Chapter 8
After introducing Mary Ann to James we walk around the boutique picking out clothes he might like. He ends up picking a couple of henleys in various different colors, blue jeans, a couple of t-shirts and two pairs of boots.
We head to the back where the dressing rooms are and I wait till he’s done trying everything on. After sorting through all his clothes we pay for them and have Mary Ann hold onto them till tomorrow when I can come with the truck and pick everything up.
As we’re walking out some felt and straw hats catch my eyes. It’s getting a little cold but it’s never too early to buy a straw hat.
“James, come over here and try some hats on.”
“Cowboy hats?” He asks, a little apprehensive.
“Yea. You gotta blend in with the crowd honey and that means cowboy hats.” I pick up a couple different style hats and try them all on James. We end up buying an E. Stockman straw hat for him and JB buckskin. Mary Ann rings them up for us and we head over to the town store to buy him other necessities.
“Go ahead and choose what kind of shampoo, body wash and all that kind of stuff. I’m gonna head back over to Mary Ann’s to do some shopping.”
“Alright.” James walks off with a basket in his hand. I head back over to Mary Ann’s to do some more personal shopping.
Out of nowhere I’ve felt the urge to buy some new nightwear, a kind of upgrade from my flannel pants and oversized t-shirts.
“Y/N/N. What ya doin back here? Where’s your man?”
“James is across the street doing some shopping at the store. I decided it’s time for a little revamp.”
“Some new lingerie? Some new clothes to wear around your hubby?” She winks at me as she guides me towards the back of the store where the more “mature” clothing is.
“More for myself than for him, Mary. I haven’t had much time and since I’m here I might as well buy something for myself.”
“Very much earned.” Mary Ann helped me pick up a couple of lingerie sets which had just come in and a couple of very short night gowns and silk pajama sets. She packages them in a small bag and hands them to me. When I reach forward to take them, she wraps her hands in mine.
“You shine brighter with him by your side. I haven’t seen your eyes sparkle like this in ages, Y/N. But….” Her gaze hardens, glancing down at our hands before bringing her head up and looking me in the eyes. “You both have demons to face. Demons that need to be faced together rather than apart. He’s your other half darling, don’t be mistaken.” WIth that she drops my hands and goes back to stocking shelves leaving me at the counter shocked.
I stood there for several minutes with my eyes focused on my hands. Why would she say something like that? How do my eyes “sparkle” around him? He only showed up a day ago.
There’s no possible way this man, this stranger is anyway connected to me. We are not each other's other half, each other's saving grace. I am only here to help him on his path in life and then out the door he goes. There is no room for anything like that.
I walk out of the store not bothering to say goodbye to Mary Ann as her words repeat in my head, my mouth quickly developing a sour taste.
I walk across the street to go find James in the store. When I get there I see a man up in James’ facem ars flying and shouts being heard.
“Do you know who the fuck I am?! Huh?! What are you?! A fucking mute?!” As I get closer I notice who it is. Matthew. My ex. That toxic, manipulative, power hungry son of a bitch. He thinks he can get away with anything he damn please just because his father is the sheriff of the town but his sorry ass is about to get a whippin.
“Back off Matthew.” I shove between the two of them, pushing Matthew away from James.
“Look who it is. The town tramp.” I glare at Matthew, knowing those words only make himself feel better.
“Get out of here. You’re causing trouble for no reason. We don’t need your bullshit around here.”
“We? What’s he to you? Your new boyfriend? Wouldn’t be surprised if you're sleeping around with nobody. Wouldn’t expect any less from the town tramp.” Matthew laughs so loud everyone around us cringes. I can sense how tense James is and I’m not liking the situation we’re in.
“Don’t call her that.” James says from behind me.
“James.” I hissed.
“Call her what? Tramp? What are you gonna do if I don’t stop? Huh?” Matthew pushes me out of the way forcefully, sending me to the ground.
“Y/N. You ok?” James is already by my side checking me over.
“I’m fine. We should leave though.” James helps me stand up and I brush myself off.
“Yea. You go run like you always have. I guess being a coward runs in your family.” James smirks at me as if he’s said the smartest things ever. I feel my anger bubble over and before I can’t think I slap him.
“I didn’t run away from anything. I ditched you, you piece of shit. You’re a manipulative, toxic, poor excuse for a human being in this town. Ask anyone. And don’t you ducking dare talk bad about my family. You have no clue who I am or who my family is.” I grab James’ hand and walk off to the cash register.
As the cashier starts scanning James' things I can feel the anxiety and panic creeping its way into my body. My hands start to shake and tears sting my eyes.
“Hey. We’ll be out of here soon. It’s gonna be ok.” James reaches over and rubs small circles on my back. Every now and then he whispers small words of encouragement.
As I reach to take the bags, Stacy, an old friend from high school pipes up from the other line. “I’m proud of you, Y/N. It’s about time someone told that bastard off and especially after he treated you. He doesn’t deserve to be in this town and you don’t deserve to be harassed by him. You keep fighting.” She flashes me a warm smile and all I can do is smile back.
“Let’s get you home where you can relax. It’s gonna be ok.” James takes the bags from me and carries them in his right hand, his left on the small of my back.
I don’t know what would happen if James wasn’t here. Maybe Matthew would act out again and I’d be on the ground. Maybe there would be a repeat of the past just in public this time.
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Word Count: 1176