Page 26 of Between Now and Forever
“Your face doesn’t look happy, and you don’t want to talk about stuff. You’re sad.”
“Damn kid,” I say, marching into the house.
“You give . . . lonely vibes.”
Who does that kid think he is?Lonely vibes?Lonely vibes, my ass. And what kind of elementary school kid says things like that?
We’re gonna have to have some boundaries around here.
I grab a beer from the fridge and carry it into the living room. Instead of figuring out what I’m having for dinner, I plop on the recliner and flip on the television. I don’t bother finding a program to watch. That’s not the point.
The show makes noise in the house so it doesn’t feel so empty. It doesn’t seem as inviting for my thoughts to stray to things I don’t want to think about.
How will I survive, living by these people? One interaction with Carter and I’m afraid I’m going to crack. One interaction with Dylan and I want to whip him into shape. Every interaction with Gabrielle makes me want to have another.
Take a breath, Jay.
All that is superficial. I don’treallywant any of it.
I don’t want to talk about my little girl. I don’t give a shit what Dylan does or does not do. And Gabrielle—I onlythinkI want to see her again. Down deep, I don’t. Because I know what will happen if I do, and at the end of the day, being involved with anyone, let alone a woman with two kids, is the last thing in the world I’m interested in.
And that’s a fact.
I take a long pull of my beer.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, so I set my drink down and pull it out. The number shows the name of the owner of the farmhouse we’re supposed to start work on Monday.
“This is Jay,” I say into the line.
“Hey, Jay. This is Larry Harris.”
“Hi, Larry. What’s going on?”
“I have bad news. The permits for the remodel weren’t approved.”
My brows rise. “Really?”
“Yeah. I just found out. My wife went to pick them up this morning and was told there was a holdup. They said they’d call us on Monday to go over it.” He groans. “I’m sorry, Jay.”
I press my head against the chair and close my eyes. “Yeah. Me too. Keep me posted, I guess.”
“Absolutely.”
“This will throw off our schedule, but I’m sure you know that.”
“I do. Actually, is there any way we can set to start next Monday? To give me a week to get this fixed?”
“That’ll work. It’s not ideal, but I can make it happen.”
He sighs. “Thanks, Jay. Again, I’m sorry. I’ll be in touch.”
“Talk soon.”
I end the call.
A whole week with nothing to do and new neighbors already getting under my skin.
I better find something to keep me busy.
