The bell above the door dings as someone walks in the shop. I look up to offer a simple greeting before going back to my tasks, knowing Beck will help customers while I get things done. I don’t think much about what’s going on around me, but out of the corner of my eye, I see Audra tense.
I look over to see her frozen, her eyes searching for mine. My eyes shift quickly, looking over at the guy who’s just come into my line of sight. I have absolutely no idea who he is, but based on the look he’s giving Audra while she’s sitting on the couch, I immediately decide I don’t like him one bit. I make my way toward the front of the shop, putting myself between Audra and whoever the hell this person is that’s making her so uncomfortable.
“I can help you,” I chirp in the most annoyingly nice tone I can muster, stepping in front of him to block Audra from his view.
“I just came to pick my board up,” he says, nodding his head towards the backroom. Sure enough, his board’s hanging there, freshly cleaned and waxed. I can’t lie. In this moment, solely off Audra’s reaction when he walked into my shop, I wish I had scuffed it or accidentally broken it during the cleaning process.I nod, walking to the back of the store to get the board and get this guy out of here.
Apparently, I’m the only one in the room with a little self preservation. As I cross over the employees only line, the stranger speaks up. But not to me. To Audra.
“Of course you’re with some other guy,” he scoffs in Audra’s direction. “Tyler’s gonna love this, Audi,” he sneers at her. I freeze as I grab his board, my nails scraping the edge of the wood.Oh, fuck no.Not in my shop, dipshit.
I attempt to scrounge up all the maturity I can on my way back over to him, but I know I’ve come up short as I storm my way over. The handful of seconds it takes me to get over there, grinds further at my nerves because I see Audra sitting on the couch stunned, paralyzed with tears in her eyes.
“Get the fuck out!” I spit, shoving the board into his hands.
He rolls his eyes, grabbing it. “Whatever, dude. She’s just a slut.” He dismisses me.
I know I should let it go. Be a professional, or whatever the fuck grown ass people do when a customer is being a pain. Unfortunately for this customer, I don’t get dissed or dismissed by scrawny little assholes who can’t stand any taller than five foot, seven.
“Say anything else about her and I’ll break your fucking neck,” I seethe. “Probably a little harder to talk shit that way, huh?”
I use the bulk of my six foot frame to herd him out of the door. He just throws his hands up and walks back to his car.Yeah that’s what I fucking thought.I stand in the doorway, watching him struggle to load his board into his car, until he peels out of my parking lot so I know he’s gone. The second his tail lights disappear from sight, I immediately turn to check on Audra. She’s still sitting on the couch with a blank stare and tears filling her eyes.
“You okay, Audi?” I ask, crouching down in front of her.
She doesn’t say a word. She just throws her arms around my neck, hugging me. In different circumstances, I’d be freaking out because Audra Hart is hugging me—hell, who am I kidding? Iamfreaking out despite the circumstances. I chastise myself, be so fucking normal about this, Roman. Do not fuck this up.
Beck walks in from the back, saving me from making a fool of myself when Audra obviously needs comfort right now. “Who thefuckwas that guy?” Beck yells over from the desk, scowling deeply.
Audra sniffles, pulling back from my neck. If it was anyone but my best friend, I might be a little pissed that he was the reason she pulled away from me. But right now, I could kiss him for being as outraged as I am and for saving my lovesick ass.
“My ex’s friend,” she murmurs.
“You want me and Ro to kick this kid’s ass?” He laughs, flashing her his signature boyish, toothy grin. The thing is, I know he isn’t kidding. Not even a little bit.
Audra lets out a laugh but it’s sour, like nothing’s funny about the situation at all.
“He’s the least of my concerns,” she replies coldly. It’s a loaded statement and I know exactly what she means, but I wonder what, if anything, she’ll address with Beck in the room.
“Well, if you need us to kick someone’s ass, let us know.” He chuckles. “Or just me, if you feel strongly about fair fights.” He winks, flashing her a goofy grin.
I’m a little surprised when she laughs again. “I’ll keep that in mind, Beck, ” she says sweetly, nodding at him. As her words wash over me, I’m reminded that when she isn’t crying or scared, every word out of her mouth is soft and honeyed. You’d never know it just by looking at her. Audra’s been known to have a mean mug, one of those faces where it looks like she might bite your head off for one wrong word. Unsurprisingly, most people, including me—hell,especiallyme—are helpless to do anything but let her and then thank her for it.
Beck offers a small goodbye, turning on his heel and dancing away backwards. It has its intended effect, and a flurry of giggles rip their way through her. Every time she laughs, it feels like a sign that she’s going to be alright. I hope she feels the same way.
Besides Ares, I’ve never had such a strong inclination to make sure someone is okay. Wanting to keep my sibling safe is kind of given, it’s built into your brain when you become an older brother. Audra is a different story. It’s like ever since she cried in my arms that first night, all I can think about is making sure she’s alright.
I know that part of it is I have a thing for Audra. I have ever since the very first day Ares brought her home in middle school, but it’s never felt like this before. It was always lingering glances, ‘mistakenly’ running into her, or trying to find a way to put myself on her map. But now, it’s all wiping tears, sleeping on couches, and trying to be the one to earn a laugh out of her.
* * *
The restof the day is slow and quiet at the shop. Beck and I do busy work and Audra intently watches. Time is spent with a good mix of peaceful silence and joy-filled laughter. It’s so good to hear her enjoying herself that I don’t even feel jealous watching her laugh at Beck’s jokes when he lobs something over from the backroom.
Beck heads home about an hour before the shop closes, leaving Audra and I there alone.
“When we leave here, am I taking you home?” I ask.
“Yeah, that would be perfect. I think Ares is going to pick me up from there to spend the night tonight. He said we’re grabbing Ravyn on the way home, too,” she answers. For the first time in a long while, she doesn’t sound pained when talking about spending time with the two of them.
