Mandy's He-Man

by Donna Gallagher

  In a well-practiced routine, it didn’t take long for her to set up the display table full of her original and interesting designs. Metal and glass beads of all shapes and colours, intricate patterns or chunky, hand-painted enamels. All of Mandy’s jewellery was very popular. Mandy loved the idea that her designs, little pieces of her, were scattered all over the city, maybe even the country. Mandy also displayed some of her canvases. Most of her paintings were dark and haunting, and seemed to invoke strong emotions from all who looked upon them. People either loved the despair and sadness that were created in her work, or found it far too depressing to hang.

  Mandy enjoyed chatting with the fellow market stallholders about a variety of subjects. Climate change, carbon tax, conservation or politics, and even the weather were among the many topics up for discussion. Mandy was in agreement with the consensus that the day should be a busy one, as people came out and enjoyed the winter sunshine.

  Mandy had always felt as if she fitted in with this mix of people. Although lately, surprisingly, she was finding other groups just as easy to get along with. These particular markets in Glebe attracted a mixture of visitors. Some had plenty of money to splash around, while others were looking for a bargain or maybe that special gift.

  Mandy hoped she would sell out quickly so she could prepare for the night ahead. She wanted a good chat with Caitlin to calm her nerves. She was worrying about what she should wear and thinking that maybe she should tone down the almost masklike, very black, dramatic eye makeup she usually preferred.

  When her stall table started to shake, Mandy—still slightly distracted by her own thoughts—took a moment before she finally realised something was wrong. She looked up.

  Con was standing in front of her stall.

  As though she was frozen in time, her mind stilled.

  Went grey.

  She watched in a trancelike state, unable to move as Con smashed her pretty little designs. Earrings and other pieces went flying through the air. An earring hit her on the cheek, causing a stinging sensation. But Mandy did not move.

  He was yelling at her. Calling her all sorts of horrible names and blaming her for him being hurt the other night.

  Threatening her…again.

  “Bitch, you are so going to regret making a fool of me. This time you will be the one in a world of hurt, I promise you.” Con started towards her.

  Mandy knew she should run, but she couldn’t seem to move. The happiness of the last few days now shattered like a mirror, jagged and splintered. She stood helplessly, quivering in fear…again.

  The way to protect herself was unfathomable…

  Out of the corner of her eye, Mandy noticed a young man approach. He seemed to be with an older lady—perhaps his mother—she wondered why they had stopped. Couldn’t they see that her goods were all ruined? She had nothing left to sell.

  As these thoughts whirled through Mandy’s head, she saw the familiar-looking young man speaking to Con.

  “Oh, no!” she cried out. The boy, even though he looked fit and healthy, was still slight compared to Con. He was going to get hurt. The horrible thought that the unsuspecting boy could be harmed finally dragged Mandy back into reality. As she stepped forward to warn the boy and his mother, and to confront her ex, Con fell to the ground.

  It was the birthday boy from the other night.

  JT’s friend.

  And he had flattened Con in one quick jab.

  What was his name? Rookie, or something? Mandy tried to remember.

  The woman accompanying Rookie started towards her, arms outstretched, as if about to comfort Mandy.

  “What have I done?” Mandy cried.

  The woman put her arms around Mandy’s shoulders and, in a soothing voice, spoke. “There, there, you haven’t done anything. My name is Laura Harris. That is my son Mitchell, the one who put that oaf on his behind. Are you okay, sweetie? Did he hurt you?”

  Mandy couldn’t help it. Her body was going into shock and she started to shake. She was sobbing uncontrollably by the time the police arrived on the scene.

  Finally, managing to pull herself together a little, Mandy started rambling to the caring stranger. Words tumbled from her mouth fast and confusingly, almost irrationally.

  “I’m so sorry… Your son… Oh, no, look—the police are here, why are they are arresting him? It’s all my fault. He was my ex-boyfriend. JT is going to be so upset.” Mandy sobbed through each garbled statement. “What about tonight’s game? How will Mitchell play if he is in jail? How will you ever forgive me? He shouldn’t have got involved…although I’m thankful he did. I’m so scared of Con. I try not to be, but he’s hurt me so much. I need to talk to them…tell them not to arrest him… Your son, I mean.”

  “Hush now, dear…” Laura Harris spoke to Mandy in a soft, soothing voice, all the while rubbing Mandy’s back in small, circular movements. “It will be okay. You know big Jon Thomson, do you? Hmm, I see. Are you the girl from the other night? You poor thing. How awful! My boy told me all about what that brute did to you. I’m glad Mitch thumped him. He deserved a lot more, manhandling a woman like that. I’m proud of my son standing up for you…so don’t you worry about the police. I’m sure everything will be okay when they hear what that man has been doing to you.”

  Laura continued as she started picking up Mandy’s wares, “Look at these pretty little pieces—some seemed to be unharmed. I‘ll help you straighten things up while everything else gets sorted out.”

  Mandy finally managed to calm down enough to give her version of events to the policewoman investigating the fracas. The policewoman confirmed to Mandy that Con wanted to press charges against Mitchell, but that it was highly unlikely the charges would hold up, given recent events. Mandy gave the officer details of the incident at the club, as well as today’s confrontation, and also a brief description of what her life had been like with Con. Mandy couldn’t really answer the policewoman’s question as to why she hadn’t pressed charges over the previous assaults. Mandy had found JT, and had tried to forget about Con and how he had turned her into a victim.

  * * * *

  JT had been sitting with Brodie—watching Riley winning yet another race and thinking the kid was like a fish, he moved so fast through the water—when Brodie’s cell phone started to ring. The expression on Brodie’s face alone was enough to set warning bells off in JT’s mind. He immediately moved in closer to the phone, and as Brodie switched it to loudspeaker, he heard the familiar sound of Rookie’s voice.

  “Yeah… I know, Cap, I’m a mama’s boy, but she loves those markets and it’s a way to pass the time before the game. Anyway, there was a bit of a scuffle at one of the stalls. When I went to take a better look, I recognised that bloke from the other night. You know—the one giving JT’s girl a hard time.”

  JT nearly jumped out of his skin. Brodie put his hand on his arm, as if to hold JT down, as he spoke into the phone.

  “Okay, Rookie, hold on. JT is listening. Is this going to end up bad? Should he hear the rest?”

  JT growled angrily at Brodie, “As if you could stop me!” but was cut off by Rookie’s voice once again coming through the phone’s speaker.

  “Hey, JT. It’s all good—well, apart from me getting arrested for decking the scumbag. One punch and he hit the deck like a sack of spuds. Your girl’s with Mum, still back at the markets, packing up. She’s a bit shaken, but I didn’t let him touch her.”

  JT had heard enough. Filled with concern for Mandy’s wellbeing, as well as murderous rage towards her ex, he jumped to his feet and started running towards the exit. He wanted—no, needed—to see with his own eyes that Mandy was okay. Until he had her safe and in his arms, he could think of little else.

  * * * *

  JT made it to the area the markets where being held in record time. When he spotted Mandy standing with Laura Harris, he ignored the ‘No Entry’ signs and drove his car right up beside her. The tyres gave a loud screech as he slammed his foot on the brake a
nd put the car into park, seconds before he threw open the door and jumped out.

  JT didn’t give Mandy a chance to say anything—he just wrapped his arms around her and held on to her for dear life. He was fighting a losing battle, trying to conceal from her the overwhelming rage and fear that had consumed him as he’d raced to be by her side. JT’s anger was a living thing still simmering under his skin, ready to explode at the slightest provocation.

  Laura Harris, after managing to get JT to let go of Mandy for long enough that she could wish the girl good luck, went to find out what was happening with her son. She left the couple as they joined together again in a kiss that left little doubt as to their smouldering attraction.

  When JT had pulled her into his arms she’d been able to feel the shaking. It had taken her a while before she’d realised it wasn’t her body trembling anymore—it was JT’s. She’d lifted her tearstained face to look at him. His jaw had been so clenched she’d thought his teeth might break. It had been as if JT was vibrating. His eyes had been glassed over, his nostrils flared. Mandy had felt him breathing in and out at a rapid pace. Her man was angry because of her.

  She put her arms around his head and pulled his face down towards hers. As she pressed her lips to his, she felt the tension in them. His lips felt flint-hard and cold. It took Mandy a few seconds of gentle coaxing, by nipping at his bottom lip, before JT opened his mouth. Mandy thrust her tongue inside in an effort to distract him.

  Hoping she could make him forgive her for causing such a scene.

  Mandy felt the power surge through JT as he began to return her kiss, at first slowly, then with more urgency, until he was almost devouring her right there on the street. She knew people were probably looking at them but didn’t care, and started to smile under the kiss, thinking of the picture they must make standing on this busy street.

  JT felt Mandy’s lips form a smile under his, and pulled his mouth from hers, wondering what on earth she was smiling about. He had forgotten they were out in full view of the passing public. Well, so much for me not being big on public displays of affection, he thought, or perhaps even said out loud.

  He didn’t care—he had been so angry with himself for not being with Mandy. He had forgotten to talk to her about getting an AVO, leaving her open for this man to hurt her. Thank God Rookie had been there. He owed the kid big time. JT pulled out his cell and rang his father, speaking the moment his father answered.

  “Dad, there’s been some trouble. Mitch Harris has been arrested.”

  Jon Senior cut his son off mid-sentence. “Son, slow down. Mitch is getting out. Brodie and I are heading to the station to get him now. No charges have been laid, but the press did get wind something is up, so I don’t know how long before the full story is out. How is Mandy?”

  JT was a lucky man and he knew it. He had good people around him. A strong, dependable father and loyal mates—people who could be counted on in a crisis.

  “Shaken, but okay. Thanks, Dad. I’m going to take her home, but I don’t have long before I need to get ready for tonight’s game. Hopefully Caitlin or Riley will be home to look after her. Before all this happened they were supposed to be going to the game, but I don’t want Mandy to be alone.”

  “Well, son, if she doesn’t feel up to going out after such an ordeal, maybe I could come over and keep her company, or she could come and watch the game on the TV with me. Keep it in mind. Good luck with tonight’s game, Jon. Play strong. I’ll be watching,” Jon Senior offered before JT ended the call.

  Chapter Twelve

  Mandy’s thoughts had been interrupted by the sound of JT’s phone ringing. The one-sided conversation that had followed had made her realise the trouble she had brought to JT’s life.

  She pulled herself free from his embrace and moved slightly away from the warmth and security of his body. She needed to get moving, had to get home so that JT could focus on the upcoming game. She had caused enough disruption to the Jets team already today.

  It took Mandy a few minutes to convince JT that she was able to drive her van. He could follow her—she wanted her vehicle at home so she could go through her stock and see what was salvageable and what needed replacing.

  Finally, JT reluctantly agreed with her and they both drove off towards Mandy’s home. It was strange to look in her rear-view mirror and see the big, panther-like car stalking her little van, but Mandy felt comforted knowing JT was there.

  She parked in her usual spot, and had started to lift her plastic tubs of stock from the rear of the van when a set of big arms encircled her and lifted her, roughly, to the side. JT was growling at her, but not the sexy growl Mandy had grown to love.

  “Mandy, will you leave this to me? I am about the only one who has not been able to do anything for you today—at least let me take care of this grunt work. That’s all I seem to be good for.”

  With the last remark almost snarled, JT lifted all the tubs out of the van in one move, slammed the door closed with his broad shoulder and stalked inside.

  Mandy was a bit shocked at his tone and wasn’t sure what JT had meant by it.

  He was still angry at her because of all the drama? Why wouldn’t he be? she thought. He definitely had been very angry when he’d first arrived. This was not the day he had planned, she knew that. He should have been with Riley. He certainly would not have expected to have half the team running around because of her. Remembering the phone call JT had made to his father, who had also been involved, and the comment about hoping Caitlin was home, Mandy couldn’t blame JT for wanting to get away fast.

  Even though she felt her heart breaking, Mandy knew she had to let him go quietly. Her problems had caused so much drama in JT’s life already. She could not expect him to uphold any promises he’d made in the heat of passion. As Mandy headed inside, she tried to put on a brave face, but wasn’t sure how she would be strong enough to send him away and out of her tumultuous life—one he didn’t need to be involved in. Mandy knew she had to do what was right. She was already in love with the man, but she believed that he deserved better than her. This was what she deserved, after all. It had been her mistake to get involved with a man like Con. She had always disappointed the ones closest to her. Her parents, Con—why else would he hold such hatred towards her?—and now JT.

  JT was waiting patiently at the door, his arms full. The picture of the gorgeous man holding all her precious designs, his arms bulging with muscle, his shoulders straight and broad, that huge backside firm and delicious in a pair of tight, black denim jeans, was an unforgettable sight. How right it looked—him at her door holding onto her art. The picture would stay in her mind forever.

  “It doesn’t matter. I’m no good for him,” she whispered quietly to herself. Mandy took one last look, cementing the scene to her memory bank, before going inside her flat. “Just put everything down over there,” she said, and pointed to a spot on the floor. “Then you’d better go,” Mandy managed to add quickly, before the emotion showed in her voice.

  JT just stood rooted to the spot, staring at her, his eyes like black coal, his gaze hard and unforgiving. He didn’t move a muscle.

  “I am not going anywhere!” Although his body was rigid, which made Mandy believe he was angry, the words he spoke were filled with emotion. He sounded hurt, upset. “I’m sorry I let this happen to you, Mandy. If I could turn back time, I would. It was stupid of me not to have made more of an effort to protect you. We should have taken an AVO out on that bastard, had him charged the other night, but I forgot about it. I’ll kill him myself if he ever comes near you again. I was so wrapped up in my feelings…so happy because of the way you filled my life. I just didn’t think. My God, woman, you have to forgive me. I don’t want to lose you. I can’t lose you. Please let me stay.”

  The last few words sounded choked as the pure, heartfelt, emotional words poured from JT.

  Mandy was stunned, speechless. She didn’t know what to say. He wasn’t angry at her—JT was angry at himself. As
if this was his fault, somehow. She didn’t understand how he could blame himself for what her ex had done.

  She went to JT and took the tubs from him one by one, placing them at his feet. All the while JT watched her, standing like some giant statue, unmoving. He looked so fierce, so hard, so beautiful. After she transferred the last box from JT’s arms to the floor, Mandy replaced it with her body.

  She reached up and linked her hands behind JT’s thick neck, once again pulling his face down to her level. She could see the pulse beating in the vein on the side of his throat. Looking deeply into JT’s eyes, wanting to communicate directly to his soul, she spoke clearly and slowly so he would be under no confusion.

  “He-Man, I thought you were angry at me. I’m the one who is sorry—my drama has involved your friends, your father, interrupted your life. You can’t blame yourself. How is any of what Con did your fault? My heart breaks at the thought of you walking out my door. But what could I do but let you go, if that was what you wanted? Jonathon Thomson, I love you. I would do anything to make you happy, even if what that took was to give you up. I am not good enough for you. You deserve so much more, more than what I have to offer you—a victimised, financially struggling, weirdo artist.”

  With her heart now open and vulnerable to being ripped apart, Mandy waited, nervously watching JT’s face, searching and hoping for a sign.

  Any sign.

  JT closed his eyes for what seemed like minutes to Mandy, but was probably only a second. He was breathing heavily, his chest rising and falling quite noticeably. As he finally opened his eyes, Mandy was relieved to see the hard look of a moment ago had been replaced with a softer, almost watery gaze.

  He put his arms around her, squeezing her so tightly she could hardly breathe.

  “Did you say what I thought you said?” JT asked. His voice sounded tentative, but tinged with constrained excitement. “Tell me again. I want to hear you tell me you love me again. Need to hear it. Oh, honey, my woman, I love you. Think I have from the moment I saw you. Just as well we finally got on the same page. So let me hear you say the words again.” JT, with Mandy in his arms, began to spin around in circles, like some big tornado building up steam.