The guy’s head swivels between Goldie and me as he rubs his forehead as if confused by something.
I round his car and open the driver’s side door. “Here, allow me,” I sneer.
He shuffles over as if weights are tied to his shoes, but he doesn’t protest. I’m half surprised. I expected him to get in my face and try to throw a swing with the energy pulsating off him.
When he finally gets in, I say, still holding the door, “And don’t drive like a douche as you see yourself out of my neighborhood.” With that, I slam the door shut. Then I walk over between his car and Goldie, crossing my arms, making it clear I plan to stand right here until he leaves.
He pauses, so I shine my eyes at him. Goldie is behind me and can’t see the supernatural glow I’m broadcasting at this guy like a danger beacon.
The big ginger shakes his head as if trying to clear it, then starts the engine and pulls away.
It’s not until the dust settles in his wake that I drop my arms. I turn to Goldie who is staring at me like she is trying to figure out a puzzle.
“Did you just help me again, Tedford?” she finally asks.
“Tedford?”
She bites her lower lips as her eyes dart away a moment.
It’s only natural she knows my name if she’s seeing JJ. But I don’t care for the bastardization of it. Per usual, she’s under my skin and scraping against my nerves.
I let out a huff. “I helped myself. It’s bad enough you are here, but having asshats gather out here to kiss your feet is worse.”
Her nose wrinkles as her chin tightens. “Great, wonderful. I’ll do my best not to bother you from all the way over here.” The words come out clipped with fury. “But I’d like to point out you broke the truce and walked an awfully far way to put your nose in my business.”
“This neighborhood is my business,” I shoot back, knowing I’m in the wrong even as I say it.
Her hands clench into fists as she practically vibrates. “Well, I amnotyour business. And I’ll make sure to tell everyone at work tonight that no one is allowed to visit your little sanctuary. That way there will be no reason for you to come ontomyproperty.”
“What if I bring you a pink frosted cake with strawberries on it?” My sardonic tone is as harsh as it is taunting.
Her face turns blood red. The storm door slams behind her with a loud rattle, before the front door crashes shut after that.
As I make my way back home, guilt tingles hotly at the front of my forehead.
I’m trying to make sure we stay on our respective sides of the emotional fence, but do I really need to be such an ass? My neighbor brings out the absolute worst in me.
Sure, I can be crotchety. But it’s usually in a neutral, quiet kind of way. I act like a fucking animal around the cream puff and I hate it.
Dangerously close under the surface of my cake taunt was a very serious part of me. If I made an adorable, sugary confection like she had and showed up on her door, would she forgive me? Let me in? Let me kiss those plush lips and grip her ample hips—no. This is all wrong. I would never do any of that. It’s wrong for all the reasons.
Instead of starting up my grill for the steak waiting in the fridge, I start up the shower and get under the hot spray. I want to wash away everything I’ve said to her. Splaying my hands on the cool tile, I drop my head completely under the intense spray. Shutting my eyes tight against the raucous thoughts swirling in my mind, intermixing with sour emotions, I completely lose any grounding I found earlier in the day.
Something swells in my chest as something firms in my mind. Sometimes my mind makes itself up before I’ve even recognized the thought that has formed. And when that happens, I have no choice but to follow through on whatever inane or ill-advised plan I have.
In no time, I’m dressed in a tee shirt and jeans, and back on Goldie’s porch. Evening is setting in fast, turning the sky half midnight blue and half blazing orange. My senses are clear from the shower and I suck in a big breath of fresh mountain air before my knuckles rap against her door.
No answer.
I note that her car that’s usually parked out front is missing, and all the lights are off.
I’ll make sure to tell everyone at work tonight that no one is allowed to visit your little sanctuary.
Goldie must have left for work already, at the Poison Apple.
I’ve never been, but I knew of it before she even slipped those coupons into my mailbox.
This can wait until tomorrow, Ted. Sleep on it. Talk to her tomorrow.
