Jurassic Love

Chapter 5

"So... how's it going?" Vivian asked me as the three of us sat at the same table as our breakfast spot and ate cheeseburgers and fries.

"It's going pretty good. It's taking me a long time to do everything on Claire's daily list, so I may have to stay a little late." I said sadly.

"How is it with you know who?" she asked.

"You mean Owen?" I asked and she nodded, "alright, I just keep out of his way." I said, leaving out the whole raptor incident.

"Claire was stressing so bad about it-" Lowery began but he was interrupted by someone slamming their food down onto our table in between me and Lowery. Owen was shoving himself in between me and Lowery on the bench.

"Claire was stressing about what?" he asked, his mouth full of food.

"Owen what the hell?" I said to him.

"What? Can I not come and eat my lunch with my fellow colleagues?" He said with a smirk.

"There's literally a seat right over here?" Vivian said, clearly seeing Lowery nearly falling off of the bench due to Owen shoving him out of the way. Owen shrugged and carried on eating. Lowery moved to sit on the opposite side next to Vivian and I shot him a sympathetic smile.

"So what were you saying?" I said to Vivian, ignoring Owen next to me.

"Lowery was saying something about Claire stressing out." she said and Owen scoffed.

"When isn't that woman stressing about something?" he said with an eye roll. I sighed and he looked at me to say 'what?!'

"I better get back soon, I hope you don't have to stay back too late on your first day Rosie." Vivian said, shooting me a smile.

"Thanks Viv, me too." I sighed.

"If you want I could pick you up after and drop you home? I'm normally here till late anyway.." Lowery said shyly, looking hopefully. I grinned widely and nodded.

"I'd like that, if it's not too much trouble-"

"It's fine I'll take her back." Owen said firmly.

"Well Lowery just offered and you'll be finished before-" I began to object.

"It's stupid we live next door to each other there's no need."

"Hey man, maybe listen to Rosie about what she wants to do." Lowery tried to interrupt.

"Yeah and she wants to come back with me man, so better luck next time buddy." Owen retorted to Lowery.

I had had enough, so I slammed out of the room, but unfortunately Owen was hot on my tail. I was walking back to the paddock trying to walk fast in front of Owen, but his long legs made it easy for him to catch up with me.

"Who put a stick up your ass?" he asked me as I looked straight ahead, "Hey! I'm talking to you!"

"Well I'm not talking to you Owen." I replied.

"Oh come on, is that about that asshole back there?" Owen scoffed.

"He is not an asshole! He's my friend and he was doing a nice thing!"

"A nice thing?" Owen scoffed, "he's trying to get into your pants Rosie."

"And you act as if you're not! I've heard about you Owen Grady and you aren't the sweet and innocent dinosaur boy as you attempt to come across." I was shouting now, and we were facing each other.

"You think I'm trying to get into your pants?" Owen laughed maliciously, "listen to yourself! You're so full of it." My cheeks were blazing hot.

"Why do you have to be so impossible Owen?" I said quietly, ignoring the sting in my chest from his previous words.

He said nothing and stormed off. I looked up at the sky and screamed before I was interrupted by my phone ringing, it was Claire.

"Claire... Hi." I said trying to sound calm.

"Hi Rosie is everything going okay?" She asked hopefully.

"Yes, definitely, of course." I lied.

"Are you sure...?" She doubted me.

"Honestly Claire, don't worry, I'll erm... I'll probably stay late tonight."

"Okay if you're sure, make sure you record your overtime though." She paused, "how're things going with Owen?"

"Um... Not exactly peachy, but it's not world war three." I joked.

"He'll come around eventually." She said and for the first time I actually doubted her.

I avoided Owen all afternoon, hiding out in my little office that was essentially a small room with a desk and computer in off the catwalk. It was gone 7 by the time I finished so Owen and Barry must have put the raptors to bed. I was just finishing off and I still had no idea if I was getting a ride with Lowery or Owen or walking by myself.

I shut off my computer and left my office, only to be met with Owen standing right outside.

"Shit. You scared the crap out of me." I breathed, holding a hand to my chest.

"Are you coming?" He asked quietly.

"Do you seriously think I'm letting you give me after the nightmare journey yesterday and what you did at lunch?" I replied.

"Goddammit Rosie just let me drive you home."

"No Owen. I'll walk if I have to. I assume you've scared Lowery off this afternoon." I said.

"Well it certainly looks like he's not here." Owen said with a smirk. I rolled my eyes and started to walk away from the paddock and towards home.

"Rosie get on the bike." Owen shouted from behind me.

"No!"

"Rosie stop it." I stayed silent, "why have you gotta be so stubborn?!"

"I'm not talking to you until you apologise!" I called over my shoulder.

"Rosie..." Owen groaned in frustration whilst I carried on walking.

"Fine!" He finally said and I stopped and turned around, "I'm sorry alright!"

"What are you sorry for? I'm a little confused." I said and it was my turn to smirk.

"I'm sorry for the whole lunch thing, now will you please just get on the bike!" He practically begged and I relented, climbing on the back and wrapping my arms around his waist, telling myself over and over that I wasn't enjoying it.

We arrived home and I jumped off. He went much slower this time so I could properly take in the scenery and experience.
We awkwardly got off the bike and stood staring at each other. There was a sort of tension in the air and none of us knew how to cut it.
"Thanks for the ride Owen. Goodnight." I said simply, patting him on the arm and beginning to walk over to my bungalow.

"Hey! This doesn't mean we're friends you know!" Owen called after me in a playful tone.

"I know!" I said without turning around.

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