Page 44 of Bad Boy Neighbor

I hang up the phone feeling extra homesick. My parents were never too far away, and even my annoying sisters were usually chasing my tail. But being here, thousands of miles from a place I’ve always called home, is enough to throw me into a major funk.

Over the next few hours, I bum around town, walking aimlessly around Sunset Boulevard before making the annoying drive through peak-hour traffic back home.

I told Seb not to expect me home—a late invite to some party in the Hills held by an old school friend who married a rich yank and moved here a few years back.

But I wasn’t in the mood, so I opted to go home instead.

Stuck in a sea of red lights, bumper to bumper, I instantly regret leaving so late. The traffic in Los Angeles is beyond a joke—so many lanes, back-to-back cars, all desperate to get somewhere in a hurry.

It’s just after six when I pull into the driveway. I turn off the Jeep and sit quietly as I close my eyes to gather my thoughts. I have to adjust my mindset. I need to focus on my next step and not the hindrance. The more I try to talk myself out of this slump, the more I fail miserably.

I need a distraction, a big one at that.

Damn! I should have gone to that party, or maybe I could convince Seb to head out for a beer tonight.

Fuck! Lizzie’s babysitting.

I don’t mind Lizzie—she’s a cool chick and very similar to my sister, Rory, in a lot of ways. She keeps to herself, never says too much, and allows her goofy brother to always steal the spotlight in the room.

As I enter the house, I walk through the hall, stopping just shy of the living room to see Gabriella sitting on the floor with Ace. I haven’t thought about her since this morning and our discussion about her confused feelings. She doesn’t seem to notice me, and with a burning curiosity, I hide behind the pillar, watching her play by singing some song to Ace, making him giggle.

Soft wisps of copper hair sweep past her ears, caressing the skin of her neck and falling against her shoulders. Gabriella’s face radiates in delight. Her eyes dance as she smiles, watching Ace sing along with his cute babble.

I catch her attention, and she waves with a shy, “Hey.”

“Hey,” I respond, trying my best to ignore how she’s slowly begun to tear up the walls inside me. “No Lizzie?”

“She’s sick. Sebastian and Lana went out for their anniversary date. You know, adult time? Hence, why I’m designated babysitter for the night.” She ends with a slight chuckle, trailing off until silence falls between us, and the only noise is the annoying sound of Paw Patrol in the background. Yes, I learned what Paw Patrol was after spending numerous mornings with Ace. I may even have the opening credits remembered by heart, not that I care to admit that to her.

I wasn’t expecting her to be here.

Here, inside the house, alone.

“You’re staying here tonight?”

She answers with a nod. “Well, yeah. Ace can’t exactly stay by himself.”

Fuck. I’m screwed.

I don’t say another word, heading back to my room and throwing myself on my bed. I’m beyond exhausted—mentally, physically, and emotionally. The thought of being in the same house as Gabriella does nothing to cure my need to be inside her. My emotions bounce back and forth between today’s letdown and this thing between us which has become a struggle to control.

I need to get out of here.

Blow off steam.

Get her off my mind.

Get everything off my mind so I can fucking think straight once and for all.

An hour later, dressed in a pair of jeans and a white buttoned shirt, I grab my wallet and head out of my room.

She’s in the kitchen preparing a bottle and holding Ace in her other arm. He’s resisting, as usual, shaking his head and saying, “No bed.”

Our eyes meet. Her gaze shifting down toward my feet then back up again.

“I’m heading out.”

“Oh, okay,” she mumbles. Her smile slips, and an almost hurt expression appears as she shakes the bottle in her hand. “Have fun.”

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