by Owen, L
It’s all so surreal, but I don’t get much time to let it all soak in because my arm is nearly pulled out of socket by the overenthusiastic Kiaya. I’m dragged away but manage one last glance out of the window. I’m disappointed to find Mr. Hottie is nowhere to be seen.
Kiaya shows me to a small room in the back where I get changed, and then I once again join her out front. She seems to have calmed down a little as she begins to show me the ropes.
The day runs smoothly enough, and I find myself relaxing and enjoying my newfound independence. We’ve been run off our feet, so as I near the end of the day, all I can think about is a nice long soak in the bath and a much needed early night.
My shift wraps up for the day, and I step out onto the pavement, but my legs swiftly carry me back inside where I seek safety behind the closed door. Mr. Hottie is crossing the street and making his way back to his truck! Hearing the slam of Betty’s door, he turns to investigate the sound. There’s no way he didn’t notice me run and hide behind the door, and if I’m honest, I’m not really sure why I did it. My counselor is going to love dissecting this new bizarre behavior. As I peer back out the window to check if he’s gone, I realize a little too late he hasn’t. This time I KNOW he saw me.
An embarrassed and semi-hysterical giggle bubbles up my throat as I hide again. What the hell am I doing? He’s going to think I’m a freaking loon. Get it together, Caitlin! I smooth down the clothes that have become crumpled in my locker, then finger tease my hair a little. With a deep breath I step back outside and send a small thank you prayer to God when I see the tail lights on his truck disappearing down the street.
TWO
Caitlin
My first week of work flies by in a blur of coffee and muffins. I have loved every second of it. I’d become used to being isolated; now I’m just happy to be able to get back to the mundane things of life while having the freedom to do what I please, when I please. I’d become accustomed to needing permission to do the smallest things so it’s been hard letting go again, but I’m glad it’s finally happening. My job is great. Kiaya is cool, not as hyper as she first led me to believe, and fun. She’s always cracking jokes, mainly at a strange customer’s expense.
The other bonus to my job is the view. Many times a day, I see Mr. Hottie walking to and from his truck. I don’t know where he goes, and I don’t care. I know I’ll never get the courage to talk to him. The smile he always sends my way has me flustered enough. If I react like that after a smile, just imagine what would happen if I actually had the chance to talk to him!
By the end of the day, I find out.
It’s after five, and we’re getting ready to close up. Kiaya’s in the back washing up, while I’m cleaning under the counter in the shop.
“Caitlin,” Len says. “I’m heading home now. Say goodbye to Kiaya for me, will you, please? I’ll see you in the morning.”
“No worries, Len,” I say, as I lean under the counter, stretching to reach the bottom shelf.
I’m in my own world singing to myself, when I hear a deep voice say, “That’s a mighty fine view; don’t let me stop you, but I would love a coffee.” Considering I thought the shop was empty, this startles the hell out of me. I bang my head on the shelf and fall flat on my arse.
“Great, that’s not embarrassing at all,” I mutter to myself.
“Are you ok?” he asks, not even trying to hide the fact he’s thoroughly amused.
I feel the bruise already beginning to swell on my temple, and the pain radiating through my skull has my eyes filling with unwanted tears. I squeeze my eyes shut as I desperately try to hold the tears at bay. This situation is embarrassing enough, and I refuse to cry in front of this man.
“No, thank you for scaring the crap out of me by the way,” I scold.
“Hey, it’s not my fault you weren’t paying attention. You really should, you know? I could’ve been anyone.” His condescending tone really pisses me off.
“What do you want?” I snap, rubbing at my sore head. I look up to see who I’m talking to, and my mouth gapes open. Staring up at the customer, my arse stays firmly planted on the floor. I can’t help but groan into my hands when I notice it’s Mr. Hottie. He’s wearing a white tank-top, which gives me a great view of his large muscular frame. I’m close enough to see he has rich chocolate-brown eyes and tattoos covering both arms. I was embarrassed before, but now I’m utterly mortified. Why did this have to happen in front of this guy of all people? When I notice his smirk grow, my eyes narrow into small slits.
“Like what you see, babe?” he asks.
Getting up off the floor, I pull down my skirt that had ridden up my thighs a bit too far. “No!” I bark out, sounding like a spoiled child while folding my arms across my chest.
“That’s a good come-back.” He’s a smug arsehole! Agggghhhhhh! This guy may be hot, but he knows how to get on my nerves.
“What do you want?” I snap again.
“Um, well I already asked for coffee, so I think it’s obvious. Did you bang your head harder than I think? Do you need me to take you to the hospital?”
“Yes, well I got detracted, smart arse.”
My reply amuses him. “Well, I’ll have a black coffee and one of those muffins, please. Love your accent, by the way. Where you from? England, I assume?”
Now he wants to be polite and make small talk? Well, I’m not interested! I choose to ignore his stupid question. Of course I’m bloody English! While I’m getting his order together, he tries to chat some more, but I continue to ignore him. Eventually, he takes the hint and leaves once I hand it over to him. I know my behavior is immature and far beneath my twenty-seven years, but I couldn’t care less. He made me bang my head and fall on my arse!
***
Mr. Hottie
I stand outside Betty’s needing to pull myself together before heading back to the gym. Scrubbing at my face, I can’t suppress the grin that’s forming. What the hell was that? That feisty English chick is something else. The last few weeks I’ve been aware she’s noticed me through the window, giving me that beautiful, but shy, smile whenever our eyes connect. But that display just then, that wasn’t some shy girl. That was one sexy, but pissed woman, and she intrigues me. I don’t want to leave it like that.
I couldn’t help but joke with her, not that she found it funny. After trying to make a little small talk and getting shot down, I quickly realized it wasn’t the best time. But now, standing here like a damned idiot, there’s something pulling me back inside.
I need to talk to her again. A couple of steps and I’m standing outside the door. Through the glass, I see her standing by the counter. She’s looking cute rubbing at her head, but she also looks pretty furious. My smile grows. The other server, Kiaya, comes out from the back, so I decide to come back tomorrow. I’m late for work anyway.
The gym’s only next door, so it’s not long before I’m entering through the huge doors. Roman, my brother, sits at the reception desk, looking at the computer screen.
“Hey,” I say, walking over to him.
Without looking up, Roman says, “You sure took your time. I thought you only went to Betty’s.” He lifts his eyes from the screen and begins to stare at me.
Oh no! That look tells me Roman finds something amusing, and he’s about to bust my balls for it. Always a glutton for punishment, I can’t help asking, “What?”
“What the hell has happened to your face?” I don’t reply, but groan instead. “Asher!” Roman calls.
“Yeah?” Asher says as he makes his way down the stairs. “You ok?”
“I’m fine, but look at him.” Roman snickers while gesturing with his thumb towards me.
Asher looks at me a moment, and then says to Roman as if I’m not standing here, “I don’t like it. Something’s not right about that. I’m scared, Roman. So scared.” Great, now both of them are giving me shit.
“Me, too. Will you hold me, Asher?” teases Roman. “It’s a mother fucking smile. On Et
han. In public. What’s this about? Are you happy? I don’t like it; it’s just unnatural.” With his comments, both guys burst out laughing.
“Shut up, you idiots. I’m going upstairs.” I start to walk off not in the mood for any more of their shit. It’s then I notice a silver BMW pull up outside. Damn! I’ll never make it upstairs in time, especially with my leg. Not sure if it’s instinct or panic, but I shove Asher aside while diving behind the counter. Roman looks down at me crouching by his legs.
“What the fuck, bro?”
“Nicola,” I hiss. “I can’t deal with her crazy right now. Don’t you even think about giving me away.”
“I’d never,” he says in mock disgust, but that evil smirk says otherwise.
I hear a pair of heels strut across the wooden floor.
“Roman.” Her sickly sweet voice grates on my nerves.
“Hi, Nicola. Always a pleasure. How can I help you?”
“I’m looking for your brother. Have you seen him?”
Roman scans the room. “Well he was around, but I don’t see him anymore.” He’s enjoying this.
“He had to go out and won’t be back until later,” Asher says. At least someone has my back.
“Well, when will he be back?” Nicola asks, her voice becoming high-pitched.
“Damn, Nicola. It’s not like he’s crouching behind this desk or anything. Do you see him around? He’s out. Anything else I can help you with?”
She gives an over-exaggerated huff. “Well, just tell him I was looking for him.”
“Will do,” Roman says, as I watch him salute her. I just barely manage to hold in my laugh.
“Coast is clear, you coward,” he says to me as the door shuts.
I cautiously peek over the countertop. I don’t trust my brother, but this time he’s right. She’s gone. I stand and stretch my limbs because they’re a little numb after being in such a tight space. “I owe you one.” Slapping him on his back, I walk up the stairs to my office. I need some peace and quiet to decide what to do next time I go to Betty’s.
***
Caitlin
Half an hour later we’ve officially closed for the night, so I say my goodbyes to Kiaya, and then head off in the opposite direction. Next to my work there’s a large bricked building used as a gym. On the outside it’s not much to look at. The bricks are painted white, and there are two large frosted windows on either side of the double doors. The sign above the doors reads Kendricks’ Gym. I’ve been walking past it to get to work, and each time I considered going in to inquire about training again. Kickboxing had pretty much taken over my life before Stephen, but I had to give it up. I miss the workouts like crazy, and having a regular routine again would be nice.
Before I have second thoughts, I walk through the double doors, and I’m pleasantly surprised by what I find. The reception area is to the left; the rest of the room is open. The right side is full of exercise equipment, treadmills, bikes, things like that. At the back is a boxing ring, and an area with some punching bags and speedballs. All the walls are exposed brick with an occasional wooden beam.
I make my way over to the reception desk where there’s a good looking guy with sandy blond hair long enough to curl around his ears. He looks more suited to a surfboard than a gym.
“Hi, welcome to Kendricks’ Gym. I’m the manager. My name’s Asher; how can I help?”
“Hi, I’m Caitlin Riley, and I work next door at Betty’s. I’ve been living here for a few months now and think it’s about time I enrolled back at a gym.”
“Well, you’ve come to the right place then,” he says with a smile on his face. There’s something about this guy. I get shy with new people and situations, but Asher puts me at ease immediately. “What is it you’re interested in doing?” he questions.
“I was wondering if you have kickboxing classes. I took some lessons back home a few years ago.”
“Well, you’re in luck then. Roman, one of the owners, is starting a beginner’s class tomorrow night. It’s held upstairs if you’re interested.”
I have a lot to learn, yet I’m far from a beginner. However, I’ll take anything right now, so I happily accept. After filling out the paper work, I say goodbye to Asher, agreeing to come back the following night.
Finally, I make my way home, heave my weary body into my chair, and stare into space. It’s so quiet here. It’s always the same when I come home at the end of the day, and I can’t help but feel lonely and really sad. Joining the gym will be good for me; I may even make some new friends. I decide to call Beth back in England because she’s my rock, my person, my bestie. Hearing her voice always makes me feel better.
”Hey,” I say once she answers.
“Hi, Caitlin! I’ve missed you soooo much.”
“Me too!” It’s great having free access to Beth again.
“I’m glad you called. I know I’ve been promising for a while, but this time I mean it. I’m coming to visit you soon! Well, that’s if you still want me to come.”
“WHAT?!” I scream. “Are you joking? Please don’t be joking. You’ve been talking about coming here to visit for months. I was beginning to give up all hope. When are you coming?”
“One question at a time. I’m not joking, Caitlin. I really miss you, but I’m not sure yet. I gave my boss some dates, and he’s going to get back to me. I’m just checking to see if you still want me to come.”
“Of course I bloody want you to come!”
“Well, that’s sorted then. I’ll find out when I can get the time off, and I’ll let you know, ok?”
“Yes!” I’m so happy; I can’t stop smiling while I tell her all about my day until I get to the embarrassing incident with the hot guy at work. Of course she finds it hilarious, but my head and I are still quite sore about it. Coming off the phone half an hour later, I’m feeling much better, but I just can’t seem to get Mr. Hottie out of my head.
THREE
Caitlin
“Yep, you heard it correctly. I landed right on my arse,” I say to Kiaya the next morning once the shop has quieted down. Kiaya is doubled over laughing so hard that I wouldn’t be surprised if she peed herself. “Yeah, yeah, laugh it up.”
“Ok, ok, I’m sorry,” she replies while wiping the tears from her eyes and trying to subdue her grin. I can’t help but chuckle, too.
“That’s so funny! Sorry, but it is. I wish we knew who the guy was though. You should’ve gotten his number.”
“What? Yeah right, I bet he thinks I’m a great catch.”
Kiaya’s face turns serious now. “You’re a catch, Caitlin.”
“Yeah, right.” I mean, I’m ok. I wouldn’t call myself beautiful or a catch. My brown hair is just below my shoulders, and my eyes are blue. I’m not overweight, but not skinny either. I’m also tall at 5’9”. My tummy has a few stretch marks, so you’ll never see me in a bikini—definitely not the type of girl Mr. Hottie would go for.
We hear the bell over the door ring, alerting us to customers. I turn to see Donnie making his way through the door. Donnie is Len’s nephew, and he visits Betty’s most days. He has Down’s syndrome, and I’ve become really fond of him in the short time I have known him. He’s always so happy to see us and will stay for a while before he goes to his work.
“H-H-Hi, Caitlin,” he stammers.
“Hi, Donnie. Do you want your usual?”
“Yes, yes, please.”
“Go and sit with your Uncle Len, and I’ll bring it over.” Smiling, he joins his uncle, who’s seated in his usual booth. The happiest I ever see Len is when Donnie visits.
When I take the drinks over, Len says, “There’s no one else in the shop, Caitlin. Why don’t you sit with us for a while? You don’t mind do you, Donnie? You, too, Kiaya,” Len shouts across the shop.
I take Donnie’s nodding and grinning as a yes, so I slide into the seat of the red booth opposite the guys. The bell rings again, and when I notice who it is, I become flustered. It’s Mr. Hottie. Just great
! His eyes find mine, and he smirks as he makes his way across the shop to us, still keeping eye contact with me. Just one look and he has me frozen in place; I don’t think I could move if I wanted too. Now turning his attention to Donnie and Len, he shakes their hands. Mr. Hottie then shouts his order to Kiaya and slides in next to me. Glancing down at my name badge, which is conveniently placed on my boob, he looks back to me with raised eyebrows.
“Caitlin.” That smirk is long gone now, but his eyes stay intently focused on mine. A loud cough brings me out of my stupor. I look up to see Kiaya with Mr. Hottie’s order in her hands. She gives me a look full of mischief when she mouths, “Oh my god! Mr. Hottie?”
I have to stop a nervous giggle from escaping my lips. Luckily, he hasn’t seemed to notice Kiaya because his gaze remains fixed on me. It should be uncomfortable, but if I’m honest, I like his attention. I, of course, would never let him know that.
“Here you go, Ethan. I hope it’s ok.” Great, she knows him, and on a first name basis!
“Thanks, Kiaya. I’m sure it will be as you made it,” he says with a wink.
This time I can’t stop my laugh from flying out of my mouth. “That’s not cheesy at all,” I snicker. All eyes turn to me, apart from Donnie, who is oblivious to the scene around him. Len looks confused, like he’s missed something. Kiaya silently laughs behind her hand. Ethan, well, I’m not quite sure what look he’s giving me, but it’s pretty intense. It doesn’t take me long to work it out though, as he gently brushes his finger up my thigh. My instinct is to expect pain after an intimate touch, so I involuntary flinch. My knee bucks up against the table and scares the life out of poor Donnie, who lets out a yelp. I’m going to be black and blue if I keep this up. First my head, then my arse, and now my knee. My face feels so hot; I know I must be scarlet.
“Sorry Donnie, something made me jump,” I say as I desperately try to hide the fact I’m a little shaken.