Page 23 of Faking it with my Off Limits Neighbor

“Right. I’ve got to get going. I have work to do.”

“Yes. Yes, me too,” she says with the conviction of a wet paper bag.

I want to stay, but this isn’t the right time. Besides, the professional cleaning service I hired will be at the restaurant in about a half hour. I really do need to get a move on.

11

Charlie

As I drive over to Dad’s house, I’m still completely stunned. My first reaction upon seeing Troy on my driveway so early this morning was wondering how the devil he managed to get the hood up. But I quickly realized I hadn’t locked my car.

Of course, he was all chivalrous about it, which only made the situation worse. What do you say to someone who does something so nice and unexpected?

Clearly, you complain and yell at the guy while trying to argue over how much you owe him.

Did I even say thank you?

Oh, my gosh. I didn’t. I was too busy arguing about wanting to give him money. What an idiot. As I continue to drive across town with my engine purring like a kitten, I now feel mortified. What kind of person doesn’t even say thank you?

I pull into Dad’s driveway about fifteen minutes later. I always go to see Dad on Wednesdays. His health isn’t the best, and he needs my help with groceries and a bit of cleaning. Even though he stopped drinking five years ago, all the years before that did too much damage. He has heart disease and high blood pressure, not to mention liver damage.

I’m already determined not to talk about Troy Heaton. Dad didn’t mention him when I went to see him last week, and I sure as heck am not going to bring him up. Maybe, being so far out of town, he doesn’t know yet.

“So, I hear the ex is back,” Dad says as I walk into the living room.

Great!

“And hello to you, too,” I reply, determined not to bite. “How are you feeling today? Did you take your meds?”

“If I only took my medication on the days you were here, don’t you think you might notice?” Dad smirked. “You know, because I’d be dead.”

“Don’t say things like that,” I snap, dropping into an old armchair.

“Why?” he chuckles. “It’s not like me saying it is going to make it come true, you know.”

“Still,” I reply. “And you haven’t answered my question.”

“You haven’t answered mine.”

“You didn’t ask a question,” I counter, feeling like I have the upper hand in my reasoning.

“Fine. Then I’ll ask one. Have you seen your ex yet?”

Well, there goes my upper hand.

A part of me wants to tell him that I haven’t, but I don’t know how much he’s heard. Someone has evidently told him Troy is back, but did they also tell him that he happens to be living next door to me?

My hesitation makes Dad smirk, and then he nods and says, “I’ll take that as a yes.”

“Sure,” I say flippantly. “I’ve seen him around.”

“I suppose that happens when the guy lives next door, right?” He’s still smirking.

I swallow a sigh. Well, at least now I know what he knows.

“So, have you guys spoken to each other?”

I nod, feeling my frustration rising. “Yes, Dad. We’ve spoken to each other, but honestly, I don’t want to talk about it.”

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