Page 10 of Wish I Didn't Want You Back

I leaned against the fridge and crossed my feet at the ankles. “Try not to ruin them.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Just when I thought we reached a truce.” She stormed off, Diesel’s tail wagging right behind her.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair.

What the hell was I doing? Letting Harlow stay here wasn’t just inconvenient. It was dangerous. This situation was a pile of dynamite waiting to explode. Not just to my peace of mind, but to my self-control, too.

It was one night. I didn’t need to make this more complicated than it already was.

The sound of the shower turning off echoed through the house. I sat in my recliner, nursing my beer with ESPN playing in the background. I scrolled through my phone, trying to distract myself from anything other than Harlow Bennett in my bathroom shower. Naked.

It shouldn’t have mattered. Her staying here didn’t mean anything. She’d be gone tomorrow. Then, I’d have my life back.

The door creaked open. I could hear her footsteps pad across the room. I nearly choked on my beer when I spotted her.

She stood there in my black and white flannel. The fabric hung loose down to her knees. She had the sleeves rolled up awkwardly, and my sweatpants were so big and long on her that they dragged along the floor as she walked.

Her hair was damp, and her face was scrubbed free of the makeup she’d worn earlier. Somehow, this look felt more dangerous than the damn wedding dress.

This felt too intimate, and I didn’t like it.

“Thanks for letting me borrow your clothes.”

I cleared my throat and looked away. “Don’t mention it.”

She fiddled with the white buttons on my shirt. “I know you don’t want me here. I promise I’ll be gone tomorrow.”

When I didn’t say anything, she set her glass down and gave Diesel a scratch behind the ear. “I’m beat. It’s been a long day. I’m going to bed.”

I waited until I heard the door click shut before letting out a breath.

Diesel’s eyes flicked from the hallway to me.

“Don’t look at me like that,” I said, rubbing a hand over his head. “She’s only staying the night, so don’t get used to it.”

He looked at me like he didn’t believe me. “Come on.” I stood up to let him out for the night. “Come tomorrow, she’ll be gone.”

I wasn’t sure if that reminder was for his benefit or mine. All I knew was when I lay in bed that night, staring at the ceiling, visions of Harlow sleeping in the next room, surrounded by my things, and dressed in nothing but my clothes, lingered in my mind longer than they should have.

CHAPTER FOUR

HARLOW

The smell of coffee hit me first as my eyes fluttered open. I stared up at the ceiling fan, momentarily forgetting where I was.

I groaned, throwing a hand over my eyes. I had trouble sleeping last night because my thoughts wouldn’t let me rest. I knew it was hard for him to have me here. It was hard for me, too.

I wanted to apologize for leaving him, but he was so upset that Molly dropped me off without a warning, so I didn’t want to make things worse. I was curious, though. Would he soften up toward me, or continue hating everything about me being back here? I squeezed my eyes shut, already knowing the answer to that question. I had to remind myself not to get too comfortable staying in this house. He made it perfectly clear that I wasn’t welcome.

There was a knock at the front door, so I picked up my phone to look at the time. Brooks’ heavy footsteps echoed throughout the house.

“Is she awake?” asked the soft, familiar voice.

“Not yet.” Brooks’ tone was hard. I could feel the tension seeping through the walls.

I threw the plaid quilt off my body, knowing I would eventually have to move from this spot and popped off the bed. I promised myself that I would be polite and not kill either one of them today.

The bedroom door creaked as I dragged my reluctant feet to the kitchen. I yawned and ran a hand through my hair, trying to tame the tangles.

---