Her storm

Need a beginning? Or is this where the story starts…?

I was driving home from work late as usual. It was dark and cold. It had snowed the night before then hailed today. The roads were not great, but I've done this drive a hundred times before this time was supposed to be no different. Just as I rounded the corner, there was a pick-up coming towards me. He lost control, I had nowhere to go, so I slammed on the gas, hoping I could pass him as he swerved into my lane. I was so very wrong. He slammed into my side. I squized my eyes shut as I heard a  sickening crunch of metal. I was thrown to my right as my car skidded into the shoulder before flipping over into the ditch. When I opened my eyes, the world was upside down. I had tears running down my forehead landing on the roof of the car. My voice was horse as I swore, i wopped the tears that had fallen before taking a deep breath. Letting it out, I braced myself as I unbuckled my seat belt. Luckily, it wasn't a long way down, but I didn't pay attention and landed on the glass from my window. I felt the glass bite into my knees and hands. This drew a string of curses from me. I tried my best to ignore the pain and opened my car door before crawling out into the snow. I stood and saw my knees were unscathed, but my hands weren't so lucky.  I did my best to pick out the pieces that I could. My head snapped up when I heard the man yelling.

“You BITCH! Look what you did to my baby!”

I looked at the truck, it was a behemoth of a thing. The bumper was smashed and a head light was hanging out. But it looked fine other than that. I turned and looked at my car. My first car, it was with me through college and my first apartment. I never named my car or babied it but I did love her just the same. She was ruined, there would be no salvaging her.

“HEY AIRHEAD! I’M TALKING TO YOU!”

I tear my eyes away from the one constant in my life to look at the angry man. He's tall, about 6 foot with a mop of brown hair. He was well bit and appeared to be in his early 30s. In other circumstances he'd be considered attractive. Right now he was down right intimidating compared to my 5’5 curvy frame. I could feel my self beginning to shake and not from the cold. I've never been good with confrontation but angry men were my own personal hell. I was rooted in my spot, the fear and panic taking over as he marched towards me yelling. I could no longer hear him and my lack of response seemed to be upsetting him more as he got into my face, he was as red as a firetruck. I couldn't breath anymore and I felt my knees about to give way when he stopped screaming and stepped back. I sunk down and sat in the snow, hugging my knees shaking. I couldn't take my eyes off the blood in the snow. My blood. I was in a spiral of incomprehensible thoughts when a hand touched my arm. It was large, strong and hot on my cold skin. I snapped my eyes up to stare directly into warm amber eyes.

“Take a deep breath”

The voice was like honey, which was fitting for the eyes I was staring at. I felt like I could breath again.

“Can you tell me your name?”

“Patricia”

The man smiled and that was when I was able to take in his whole face. He was young, around my age, with dark brown hair and a strong jaw. His face looked so kind when he smiled, his eyes lit up to

“Nice to meet you Paticia, I'm Brian. Do you think you can stand for me?” His head gave a little tilt. I nodded and headed grabbed my hands helping me to my feet. I wobbled and he slid a hand around to my back pulling me into his side to help support my weight.

“What the hell are you doing? You're supposed to be MY tow truck!” The angry man was back to yelling and I started shaking.

“You're safe, I got you. He's not getting anywhere near you again.” The voice like honey whispered in my ear, Brian's voice. I could hear the promise in it but it didn't stop my body from shaking again.

“Ya I'll be right with you man.” He called over his shoulder. We were now at his tow truck. He opened the door and I could feel the warmth. Brian helped me into the passenger seat.

“You stay right here darlin. Put the heat on high and I'll be right back. Okay?”

I nodded and Brian closed the door before walking towards the man. Brian was just as tall but a bit wider than the man.

“HEY ASSHAT IM THE ONE THATS GOING TO BE PAYING YOU NOT THAT STUPID BITCH” the man hollard while pointing at me.

"Alright asshole, I've had enough of listening to your loud ass mouth. You left the lady in the cold, screaming at her like a 2 year old. All because you lost control of your own damn truck. Maybe if you learned how to drive you wouldnt have been in this mess in the first place. Now get your ass back in your ugly truck and call yourself another tow."

"FUCK YOU AND THAT DUMB BITCH" the man was bright red but turned and got into his truck.

Then Brian turned and walked back to my car, looking around it, assessing the best way to get it out. Brian came back and hopped into the drivers seat. He looked me over and said

"You look a lot better. You're not shaking anymore. Are you feeling better, darlin?"

"Yes, I am. Im going to call another truck for myself. I have CAA, so it will be free. I really can't afford to pay for a tow, especially after all this. Im sorry." I went to reach for the door handle when Brian grabbed my hand. I looked back at him.

"Not a chance, darlin. You're in my care now, and im going to make sure you get to where you need to be. Safe and sound." Brian locked eyes with me. It was too intense, so I broke eye contact to look at our joined hands.

"Are you sure? I dont want you to lose money over me." My voice was much smaller than I intended.

"Yes. Im going to get my truck in position. Is there anything you need from the car right now?"

"Yes, I need my wallet once it's all righted. It's in the center console. If you dont mind grabbing it for me."

"Not a problem." Brian let go of my hand, and I settled back in the seat. He moved the truck into position and hopped out. When he came back the car was right. He handed me my wallet before driving with my broken car.