Landmine - Post Malone

40

They have just enough time to get to the storage units before they close. Dillon initially thought that they might spend three or four days in Chicago sorting out her things, but given the way Austin looks, she could never do that to him. He is quiet, he is always quiet, but it's just a different type of quiet. He has a deep frown line between his eyebrows and his shoulders look heavy. He also looks so out of place, still his usual confident self, but he looks like he accidentally stepped out of an old country western compared to everyone around him. She also does not like how women practically break their necks to get a good look at him - they don't even try to hide it.

She waits in her seat for him to come around and open her door then he helps her out and keeps her hand in his as they walk up to the storage unit office. He then opens and holds open the door for her. The waiting room is full, and he gives a man who has taken a chair a dirty look while an old woman stands near him. "Just ain't right," he says under his breath. Dillon squeezes his hand and smiles softly at him. She knows she is right to get this trip over with as soon as possible. They will collect the key, sleep in the hotel tonight, sort through the stuff as quickly as they can and try to be on the road again by tomorrow evening. She doesn't think Austin can handle more than that.

There is no one at the reception desk, so she rings the bell and then groans softly when she notices Austin's eyes keep flicking over at the man sitting on the chair. She knows he won't be able to let that pass. "Dillon?" an old friend, Jazz, pokes her head out a door in the back. "Oh...hi Jazz, I didn't know you worked here," Dillon says feeling a little nervous. She doesn't want to mix her new life with her old one too much. Jazz wasn't very nice about Isla's disappearance and the words she had said to Dillin still sting a little. "Yeah, I started here about a year ago. Haven't heard from you in a while," Jazz says, then laughs; it's condescending. Jazz is not a good person. She had spoken behind Dillon's back and even spread rumours about her when she had seen how easily Dillon's life had come together back in the day. Nice apartment, good job, fiancé, supportive parents - Jazz had grown jealous and Dillon had chosen to turn a blind eye. But, when she had told Dillon she was pathetic and stupid to believe someone had kidnapped Isla, Dillon had distanced herself from Jazz and let their friendship fizzle out. She deleted Jazz's number after another friend told her that Jazz said she would have run off too if Dillon had been her sister.

So no. She is not happy she has run into Jazz.

Austin taps his finger on the counter, and both women look at him; Jazz's eyes widen slightly. "Hurry it up, darlin'," he says softly to Dillon. "I want the keys to my storage container and the paperwork to cancel it, please," Dillon says. She doesn't want to play catch-up with Jazz anyway. "Oh...yes...of course..." Jazz mumbles as she starts fumbling around with paperwork. She looks a bit flustered all of a sudden and her eyes flicking periodically over to Austin. She is affected by him. Maybe it's petty, but Dillon feels a little smug. So while Jazz is fluffing around like a chicken without a head, Dillon places her hand on Austin's belt and leans in a little. Austin's hand goes to the small of her back immediately as he presses his lips to her temple gently while her grin widens.

Her sweet affectionate rancher. She loves him.

When Jazz finds the storage container key and the right paperwork she is out of breath, and Dillon can see she is desperate to know who Austin is to Dillon. Dillon will tell her in detail if she asks. "Just fill it out, empty the container and bring the paperwork in. You will pay the cleaning fee then," she says placing the key and paperwork in front of Dillon. "Who...uh...who is this?" she whispers pointing at Austin while he looks over at the man in the chair again. "My husband, Austin," Dillon says; she can't deny the thrill she gets when Jazz's mouth drops open.

"Your husband? Did you get married? Does Cooper know?"

Dillon frowns at the mention of her ex. "No. Why would he care to know? We are not friends," Dillon says taking the key and paperwork. "Thank you, Jazz; I will drop this off tomorrow and pay the cleaning fee," she says, turning with Austin and heading for the door, but she sighs when they stop by the man in the chair. She won't try and stop him, she knows better. "Your legs broken?" Austin hums. The man looks up and then immediately looks uncomfortable. "I just..." he mumbles as he stands up and offers Austin his chair. "Ma'am," Austin says to the old woman gesturing for her to sit. "Oh, that's very kind of you. Thank you," the old woman says sitting down, her cheeks blushing. "Do better," Austin mumbles to the man and then opens the door for Dillon.