Page 27 of Wish I Didn't Want You Back

I sighed. “I’m sorry for snapping at you. I’m tired, and it’s been a long day. Can we start over?”

“Fine by me.” He brushed past me to get a beer from the fridge while I grabbed a bottle of wine.

We moved around the kitchen in tense silence and set the table for our takeout containers. We grabbed some Mexican food on the way back, but my appetite was nowhere to be found.

Brooks sat across from me and started eating his burrito while I cut into my quesadilla. He kept stealing glances at me when he thought I wasn’t looking.

He took a sip of his beer. “Listen, I understand you’re not happy with the timeline, but there was more damage than I expected.”

I picked up my wine and brought it to my lips. “Can’t your guys find a way to speed things up?”

“You obviously know nothing about construction. You need your electrical system fixed, floors redone, and walls replaced. You need to have patience.”

“I need your guys to work faster, that’s what I need.”

He exhaled through his nose, trying not to lose his patience with me. “That’s not how it works, unless you want me to cut corners.”

I pushed the rice around on my plate with my fork. “I’m grateful that you're letting me stay here. I don’t want to be a burden.”

He pushed his chair back. “You are not a burden.”

I kept my eyes on my plate, which I barely touched. “I know you didn’t sign up for this, and it’s not easy for you. I can look for a temporary living situation.”

He set his beer down with a thud. “You want to leave my house?”

I bit the inside of my cheek and looked over at Diesel, who was lying by my foot, waiting for a crumb to drop. “I don’t want to overstay my welcome.”

He leaned back in his chair. “I told you the room was yours for however long you need it.”

“You did, but I know how much you hate having me in your space. You’re used to living alone, and now you have to deal with me and my problems. I’m sure you would rather have your freedom back.”

He kicked his feet out and crossed his ankles. “What kind of freedom are you referring to? What exactly am I missing out on?”

I poked at my quesadilla like an idiot. “I don’t know, maybe bring a woman over. Date or whatever it is you do.”

He folded his arms across his stomach. “Why don’t you focus on your house and let me handle my personal life.”

“I’m just saying, if you want to have someone over, I’ll stay out of your way.” The words didn’t sit right, not even as I said them. I had no idea why I even had to bring it up? The thought of him with someone else made me want to puke, and I knew I had no right to feel that way.

“You don’t need to worry about who I date or what I do.”

“I’m not worried,” I said, way too quickly.

It was a lie, and I was pretty sure he could see right through me. All I could picture was him with a beautiful woman, with perfect hair and flawless skin, sitting on the couch, laughing at jokes or, God forbid, hearing them in his bedroom.

I would die.

The jealousy that churned in my stomach had no right to be there. He wasn’t mine. He hasn’t been for a long time.

“So, you would be okay if I brought someone back here?”

I picked up the napkins on the table and started rearranging them. “I mean, it’s your house. You can do whatever you want. I don’t want to make things awkward for you.”

His lips curved slightly. “Things are already awkward.”

“They don’t have to be. I can leave.”

“Stop.” His voice was firm, causing me to stiffen. “Just stop, okay?”

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