The Neighbor - Don't Hate Me

“You’re right. I don’t want to be here.”

Marcie swallowed and stepped to the side. She didn’t say another word as I stormed out of the airport.

I walked around the front of the building, stopping by her office window. A familiar horn beep behind me as I set down my bag, turned, and flipped off the entire building.

I grabbed the handle and rolled my suitcase over to Tori’s car.

“Hey,” she said as I opened the backseat door. Concern saturated her voice. “Everything okay?”

“Not really,” I said, slamming the door.

I popped open the top two buttons on my uniform and rubbed the top of my chest. It felt like I could finally breathe again. I drew in a long breath before lowering myself into the passenger seat.

“Let me guess,” Tori said.

“Please don’t.”

“You’re too good for them,” Tori said, turning to make sure it was safe for her to pull away from the curb.

“You don’t have to say that every time.”

Tori looked at me with her hard, blue eyes. I knew she was judging me.

Tori was one of my two best friends since high school. She’d also had the same job ever since she graduated from college.

She was gorgeous. I hated to say it, but attractive people like Tori didn’t get fired the way people like me did.

My hair was cardboard box brown with hints of crimson, and my eyes were a deep brown that almost looked black. I wasn’t model thin, not even close, and while Tori wasn’t either, she had legs that went on for days.

I was short and plain.

Although I did have a nice ass.

Tori and I didn’t talk the rest of the drive, which I was thankful for. The only time she opened her mouth was when she went through the drive-through and ordered us both a chicken sandwich.

“Are you settled yet?” she asked as she pulled into the driveway.

I’d only been in the house for a week. My grandma’s memories still haunted every room.

“No,” I said, glancing over at the man cutting his lawn next door.

“Whoa,” Tori said. “Hot neighbor.”

“He has a kid,” I said. “Don’t even think about it. I already think he doesn’t like me.”

Tori narrowed her eyes. “Why wouldn’t he like you? You’re the sweetest thing.”

“Tell that to my ex-boss,” I grumbled.

“Olivia’s here,” Tori said, staring into the rearview mirror as she put the car into park. “Oh shit. She’s crying. Again.”

2

Max

Great. The whole gang was at the new neighbor’s house. Jesus Christ, I just needed to get some sleep tonight.

If I wasn’t up worrying about Lily, the new neighbor was keeping me up with her loud music and annoying parties. Wasn’t she too old for that kind of shenanigans?

People were coming and going at all hours of the night. Even during the day, it seemed like there was always someone stopping by. Sometimes I wasn’t even sure if the homeowner was even there.

I sure as hell missed Mrs. Blair, the kind, sweet, old lady who used to live next door. It was sad when she passed. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t shed a tear or two for the nice woman. She’d always been so kind to Lily. It had been like having another grandma next door.

She did get a bit nosy when Courtney picked up and left with the pool boy. I still couldn’t believe she’d left Lily behind the way she did. Poor kid. Thankfully, she probably didn’t remember much about her mother.

I shook my head. I hated to even give any of my thoughts to Courtney after what she’d done.

I turned off the lawnmower and stomped my feet on the pavement to shake off the grass that had gathered up the sides of my shoes. When I heard the painful sobs coming from next door, I considered turning the lawnmower back on and letting it run until it was out of gas.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my neighbor with her arm around the crying woman. I was trying not to watch, but curiosity got the better of me. I wanted to make sure the woman wasn’t hurt or in need of medical care.

“Hello,” the blond walking behind them called in my direction. Her eyelids fluttered as quickly as her fingers moved in a cutesy little wave.

I gave her a nod before she disappeared inside the house after my neighbor and the sobbing woman. At least once the door closed, the woman’s wails were muffled.

I was fairly certain the woman wasn’t injured. Not physically anyway.

I shook my head. I was acting like a dick. Hopefully, the woman was okay, and if she wasn’t, they’d get her help.

I could blame my attitude on my exhaustion. Being a single working dad wasn’t easy. And I could also blame it on the fact that sometimes, people just didn’t mesh, and that was my new neighbor and me.