Page 20 of No Strings

The silence is soon broken by the kitchen door opening admitting Davis and Beau.

“So, I heard you’re a complete moron.” Davis starts making himself a coffee, Beau close behind him.

“Oh, hi guys, no please, come in, and help yourselves.” I deadpan.

They of course ignore me. Something I feel like is just going to be the trending theme for today.

I talk them through everything we need to do today. Davis gave two out of the five buggies a service yesterday, so he’s finishing the others today. And Beau is following me.

Just as we’re about to leave, Morgan enters the kitchen and tells me she’ll stay here and help Davis.

“No, you’re with me.”

“Nope.” She pops the ‘P’ and walks towards Davis.

I work my jaw. I don’t want her with Davis. Not that he’ll do anything stupid, other than open his mouth. It’s just if something triggers her, I’m not sure he can help her. Not like I can.

“Morgan.”

She turns to face me, folding her arms over her chest, well more under her breasts, lifting them up. I make sure I continue to look her in the eyes. And when she pops her hips out to the side, she says my name, “Rhys.”

My eye twitches. “You’re with me.”

“Not. Today.”

Davis and Beau watch us argue back and forth. Their faces beaming every time she argues back.

I don’t know if it’s the determination in her voice, how she stares me down, or the fact I can’t be bothered arguing with her, but I agree. “Fine, work with Davis today, but this arvo you’re with me. I want to try something.”

The guys choke on a laugh, and Morgan raises her eyebrows. And that’s when I realise how what I said might be perceived. “No, fuck, not that, I want to teach you self-defence.”

“Oh, that’s right, you’d pass on ever fucking me, right?”

I groan, and there she goes using my words against me.

“Don’t worry babe, I’ll fuck ya if you ever need a man.” Beau says as he throws an arm over her shoulder.

She tenses the minute she notices his arm rise and goes white when his arm rests on her shoulders.

I see red, and my body moves without thinking. Holding him by his collar, I cock my fist back to punch him.

Davis catches my hand. “Think about what you’re doing.”

“Touch her again, and I’ll have you fired. Talk about fucking her, and I’ll shoot you myself.”

“Is that a hint of jealousy?” Beau teases. The prick has some balls. I have him by his collar, ready to punch him and he decides now is a good time to goad me.

“That’s a hint of fuck off.”

Morgan hasn’t moved; she doesn’t seem scared either. I breathe a sigh of relief.

“Come on Barbie, let’s go work on these cars.” He doesn’t touch her or make fast moves. Maybe she’ll be alright with Davis.

Before he can leave, I grab his upper arm, “Don’t touch her, no fast moves, no sneaking up on her.”

“This isn’t my first rodeo, Rhys.” He shrugs my hand off him and follows behind Morgan.

Just when I almost forget Beau is here, he speaks. “Fuck, you got it bad.”