Tension Released

StakingClaims

The next morning Samantha showed up fifteen minutes early. Not because she was trying to impress anyone. Okay. Maybe a little. But mostly because the silence before the machines roared to life gave her space to breathe. She'd slept like hell. Tossed and turned with Jordan's voice echoing in her head. "You'll fit in here" She didn't even know why it affected her so much. It wasn't what he said, it was the way he said it. Like he meant it. She wasn't used to being wanted in any way that wasn't selfish or conditional. The factory lights buzzed overhead as she clocked in. A few of the regulars gave her nods, even a tired "hey" or two. She took her place by the workbench for the morning assignments, keeping her head down. She didn't notice Willow until it was to late. "Morning boys" a too sweet voice trilled. Samantha turned just slightly, catching sight of the tall brunette striding through the floor like she owned it. Her ponytail was sleek, her eyeliner perfect, and her uniform shirt was just tight enough to look casual on purpose.

Willow.

She made a direct beeline for Jordan. Who was just walking in from the maintenance bay. "Hey stranger" Willow said with a soft, practiced smile. You still ignoring my texts or did you finally break that prehistoric phone? Jordan gave a tight smile but didn't slow his stride. "Morning Willow." He didn't stop. Just kept walking toward the took rack near Samantha's bench. Willow followed, undeterred. "Oh I see what this is." Her voice got quieter, but Sam caught it anyway. "Uhh New Girl." Jordan paused to check a clipboard on the wall. "Just helping with equipment setup. That's all." Samantha could feel her ears burning. She didn't even look at Willow, but she felt the woman's gaze like knives to the back of her neck. Willow stepped closer to Jordan. "You know how fast rumors start around here, wouldn't want anyone thinking you e moved on already." Jordan glanced at her, and for the briefest second there it was. A flicker of something restrained. Annoyance. Discomfort. Maybe even guilt. Samantha turned around, finally facing them with what she hoped looked like confusion and not fury. "Hey!" She said, voice chipper and breezy, like she hadn't just heard everything. "You still need help over in bay 3? " Jordan looked relieved. "Yes actually, you free?" Willows mouth twitched. Sam didn't wait for her to speak."Great" I'm ready when you are. She followed Jordan without looking back, her heartbeat was hammering in her ears. In the maintenance bay, the noise masked the tension, but not completely. Jordan wiped his hands and leaned against a tool cart. Finally breaking the silence, Sorry about that. Don't be Sam said too quickly. It's none of my business. He studied her for a second. Willow and I wasn't anything serious. We hung out a few times, it got complicated. She has a boyfriend , and I'm going through a divorce and she doesn't understand that. Oh cool. She said. Jordan let out a breath, not quite laugh. You okay? Samantha hesitated. Yes I mean I've seen worse. She thought of her ex screaming at her over the phone just last week about child support, custody and how she was a low life mother that didn't deserve their son. Compared to that... Willow was a ripple. Be still. That kind of possessiveness the need to mark my territory, ugh made her skin crawl. You know she added if I'd wanted drama I would of stayed married. That got a real laugh from him. A low, genuine sound that made her chest ache. They stood in the middle of oil and metal and noise sharing something unspoken, two broken people, quietly trying to be whole again. And for the first time in a long time, Samantha didn't feel alone.