Page 29 of Loving Josy
"Dude, when did you get here?" Esteban asks, walking into the living room, carrying a box in one hand.
"Just now. I like how this place is shaping up," I say, looking around.
"I know, right? We’re almost there. Just need to finish the painting and install the light fixtures. Violet’s gonna be thrilled when she finally sees it."
"I bet she will," I say, nodding. "Now that I’m here, put me to work."
Esteban grins. "You can start by painting one of the rooms. The guys are already on the bathrooms and kitchen."
"Cool. Is the paint already there?"
"Yeah, I put all the paint in each room earlier. Just make sure you’re using the right color. I labeled the walls, so you know what goes where."
I chuckle. "You always do that."
"I guess I do," he muses.
Heading toward the primary bedroom, I double-check the paint color, grab everything I need, and start taping off the corners. The steady rhythm of painting does what I need to keep me focused, while quieting the noise in my head. Once I finish one room, I move to the next, getting lost in the work, letting it take over. When I’m done with the second room, it’s late, and I start cleaning up. Two more rooms are left before the house is practically done.
As I walk through the house, I notice the guys are already gone. I didn’t even hear them leave. That’s good though, it means I managed to stay in my own head long enough to get through the day. When I reach the kitchen, I see Esteban installing the light fixture in the dining area. The open floor plan makes it easy to spot him across the kitchen island.
“Hey, almost done? Need some help?” I ask, moving closer.
“Sure,” he says, and I step up beside him, holding the lamp while he messes with the wires. We work in silence for a few minutes, which is unusual for Esteban. I know it’s only a matter of time before he cracks.
“So, what’s got you stressed?” he finally asks, his voice casual but pointed.
“What makes you think I’m stressed?” I shoot back, knowing full well he’s right.
“Today was supposed to be your office day, and you came straight here, didn’t say a word to anyone, and just started working. You’ve been in your head all day.” This guy doesn’t miss a thing, and I sigh, knowing there’s no point in hiding it.
“It’s nothing. Just… in my head,” I mutter, hoping he’ll drop it.
“Really? What’s bothering you?” The look on his face says that he’s not letting this go.
“Dude, seriously? Are we doing this?” I ask, already knowing the answer.
“Yep. We are,” Esteban says, his face all “duh,” like I should’ve seen this coming.
I cave. “I can’t stop thinking about Josy. After all this time, it’s hitting me hard how much I want her. I can’t get her out of my head. But she rejected me, so there’s not much I can do right now.” The words spill out fast, like I just need to get them off my chest.
“Wait, wait, wait. She rejected you?” Esteban’s eyes go wide with mock shock. Great, now I’ve done it. I hadn’t told him or anyone about the mind-blowing sex with Josy, and now I’ve got to backtrack.
“Yeah, three weeks ago,” I lie smoothly, trying to cover my tracks.
“For real? A woman finally rejected Noah Ross? This is a monumental day.” Esteban grins like the asshole he is.
“Fuck you, man,” I snap, irritated.
He just laughs. “Don’t pout. It’s fine. You just gotta keep trying. We all know Josy’s into you; she's probably just being difficult. Didn’t you say you were gonna start showing up at her coffee shop, like, every day?”
“That was the plan, but I’ve been tied up working on her new place. Haven’t had time to drop by since we started on that.”
“Start again tomorrow. Then the next day, and the next. She’ll cave eventually.”
“Yeah… that’s what I’m hoping,” I say, feeling a little lighter after getting it out.
“She will. Trust me.” He’s so full of confidence, like he knows something I don’t.
