Heartbreaker

by J. Dorothy

  Gives me an endless source of entertainment and constant fodder for teasing him. I wonder when he’ll crack. It can only be a matter of time. I mean he is a young human male, and they aren’t known for their stamina in warding off willing females. Well, at least none that I’ve ever known, and none that look like Bennett.

  I decide tonight I’m going to up the ante, and see if he’ll take the bait. There’s a really nice girl I’ve gotten to know. She’s a lot shyer than the average college girl who comes in here. I decide she’d be good for Bennett, and just the right girl to quench his thirst and stop his dry spell.

  Lucy is her name, and she finds me as I’m bringing a box of new glasses from out the back.

  “Hey, Bailey, how you doing? Do you need some help?”

  She’s dressed in her usual vintage. Tonight’s she’s got on a short black tunic dress with high necked white jumper, a long silver pendant chain hanging around her neck. Her lovely blonde curls tied up in a high ponytail. I give her a grin and shake my head. “I got it. What are your plans for tonight?”

  “You know, the usual. Take home a hot, rich guy, have my wicked way with him. Then he falls in love with me and I have to let him down easy. Tell him I’m not into hot, rich men.”

  I laugh. “Yeah, those rich, hot sorts can get a bit tiring. Where are all the low life’s hiding, nowadays?”

  “Bad boys. Yummy. Might try one of them for a change.” She grins.

  I chuckle again, knowing full well how straight laced and innocent Lucy is when it comes to guys. She’s worse than me, can barely say hello to anyone new. I was always so spoilt with Cam. We started dating when we were only fifteen. I never had eyes for anyone other than him, so I never tried to date. The irony is I still don’t want to date and don’t consider myself available to try.

  Bennett hasn’t met Lucy yet, and I’m kind of excited to match them up. Bennett has become my best friend here and I’d love to see him with someone like Lucy. Someone nice and sweet. She’s cute too. I fast forward my thinking, imagining the nice babies they’d make.

  I shake my head, trying to curb my wandering thoughts. I have to set them up first. Then we’ll make wedding plans, I mumble to myself.

  “What?” Lucy asks, and I realize I voiced my last thought aloud.

  “Ah, nothing. Um, speaking of boys, I’d like you to meet my friend, Bennett.”

  I’m putting away the glasses in the open wooden shelves and Lucy is leaning across the bar. She arches a brow. “Friend, Bales?”

  “Oh, yeah, there's absolutely nothing between me and Bennett, except an abnormal love of chocolate cheesecake.”

  “Okay, sounds interesting. I suppose I can meet this cheesecake boy.”

  “He’s really nice. You’ll like him.”

  “As long as he’s not hot and rich.” She grins again.

  I don’t reply just wink and gesture for her to follow.

  Takes a bit of effort on her part, as she has to shove through the crowds to reach the far end of the bar where Bennett is. He’s becoming a bit of a bar icon, no one ever sits in his seat, and the bar is always cleared for him to set up his laptop. I wonder if in the future, bar legends will be written about him and chuckle at the thought as I come to stop in front of him. He doesn’t look up at first, but I know he senses me, because he stops typing.

  “Hey, there busy boy. Do you want a drink?”

  He flicks his gorgeous blues on me and smirks. “Depends, what's the busy girl offering?”

  “What about a pink cosmo?” I grin.

  “Do you think I can handle it?”

  “Sure, if I put a little umbrella in it, it’ll go down easier.”

  “Can you put two in, I love those suckers.”

  I spy Lucy, making her way over, and give her a big grin over Bennett’s shoulder. Bennett arches a brow, but doesn’t look behind him. He mouths, “Hot guy.”

  I roll my eyes, and mouth, “No. Hot girl.”

  Then his grin widens. “There is a god. You’ve just made my night, Bales.”

  I reach over and punch him on the shoulder. “Neanderthal.”

  He beats his chest, like an idiot. “Go get busy. Make pink cosmo with many umbrellas. Leave me to think about you and hot girls.”

  I shake my head as Lucy appears beside Bennett, looking at him with a frown. Well that’s a first, most girls’ eyes bug out of their head when they spy Bennett.

  “Friend of yours,” Lucy asks cocking her head in Bennett’s direction.

  “Afraid so. I’d apologise for him, but can’t take the credit. Bennett, this is Lucy, say hello.”

  “Hello,” Bennett says looking back at his computer.

  Lucy shifts on her feet, looking uncomfortable. I shove Bennett. “Hey, don’t be rude. Say hello properly and buy my friend a drink. She’s thirsty ...”

  Lucy cuts in, “Um … no that’s okay, Bales, I was going to head home anyway…”

  “Bennett will walk you. He lives near,” I say real quick, and Bennett twists his lip. That’s another advantage, these two literally live round the corner from each other. Location, location, location. Essential in matchmaking real estate.

  “No, no that’s alright. I’m fine.” Lucy starts to turn and I give Bennett a pinch, glaring at him.

  He sighs and shuts his laptop, smiling a tight smile. “Um, sorry, Lucy, I’m going too, so I can walk you home if you like.”

  She turns to Bennett. “If you’re sure, thanks, that’d be nice.” She flicks a fierce glare at me, and I cringe a little. Didn’t think their first meeting would go like this. “I’ll see you later, Bales,” she says with a hint of annoyance.

  I grin at them both, trying to be enthusiastic. “Yeah, we’ll catch up soon, Lucy. Bye Bennett.”

  He doesn’t look at me or reply, just shoves his bag over his shoulder and walks out behind Lucy. Giving me the ice cold shoulder.

  Uh oh.

  Maybe I over stepped the mark, but I’m just trying to help him get over, whatever it is he needs to get over. I’m still not sure what his problem is, we’ve never really talked about it. Just like we’ve never really talked about Cam. He only said that he’d sworn off girls to concentrate on his studies. And he only mentioned that once, and didn’t elaborate.

  Now as I watch his blue shirt disappear in the crowd, I’m wondering if I’ll ever find out. He may actually never speak to me again.

  Crap!

  My shift over, I’m on my way home. I stayed till closing so it’s the middle of the night. Ted, the bar owner wanted to call a cab, but I told him I caught the bus late all the time. Not really true. Bennett usually drives me home, but I used to catch it, before Bennett and I became friends. After tonight, I may be catching it a lot more.

  Ted insists on walking me to the bus station and seeing me on the bus safely. He reminds me of my Dad. Quiet, bordering on grumpy, yet concerned and protective. I like him a lot.

  My stop is the second last one, and it’s just me and another guy left. I ring the bell and the bus pulls over and I hurry down the aisle and step off, waving thanks to the tired looking driver, who gives a weary wave back. The weather is freezing and I’m glad of my woollen coat, scarf and gloves. I’m lucky the bus stop is directly opposite my apartment building. I wouldn’t want to be walking around this neighborhood in the dark for too long. I’ve heard a few stories from the people I work with about some of the antics that go on around here.

  I’ve stuck to the golden rule so far and keep my head down. I don’t ask questions or try to make friends. Bennett doesn’t like me living here. He’s always showing me ads for better apartments nearer to where he lives. Unlike Bennett I don’t have that kind of money, and I quite like my little apartment. It might not be much but it’s mine and I’m proud to think I’m making my own way. I know Mom would be proud of me too, which helps on nights like this, when I sometimes question whether Bennett might be right.

  I pull the collar of my coat tighter around my ears and hurry across the des
erted street. I’m careful not to rush too fast, the roads can be slippery and I’m glad I took my sturdy boots to work, to change into. I grab onto my purse hard and continue toward my building. Only a few more strides and I’ll be on the path to my little room. I’m thinking about making a hot chocolate, with some new cool brand I just bought today, when headlights flash in my face and my purse is yanked off my shoulder. Instinct kicks in and I grab for it at the last minute and hook it around my arm. I’m spun around as my invisible attacker pulls even harder and I stumble and fall to the ground. Then a car engine revs, brakes squeal, and I’m being dragged by my purse along the road, my head is pounding into the hard ground, but I can’t get my footing to make it stop. My boots might be good when I’m standing, but now they're sliding everywhere. I hear a rip and realize my pants have split. Now my bare leg is being scraped along the harsh asphalt. I haven’t let out a sound, my voice trapped in my throat.

  All I can think is: This frigging hurts. Please make it stop. Please stop it.

  Somehow I manage to unloosen the strap of my purse, and I crash into a crumpled heap into the curb of the soaking wet road. My purse, with my key and my phone, all gone. I have no idea what to do. I can’t move and I can’t think straight. The cold from the ground seeps through all my clothes and I’m shaking uncontrollably. I’ve never been this cold. I choke out a sob and I curl up tighter and sob and sob.

  A warm hand pats my cheek. I’m not sure how long it’s been, but I tune in to hear various muffled voices surround me.

  “You alright, girlie?”

  “What happened?”

  “Who saw it?”

  “Hoodlums. Dragged her while they tried to drive off, with her purse.”

  “She don’t look too bad.”

  Gee thanks, I feel like shit.

  Then I’m being picked up off the ground, and I blink at the flashing red lights and I realize two paramedic women are preparing to put me on a stretcher.

  No. Is my immediate thought.

  No ambulance. No hospital. No doctor.

  “Um … I’mmmmfinnne,” I tumble out through chattering teeth.

  “You’re in shock, you really should see a doctor. You need to be checked out,” one of the paramedics says and puts her arm around my shoulder. It hurts, but I don’t flinch.

  I stand strong even though my legs are shaking. “I’m okay, really. I just need to make a police report. They stole my purse.” I force my chattering to stop so my words are clear.

  “Can we call someone, for you? You shouldn’t be alone.”

  “Bennett,” I say, without even thinking it’s the middle of the night and he probably doesn’t want to see me, after what I did.

  “Boyfriend?” the nice paramedic lady asks with a smile.

  “No, friend.”

  “Do you know his number? I’ll call him for you.”

  I reel off Bennett’s number. I’m still a stickler for learning numbers despite recording them in my cell, and I’m glad about my cautious nature for a change.

  A blanket is draped over my shoulder, and its making me feel better. The street has cleared of onlookers. Apparently I’m not that interesting, they only hang around for murder and street fights.

  I watch as one of the paramedics speaks to Bennett. He must be asking a thousand questions, because she’s beginning to look a little fed up. Finally I hear her raised voice, telling him to just get down here. I know Bennett will be here in record time. And I know he’ll be worried sick.

  My leg and shoulder are hurting. I know I’ll have to go and get them checked out, but I don’t want to go to hospital, and I certainly don’t want to go in an ambulance. The paramedic explained they were first on the scene because they were in the area. They said the police would be here soon to get my statement.

  Soon, turned out to be a few hours, Bennett, as I expected arrived only twenty minutes after the call. I’m sitting in my apartment now, three blankets warming me, Bennett huddled close, and a strong coffee resting on my knee.

  The pain is worse, and I’ve got a thumping headache, I really want to go to sleep. The police officer keeps asking me questions, and I’ve answered them as best as I can. Right now, I don’t care about the attack. I’m kind of counting my lucky stars they didn’t do more damage, and I just want to get my belongings back. Not because I’m attached to my cheap Kmart purse. My phone is my prized possession and has all my contacts and all my photos from home. Photos of me and Cam. Me and Dad, and me and Gerry. I love looking at those photos, they keep me sane, and I don’t want a stranger to have them. They’re mine.

  Bennett is answering most of the questions about my personal details. I never realized how much he actually knows about me.

  “These incidents of drive by theft have been getting more frequent around here, you need to take care and hide your purse under your coat. And try not to be out late at night,” the young police officer is saying.

  “Don’t worry, she won’t be staying here much longer,” Bennett says, and glances at me.

  I’m dumbfounded and can’t spit the words out to ask what the hell he’s talking about.

  The officer seems to be on Bennett’s side. “Well, good, that’s probably wise. We’re getting more and more calls out here. Where are you moving to, Miss Ryan?”

  I open my mouth to say nowhere, when Bennett cuts in, “She’s moving into the apartment building across from mine, just a few miles from the CBD. A sub let came up, and her names next on the list.”

  It is?

  I frown at Bennett, but decide not to fight with him in front of the police officer, he looks a bit fierce and I don’t feel like arguing with two of them.

  He gets up to leave, closing his ipad. “I have what I need. I don’t know if you’ll get your stuff back. Highly unlikely, those sort, don’t hold onto stolen property for long. You can always ring the station in a few days’ time and see if it’s turned up. As to the guys who attacked you, we are doing more surveillance around here, so hopefully we’ll catch them soon. Anyway we’ve got your details and your boyfriend’s, so we’ll be in touch.”

  I roll my eyes at Bennett, who grins at me. Strangers always assume that’s what we are, and most of the time we can’t be bothered explaining and play along.

  I thank the police officer and Bennett sees him to my door.

  Bennett patched me up, while we waited for the police to arrive, so I have bandages on my leg where it was scratched and bleeding, and I’ve taken a couple of aspirin for my headache. I’m betting I’ll have a few new big bruises in the morning. The shock of what happened is starting to wear off, but I’m still really cold.

  Bennett returns and looks at me folding his arms. “I’m not budging on this, Bales. You’re moving. Tomorrow.”

  “Who made you boss of the universe?”

  Bennett grins. “It’s not an easy job you know. I have pains in my ass, arguing with me all the time.”

  “Bennett, I’m not moving,” I say through gritted teeth.

  “Yes you are.”

  “No I’m not.”

  “Seriously, Bales, I have a brother and two sisters, I can keep this up all day and all night. Yes you are.”

  “Oooh you are so annoying.”

  “Bales, you can’t stay here. You heard what the police officer said, this part of town is getting worse. The new apartment is still small, but it’s much nicer. And it has a dishwasher a microwave and ... it has a TV.”

  I widen my eyes. That perks my interest. “TV, huh?”

  That’s a bit of a clincher. I’ve missed my TV fixes.

  “Yeah, and it’s close to school, the bar and just round the corner from me. We can walk home together every night.”

  Okay, so it’s sounding more appealing by the minute, and I’m caving. But there’s still the question of expense. “I can’t afford it, Bennett. I can barely manage the rent on this place.”

  “About that,” Bennett starts and stops as he comes to sit beside me. He grabs my hand an
d I arch a brow at him. He only does that when he wants to butter me up. “Um … my dad kind of owns both my apartment complex and the one you’re moving into.”

  “And?” I say, wondering what relevance that has.

  “Because it’s a sublet, the rents cheap. You see this lady bought her apartment, and the smaller one across the hall, from my dad. She bought it for her son, but he’s moved away now, and its vacant and she’s looking to rent it to someone she can trust. When I heard about it, I went to see her and she agreed to let you have it for the same rent you’re paying now.”

  I open my eyes wider. “I don’t know Bennett, that doesn’t seem right. I don’t want to rip her off.”

  “Kills two birds, Bales. She needs to rent her apartment out, and wants to be able to trust the person living across from her, and you need a safe place to stay.”

  “So you’ve already arranged this, without asking me?”

  Bennett shrugs. “Pretty much. Tonight just settled it. And should settle it for you as well. You could have been hurt really badly, Bales.” He gives me a sad look, and I sigh.

  “Fine.” I can’t say no to sad eyed Bennett. He’s adorable. “Thank-you,” I add, because I really am.

  “Good, now you better get some rest, moving day tomorrow, and it always takes a while…” He stops and looks around at my meagre belongings. “Second thoughts, you could probably sleep in.”

  I punch his shoulder and he chuckles.

  I go to bed and Bennett sleeps in the living room, which can’t be comfortable with his six foot height on my tiny couch, but he insists and I don’t have the strength to argue.

  Apart from being dragged along the road, and having my purse stolen, the night hasn’t turned out too badly. They say good comes from bad, and moving closer to Bennett and not living in this neighborhood anymore is definitely a good thing.

  Or so I think.

  TWeLVe