Free Phoenix by Raine Anthony Page B

my legs feel like they’ve got pins and needles.
James seems to be taking note of what I have bought.
    “Won’t you need some gloves?” he asks.
    “Huh?” I give him a confused look.
    “For the gardening?” he prompts.
    “Oh, yes. I forgot about gloves.”
    “Would you like me to go get you some?”
    “Sure.”
    James leaves the counter and goes to the very back of the shop where the
gardening gloves are kept. A silence hangs between me and the man standing
behind me. My knees go shaky for a minute and I drop backwards slightly. Two
firm hands catch me and I let them hold me in place, not allowing me to fall. His
face is in my hair then, breathing deeply. Now that he’s touching me, my
anxiety slips away. I turn a little in his arms to look up into his eyes.
    Phoenix stares at me, his breath hitting my cheeks. “Eve, are you alright?”
he asks while gently massaging my elbows. I let out a quiet sigh.
    “Yes. It’s been a long week. I think I might be over-tired.” I reach up
to rub at my temples. I don’t want him to know how this everyday activity has
caused me so much stress. How sometimes being in an ordinary public setting
makes me extraordinarily nervous. Jesus, Maxwell, what have you caused me to
become? I ask my monster of a brother.
    “You seem shaky,” he observes, pulling me closer. Then he mutters under
his breath. “God, you always smell amazing. I’ve missed you this week.”
    Then why did you stay away?
    I draw back from him, worried that James will return and catch us in our embrace.
Then he will tell his mother and it will be halfway across the town before
dinnertime.
    “I’m not myself today,” I whisper.
    Phoenix puts his hand on my shoulder. “That’s okay. Do you need a ride
home?”
    I cough. “Yes, that would be great.”
    When James comes back he takes payment for the gloves and hands me the
rest of my purchases. I go outside and sit on a bench to wait for Phoenix. His
black truck is parked right outside the shop. Sitting down, I allow all of the
built up nervous tension to subside. The shop door opens and James runs out. He
has my purse in his hand and he looks from left to right before he spots me.
    “Eve! Thank God I caught you. You forgot this.” He hands me the purse.
    “Thanks,” I say, taking it from him.
    From behind Phoenix exits the shop and comes to stand beside James.
    “Ah, Phoenix. How’s business for you these days?” asks James.
    “As well as can be expected,” Phoenix replies, his mouth set a little
tight.
     James nods amiably. “Good to hear. Well, I hope that wood varnish is to
your satisfaction.”
    Phoenix acknowledges his statement with a curt nod.
    Blowing air out of his mouth, James fiddles with something in his pocket.
He says nothing for a moment, as if waiting for Phoenix to leave for some
reason.
    When he realises that Phoenix is staying put, he says, “Oh, Eve, I forgot
to mention. I’m having a barbecue at my house tomorrow evening to celebrate my
40 th birthday. I was wondering if you’d like to come?”
    “Sure. I might stop by,” I reply.
    “You’re welcome to come too, Phoenix,” says James, to which Phoenix again
nods silently. His eyes are narrowed now, looking darkly at James.
    “My house is number 15 on Peter’s Crescent. The barbecue starts at six.”
    “Okay, I’ll probably see you there then,” I say.
    James gives me one last beaming smile and then hurries back into the
shop.
    Once he’s gone Phoenix asks, “Are you ready?”
    “Yes,” I answer, and before I know it he’s grabbed my shopping bag and
put it in the back of his truck.

Ten
     
    I sit in the passenger
seat and put on my belt. Phoenix is silent as he drives, taking the left turn
onto the road that leads out of the town.
    “Are you going to go to James’ barbecue?” I ask hopefully. I really want
to go with him. Perhaps we could even call it a date.
    “Not likely,” he replies, and my heart sinks with disappointment. He
cocks his head to me.