Page 78 of Bad Boy Neighbor

Me

Good to hear from you, mate. How about tomorrow? I’m free in the morning. We can hit The Rocks for brekkie. Not too far from my joint.

He responds instantly, asking me to text him with details early the next morning. Tucking my phone back in my pocket, a rustling sound alerts me someone is nearby.

“Hey, what are you doing here?” Bianca asks, carrying her dress train in her hands.

I smile, tired and wanting so desperately to call it a night.

“Just needed a moment.” I sigh heavily. “Your friend, Krystal…”

Bianca laughs. “I’m sorry. She gets a bit carried away on the drink, and she recently broke up with her boyfriend, so she’s eager to hook up.”

“Eager would be an understatement,” I mumble.

“Oh, c’mon, Olly. You’re one step away from becoming a monk, according to Tate. What’s gotten into you? Or should I say who has gotten to you?”

I keep silent, not willing to talk about how the girl I fell madly in love with and would have given up everything for couldn’t do the same for me.

“So someone has gotten to you. An American girl, I assume.” Bianca sighs, leaning herself against the street pole. “Olly, I know what it’s like to be in love with you. I also know what it’s like to be hurt by you. I’m not asking you to answer how you feel about me. We’ve both moved on and to a better place. But you’re miserable. I’ve never seen you this miserable, and I’ve known you since high school.”

I hate that she’s right. Unlike most women, she has known me since I was a kid. I treated her like dirt, disrespecting our friendship all because of my selfishness.

Thank fuck Bianca found someone who will treat her well.

“It’s just the way the world turns.”

“No,” she argues softly. “The world doesn’t always turn on its own. Sometimes, it needs a nudge. Now judging by the cynical attitude, I’m assuming she hurt you.”

“A lot of assuming, Bianca?—”

“Well? Am I right?”

The confusion stumped my thoughts. She ultimately decided to stay in that lifestyle, but did I push her away, forcing her back to a place she didn’t want to be?

Fucking questions.

They hurt my head.

What I wouldn’t do for a drop of bourbon right now.

“It’s not meant to be. Can we drop the subject? It’s your wedding day, and you should be inside with Tate instead of feeling sorry for me.”

She shakes her head, eyes flickering with a know-it-all smile. “Still the arrogant boy from high school. Some things never change.”

“I’d love to see the view.”

Krystal sits beside me in the taxi. A small hiccup escapes her lips with a girlish giggle following soon after. Bianca begged me to take her home and as far away from the wedding reception as possible. A fight had broken out after Krystal tried to crack onto one of Bianca’s brothers-in-law. Quite comical, actually. Throw in a wrestling ring, mud, and some score cards, and it would have made for some amusing entertainment.

“Look, it’s just the harbour?—”

“C’mon, Olly, I don’t bite.” Her eyes glint with laughter. “Besides, I need to work off the impending hangover tomorrow. I’m staying at the hotel across from your place.”

With much reluctance, I agree, just to get her off my back.

The taxi driver pulls to the curb of my building and quickly tapping my credit card, I thank him for his service and guide Krystal out of the car.

Walking into the lobby, I smile at Barry, the concierge, then enter the elevator up to the penthouse.

---