10 The Garden Boy

...AUSTIN POV...

I have been called a lot of things before, but not yet a garden boy. But I will take it from where it comes and rub it off from my shoulder. Now how Summer is related to that, well, that just makes no sense. She seems like they are worlds apart; she is not the least bit like them at all. I think that what attracts me the most to her; she is not just like any other girl. So this garden boy is hoping that maybe he can explore Summer Knightley a whole lot more.

But let's backtrack a few steps; why do I care what she is like or not? I am so far out of her league that I don't even touch base. A woman like Summer would never see anything in a guy such as me. Why do people, especially this town, have to dictate who you can or cannot see? You get your kind of people, and then you get people like that, and I do not even fall into these categories. I am my own man; if you are not satisfied, then you should just walk on past.

Now, what am I going to do with this? Do I wait and hope that I shall see her again, but with Tina on her arm, we know that it will not happen. Guess the garden boy must take his garden service elsewhere in town.

So I find myself driving into a part of town that I would not want to be seen dead in. I can easily buy one of these properties, but if I wish to, that remains another story. They all look the same, overpriced, and cold, just as the cold people that occupy them.

And as I pull up into the driveway, I immediately feel out of place and definitely underdressed. But that does not stop me from doing what I have come here to do.

And as I patiently knock, the door swings open, and I am stared in the eyes with her pleasant face.

"Oh, look, it is the garden boy."

"Oh, and I nearly thought you were the maid."

"Oh, no! Not you again, don't you have something to rake or something?"

"I just heard a dirty dish call your name."

Yeah, Tina cannot take what she dishes out. I can see little Miss Perfect getting frustrated; it appears she can only form two sentences at a time. And why is she opening the door in the first place, would think her lazy hands will have someone to do that for her. But she has found a new breath as she irritatingly snaps back at me again.

"You are making no sense, urgh! What do you want?"

"Can I please see Summer?"

"What? Are you out of your mind? You can't see her?! It's just not allowed."

Then I hear the click-clack of someone's heels coming up from behind her. The strides are elegant and smooth; this is definitely someone that was told how to be a lady at school. It is not until I smell the honey lingering in the air that I know it is Summer.

"Mr. Pierce, didn't know I would see you around these parts?"

"Believe me, neither did I, Ms. Knightley. I am afraid I feel like a lost puppy."

Now Tina is still standing here and very eagerly waiting to bite at this puppy. So it is much to my relief when Summer turns to her and mumble something about trophies.

"Tina, I think I can handle it from here. I think Mom is busy cleaning your trophies, and I think she is talking to Mr. Goodman about them..."

This seems to get Tina's attention as she disappears faster than a speeding bullet. These people and their glitter, you cannot tear them away from the glamour. Once she is satisfied that we are alone, Summer focuses that gorgeous brown eyes on me again.

"So, Mr. Pierce, how can I help this lost puppy?"

"You dropped..."

As I raise my hand to pass her scarf, I find that between all the excitement that I forgot to take it out of the truck...

"Fuck...I left it in the truck. Just hold that thought; I will be right back."

I make a dash for my truck; I barely miss a rock that nearly had me with face flat in the gravel. I can feel her eyes burn into my back; she is watching every move I make. She studies every bend and turns and folds my toned body makes. And to make things worse, my legs feel like they have turned into jelly.

I pause for a few moments as I sit inside my truck. If I do not breathe now, then I am going to faint. As I make my way back, I see her standing in all her splendor in the doorway, waiting for me; how I wish that I was not the garden boy right now.

I come to stand in front of her again, maybe even a bit closer than before; I have nothing but a stupid grin on my face. I am left completely breathless, not only from the sprint to my truck but also from how she makes me feel. When I can finally breathe again, I speak carefully not to fumble over my words.

"You dropped your scarf."

With a somewhat trembling hand, I reach to place it in her hands. I am shaking so damn much that the tips of my fingers slide over her palm. There is a very unfamiliar spark that flashes to my core; it turns my body into a wobbly mess, and my brain goes mush. Just feeling her soft, warm skin sends me to the edge, and I topple over as I realize that I want to be the kind of man she wants. I am ripped from my fantasy as she speaks...

"Oh..I..oh my gosh, that's so thoughtful of you...Thank you"

"Uhm..Ya...You are a ple...Shit...It is a pleasure. Dammit!"

Ya, I cannot form a sentence, let alone a word. And she seems to find my predicament hilarious as she chuckles at me. My embarrassment flares up in my face, and I am not only an idiot but a somewhat aroused one too. She sees the pained expression on my face and changes the direction of the conversation.

"You know there is actually a story behind this scarf. It's very near to my heart. It really means a lot. Thank you again."

"I am pleased that I could help you keep some of your memories. But best I am off before your sister brings me the lawnmower."

What?! That made no sense. I need to make my exit before I become a bigger fool. So I spin on the heels of my boots and make a fast yet smooth walk to my truck. But then she calls after me...

"Hey, Mr. Pierce."

"Yes, Ms. Knightley?"

"Nice ass."

I gulp on my breath; I do not have a comeback for that. I bite into my bottom lip, and I watch as her knees nearly give in. Then that damn rock I so gracefully missed earlier, I now fall even more elegantly over it. If it were not for a cowboy's quick reflexes, this nice ass would be on the floor.

Before I make my way out of the driveway, I watch how she disappears behind the door. That stupid grin is still on my face as I make my way home. What I thought was a disaster has turned into an eventful day.

I am just about to relive my memories of Summer when my cellphone rings...

With a newfound frustration for people like that and someone like you, I answer the call...

"What do you want?"