Love Next Door (Lakeside 1)

She dabs at her eyes with the hem of her tank. “Last week he said he couldn’t handle it anymore. My family drama was impacting his social status, and he couldn’t be associated with thieves.”

“Are you serious? That douchebag. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s not your fault, so please don’t blame yourself. I honestly should’ve seen this coming. I mean, fifty percent of the reason I was dating him in the first place is because Dad approved and thought he’d be good ‘marriage material.’” She makes air quotes around the words marriage material.

“It doesn’t make it hurt less.”

“No. It really doesn’t.”

I open my arms and she steps into them, allowing me to fold her into a hug.

“I miss you, Donny.”

“I miss you too. I feel bad that I’m leaving you to deal with all this crap on your own.”

“I’m not alone. Dad and Bradley are there.”

I release her and step back, arching a brow. “No offense, but that’s about the same as being alone.” I wish she could come here and escape, too, but I know she won’t leave Dad on his own. It must suck to be twenty-six years old and unable to move on with her own life because our father refuses to move on with his.

She chuckles wryly. “It could be worse.” She pats my chest. “Come on. Let’s make a nice stiff drink, and you can tell us all about your projects and what you’ve been doing.”

“For sure.” I run a nervous hand through my hair. “I should tell you that my neighbor is coming over to have dinner with us. If you’re okay with that.”

“Why wouldn’t I be okay with that? And which neighbor?”

“Dillion, the one Grammy Bee called Lynnie. I don’t know if you remember her from when we were kids. She didn’t really come around, but sometimes she’d be on the dock next door or whatever.” I rub the back of my neck.

“Wait. Donovan Ferdinand Firestone, are you and your neighbor a thing?”

“I wouldn’t exactly call us a thing—”

“Your face is so red right now! You are totally a thing. This is so, so cute. I love it.” She claps excitedly.

It’s followed by a knock at the door.

Her eyes light up. “Is that her? It’s totally her!” She takes one step toward the door, but I catch her by the arm.

“Please, for the love of God, Teagan, have some chill. She’s low key, and we are not making a big deal out of this, so you can’t either.”

“Right. Okay. Find some chill.” She closes her eyes and breathes in and out. “It’s just so damn cute. And swoony.”

“Swoony isn’t a word.”

“Van? You here? Did you know there’s a yellow clown car in the driveway?” Dillion calls out.

“I love her already.” Teagan slips out of my grasp and skips down the hall.

Bradley appears behind her and gives me an arched brow. I say nothing. His car is douchey and he knows it. He shoulders me out of the way and makes it to the living room before me. He also skirts around Teagan and reaches Dillion, whose eyes are wide and her cheeks red.

“Here, let me help you with those.” Bradley swoops in and grabs the bags she’s carrying, depositing them on the kitchen counter. “And I told my sister we should take the SUV since it’s more understated, but she likes to drive with the top down, so I indulged her.” He takes Dillion’s hand in his. “I’m Bradley, Donovan’s younger, better-looking, more successful brother. And who might you be? Other than an angel fallen from heaven.”

“Uh, I’m Dillion.” She looks from me to him and back again. “And I’m far from an angel. Also, not to make it awkward, but I’m sleeping with your brother, so this flirty business should probably end here.”

Teagan giggles. “Oh my God, I really, really love her now.”

“I should also let you know that of the two of us, I’m more gifted below the belt.”

“That’s untrue.” I cross the room, heading straight for the two of them.

“Van’s a liar and very sensitive about the subject, as you can tell.” Bradley winks at Dillion.

“Not sensitive at all.” I elbow Bradley in the ribs and get between him and Dillion. “Don’t mind him; he likes to push my buttons.”

She smiles knowingly. “Well, that’s karmic, isn’t it?”

I cup her face in my hand and tip her chin up, planting a kiss on her lips that lingers far past anything appropriate with my family in the room. But my brother is a shameless flirt and needs to get a clue.

Teagan giggles and Dillion pushes on my chest. “Okay, stake claimed. Everyone gets the point.” She swipes across her mouth with the back of her hand and offers the other one to Teagan. “Hi, you must be Teagan. Van has told me so much about you.”