Page 5 of Bad Boy Neighbor

Yes, you do. It was Bianca the night before the accident when you told her you loved her and promised her a ring, house, and two-point-five kids one day because it made sense for your career.

“Don’t count on it,” I tell Sebastian with an air of confidence. “I’m gonna pull out the Aussie charm. These American girls won’t know what hit them.”

“The last time I pulled out the Aussie charm, I met the girl of my dreams. Be careful what you wish for, unless, of course, you wanna be just like me.” Seb smirks.

I move toward the couch, patting Seb on the shoulder. “Mate, there are many things I want to achieve in life, but being pussy-whipped ain’t one of them.”

Seb shakes his head, chugging the rest of the Corona. “Never say never.”

Throwing my towel around my neck, I continue my walk to the bathroom with a booming laugh. “Never.”

Three

Gabriella

“Ibet you like three cocks pleasuring your tight pussy every morning?”

Whoa. What the hell is this filth? Lana said this book is romantic suspense, but the first page is three guys taking turns with this one woman. She called it a ‘why choose’ romance, and according to her, a must read.

I close the page for a moment, inhale the salty sea air, then release a breath as my shoulders relax into the padded cushions.

The afternoon sun bounces off the patio as I sit on the old wicker chair, staring into the serene blue sky.

I could get used to this.

A house by the beach, bars and restaurants within walking distance, and more importantly—freedom. Every thing I imagined it would be.

“Hey, Gabriella!”

Lana is standing in her front yard with her rabbit, Bubbles. At first, the concept of owning a pet rabbit by the beach seemed normal until I realized Bubbles stayed inside the house like a cat or dog. Though, the more time I spend with Bubbles, the more I fall in love with him. Sure, he has his quirks, and it takes a while for him to warm up to you. If I’m being honest, his red eyes looked like he was out to kill, but the poor fella was rescued from some inhumane breeding facility and treated poorly.

The cute, fluffy thing follows Lana as she moves closer to the white picket fence. Placing my book onto the small wicker table, I quickly join her, taking my coffee with me.

“Hey, Lana. Taking Bubbles out for his afternoon walk?”

“Nah.” She grins, leaning down to pat him. “I just need a break. Ace finally fell asleep, and Sebastian is… let’s just say, I’m not entirely happy with him right now.”

“What’s he done now?” I can’t help but snicker—the two of them have their quirks. One minute, they’re in a heated argument over something trivial, and the next, they’re practically all over each other like college kids at a frat party. “I’ve got all the time in the world if you need to vent.”

“He just…” Lana shakes her head in annoyance until she closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. “You know what? Never mind. His heart is in the right place. I’m just cranky from lack of sleep and a kid with the energy of a bucking bull.”

“I’m sorry. If you ever need help, I’m here. I can’t say I’ve taken care of kids, being the youngest in my family, but it can’t be that hard.”

Lana snorts, covering her mouth instantly. “I don’t think you see the bags under my eyes, my unwashed hair, plus my stained shirt from the juice he spilled on me earlier.”

“Sorry,” I say again, admiring her auburn hair even though it does look slightly unkempt. “Offer still stands, anytime.”

“Thank you. Sometimes it’s nice to know that help is just a neighbor away.” Her face quickly shifts expressions, a ray of excitement shimmering in her blue eyes as she bites down on her lip suppressing her smile. “Enough about me, an update on Prince Charming, please?”

I arrived in Manhattan Beach just over two weeks ago. I’d read about this place in a book, instantly falling in love with the thought of living beside the ocean in California. It’s everything I could have dreamed of from a beach community. A long, beautiful, and clean sandy beach filled with sunbathers, surfers, and every water sport you can think of, beach volleyball being the most popular. I have spent almost every day on the sand, sitting and people-watching. Who would have thought volleyball could be such a competitive sport?

The cottage I’m renting is slightly rundown, yet clean and rustic. It’s painted sky blue with white windowpanes dressed with navy and white drapes. The owners, a couple from Arizona, decorated it in a beach theme. Wicker everything. It’s a far cry from my parents’ mansion back home, but exactly what I need for the summer.

In the time I’ve been here, Lana and I have had many chats over the fence, and occasionally, if time permits, we have brunch at the café two blocks over. She knows I moved here temporarily with my fathers permission.

It sounds ridiculously stupid coming from an almost twenty-five-year-old woman.

But it is the truth, plus more.

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