“Is this really going to work?” Cece whispers.
“Why are you whispering? We're not even outside yet.”
“I’m getting into character.”
I burst into laughter. We wait a little longer before sneaking out. Of course he has to have a ginormous truck. By the looks of it, this might take us a while. We begin wrapping his truck. We definitely underestimated how much Saran Wrap we would need for this.
“What the fuck?” a deep voice barks. Oh crap. I slowly turn around to stare at a giant male chest.
“Why are you up so late? You should be sleeping.” I fold my arms over my chest trying to give him the same scolding look my mom gives me. I have no idea who this man is or what he does for a living. For all I know he could be a drug dealer or maybe he does those illegal underground fights. He could be dangerous, but I still stand my ground.
“It was like this.” Cece comes from around the other side of the truck. She tosses the box of Saran Wrap she’s holding behind her. “There were a bunch of kids.”
“Yeah.” I nod in agreement. “It’s a new thing the kids are doing. You likely haven't heard about it because you’re new here. I came out here and scared them away for you.” I give him a bright smile, dropping my folded arms. “You are very welcome.”
He drops his head back to look up at the sky. It’s as if he’s searching for something. Maybe it’s his patience. “You’ve gotta be kidding me.” I’m not sure if that was a question or a comment, so neither Cece or I say anything. Then he starts pulling at the Saran Wrap, getting it off within seconds.
“That took us an hour.”
Cece puts her hand over my mouth. I’d make a terrible criminal. I’d fold like a chair and rat myself out at the first sign of getting caught. “She means she’s guessing that took someone an hour.”
I nod in agreement.
“Go home,” he orders. We have a stare-off that I’m totally winning. Then he takes a step closer to me. “Go home or I’ll pick you up and take you there myself.”
That’s all it takes, and Cece and I are running back to our place, locking the door behind us. I bite my lip, wondering why his rough rude tone keeps doing funny things to my insides. Not wanting to think about that, I decide to go live on my social media and tell all my followers about my failed Saran Wrap prank. More ideas start to roll in.
“I like this one.” Cece points to the screen.
“Make him want me?” How am I going to do that?
“Yep, then as soon as he does, you don’t give him the time of day.” The comments are still pouring in. Most in Cece’s favor. I tell my followers goodnight and shut down my computer.
“Give them what they want.” Cece is really pushing this.
“I've already agreed to go on a date tomorrow night with Steve.” They’ve been begging me to try a dating app, so I did it. I haven’t dated since my high school boyfriend.
He’d cheated. I caught him in the act too. He cheated on me with my uncle. I’d found them making out in the bathroom when my parents were having a barbeque.
“His name is Peter.”
“Right.”
“Don’t sound so down. I’m not even into men and know Peter is hot.”
That’s the thing. He’s pretty boy handsome. I bet he takes longer to get ready than I do. It also creeped me out that he mentioned that he follows me on all my platforms. I know that’s the goal of being a social media influencer, but my target is women. It always has been.
“I’m going on the date. I already told everyone I would. That doesn't mean that operation take down the neighbor is over. He’s going down.”
Cece smirks. “I think he’ll go down quickly if you ask him.”
My whole body lights up the same way it did when I opened the door and looked up. “I’m going to take the pie over to him tomorrow.”
“Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.” I nod in agreement, still wondering where he was going so late at night.
Booty call? Typical. Usually what other people do doesn’t bother me, but for some reason the thought of him going to meet someone only makes me more upset.
This is war.ThreeDane“Your neighbor is one of those instafluencers,” Mick informs me. I pick up the phone and check the time. It’s ten in the morning. I groan and cover my eyes to shut out the morning sunlight streaming through the curtains.
“Call me back at a reasonable hour.” I turn the phone over, but Mick’s voice still trickles out.
“Did I wake you up? The day’s half gone.”
“It’s not even lunchtime. How can the day be half gone?” I mutter into my pillow.