Austin says no more until he is within inches of her face, his eyes measuring her closely.
“You always run, Nikki! Every time something happens that doesn’t fit into the happily-ever-after box you’ve placed it in, you run. Fight for something for once. Fight with me, yell at me, hell, punch me for Christ’s sake, but stop running from me. Ask me who that was in there. Go on. Ask.”
Pursing her lips at his outburst and accusations, Nikki begins to resemble the child Austin had just accused her of acting like.
“Who is she, Austin? Was she the first girl you ran to after I left? Did you fuck her too?” Nikki cries out in anger, shoving Austin’s shoulder as she questions him.
Austin’s eyes, which had already been swirling with anger, quickly showcase his fury. He steps closer to Nikki, challenging her to move backward, but she holds her ground.
“You’re being a bitch, Nikki. That’s my fucking sister. Cassidy dyed her hair, that’s all. “
“Cass…” Nikki gasps at his confession.
“You need to leave. I can’t see you right now. I don’t know what I ever did to make you not trust me, but you need to set yourself straight or we’ve lost everything before we even started.”
She reaches forward to touch his cheek, but Austin quickly steps back from her caress.
“Go back to the office. I’ll come pick you up at the end of the day.”
“Austin, I’m sorry… I just…”
“Figure your shit out, Nikki. I can’t keep being the bad guy. For once, I just want you to fight for what you want. So, what if it had been another woman? You should have come over and confronted her or me. You shouldn’t have run. And soon you’ll have our child to think about. What are you going to do then? Life isn’t always daisies and roses. Life is hard. Life isn’t always happily ever after. We’re going to fight, we’re going to argue, we’re going to disagree: that’s what happens in relationships. Now, go on and I’ll have Sydney bring you some lunch.”
Austin swiftly turns an about-face and re-enters the diner, leaving a trail of pain and anger in his wake. Shaking her head, Nikki swipes away the few fallen tears that had taken residence on her cheekbones.
The office now seems an extreme distance away and Nikki finds it difficult to muster up the strength to travel the length. Instead, she parks herself on the façade of the adjoining building and weeps. Her need to run from problems is so deeply engrained into her soul that she struggles to find any other way of coping with life’s difficulties. Running is all she’s ever known. Affairs, overtime at the office, divorce – they were all a type of “running” to Nikki and she didn’t know how to break the habit.
Visions dance behind her streaming eyes of her and Austin living in the farmhouse with an abundant family. In the fantasy, Nikki cooks dinner while the children prance around her feet; the image so heartwarming that her sobs amplify in bereavement.
Nikki is startled when she feels warm arms wrap around her, but she relinquishes herself into the loving embrace.
“I’m sorry, Nikki,” Austin murmurs, holding her close and resting his chin on the top of her head. “I’m sorry.”
They stand like that for a few minutes, sheltered slightly from the wind under the awning of the store front. Nikki chases away all thoughts of mistrust, instead seeking solace in the arms of the man she loves.
As her sobs lessen, Nikki lifts her head, resting her chin on Austin’s strong chest.
“I can’t even tell you how sorry I am, Austin.”
Tucking away the stray pieces of hair behind her ears, Austin replies, “I know, darlin’. I’m sorry for yelling and getting angry. I just want you to fight for us, ok?”
“I will. I do trust you, Austin. I think that’s why I got so scared. Running is all I know. It’s what my family did whenever they weren’t happy about something. I’ll need you to teach me how to fight, because I’m too broken to teach myself.”
“I’ll be with you every step of the way. We’re going to piece each other back together, ok?”
“Alright.”
“Now, do you want to come inside and get some food? I’m sure Cassidy would love to see you.”
“She isn’t mad at me?” Nikki probes, burying her face deep into Austin’s jacket.
“No, of course she isn’t mad. You know Cassidy is the most laid back person alive, unless it’s about her business. Then, well…… she’s a control freak. But I think she has some news to share. Come on inside, please,” he pleads, tenderly stroking her hair.
“Ok.”
The couple reenters the diner, drawing the attention of most of the crowd, but Nikki ignores their stares, knowing full well that she made a scene earlier. As they come closer to the table, Nikki can clearly see that Cassidy is sitting on the same side of the booth as Brooks, the two making polite conversation. Her once honey blonde hair has now been dyed a medium brown with blonde lowlights, her wavy shoulder-length style adding a bit of edge to what was once a preppy exterior. The change in color and shape suits Cassidy.
As Nikki slides into the booth, she draws the attention of their two table-mates.
“I’m sorry about earlier…about causing a scene. I was just taken by surprise.”
In true Cassidy form, she reaches across the table and takes Nikki’s hand in her own.
“Don’t you dare apologize! Any woman here would have done the same thing if they saw a woman draped over their boyfriend like that. And your emotions are all over the place right now, so it’s completely understandable.
“Of course, in the future, just remember my brother would never cheat on you. It’s not his style, not since Ashley…” Cassidy says, but is cut off when Austin begins coughing under his breath.
“Thank you, Cass,” he cautions as he slides into the booth beside Nikki.
A moment of silence passes among the group before Ethel steps forward and requests their lunch orders – a table wide purchase of Angie’s special meatloaf.
The group passes time amicably, enjoying their lunch while listening to the outrageous antics of a Swiss model during Cassidy’s last fashion show. As the laughter dies down, it’s then that she divulges her secret project. She has been tapped to create custom outfits for the worldwide tour of Exoneration and Hell’s Kiss. She explains at first she had felt that Ryker, her brother and the lead singer of Exoneration, was behind the support, but she quickly realized that no one in the music or fashion world knew that they were related. Her excitement over the project is palpable, and though she is known for her signature chiffons and day wear, she always ensures her products have a hint of an edge to them. Now, she’ll be able to explore that edge ten times over for this latest project and it’s clear she couldn’t be more thrilled.
“That is so exciting, Cassidy. Do you have any thoughts about the attire?”
“They didn’t leave me much time, only a few months, but I have to create sixteen complimentary items for both the stage and photo shoots. I have a few ideas, obviously a lot of leather, but since the lead singer of Hell’s Kiss is female I really get to play around a lot. She has this bright blue, like Kool-Aid blue hair, and I can’t wait to play it up, as long as she doesn’t change it before the tour. EEEK! I am so excited and I can’t talk to anyone else about it. This is a lucrative deal and it hasn’t been announced yet, but seriously, those bands are HUGE. It would be like being asked to create Vera Wang’s wedding gown. I’m talking that kind of level and exposure.”
“Wow, Cass,” Austin speaks up. “I had no idea. Is the stress going to be too much? Will you be able to handle it with a staff your size?”
“We’ll be fine, don’t you worry. I’m such an organizational freak; I’ll have everything scheduled down to the second. Sewing from 11:15 to 11:27, check!” she jokes before falling into a fit of giggles.
Soon Brooks looks up from his double plate of meatloaf, obviously realizing that there was a conversation going on around him.
“So, have you met everyone from the band?”
A shade of red crosses through her cheeks before she replies, “No, not yet. The managers have sent me all of their sizes, so I can at least get working, but I’ll have to schedule a time to meet with them all to make sure I don’t need to do any alterations. Honestly, I only know Ryker. Hard Rock isn’t really my style of music. I’m more of a country meets classic rock kind of girl.”
“So you’re more Sam Hunt and The Eagles, less Demon’s Wings?” Brooks asks.
“Oooh, I love Demon’s Wings,” Nikki chimes in. “Nik Armstrong is so hot.”
“Hey!” Austin exclaims while Cassidy seconds Nikki’s affirmation.
“I don’t even like that genre and I’m not immune to the hotness of Nik Armstrong.”
Nikki and Cassidy, who are seated across from each other, start chit-chatting about good-looking musicians while Austin and Brooks finish their lunches.
Once everyone finishes their meal, Austin gathers the check and pays.
“Thanks, big brother,” Cassidy says. “I guess I’ll be seeing y’all around. I’m excited about the New Year’s Party Logan and Avery are throwing. It’ll be nice to see everyone dressed up.”
“Whatever you say, Cass. I wish they’d let me wear my jeans and t-shirt, but Avery put her foot down and, frankly, when she wants something, she can get awfully mean about it.”
“That’s not an Avery thing. That’s an entire female population thing. Get used to it,” she says, throwing a glance towards Nikki. “You may be overrun soon. My bet’s on a girl,” she adds with a wink, then saunters like a ballerina towards the exit.
“Your sister’s funny, man,” Brooks declares as the men step towards Austin’s truck.
Before leaving, Austin helps Nikki to his car. As she goes to open the door, he turns her quickly so that her back presses against the cold metal, her body shivering at the contact. Her body, however, soon shivers for a different reason as Austin places his lips firmly against hers. His tongue begs for entrance and she indulges him, their tongues dueling for control.
Too swiftly, Austin steps away and strokes his thumb against her moistened bottom lip, “Let’s get you to the office, baby.”
Once she climbs in the car, Nikki sits perched against the tan leather interior trembling in need – not a need for warmth, but for a heat only Austin can provide.
AUSTIN HAD NEVER HAD such a difficult time keeping himself in check while working. Every time he would begin to focus on one project, his mind would slide right back to Nikki. He could swear that her perfume is being vented through the entire office building. He had been struggling to keep his erection down since they arrived in the office that morning.
Yesterday had almost turned into a clusterfuck. He had to admit, when Cassidy’s arms had initially wrapped around his shoulders, he had thought it was Nikki - until he smelled the sweet floral perfume that Cassidy had worn since she was a teenager. Amidst his joy at seeing his sister, Nikki had barged into the diner and assumed the worst, then did what she did best and ran. Luckily, he was able to talk her down off that proverbial ledge, both deciding that they needed to change a few things before their relationship could go any further.
It had been torture to sit beside her in the booth at Angie’s, then agony again to have her only a few feet away at her desk. All he wanted was to take her home and cherish her. He had to admit the line between “like” and “love” was quickly becoming blurred. While just a few days ago that may have worried him, he was now more willing to take a chance again.
Once they returned home, they had come together in a heated exchange in the kitchen, causing Nikki to burn the grilled cheese she had been making. After making a new batch, they sat in front of the fireplace and watched the light snowfall out through the large windows. It didn’t take long before he had craved her again, and he made love to her gently in front of the fire and ice. A tangible parallel to the two of them. She was the heat and flame that melted his cold heart, left frozen from Ashley, and he was the solidity that she yearned for in life.
The two of them would never have a peaceful relationship, two opposing personalities coming together, but what they lacked in stability, they made up for with passion and understanding. Not a single soul alive knew what Austin needed better than Nikki did.
As he sighs while leaning back in his office chair, Austin worries that this revelation may be his undoing. Unfortunately, he was too far gone into her to stop now.
“Austin,” Nikki questions from the doorway after a light knock.
“Hm...?” he asks, bringing himself back to the present.
“We need to leave in half an hour for the demolition. The engineer will be meeting us there.”
“Right. I’ll be finished up here in a minute and I’ll grab you on my way out.”
She nods her head and turns to head back to her desk.
Austin stares long and hard at her retreating back, focusing on her heart-shaped behind so perfectly encased in form-fitting black pants – pants that look as if they had been painted onto her body.
Shit, he thinks to himself as adjusts his hardening dick.
How in the hell is he supposed to supervise a demolition when all he can think about is sliding his stiff cock into her wet heat.
Shaking his head (the one with the brain), he works to rid his mind of his animalistic thoughts and focus on the spreadsheet in front of him. Nikki had sent him the proposed budget for the pediatric clinic after skimming through it with a fine-tooth comb. She compared a similar build’s numbers against this one, and highlighted any costs that seemed overzealous. A few had caught his attention, so he documents those on a separate log while noting the company that quoted the cost.
After completing the final log, Austin grabs his coat and ushers Nikki towards his truck. Normally, he would just walk over to the site from here, but Nikki's condition made him adjust his plan and drive instead. He didn't want her overexerting herself.
They pull into a spot across the street and grab their hardhats from the back of the truck, Nikki sporting a very cute hot pink one she had picked out from the hardware store this morning.
As they approach the site, they see the demolition foreman conversing with Carl, Austin's foreman on the project. Austin notes that the two men are deep in conversation, arguing over something, so as owner, he steps up to the two men to settle any disagreements.
"Good morning, Carl, Robert," Austin begins, shaking each man's hand. "Looks like we have a clear day and we're right on schedule. What seems to be the hold up?"
"Mr. Connelly," Robert acknowledges. "We are running right on time, but Carl insists that he has a few men inspecting the ignition points at the front of the building. I explained that it has already been completed by my engineers, but Carl says it's protocol."
Austin considers points on both sides, but Robert's team is one that they have used before and he trusts his judgment on the project.
"Carl, call your men back. I believe we're good to go."
Carl's face turns a deep shade of red before stalking over to his truck and speaking into the walkie-talkie.
Austin turns towards Robert and asks him to proceed once all of Carl's team has been accounted for. Turning around, he searches for Nikki and finds her speaking with Sara at the coffee truck, conveniently in town for today since there are quite a few spectators present.
As he approaches the two women, he is surprised to find them laughing, especially since their initial meeting hadn't gone in the best direction. He had actually been concerned about the two of them working together in the office, but hopefully their laughter is a sign that his fears are unfounded.
"Hi, ladies."
"Hey, Austin. I grabbed you a cup of coffee. Just the way you like it."
Accepting the cup of hot liquid from Nikki, he takes a sip before sighing as the warmth travels down his throat.
"Mmm. Black, like my soul."
Sara and Nikki both chuckle as he takes another gulp.
"I'm pretty sure that line i
s in a movie or two," Sara replies and Nikki nods her head in agreement.
"Well, we can't all be as perfect as you both," he retorts before adding, "Are you ready for the demo? I don't recall either of you seeing one up close before."
"I know! It's my first and I'm very excited. I can't imagine how precise everything has to be so that every brick lands in a specified location. It's amazing really,” Nikki chimes.
Sara looks off to the side and then excuses herself before going to stand with Carl, twisting her hair into a tightly wound bun as she walks. Austin doesn't think twice about it, but notices Nikki's gaze lingering longer than normal.
"Everything alright?" he asks her.
Turning her attention back towards him, she responds reassuringly before asking him how much longer until the demo starts.
"You'll hear the bullhorn shortly asking us to step behind the fence. The engineer is almost ready. We are special though and have an area off to the side allocated for me and my crew."
"Oh, well I can't wait. And we get to inspect it afterward with the engineer to make sure everything is sound before we have the bulldozers move in? Is that safe?"
"I would trust Robert with my life. I assure you that it's safe."
Suddenly the bull horn he mentioned sounds over the crowd and jars the couple from their conversation. With thirty seconds before explosion, Austin guides Nikki to their protection booth and hands her a respiratory mask and ear plugs. After donning his own, the two of them cower behind a wooden frame and peek out of the Plexiglas window.
Soon the countdown begins over the intercom
Five.
Four.
Three.
Two.
One.
And the Earth shakes in an exhilarating explosion of dust and debris.
Austin stands in awe of the rubble, each piece landing exactly where it is meant to. Precise. Accurate. Two things he loves most about his career.
As he removes his ear plugs, but keeps the respiratory mask in place, he slaps Robert on the back for another job well done.
Shouting over the resounding echo of the detonation, Robert exclaims, "There are a few walls on the South side of the building that my team is reporting are still standing. I can't say that I've ever had it happen before. I'm not sure what could have gone wrong."
Coming Together: Welcome to Carson, Book Two Page 10
