Chapter 8
CHAPTER EIGHT
Sutton
Seeing Gemini for the first time since graduation has a lot of old feelings resurfacing about that time in my life.
I was the quintessential ugly duckling back then, and while I’m no runway model, I’ve turned myself into an attractive woman.
Still, those insecurities I thought I killed are rearing their heads and that bothers me tremendously.
“You okay?” Skippy asks. “You’re awfully quiet.”
“Just trying to sort through how I feel seeing those guys again.” Especially Gemini, not that I’ll admit that out loud.
“They definitely kept me from being bullied a lot more than I was, that’s for sure, but they were always ‘behind the scenes’ so it’s not like we were great friends or anything.
High school was kinda lonely for me, Skippy. ”
She looks like she wants to cry at my words, but then she states, “Those days are long gone, Sutton. You’re a beautiful, accomplished, intelligent, independent woman now, who is taking life by the horns.”
“I think you mixed up two sayings,” I reply, giggling.
“Look, we’re in Montana, and there are horns everywhere, in case you didn’t know,” she retorts. “I’m just saying, if the looks Gemini was sending your way are any indication, he didn’t care how you looked in high school, and he’s way into you.”
I scoff. “From your mouth to God’s ears,” I say. “With how he looks, there’s no way he’ll give me a second glance.”
“I wouldn’t close the door to the possibility of a match with him,” she replies. “Plus, gotta admit, the others aren’t bad on the eyes either.”
Now I can’t help the giggles that pour from my mouth.
“Girl, they all bear a striking resemblance to one another since they’re cousins!
But, just so you know, if you choose unwisely, you’ll lose any chance at one of the others.
They don’t poach each other’s ex, which used to piss off the girls in school.
They’d date Mercury, then try for Pisces or Orion, and be shut down in a heartbeat. ”
“Sounds like you went to school with a bunch of hos,” Skippy murmurs. “I’m not a ho, I’ll see who gives me that fluttery feeling in my gut before I make my interest known.”
“They’re good guys, come from good families, but just to let you know, Orion is the self-professed manwhore of their group.
He’s not picky, either. Any color hair, body shape, age and he’s all over them.
I suspect that some day, a woman’s gonna come along and knock him on his ass and convert him to a one-woman man, but they’re new here in town, so it might not be too soon. ”
“Why? Because he has an entirely new flock to sheep his way through?” she teases, a mirthful look in her eyes.
“Skippy,” I warn, “don’t take it as a personal challenge. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
“Girlie pop, I’ll adopt a wait and see attitude with the three that are available.”
“There are four of them,” I caution, “not three.”
“I think Gemini is spoken for,” she rebuts, “if the looks he was giving you are any indication, he’s coming for you, friend.
They were sizzling. I was afraid to reach out and touch one of y’all in case I got burned.
And I’m usually right about these things, just so you know.
” She gives me a pointed look which has me dreaming that her perception is right and he secretly has been longing for me like I’ve been for him whenever his face would flash through my mind.
“I’m not discussing this anymore!” I exclaim. “There’s nothing between us. Hell, we barely had what I’d call a friendly acquaintance back in the day. Nothing more. Nothing less. You’re seeing things that simply aren’t there.”
“Methinks the lady doth protest too much,” she teases.
“Great, now you’re quoting Shakespeare. Don’t we have other things to talk about?” I ask, praying for a subject change.
“Not really. I mean, four new guys move into town and are Kings no less! Do you know the reputation that club has?” she shoots back.
“No, not really,” I reply.
“Well, their motto is ‘nobody fucks with the Kings’ so what does that tell you?” she queries.
“That we shouldn’t mess with them,” I retort, shrugging. “I doubt we’ll run in the same circles anyhow, so what you’re saying about Gemini and I is unlikely to happen.”
“Now you’re putting words in my mouth, Sutton,” she chides, wiggling her finger at me. “What I’m saying is, once he pulls his head out of his ass and stakes his claim, nobody better poach on his turf.”
“Great, now she’s using my words against me,” I murmur, shaking my head. “I meant that as a warning of what the four cousins are like in regard to women they’ve either dated or slept with.”
“And I’ve duly noted that,” she states. “But I’m telling you, lady, you’re in for one wild ride.”
“I don’t want to go on a rollercoaster, Skippy, I’m not a fan of all the ups, downs, and loopy-loops,” I grumble. “I’d rather play Monopoly and pass go.”
“Or end up in jail with a certain sexy biker when he locks your ass down,” she quips, biting her bottom lip so a laugh doesn’t slip free.
“Okay, I’ve decided… I’m not a fan of board games either. I’m gonna stick to being a homebody who lays in front of the fire with a make-believe boyfriend.”
“Boring,” Skippy sings. “I’m here now, sister, you’re never going to live that type of life. I forbid it.”
“I’m beginning to rethink this whole best friend thing,” I mutter, trying to keep a straight face. “Because you’re trying to pull me out of my life, which is nice and organized, and toss me straight into utter chaos!”
“No, girlie. I’m pulling you out of your funk and showing you the world isn’t black and white,” Skippy proclaims. “I don’t even want you seeing shades of gray, I want a rainbow of colors shooting out of your ass.”
“I’m not a bag of Skittles, woman. I’m not going to taste the rainbow.”
She can’t hold it anymore and starts laughing so hard, she doubles over while slapping her thigh.
“You have no clue how funny you are, Sutton!” she wheezes out.
“Not going to taste the rainbow, my ass! That man is going to have you seeing stars from space by the time he’s done with you.
Mark my words, go ahead, write it down because it’s gonna happen. ”
I roll my eyes at her and decide we need to change the subject. “So, you remember that creep from the gym?” I ask. At her nod, I continue. “Now that I’ve seen him up close and personal, I recognize him. I’ve seen him popping up all around town at the places I’m at. That’s weird, isn’t it?”
“Allen Jeffries is a creepazoid. I’d tell Gemini about him and let him take care of the asshole.”
“Uh, Skippy? There’s no reason to tell Gemini since we’re not a thing. I think I should tell my supervisor, what do you think? Because it’s bordering on scary at this point.”
“Nope, Gemini will sort him out, Sutton. Bet he suddenly disappears, even!” she gleefully exclaims. “That would solve a lot of problems since he is a major creeper.”
“I think I’m gonna hold off on telling Gemini… for now. If push comes to shove and he continues with his stalking, I’ll reconsider.”
“I think you’re making a mistake, Sutton. You aren’t the first one he’s done this with but considering he’s the CEO’s grandson, he never gets reprimanded. Hell, he doesn’t even get a slap on the wrist. Be careful. Promise me you will stay as far away from him as you can.”
“I’ll do what I can, but unfortunately, he oversees a department that I’m working closely with to resolve a few issues, so I have to be around him.
It bothers me that I’m seeing him around outside of work, though.
I’m never anything but professional toward him, so I have no clue why he’s targeting me, Skippy. ”
“But you know how men like him are, Sutton. They become obsessed and that scares me for you. I don’t want you to be a blip on his radar.
The last woman he followed around ended up leaving town without putting in a resignation.
I’m not sure how extensive his harassment of her was, but it was bad enough to send her running. ”
“I’ve got news for you, Skippy. I don’t scare easily.”
I’m kind of fibbing to her right now, because I may have remade myself into a whole new person, but I still have limited experience with men, and Allen Jeffries’ behavior terrifies me.
However, I’ll fake it until I make it, so to speak, and never let anyone see me sweat.
But if the opportunity presents itself, I will mention it to Gemini, because he hates bullies and that’s exactly what Jeffries is, a big bully who stalks women.
“The only advice I have for you is to keep your head low and run in the other direction whenever he pops up out of the shadows.” When I go to interrupt her and remind her that my department works hand-in-hand with his, she holds her hand up to stop me and continues.
“I get it, Sutton. There’ll be times you can’t help it, but make sure someone is around to witness y’all’s interaction.
That way if he claims you were flirting with him or giving him the signs that you were interested in him, you have somebody who can deny that claim. ”
“I’ll keep that in mind, Skippy. But there will be times when he comes to my office to talk over cases or drop files off, so that option isn’t readily available for me.” Or so I’ve been told by my supervisor.
“Then I think you should get a dash cam or something and set it up in your office for those times, Sutton. You can never be too safe when someone with a warped way of thinking sets his sights on you.” The thing is, that as of now, we haven’t had personal interaction, I’ve just been told that he’s going to be my point of contact, and now that I’ve put his face with the name, I know things are about to get bumpy.
Part of me thinks she’s being overly dramatic, but the sheer number of times he’s been somewhere that I have been without there being a work related reason has grown exponentially.
Maybe a nanny cam would be better, but I’ll do some research to figure out what will be my best option for an office situation.
“I promise I’ll be mindful of his behaviors, Skippy, and I’ll look into putting something in my office to protect me. Because while I believe in integrity and honesty, with him being the CEO’s grandson, I might need proof to back up any claims I have to file with human resources.
Because it’s coming to that, I know it is, and that’s the scary part.
Human resources may say they’re for the employees, but it’s really to protect the employers.
It sounds like he has gotten away with this before, and I’ll be damned if I’m his next ‘victim’.
No sirree, Bob. This girl has Texas roots and while I don’t have one right now, I can reapply for a concealed carry and get myself a new gun.
Because I don’t miss, and I won’t be someone’s obsession.