Page 18 of You Saw the Best In Me

“You can’t lie to me. That little bitch you’re screwing better not get in the way of your responsibilities here,” she spits, her actual colors showing.

“Enough. It’s none of your business, and I do everything for Harper. Remember that,” I say, turning my back and walking away.

Grams can be a mean old woman, especially when she thinks she’s better than everyone else. Knowing how explosive we both can get, I give up, not feeling like arguing.

Once I clean the kitchen and load the dishes, I say goodnight, promising to see them soon.

“I’ll call you tomorrow after soccer practice, okay, Mav?” Harper asks, hugging me goodbye.

“Of course, send me the game schedule so I can start requesting time off. I don’t want to miss a single one,” I tell her, knowing I’ll have to remind her again.

Now that I’m out the door, I sigh in relief, walking back to my truck with that stupid prank toy I got for Karina’s cat.

I stop at the liquor store, and an idea comes to mind that I should ignore but choose not to.

I buy Karina’s tequila, along with all the limes they have, and a cute gift bag to put it all in.

Sign number three that I’m so screwed, it’s almost laughable.

I grab a napkin and write a little note with my phone number. Admittedly, I love it when she knocks on my door, but I can’t have that anymore when Harper is around.

This is such a stupid idea, considering we agreed this wouldn’t happen between us again, but the magnetic force pulling us together is fucking intense, and I’m running out of ways to duck for cover.

It’s been hours since I dropped the bottle of tequila at Karina’s door. She hasn’t texted me yet, but that’s not what keeps me awake tonight.

There’s a fucking cricket loose in my apartment, and I can’t find out where it’s coming from.

Whenever I get close, thinking I’ve found it, the noise comes from the opposite side of the room.

I’m losing my mind, and I hold a pillow over my head to drown the sound out, waving the white flag against the obnoxious bug.

Eventually, I drift off to sleep, but my alarm wakes me up, and I’m exhausted. I’m not usually a big coffee drinker, but I may need to stop for one to survive the day.

When I’m getting dressed, my phone rings with a new text, and I wonder who the hell is awake this early.

It’s Karina, and I shake my head. I should’ve known the cricket was a prank. I’ll never admit defeat, so I text her back, playing coy.

Hey neighbor! Sleep okay?

Like a baby, I see you got my gift.

I did, thank you very much. Come over tonight and open it with me.

I’ll think about it.

Catch you later, broody.

Have the day you deserve, kitten.

I’m smiling at my phone like a fucking idiot, standing in the middle of the room in only my boxers, which are now constricted by the hard-on I’m sporting.

All because of a couple of flirty fucking texts.

My armor is cracking, and I’m realizing that she may not be my nemesis after all. Something is happening where I’m feeling vulnerable when it comes to her, and no matter how hard I try to avoid it, it’s hitting me like a freight train.

The signs are all pointing straight toward her, but I’m so set in my ways to accept anything less than the plans I’ve curated for my life.

I should just leave the tequila as a gift and decline the invitation, but I can’t help but think about Karina for the rest of the day.