’t want to spook him. He walked towards him and held out his hand. ‘I’m Al Mackenzie, but everyone calls me Mack.’
Fitz didn’t take his hand but nodded and said, ‘Fitz’.
Okay, so that was two words he’d heard him say. Mack thought there was the trace of an accent, but he couldn’t be sure. ‘So Fitz, what are you planning on doing with your half?’
Before he could answer the girl jumped in, ‘Fitz is an engineer, well a genius engineer really. He creates the most amazing-‘
Fitz interrupted her at this, ‘J-Jemma I can speak for myself. I’m consulting now, so I’ll make what they ask me to.’
There was definitely an accent, Scottish, and Mack couldn’t help but find it appealing. ‘I see, who do you consult for?’
‘Government, Stark, S.H.I.E.L.D., private contractors, whoever’s paying.’
This was spat out at such a rate, Mack almost missed what he said. That was an impressive list, this kid must be good. ‘Woah Turbo sounds like you’ll have plenty to keep you busy. Don’t worry, I’ll be over here with my regular boring cars keeping out of your way.’
Jemma stepped forward. ‘It is nice to meet you Mr Mackenzie and I’m sorry for the disruption. The thing is, they’re waiting to deliver Fitz’s things. Perhaps we could take you for a drink while they do? Get to know each other?’
Mack didn’t have much of a choice but suggested the small bar a few doors down would do. Mack, Hunter, Fitz and Jemma settled into a booth. Hunter went to grab a pitcher of beer and glasses, ‘beer alright with everyone?’ They all nodded, and he poured the drinks.
Mack tried to start the inevitable small talk. ‘So Fitz, Hunter didn’t say much. Where did you work before?’
Fitz took a big gulp of beer and said ‘umm. Signed a non-dis-disclosure so c-can’t say I’m afraid.’
Given how hard it was getting this many words out of him, Mack didn’t think he’d say much even if he could. He turned to Jemma who was the more social of the couple. ‘Will you be joining Fitz in the garage?’
She smiled, ‘oh no, we did work together actually, for years, but this is all mechanical and I’m biochemical. I’m actually going to South America in two weeks to do some work of my own. Venezuela has some fascinating flora and fauna.’
Fitz humphed. Mack deduced that Fitz wasn’t too happy that his girlfriend was leaving.
Hunter jumped in, ‘I had a wild weekend in Venezuela a few years ago. Lovely people. Friendly. Especially the women,’ and he waggled his eyebrows.
‘I’ll be far too busy working for any of that thank you,’ said Jemma.
Hunter looked nonplussed but waved over for another pitcher of beer, the first having gone quickly as they all sipped through the slightly awkward conversation. ‘Well it’s your loss. You sound like Mack here,’ Hunter said. ‘Always working, can barely get him to come for a beer these days, which is why we’re making the most of this opportunity. It’s official get to know you drinks after all.’
They started to relax a bit as the beer went down. Hunter told a few more stories, Jemma listed some of the things she was looking forward to seeing on her trip, even Fitz joined in a little to argue about football teams with Hunter.
Mack found himself the centre of attention. ‘So, once I’d saved enough, Bobbi leased me the garage and here I am. My own place. It was a little intimidating at first, but I really love working for myself.’ He caught Fitz smiling over at him as he spoke, the first smile he’d coaxed out of him. It felt nice and he knew he wanted to see more of that smile. He reminded himself that Fitz had a very female and very present girlfriend. Friendship was the goal, nothing else.