Stay Away from the House on the River

Untitled Part 1

I sit there eating a pint of coffee chocolate chip gelato and drinking a cup of blueberry pomegranate tea. The tv is turned on the sound of the random music flitting through the speakers, creating a relaxing atmosphere. It's just a normal Saturday afternoon, I'm waiting for her to reply back to the text I sent. I feel antsy I want to move around and get all of my nervous energy out. Instead, I just sit here feet wrapped in a throw blanket fingers tapping against my cup of tea. My phone starts vibrating against the coffee table.

Setting down my tea I pick up the phone, answering the call from Marie.

"Hey", I answer as I grab the remote control and pause the music. Letting my hand rest over the top of the steaming tea.

"Hey Camie, I was just wondering if you could head over to Louie's bakery to pick up a cake I ordered. I would do it but I'm running a bit late." I can hear the sound of her little baby Kate in the background.

"I don't mind. Are you going to want me to drop it off at your house afterward?" The steam coming from the tea heats up the palm of my hand in the most pleasant way. I can hear her take a deep breath.

"I want to say yes, but you know how Kate gets."

"Ok that's fine, I'll go grab it and keep it here for you." Straightening out my legs, the small throw falls to the floor.

"Thank you, listen I have to go, Camie, Kate is attempting to pull on the cat again. I'll talk to you later."

"You're welcome, try not to stress out too much over the cake. Please try to get some sleep, you sound exhausted." I close my eyes as she ends the call. I stretch out before placing my phone on the stained coffee table. The river is the only sound filling the area now. I slip on my shoes and jacket, I take my phone and put it in my jacket pocket. I grab my keys and walk out the door and lock the house up. The drive over to Louie's didn't take very long.

"Hey, Louie." I walk up to the counter, leaning against it as I patiently wait for the person buying their stuff to leave.

"Camie, what can I do for you?" The elderly man smiles.

"I'm here to pick up Marie's cake" I smile towards him, as I take out my wallet.

"Put your wallet away Camie" he sends me a playful glare as he calls out his son.

"Matt, how are you?"

"I'm tired and I can't wait to come home. How's your day going?" He smiles as I roll my eyes.

"It's going pretty slow, I'm waiting for the department to send more info on the case." my fingers tap against the granite.

"That sounds boring per usual--" he gets cut off by Louie.

"I know I don't pay you to small talk Matthew," he scolds him in a playful tone.

"I'm sorry, what's up dad?" he looks over towards me shyly.

"I need you to go grab Marie's order."

"Kay", he walks to the back of the shop. He carries on whistling a tune, as he disappears from view. I hear two familiar voices that I know should not be near each other. I turn towards the tables in the shop, only to see Ryan with Nina. I wait to see what is going on before I try and figure out what to do. When I see Ryan lean over and whisper something in Nina's ear that makes her giggle, right after he kisses her. At that point I see red. Storming over I yank him away from her.

"Ryan, you bastard." The amount of hatred for this guy is overwhelming.

"Camie" he sits there. "It's nice to see you again."

"Don't look at me all smug, you just crossed the line."

"What are you going to do huh?" Nina fidgets in her seat.

"You realize that you're in no position to say anything Nina?" Turning back towards Ryan, I gently crack my knuckles. The urge to hit this man almost consuming me.

"We both know you won't say anything" he smirks.

"Oh but I will," I say as he stands up fists clenching at his sides.

"You're not gonna like what happens then."

"Try it, and I'll have you arrested," he goes to take a step forward.

"Ryan." Matt sounds surprisingly calm, but I know different. It's just the calm before the storm.

"Matt, stay out of this it's none of your business." The testosterone fills the air, it's almost suffocating.

"Step away from her." I can hear Matt coming out from behind the counter, but I keep my eyes on Ryan.

"What are you gonna do if I don't?" Ryan raises his hand, I stand my ground.

"You lay a hand on her and I'm gonna show you how a real man acts." Matt's protective side begins to kick in, meanwhile, I begin to assess the situation. Trying to decide how this is going to end up. I watch as Ryan's hand reaches towards my body as if challenging Matt's words. Before he can even touch me I raise my fist, just as I see Matt step forward.

"Ryan, get out of the shop." I hear Louie's usually calm, quiet voice throughout the whole shop.

"Lou--" Ryan tries to sweet talk his way out of this.

"Don't Louie me. You don't raise your hand to a lady let alone a cop in my shop. You especially don't threaten my daughter-in-law." The sound of Louie's boots hitting the floor as he walks towards us would be enough to intimidate anyone. I'm pulled into Matt's arms as Louie steps forward blocking my view of Ryan.