Austin watches as I stand on both feet and get my balance back. “I can drive you back to your place if you don’t want to walk.”
“I’m fine,” I lie through my teeth. Last thing I want is to be stuck in close proximity with this man. I’d rather army crawl across the field in a lightning storm with steel rods strapped to my back than for that to happen.
He nods. “Fine.”
When I turn around, I put a little more weight on my foot, feeling pain searing through it. It’s not broken, I know that much, but like he said, it’s gonna leave a giant bruise. Squaring my shoulders, I start the slow and arduous task of getting down his porch steps when Austin pipes up one last time.
“So, do we have a deal? You’re gonna keep that dog…”
Spinning around on my one good foot, I find him already back in the foyer and closing his door. I tilt my head to the side and plant a hand on my hip.
“Don’t you find it silly to be arguing with me while hiding on the other side of the door? Kinda like being behind a hedge isn’t it?”
Bull’s eye.
“Leave my hedge alone and keep your dog off my land,” he growls, his eyes narrowing. “I don’t want feces scattered everywhere.”
Keeping my eyes locked with his, I make my way around the yard, breaking our gaze long enough so I can peek at the paddock in the back. Using my chin, I indicate the section where a large herd of cattle is grazing nearby. “Really?”
His lips pull into a taut line. “The owner of those guys pays me to have them poop on my property.”
“So, because you’re paying me, does that mean you’re going to come and ‘leave treasures’ on my property?” You can bet I said this with my hands flying into the air and making a big show of using air quotes, too.
My big comeback. Sounded way better in my head.
Austin’s lips twitch as he tries not to smile. “That’s not what I meant, but hey, maybe I will. Could use some extra cash.”
“You’re unreal,” I mutter, barely containing my frustration.
He shrugs with a smirk. “And you’re a pain. But at least you’re good for some entertainment.”
“None of this is ideal,” I snap, turning on my heel. “You’ve got the list. Go over it, and I’ll check in tomorrow. Don’t get too cozy with it—I’ve got better things to do than listening to your grumbling.”
Austin chuckles, his voice trailing after me. “Sure thing, just don’t get your foot caught in any more doors on your way out.”
“Right,” I call back, not looking over my shoulder. “I’ll make a note to avoid your ‘charming’ company as well.”
As I head back to my place, with a subtle limp of my own doing, I might add, I shake my head, half-amused and half-exasperated.
If dealing with him is this much of a circus, I might need to start selling tickets.
EIGHT
Austin
It seems to me that the months I’ve spent sulking in what I thought was a cool closed-off solace has finally played its hand against me. Karma’s visit was expected, but I never thought I’d be treated to all of her fury with me at one time. She’s seeped in and I can’t escape. That’s right folks, she’s moved in next door and is slowly making her way into my life, reminding me that there’s a life out there I left behind.
And itwasa good one.
As I push a slice of bread into the toaster this morning, I can admit that I could have been nicer last night. I’d just told my brother, my own flesh and blood, that I want to be more positive, and yet, the first chance I had to do it for Bex, I failed.
Throwing open the door to the fridge, I spy a container of lasagna left by Amy this morning as I reach for some butter and jelly. It’s getting to the point where I need to call her employer, but not now. I’m having enough trouble getting through my own days, I don’t want to add upset to someone else’s. And when I finally do it and she finds out I’m letting her go, she’s going to be unhappy.
An alarm on my watch sounds, reminding me that Emma will be here soon for our Wednesday session. As I change into my workout gear, thoughts come on that I can’t stop.
Did I spend last night in bed thinking about what a jerk I am? Perhaps mulling over the fact I should show up with a present of some kind to Bex’s today? Although, I don’t know what I could get for the most annoying neighbor ever—is there a tumbler for that?
The sound of something sizzling, followed by a loud pop and the smell of smoke pulls my attention to the toaster. My eyes land on it as a tiny plume of black smoke rises from its opening, the spot where my bread had just gone in, and I shake my head.
