Page 6 of My Rock Star Neighbor
Always a pleasure when Nick reminds me how much he hates reporters.
“I might have a lead on a kickbacks story.”I want to jump up and down with excitement.This could be the story that makes my career.If it’s true.
“Seriously?That’s amazing,” Nick says.“How did you get the lead?”
“I was volunteering at Lily’s library event, reading books to preschool kids to entertain them while their moms had a networking session.I met one mom, Tasha, who had a leaking showerhead in her bathroom.Her building’s property manager hired a contractor to fix it, but he made it worse.Although she complained about him, he is still doing ‘work’ around the housing development.Another plumber—her friend’s brother—fixed her shower, and she recommended him to the property manager, a woman named Beatrice.But when he pitched his services to Beatrice, she told him he needed to pay a bribe.I’m meeting with him and another tenant who had shoddy work done by the first contractor.”
“That’s huge,” Nick says.
“Right?”I grin.
“Alright, I’m done, and I won’t keep you up any longer.Go forth and save the city from corruption.”His eyes are shining at me.
Times like this, I really like Nick.
As he stands up—way too close to me—my heart buzzes, and I really hope that he can’t hear my heartbeat.
I turn to go back inside, but then I remember I forgot to tell him about my research on this YouTube woman.Sheisa scam artist.And her name is not Cara.
I whirl around but too quickly.Somehow, I trip on an uneven slat, twisting my ankle.Ow!Pain races through me.I’m falling.
Ooooh.
I can see the sidewalk below through the slats, and my stomach is in a free fall.
Until I’m caught by Nick and pressed against his chest.
“Got you,” he says.
I look up at him.I can’t move.Pain is still shooting through my ankle.I grit my teeth.It will fade.I need to wait it out.
“Are you okay?”
“I will be,” I say through clenched teeth.“My ankle.”
How am I going to cover my story tomorrow?I can’t believe I sprained my ankle.
Nick sweeps me into his arms and sits back down with me on the plastic crate he’s added to the fire escape.
“Are you okay?”he asks again.
“I’ll be fine.I need to wait for the pain to subside, and then I’ll be fine.”
We sit there, me cradled in his arms, as the pain slowly lessens.I gingerly turn my ankle to make sure I still can.It’s not broken—just sprained.
As the pain lessens, I am suddenly very aware that I’m sitting in Nick’s lap, leaning against his chest.He’s all muscle.His body is so hard.I knew he was in shape, but this is a whole other level.
I’m probably squashing him.I move to get up, but he tightens his arms.
Pausing, I look up at him and then duck my head, afraid that he’ll see how much I want to stay right here.In his arms.Surrounded by his warmth.He smells like cotton laundry and fresh air.He swallows, and his Adam’s apple moves.I want…
But I’m a reporter.Rock stars and reporters are not compatible careers.A reporter is behind the scenes and not necessarily recognizable.I want the focus to be on any story I’m covering and not my personal life.Whereas Nick is singing about his feelings publicly and has a fan club who surround him when he plays at Craic and Laughs.I’m not the type of woman a rock star dates, anyway.Especially if the parting words of my ex about his havingnodesire to kiss me are to be believed.And the last thing I want is for Nick to realize I find him attractive.Then he’d probably feel the need to be more aloof so as not to encourage any feelings.He seems to be careful to be respectful but reserved with his fans.He might even pity me.Ugh.
I jump up, yelping as I land on my foot again.
“Really, Maddie?”Nick stands, grabbing my arm.“Don’t hurt yourself just to get away from me.”
“I’m okay now,” I say.“It doesn’t hurt as much.”The pain has retreated.
