Page 99 of Loathe Thy Neighbor

He made so much fun of me for taking the little guy home at first, but he’s grown attached to him like I have.

I slide all but two beers into the fridge and check on the wings. I’m on my way to the living room when River’s bedroom door opens. I stop in my tracks when she walks out.

Arching a single brow, she lifts her shirt, flashing me her tits.

She drops her top, blows me a kiss, and hurries into the office like nothing happened.

I fight to not drop the beers, scoop her into my arms, and show her there are consequences for acting like that.

Fucking tease.

Morris barrels past me and into the room, running straight to Nolan as he takes a seat on the couch.

To my surprise, Morris jumps right into Nolan’s lap, curling into a ball like he belongs there.

“Cats love me,” he explains with a shrug, running his hand through the cat’s white fluff. He looks around the apartment. “I can see why you agreed to stay here. This place is way nicer than yours.” Nolan grabs the beer I hand him and cracks the top open. “Thanks, man.”

I settle down at the other end of the couch, popping open my own drink. “It’s the exact same apartment, just flipped.”

“Yeah, but this one is…homier.You didn’t have a single picture hanging up in your place and hardly any furniture. It felt…cold. Boring.” He takes a drink of his beer, turning his attention to the game on the TV.

He has a point.

I never noticed how lonely my apartment felt until I started staying with River. It was the small things, like those silly knickknacks shaped like s’mores she has on the shelves, or the many throw pillows she has piled up on the couch. Even the lone piece of art she has hanging above the TV is enough to make it feel more like a home and not just someplace to crash.

I didn’t realize how empty my life was before…and I don’t just mean in the literal sense.

Living with River this past month has been absolutely fucking exhausting at times. She’s moody thanks to her insomnia, she’s opinionated, and there’s a certain way she likes things done, which is hard to get a handle on sometimes.

But then there are all the moments in between.

She’s funny. Whip-smart. One of the hardest-working people I’ve ever met. She’s caring and dedicated to the people in her life. And as much as she frustrates me, she intrigues me.

For the first time in a long time, I’m not looking to fill my life with activities. I’m good with just existing in this space with her. I don’t bother trying to stick around and talk with other teachers at summer school, and I no longer find myself scrolling my phone at the gym long after my workout session is over. I just want to race home and be with her.

It scares me, considering our arrangement and how temporary it is.

But it also makes me wonder how it would be if we gave this thing between us a real shot…

I relax into the couch and try not to think too much about things I shouldn’t be thinking about. I take a long pull of my beer.

“So, when did you start sleeping together?”

Beer bubbles back up, dribbling out of my mouth and down my chin.

I wipe the mess with the back of my hand, and Nolan laughs.

“What the fuck, dude?”

“Sorry, not sorry.” He shrugs. “So, when did it start up?”

I glance toward the hall, making sure River is still tucked safely inside the bedroom where she can’t hear our conversation.

“What makes you think we’re sleeping together?” I ask when I’m sure the coast is clear. I keep my voice low though, just in case.

He gives me aDon’t bullshit melook. “For one, you’re happier. That means one of two things: your sports-ball team is kicking some serious ass, or you’re getting your dick sucked frequently.”

“Jesus, Nolan.”

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