Page 33 of Talk Nerdy To Me
Chapter 12
BRITT
“Base Masters has been staying at my house all week, has no interest in taking my virginity, and rarely wears a shirt, even though I’ve expressly told him he arouses me. A lot,” I decide to tell Harley on Friday at lunch.
She chokes on her sandwich, then guzzles her drink like she’s trying to force an oversized piece of food down her throat, as her wide eyes stay fixed on me. She stomps her foot. Stands and sits. Finally, she slams her hand down on her desk, tears springing to her eyes as she struggles to dislodge the food apparently stuck in her throat.
We’re eating in her office today, so I’m the lone witness to the entire scene. I feel as though I should react…
“Do you need the Heimlich?” I ask her very seriously.
She waves me off and shakes her head, so I decide it’s safe to continue.
“I’ve barely been home, but when I am home, I smell him everywhere. See him everywhere. And he’s filling up my guest room with his things,” I go on, as she makes some sound of frustration, coughing now as she drinks more water. “Not that I mind, since he’s nice, and usually he has food for us. But I’m confused about his motives, since he’s clearly not interested in me sexually.”
She makes a sound, something akin to a whine, I believe.
She twists her body toward me, gripping one edge of her desk and gripping my hand. “Base Masters is in your house!” she hisses. “And you came into work?!”
I frown. “Of course I came in. I’ve been coming in all week. He was even disappointed that I didn’t come to his show on Monday at Silk, even though I explained Dane was back and better at handling the club. But again, he doesn’t have a sexual interest in me. He states his intentions, but I’m still confused. And you said I could come to you when I’m confused.”
“And he doesn’t wear a shirt?” she asks, her eyes staring at me as if she’s using her creative-dream-gaze.
“You’re not helping me sort this out,” I point out.
She shakes her head, but a grin continues to travel over her lips. “You’re fired. Now go home to Base.”
I just stare at her.
“I can’t be fired. I have a lot of work to do, and you’re supposed to be grooming me for partner.”
She groans. “You’re not really fired, Britt. But feel free to miss as much work as necessary when Base Masters is at your house. In fact, take a couple of weeks off. Or work from home. I’ve offered you remote access plenty of times.”
I go over all her words carefully, but none of them are the answer to my question.
“Why is he there?” I ask her.
“Did you invite him to be there?” she asks me, seeming to focus a little now.
“No. He came to my house when Krysta got sick, and he’s stayed there. I only see him for about an hour or so a day, but that’s still confusing me. He’s confusing me. He wants to know things about me others don’t, and in return he’ll tell me things. I’ve apparently only given him one thing so far that was what he was looking for.”
She fans herself a little with one hand as she props up on her other.
“Momma always said the artists and musicians were the oddest. Daddy always said that they’d be considered weird under any other circumstances.” She sighs. “I hate both my parents, so what do they know?” she adds, chirping the words as she grins.
Maybe I glare at her. I’m not sure. But I am feeling unusually irritated right now.
“What does he do in the guest room?” she asks, waggling her eyebrows.
“He writes lyrics and composes music there—mostly on the walls. He asked for permission first.”
I think she whimpers. “What’d I’d have done to look like you when I was a teenager…” She gets a serious expression. “How old is he?”
“Twenty-two, but what does that have to—”
“Hold on. I need to text that to the girls,” she says distractedly as she pulls out her phone.
“Harley!” I shout…and then blink as my eyes widen in the same surprise hers do. “I’m so sorry. I have no idea why I just raised my voice,” I tell her, somewhat horrified.
