The Mechanic’s Apprentice – Part 4

Everyone in this story is 18+

A screw loose

The next day, I felt like shit, but I dragged myself out of bed, grabbed my skateboard, and rolled over to the body shop. Joe was already there, arms crossed, watching me as I came in. “09:05. Didn’t I say 9 sharp?” he said, sternly.

“Sorry, sir. My girlfriend broke up—” I started, but he cut me off.

“Listen, kid. I don’t care about your personal shit. You’re lucky you got this trial. Now you have to put in the work. Got it?”

“Yes, sir,” I replied, swallowing the urge to explain further.

“Good. I set out some overalls for you over there. They’re not new or anything, but they’ll have to do.” He pointed toward a set of orange overalls on a nearby bench. I nodded and went to grab them.

“You can change over there in the locker room. It’s small but private,” he added, gesturing to a door off to the side of the garage.

I headed into the locker room and started changing. As I pulled on the overalls, I noticed a small hole in the crotch. “Fuck,” I muttered. “Definitely didn’t pick the right day to go freeballing again.”

When I got back, I hoped the hole in the crotch wasn’t too noticeable.

“Alright, pretty boy,” Joe said, eyeing me. “This is your first day, so I’m gonna cut you some slack. But tomorrow, I expect you here by 8:55. Got it?”

“Yes, sir,” I replied, trying to sound as professional as possible.

“Good.” He nodded approvingly. “So, a little info on my garage. I have a couple of other mechanics, but one’s retiring, and the other only works part-time. Most days, it’ll just be you and me.” He paused, glancing at me thoughtfully. “I’d planned to bring my son on as my new apprentice, but he’d rather be in art school.”

“That’s fine by me,” I said, shrugging, trying not to make a big deal out of it.

“Alright then,” Joe said, shifting into instructor mode. “Let’s start with something easy. You know how to change oil, right?”

“Yes,” I nodded, feeling a bit of confidence return.

“These cars here just need an oil change, and that Chevy over there needs both an oil and tire change,” Joe said, nodding toward the cars in the garage. “Keys are hanging over there, and tools are on the wall.” He pointed toward a well-organized section lined with various tools. “Think you can handle that?”

“Yes, no problem,” I replied, moving to get started.

“Alright, I’ll leave you to it. Got some paperwork to finish up in my office,” he said, heading toward the back. “If you have any questions, just come knock.”

I got to work, and it went smoothly. Most of the cars were a bit older, ones I was pretty familiar with. Growing up, I hadn’t exactly been around many newer luxury cars—my family wasn’t well-off—but this seemed manageable. At least my dad had taught me how to change oil, tires, and handle other basic repairs.

As I drained the oil from the last car, I lay back on the creeper, facing up. Joe came over, nodding approvingly. “Hey, Ryder. I see you’re well underway already. That’s good. Keep this up, and you might just have an apprenticeship here,” he said. Then, his expression shifted slightly. “I have to pick up my son from school—seems like he got into some kind of altercation.” He looked a bit concerned.

“Okay, thanks, sir. I hope he’s alright.” I was surprised to find myself feeling a bit concerned, too.

“Old Tom will be in soon, and he’ll handle any payments or customers coming to pick up their cars,” he added as I nodded. “So just wait until he’s here, and then you’re free to head on home. And I’m sure my son’ll be fine—he’s tougher than he looks. Just some jocks giving him a hard time. Putting an art program and sports in the same school was never the best idea, if you ask me.”

His gaze lingered on me for a moment, eyes drifting down toward my crotch. That almost suggestive grin appeared in his expression again, and, oddly enough, I didn’t hate it this time either. “Alright then, see you tomorrow,” he said, finally heading out.

As he left, I felt a breeze down there and glanced down. The hole. I wondered if he’d noticed… or if I even cared?

I got a text from Remi, my smoking buddy. “Yooo, you got any green? Let’s blaze tonight, bro.” I read the message, and yeah, if there was ever a day that called for a joint, it was today. I was still feeling the sting from Gabby breaking up with me, and zoning out with a joint sounded perfect right about now.

I texted back that I was down, but I’d smoked my last one yesterday. A second later, he replied: “Nahh, sorry bro. But let me know if you sort it out though.” Typical. That guy never seemed to have any weed himself—it was always on me to buy.

As I finished up the work, I headed toward the locker room to change, but on the way, I caught a glimpse inside Joe’s office. There was a decent stack of cash sitting out, like he’d been in the middle of counting it before he got the phone call. I took a step forward, intending to go change, but I was feeling really down. Without thinking twice, I slipped into the office and grabbed two $20 bills. He’d never notice.

I went to change, then headed back to the garage, where I was met by an older man. He smiled, looking friendly. “Hey, you must be Ryder. Joe mentioned you.” He reached out, and I shook his hand.

“Yeah, I’m Ryder. Nice to meet you.”

“I’m Tom—likewise!” he replied with a friendly smile. Just then, a customer came in, and Tom glanced over. “Sorry, I gotta take this. But you’re free to go now—I’ve got it from here.” He gave me a quick nod before heading over to the customer.

I grabbed my skateboard and skated home.

I heard a knock on the front door and went to open it. Remi stood there, grinning wide. “So, you got some cash after all?”

“Sure did—40 bucks. Just a little advance from the body shop,” I lied, shrugging.

“Yeah, I heard about that job, man. Way better than slaving away in school,” he said.

“For sure! But… how’d you hear about it? I haven’t told that many people.” I frowned, wondering. My mom would definitely not talk to Remi, and Gabby and Remi didn’t really hang out.

“You know, man—here and there,” he said with a shrug, then glanced at his buzzing phone. “Oh, it’s the plug. Could you just take it and set up a meet? I just gotta take the whizz real fast.”

Remi handed me his phone and disappeared down the hall. I arranged the meeting with our plug, but as I hung up, I noticed a text from Gabby, my Gabby! on his screen: “Babe❤️, why even bother hanging out with Ryder? He’s such a loser! Come here, I wanna suck you off🍆💦❤️”

My stomach twisted, a sick, burning knot forming as my fists clenched, knuckles white. Anger bubbled up, hot and acidic, pressing against my ribs, ready to burst.