Room for Two

Shattered Glass

In typical Bianca fashion, she made it as difficult as possible for Mason to get her to leave. Dragging a work calloused hand down his face, he couldn’t sit and watch her make doe-eyes at poo-shirt one more time. He’d had a childhood of living in Matt’s shadow and he wasn’t about to let this bad-taste pip-squeak stand in the way of getting her to finally notice him.

Standing abruptly, his chair scraped loudly across the floor, turning a few heads but he no longer cared. Storming over, he pulled Bianca away from the table by her waist and hauled her ungracefully over his shoulder. With a squeal of surprise, Bianca started wriggling to get free, but he held on steadfast. While he could appreciate she probably needed the attention and compliments after her break up, if he had to stare at her perfectly round arse while she suggestively bent over the table to any other man again tonight, he’d start breaking noses left, right and centre.

“Excuse me lads,” Mason nodded to the slack-jawed men who remained seated.

“Mason, put me down!” Bianca shrieked.

Continuing to walk towards the exit, he ignored her protests and simply waved and nodded to various locals as they passed. By the time they got outside, he could feel her visibly shaking in anger and humiliation. Albeit it probably wasn’t one of his brightest ideas he had to concede, he’d prefer the onslaught from an overly emotional and drunken Bianca then continue watching her solicit every man and his beer at the reception.

Slowly lowing her to her feet, he took careful consideration in turning his family jewels away from the potential danger as she stood silently. The tense silence around them was deafening. Hitting the unlock button on the keyring, he opened the door and watched as she stomped the remaining steps to the car without making eye contact. Closing the door softly, Mason let out a breath, wondering how long he’d have to wait for the onslaught. Although if he were completely honest, he’d prefer her yelling at him than this uncomfortable silence. Silent women are dangerous. You never know if they’re plotting your death or preparing your public dressing down.

Starting the car, he risked a side glance, noting her rigid posture, crossed arms and the subtle tick in her jaw she always got when angry. He didn’t know why but it was terrifyingly adorable and turned him the hell on.

“So,” he began cautiously, “Where’s home?”

He watched as she closed her eyes and steadied her breathing. It was like watching a ticking time bomb and waiting for it to explode.

“Right, well, I’ll start driving towards town and we can continue this stimulating conversation along the way.” Pulling the lever into reverse, he started to back away from the park, willing himself not to poke the bear, but desperate to cause a reaction of any kind.

Like a mantra in his head, he was repeating, ‘Don’t poke the bear, don’t poke the bear,’ but as she continued to sit there simmering in silence, he couldn’t take it anymore.

“Poo shirt looked about ready to explode when I- owe!” he complained as she punched him in the shoulder. ‘Bingo,’ he smirked to himself.

“How could you?” she scream-sobbed as she began slapping into his arm. Pulling over a little further down past the driveway, he turned off the car, reaching for her hands before she hurt herself.

“You humiliated me,” she pushed Mason’s hands away, “in front of the whole town, you picked me up like a drunken sad sack, and I’ll be the talk of the town. I’m so just so embarrassed,” burying her face in her hands.

“Sweetie…” Mason reached for her again, and this time she let him, “Bi, that was never my intention, I just- “

“What is so wrong with me?” she cried, “Why couldn’t he notice I was right there beside him all those years, just desperately waiting for him to take my hand and realise, I’m what he was looking for.”

Without even realising it, two hearts were breaking in the ute in that moment. Like shattered glass, he felt every jagged edge as her words not only made his heart sore for her pain, but his own stupidity for ever thinking they could have a chance together. Her words mimicked back at him as he swiped away the silent rolling down his face, why couldn’t she notice him right there beside her, just waiting desperately for her to notice him.