13 Handful of Knuckles

I can't believe I just flirted like that with him. I need to get away from this. I don't know what I need to get away from, but he's too much for me right now. I didn't know seeing him would bring out so many unknown feelings. I didn't realize that he could consume me so, with just his presence. I thought I was prepared to see him, but when he slapped himself and apologized so profusely, I just couldn't take another reasonable breath. He made me lose all my control.

I speed walk out of the shop and stand against the icy wall of the shop just to take a breath, but then I see Raymond's car. What is he doing here so early in the morning? Does no one sleep in this town anymore? I can't handle him right now. Oh god, he's coming this way. I try to find a place to hide, and the best place I could find is behind one of the trucks. I quickly hide behind the first truck I can find.

I'll watch him walk past and then make my way to my car. Urgh, everything about him irritates me, and I struggle to watch him without throwing up a little but then, much to my surprise, the shop's door opens, and Austin runs out the door. He was probably looking for me after my very embarrassing exit. I'm busy staring at him when suddenly he hits Raymond square in the face.

I gasp and put my hand over my mouth in shock. What? Why did he just do that? I watch as Raymond falls against the wall grabbing his cheek. His buddy quickly comes to his rescue, helping him up. Austin shakes his hand as this punch was clearly hurting his hand. Is it wrong of me that I'm more worried about Austin's hand than Raymond's face? But why did Austin just hit him like that out of the blue?

I watch as Raymond is clearly upset, and he walks closer to Austin, who's standing his ground. Raymond shakes his friend's caring hands off him and stares straight at Austin. I can see him bulging his fists, ready to take a swing at Austin. I hold my breath for what I'm about to see, but I'm rudely interrupted by someone touching my shoulder. I turn around, still squatting, and are greeted with a friendly face.

"What y'all doing hiding behind a truck like that?"

"Suzie! Oh my god!"

Suzie was my best friend, and her family always visited our family almost every weekend. She understands me better than most. She got engaged and married just like her parents wanted, but she was very much in love with the man they chose for her. She's staying in this beautiful town, and she knows everything about everyone.

"Well, I never thought I'd see you around these parts again. Come, we must have a cuppa and catch up!"

She grabs me around my waist and pulls towards her favorite coffee shop. I can't help my mind wandering back to Austin, and if he's going to be okay with those very angry men, still clearly out to hurt him.

We sit down at the most expensive coffee shop in town. This is the place where everyone that's anyone hangs out, so by default; it's the place you dislike the most.

"Why did you bring me here? You know I don't like this place?"

"Oh, come on, you know you can't hide forever. Now forget about that, tell me, what brings you to town? Let me guess, the annual Knightley's Christmas party?"

"Yes, you know it. I was summoned to come and keep up the appearances of our very happy and close family."

"Oh girl, maybe this year it won't be so bad."

We stare at each other and then burst out laughing because we know very well that it will be horrible, one way or the other.

"So who's the man your parents are forcing on you this year?"

We've invented our own little game that we've created for ourselves. We like to call it the match-made-in-hell game.

"Raymond Young"

She gasps as the words leave my mouth.

"Raymond Young?! Oh, honey, you should be very careful of that man."

She looks around and comes closer to you when she lowers her voice. Your heartbeat starts to increase slowly.

"There's a rumor going around that when he and Angela were together he…."

She looks around her and whispers even softer. "He what??"

"…he allegedly took advantage of her without her consent…"

I can't help the fear that's slowly working its way into my heart. I knew something wasn't right with that man, but I couldn't put my finger on it. I can't believe that my parents would set me up with a man like that, but then again, all they care about is the money and the names that would look good together.

"Thank you for letting me know; I'll try and keep my distance from him."

We sit there for what seems like hours, just catching up on old times. A burning question lingers in my thoughts, and I know if I open this can, she won't let me hear the last of it. But she's the one that knows everything about everyone, and she'll be the perfect person to ask this to.

"So, what do you know about Austin Pierce?"

She almost chokes on her tea.

"Austin Pierce? Do you have eyes for Austin?"

"Now, now, don't get all rallied up. I'm just asking a simple question."

"Oh, I know it's not just a simple question, but I'll play your game. I don't know very much about him. He's a loner, and may I add, a handsome loner at that."

"Yeah, I've noticed that, once or twice…"

I slap my hand against my mouth, and now the cat is out of the bag. If she has ever wondered if I like him, she knows it now.

"Oh, yes! I knew it! I knew it! I knew it!"

"Okay, okay. You don't have to announce it to the world. Yes, I think he's handsome. Please get over it."

She smiles at me and then looks at me with her dreamy eyes. That's exactly what I wanted to avoid, her checking out my every move and watching me to see if I'm drooling over him.

"Stop it! You're doing that thing again."

"What thing?"

"That thing that you look into my soul and reading my thoughts. Now stay out of them!"

She throws her hands up in surrender. "Okay, okay."

"Good. Now I thought you knew everything about everyone."

"I most certainly do!"

"Then why can't you tell me anything about this man?"

"Oh, oh, oh, I know something. Every week he goes to the flower shop and buys flowers. No one knows for who or where he sends it to. I've tried many times to get some information, but you know how tight-lipped Diana can be"

Now that's something interesting. I wonder where he sends the flowers to; maybe he has a girl? My thoughts are interrupted by the man walking through the door. Oh god, no, how can this town be so small?