#13. Collide
1016 Words
Betty went to register for antenatal care that morning, her hand resting protectively over her belly even if there isn’t any bumps yet as she walked into the small clinic at the edge of town. The building was modest, paint slightly faded, but the nurses inside were warm and attentive. One of them helped her onto the bed, checked her blood pressure, measured her belly, and asked routine questions in a calm, reassuring tone.
Everything was fine.
The baby was fine. Strong heartbeat. Normal growth. No warning signs.
When the nurse checked her ankle, gently pressing and rotating it, Betty held her breath without realizing it. The injury had scared her more than she liked to admit. She’d been afraid it would become something more, another problem stacked on top of an already complicated situation.
But the nurse smiled. “It’s healing well. Just don’t overdo it.”
Relief washed through her so suddenly it made her dizzy.
She left the clinic feeling lighter than she had in days, the air seeming fresher, the sky brighter. Living in this town was still strange to her. Too quiet. Too slow. But moments like this made it feel less suffocating, like maybe she could breathe here after all.
Instead of heading straight home, she decided to stop by the local store. She needed a few things anyway, and she felt well enough. Careful enough.
The bell above the shop door chimed softly as she stepped inside. The store smelled faintly of spices, soap, and old wood. It was small, the kind of place where everyone knew each other, where conversations flowed easily between aisles.
Betty moved slowly, picking items she could carry without strain. Bread. Milk. A few fruits. She was reaching for a box of cereal when someone spoke beside her.
“You’re not from here, are you?”
She turned to see a woman around her age, dressed simply, her expression curious but not unkind.
Betty smiled. “Oh no. I came to live with my grandfather for some time.”
The woman tilted her head, studying her. “That’s nice. You look like you’re from the city.”
“Oh yes, I am,” Betty said, amused.
They exchanged a few polite words before Betty headed to the counter. She paid, thanked the cashier, and waved goodbye to the woman as she pushed the door open.
And walked straight into a solid chest.
She gasped as she lost her balance, her foot sliding back. Before she could fall, strong arms caught her firmly.
“Careful,” a familiar deep voice said.
Her heart jumped as she looked up.
Grayson.
“Oh—hi,” she said, suddenly shy, her fingers curling instinctively around his sleeve as she steadied herself.
“Hey,” he replied, his gaze moving from her face to the grocery bags in her hands. “What’re you doing here?”
“I came to do a little grocery shopping,” she said.
His expression shifted instantly, concern tightening his features. “I hope you’re not putting pressure on your leg. You’re not supposed to be walking around yet with that ankle.”
Betty let out a nervous laugh. “I’m actually fine. I just came from the clinic. Everything’s okay.”
He didn’t look fully convinced, but he nodded. “Still.”
Before she could object, he reached for the bags. “Here. Let me help you carry this.”
“Oh—are you sure?” she asked. “You look like you were heading in yourself.”
“It’s fine,” he said easily. “I just came to buy steel nails.”
He took the bags and walked beside her toward the parking lot, matching his pace to hers without making it obvious. Betty noticed the way he stayed slightly to her injured side, like he was ready to catch her again if needed.
“So,” he said, glancing at her, “where in the city do you live?”
“New York,” she replied, a small smile forming.
“I go there often,” he said. “For business.”
“Oh,” she said. “What kind of business do you do?”
“A lot,” he answered with a shrug. “I own several companies in the city. I’m also a lawyer.”
She stopped walking for a brief second, surprise flashing across her face. “That’s… honestly surprising. You own multiple companies in the city and still live here?”
He smiled faintly. “It’s quieter here. Peaceful. The city never really sleeps.”
“That’s true,” she said softly. “I guess that’s why I’m here too.”
They reached her car. Betty unlocked it and opened the passenger door so he could place the bags inside. He did so carefully, then closed the door.
“Thank you so much,” she said, meeting his eyes.
“You’re welcome,” he replied. There was a pause, brief but noticeable. “I hope I get to see you around again. Maybe we could get coffee sometime.”
Her cheeks warmed, and she nodded. “That would be lovely.”
“Let me have your number,” he said, pulling out his phone and handing it to her.
She hesitated for only a moment before typing it in.
“I’ll call you later,” Grayson said.
“No problem,” she replied. “Have a nice day.”
She got into the car and drove off, glancing at him once through the mirror before turning onto the road.
Grayson watched until her car disappeared from sight, something unreadable crossing his face. Then he turned back toward the store.
The bell chimed again as he stepped inside.
He barely took two steps before someone moved into his path, blocking him deliberately.
A large man leaned against the shelf, arms crossed, a knowing grin on his face.
“So,” the man said slowly, eyes flicking toward the door Betty had just exited through, “is that your girlfriend, the big mighty alpha?”
- Writer
