Nefretiri
"Oh my god!" Covering my mouth, I rush to the front of the stroller, dropping my headphones on the ground.
What did I do?!
How did I not see the truck? I was so out of it that I walked into it like it wasn't there. Everything lost focus, and my senses screamed like an alarm. The sun's light reflecting off the truck blinded me, and the heat was even more suffocating as I spun the stroller around. Penelope's screams scared me the worst. Was she hurt? Oh, gods! The stroller was slightly pushed in.
How did I hit it so hard?
"It's okay, Pen-Pen. I'm so sorry…!" Tears fall, and my nerves shatter. This is the last straw, and I can't handle it. "You're okay. You're okay."
That's my only comfort. She's just startled by the impact, but it doesn't make me feel better. I could've hurt my child because of the magic I'd used, and now I could be facing debt I couldn't afford. The truck must be dented if the stroller was, and $60 wouldn't cover the repairs. Part of me wants to turn and run, but it's taking what little strength I have not to fall to the ground.
This is not my day.
For the next few seconds, all I can do is hold my daughter like she'll disappear, crying because I don't know what else to do. My mind is frantic, but her presence is soothing, anchoring me back to reality. So, I take several deep breaths, trying to get a hold of myself. Someone opened their door, and now I have to face the owner. I doubt they'll be willing to listen if they see me shaking and trembling like this, and I need to see how bad this is.
Oh, thank whatever god was protecting me!
There was no dent.
"I'm so sorry!" Wiping my eyes, not caring if my mascara ran, I confronted the woman who had exited the passenger seat, rushing into my apology. "I was distracted. I don't think… I didn't damage the door!"
"I don't care about the door," she sounds worried, not angry, which was a relief, but I'm still anxious. I don't know how to deal with people anymore, especially strangers. "Are you okay? Are you two hurt?"
"I'm okay," I lie as the driver gets out. Something changes in the air, like the atmosphere drops, but in a good way. Still, I refuse to look up, focusing on his footsteps, which are light and hurried. "I'm sorry. I should've been looking where I was going. I'll… pay for any damages…"
"I don't care about that." My brain shuts down. His voice is rich like wine or chocolate, coming off more like a growl than anything else, and it does something to me. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah," I finally looked up. I took a sharp breath and was surprised at the man in front of me. He looks like he's about to have a heart attack, and I have to fight the urge to step closer.
Was I so desperate for comfort that I'd take it from a stranger?
"Are you sure?" With a hand on my cheek, he scans my face, then looks down, but I don't feel uncomfortable. His touch sends sparks of electricity and cool waves across my skin. For a moment, I don't know what to do, hypnotized by a man who belongs in a myth.
"I… didn't get hurt." Suddenly, I feel shy, knowing I need to pull away but not wanting to. Something about his touch calms my nerves, and the craziness in my head settles. I can think clearly, and I realize how nuts I seem. "I'm really sorry. It's been a bad day. I really didn't mean to damage your truck."
"It's alright, Beautiful," his voice is almost a whisper as he comes closer, his thumb rubbing circles on my cheek. It felt so good, but it was too intimate between strangers. "As long as you're okay. I don't care about a stupid door."
This was wrong.
I'm letting a stranger touch me like it's nothing and enjoying it. Was I that starved for attention? The answer was yes, and I'm torn between shame and desperation. This isn't right, but I need it. Ricky's never touched me like this, and I didn't realize I'd forgotten what it's like to feel safe.
'No…' I couldn't do this.
Stepping back, I forced some space between us. It physically hurt, the afternoon heat consuming me again. How was he so cool? I hadn't expected the drastic change, and nearly rushed back into him, but I couldn't. His touch was too personal, and it scared me.
"I'm sorry," he said, putting his hands up, showing me he meant no harm, but looking like he was the one who had been hurt. I just want to check you over… I saw you hit the stroller hard. Can I make sure you're not hurt?"
I wanted to let him. It didn't matter, I didn't need it. My stomach was fine, and my leg was hurting from Ricky. What I needed was the stranger's comfort. Nothing's ever felt like this, and even a drop is enough to bring me back from the brink, but I can't.
"I'm fine, really," I tried for a smile, not knowing what else to do. It was awkward and fake, but it helped me a little. "I got scared more than anything."
We stand there awkwardly, no one knowing what to say.
Penelope settled down, trying to turn her head to look at the strangers. She's never been this curious about anyone, and it's odd for a newborn to be so alert like this. All I can do is chalk it up to her magic, which is enough reason to resolve this quickly. So, I turn away, setting Penelope back in the stroller. I don't know how I'll explain the damage to Ricky, but he might not care since I was the one who bought it.
"Here. Figured you need these…. And… I have a mirror," the woman handed me a few tissues and dug in her bag, pulling out a compact mirror.
"Thanks," I take them gratefully, wiping at my face. My makeup was a mess, but I did my best to wipe it away so I wouldn't look like a panda. "I appreciate it."
"No problem…" Her smile was warm and genuine, and she was crouching in front of the stroller, actively avoiding the crushed part. "And what about you, sweet pea? Do we need to trade insurance to get you a new stroller? I think this one isn't good enough anymore. Yeah, how about we get you a better one?"
As pathetic as this was, her kindness made me cry again.
I've been a mom for a week, and I've failed Penelope so many times. Now, a beautiful woman who was nothing to my daughter wanted to take care of her in a way her father and his family refused to. It was too much. Not to mention that she's beautiful, which intimidates me.
This goes beyond my insecurities.
I've dealt with beautiful women for the last year, and I know how dangerous they are. Yet, something about this woman doesn't give me that vibe. She's gorgeous with her long, dark, chocolate waves and soft oval face, but it's more than that. Her radiant smile brightens your heart, and her eyes aren't masks of jealousy or hatred. I see kindness, mischief, and willpower behind those cocoa orbs. That doesn't stop me from feeling inferior to her body. We are on two very different scales of looks.
Arms wrapped around me, sending waves of gentle warmth through me. It should've been stifling like the heat, but it was almost like a weighted blanket, comforting and safe.
Was… the guy hugging me?
He was, and I gave in to the desire to stay there, pushing away the noise in my head. It was wrong, but I needed this. Whatever it made me, I was where I needed to be, and the rest of the world melted away. Even the pain eased, my muscles shaking in relief. Would he catch me if I fell?
"I've got you." Even his whispers sounded powerful. He was the kind of man you'd follow anywhere because you knew he'd get you home. I didn't know him, but if he told me everything would be alright, I'd believe him.
The sound of his heart beating blocks out every other noise, grounding me to the moment. Sadly, that brings everything into focus. This was a stranger, and he held me like we were more. It wasn't right, and the yelling in my head turned off mute, and it's all I can hear. So, I pull away, but not enough to be out of his arms, giving me a chance to look at him properly.
He was beautiful.
No one uses words like that to describe a man who isn't androgynous, but that's not what I'd call him. It was more like masculine beauty, making him feel crafted and not born. Someone took years to sculpt him into perfection, carving his sharp features, making him powerful but not forbidding. Every line of his face was defined, his chin strong, covered in light scars on one side, giving him a rugged look that had my stomach doing flips. Somehow, the imperfections make him more attractive.
My eyes were drawn to his lips, tracing the thinner part of his upper lip down to his fuller lower one. They call to me, tempting me to taste and find out if they're smooth like velvet, but I can't. So, I move past them and his refined straight nose, focusing on his eyes, and for a second, I'm startled. They're ocean blue, just like Penelope's. It shouldn't be a big deal; lots of people have blue eyes, but they look identical. He even has the hint of gray near the pupil, like she does.
'It's just a coincidence.'
It had to be.
"How old is she?" Glancing in our direction, the woman got my attention, and I took advantage to move away from my giant protector. He was really tall, definitely over six feet. That alone was intimidating, but he was built like a Norse Viking. "She's so tiny."
"A… week old," I don't know why I was nervous about telling them that. Maybe it was the way the woman held Penelope's hands, or how my daughter stared at her like she already adored her. "She was born on the 13th."
"A week?" I jumped at the guy's anger. Turning to face him again, I was grateful I was holding onto the stroller. "And you're alone? Walking in this heat?"
Why was he so angry about that?
"I don't have a car." There was no reason to explain, especially to strangers, but I needed to justify myself. "Groceries don't buy themselves."
"Someone should be helping you." he crossed his arms, glaring at me like his point was law, but I don't think he was angry at me. "We'll help you get what you need. We're going in anyway."
"No, there's no need." It was a kind offer, but the voice in my head was causing me a headache. Ricky says I'm stressed, and that's why I think I hear someone talking to me, but I'm starting to question if I'm crazy. "Thank you… for not chewing my head off about your door… I'm glad there wasn't any damage to it."
"I'd never chew your head off." What was that about? Why did he sound so hurt by what I'd said? He already had this haunted energy surrounding him, but when he looked like that, all I wanted to do was comfort him. "Besides, we're the ones who should be compensating you. The stroller."
"There's no need. It's just a little dent." It wasn't, but I had to get inside. I was wasting time. "Sorry… Have a nice evening."
"Wait!" he grabbed the handle and stopped us from moving, the desperation exciting me. Why did I want him to stop me? "Please, let us help."
"No," something broke in me. I didn't just want his help; I needed it. The pain in my leg was flaring up again, along with the feeling of being crushed as my ribs cried out. The healing spell was demanding of me. I needed to eat again. "I've taken up enough of your time."
"Please," he sounded desperate, his sadness turning into torment. I felt like I was hurting him by saying no, like we were breaking up.
"We really don't mind," his companion came closer, looking me over with no judgment. "Even if it's just for some company. It must've been a terrible day."
"New baby," I lied, trying for a smile. "And… lack of sleep, my emotions are everywhere, and I had a C-section."
"Even more of a reason," it was like the woman wanted to be my friend, but understood she was crossing a boundary between us.
"Hey pretty girl," my protector, and it was strange that I thought of him like that, now crouched in front of Penelope, taking her hands. Something strange crossed his face before he hid it, his smile softer and almost adoring. "You're so strong, aren't you? Hey, can you help me convince your mom to let us help you? She's a little stubborn. What do you think, Princess? Hey… what happened here…? Where did you get this, Princess?"
Oh gods! He was touching the scratch on her arm. The one Ricky accidentally gave her when he was grabbing me yesterday. At least, I hope it was an accident. It's bad enough he won't hold her. I don't know what to do if he's that willing to hurt her already.
I didn't know how to answer. Should I tell him it was a cat? Would he believe me? Why was I trying to defend myself for something that wasn't his business? Why was I so scared?
"What happened to your mommy?" he asked Penelope, but I knew the question was for me. Did he see the bruises? They shouldn't be visible unless he was right on me, and he wasn't. "She has a bad ouchie on her shoulder, doesn't she? How did she get that? Can you tell me, Princess?"
"I have to go…" Swallowing, I pulled the stroller away, forcing him to let go.
It wasn't his questions that forced me to act. It was his eyes. His fucking blue eyes that changed to black! Not just the iris, but the whites too! He was a werewolf! I crashed into werewolves!
I moved as fast as I could, dragging my poor headphones across the asphalt before pulling them up. He was calling for me, but I didn't turn back. No, I couldn't get near him, especially if he was a wolf. Things would go from bad to worse, and I couldn't afford to pay the price.
So, I ran.
"Excuse me," I muttered, hurrying past a group of guys exiting the store.
I didn't even look up, finding safety inside the air-conditioned entrance.