CH 1-10

Summary

I’m a loner, a recluse. I like the quiet and the calm. my life has not been easy, and I have the scars to prove it. when the house next door is taken off the market and in moves a walking god, my life quickly becomes unraveled, but in a good way. I may say I hate people, but him, I don’t hate at all, even when I’m rude and push him away, I don’t hate him. I just hate the way he makes me feel. My parents have controlled my life, my school, collage, clothes and dates. I want to set my own path, so I move away, set up my business and fall in love with the woman next door. she’s rude and pushy, she wants to have no part of me. she’s scared because she has a traumatic past and I’m just the man to push her out of her comfort zone, all she has to do is let me in and ill protect her from her monsters.

1: Vanessa

Let me start by saying I’m no wall painting, I mean sure, I’m tall, 5 foot 7, with long blonde hair, my eyes are blue, and my lips are pouty.

But that’s it, well apart from being slightly overweight with tummy rolls, oh and some stretch marks, maybe a few scars, ok maybe a lot of scars. Most of them on the inside, but quite a few on the outside. Ok another lie, my body is covered in them.

I’m an introvert and suffer with anxiety; to put it bluntly, I don’t like me. I hate me, I hate my body, my personality, my mannerisms and my attitude. But it’s all things due to how I was raised and what I endured through high school and where I ended up before collage.

A memory or memories I don’t visit often because it tends to make me drink, and when I drink, I don’t stop until I’m passed out and basically in a coma.

My best friend Beth is the complete opposite and that’s why they say opposites attract. She is taller than me, slimmer than me, long black hair, a face of an angel. Her skin is tanned, and she has the perfect shaped eyebrows. she is outgoing and fun, happy and sweet.

We met in high school 12 years ago. I told her repeatedly that we couldn’t be friends because she would be made an outcast like me, but she just decided that I was her person and that was that. She witnessed some of my bullying from the schools “A list assholes”, but not all of it.

I can count at least 8 different occasions where she slapped a boy Roman Liddle around the face with her book for calling me fat. or the time she smashed a girl’s head Hayley Helson into her locker when she caught her trying to steal my stuff during gym. Then the time she punched Jessica Roberts, who I Lothe by the way, in the mouth when she was about to throw food over me in the cafeteria.

Beth is my rock, and I tell her all the time how she saved me back in the day, how she makes me feel less worthless. She knows some of my past but not all of it. not the darkest bits, no, not everyone needs to know about my lowest moments. Again, it’s not something I like to re-visit because it makes me turn to the drink. some secrets are best kept hidden.

I work from home as a partner publisher slash proofreader, my love for reading became an addiction when I joined a Facebook page for avid readers of the dark and disturbed. I even read authors who write about taboo subjects and the forbidden. It excites me, slightly.

Working from home suits me because I don’t like people, well I don’t like fake people, so I chose to stay a silent partner in the business I part own. I just like Beth, and I guess now I like her partner Kevin too. But everyone else, nope, they can jog the fuck on.

I have my routine, my morning ritual if you please. I get up at 8, shower, eat a small breakfast and then enjoy a cup of coffee on my front porch. Weather permitting of course.

Then its work, I can read for hours without so much as a break. I have lunch around 2 which will be a slice of toast or a sandwich and then another coffee around 2.30. Dinner is usually around 6, but that depends on whether the book I’m working on is a good one or not.

I only leave the house twice a week. Once to see Beth for lunch on a Wednesday and then once for a grocery run on a Saturday. I don’t stop to talk to anyone because I don’t want to, plus I’m known for being a bit blunt.

Beth comes to my house whenever she feels like it, most of the time She’s alone, but more often than not she brings Kevin. He is a good guy, polite but funny. He’s accepted my mean ways, my blunt mouth and excessive swearing.

So, all in all life for me is good, it’s better than ever. I’m alone but happy, I’m financially secure. My house is my own, with no mortgage. My bills are paid; my car is paid. Any repairs that need doing, I do myself.

The side of the street I live on is quiet, just me and the house next door that’s been empty since Mr. Samuels passed away 6 months ago. Plus, another two houses across the street, both with elderly residents.

I’ve lived in Vaiden, Mississippi since I was 21. Since I left college and relocated here to get away from my past. Beth chose to come with me, couldn’t leave her bestie, even though her family is from Boston, she wasn’t close to them so leaving them was an easy decision.

Today is Saturday and I woke over an hour ago, nightmares will do that, I know I need to get up but for some reason I can’t seem to find the energy. Probably one of my down days, I have lots of those. Or it could be the fact I need to go to town, and it always makes me anxious.

But needs must. I need new ink for the printer and I’m running low on food. God, I hate Saturdays. Engine’s rev from outside breaking my low thoughts and I crank my neck towards my bedroom window.

Beep, beep, beep.

Jesus, what in god’s name is all the fucking noise. It’s like a car meet outside my window, that sounds like multiple big trucks coming and going. People yelling and laughing. I guess next door finally has a new owner. Wonderful.

Please be old, please be old, I chant this over and over as I make my way to the window for a better look. Lots and lots of men walking and talking, playfighting and singing, gross.

The van is a moving van, big and white, the back doors are open, and furniture is being unloaded into the house. Another black van arrives; the name Petersons plastered on the side in bright orange letters. Some sort of handy man grounds worker. Great, means they will probably come over and see if I need any work doing on my house.

I can’t stand here all day watching, I need to move my ass. I climb in the shower and get ready for my dreaded trip to town. Maybe the new neighbors will just learn to ignore me like everyone else.

Once dressed I have some breakfast and take my coffee to the porch to enjoy the morning sunshine. Its short lived because the noise next door is at an all-time high. Music blasts from the house, while men continue to laugh and sing.

Dear god I hope that’s just a one off. I’d hate to fall out with them on the first day. I take my cup back inside and grab my keys for the car. I lock the door and walk back outside to my little blue Honda.

Just as I go to climb in, my eyes lock onto what can only be described as a male model, tall tanned and with short dark hair. Dear lord please don’t let that be the owner.

He lifts his hand and waves, but I don’t wave back. He smiles when he realizes I’m not returning his wave; he even gives a little chuckle. Cocky son of a bitch. I climb in my car and reverse out of my driveway.

Today is not a good day.

2: Callum

“Was that the Neighbor” My annoying but lovable younger brother asks as we stand side by side.

“I guess so, she didn’t wave back or smile, but hey, at least she looked, and I see that as a good start” I huff.

“Still can’t believe you moved here man, like what was the purpose, other than pissing off mom and dad” Kyle chuckles beside me.

he doesn’t get it, the need to be my own boss, to step away from the family business, to step away from our controlling parents. they suffocate me, Controle what I do, what I wear, who I spend time with. it’s been this way since high school and it’s time for it to stop.

“The point is ass swipe, that I don’t want to live under mom and dad’s rule forever, I need to be my own person and make my own mistakes.”

“And your still against marrying Jessa?”

God the very thought of that woman makes me shiver. she is without a doubt the most disgusting human being to ever walk the ground of Bosten. she’s a snake, a worm, a liar and a cheat.

“Do not say her name in my presence again, she is…” I pause with a shiver to give him the full effect that her name has on me.

“Dude, I get it, you hate her, I’m not keen on her, but dad won’t drop this, he needs it for his business and his peace of mind.”

Kyle is right, dad won’t drop it. He asked me last year when I turned 23 to consider her for marriage and I shot him down. Since then, it’s been a topic that gets brought up every time he is in my company and I’m sick of it.

“I’m here now, I have my own place, and yes I pissed off dad when he found out how far away it was, but it was worth it, I’ve got my own company, I’m happy for once in my life. Dad will just have to get used to it and accept my decision.”

I know it’s not that easy because my dad is one hell of a negotiator. he has several real estate businesses in Boston and is branching out Globally so, as well as getting a foot in the political door he works for some very seedy politicians to help acquire certain buildings and premises that they then use for some not so legal activities. it’s a Business I wanted no part of.

“The way I see it, I’m turning 24 next week and I still have a year to figure it out, maybe I can find my own bride and dad will back off.”

Kyle laughs and then shakes his head at me. “You know damn well you will have to marry Jessa or no one at all, it’s what he needs to secure his allies and for you to get your inheritance, don’t fool yourself into thinking you can just pick someone off the street and live happily ever after.”

Again, he is right, but God damn my father sometimes, God damn him for making me choose between my own happiness and his business, I don’t care about the inheritance. just for once I would like to do what I want.

“You wanna get pizza and talk some shit while I plot my own decent into hell.”

Kyle laughs and pats me on the shoulder. “Sure man, let’s go talk about your upcoming nuptials, and what your vows will be, your gonna write your own right.”

Kyle laughs again as I smack him upside the head.

Its past eleven and I’m still awake, my mind thinking about all the shit I would like to tell my father but can’t. My mom will side with him no matter what I say or do, she is weak for him, always has been. They married when my mom was 19, my father was 25 and he was already well on his way to be successful.

Noise from next door has me craning my neck to see out of my bedroom window. the neighbor who I saw this morning is moving around her bedroom, her light is on filling her room with a soft orange glow, I hear a crash and a small curse but then it goes quiet, and her light turns off.

I’ll go over there tomorrow and say hi. she looked beautiful from where I stood, long blond hair, hourglass figure, and I think, blue eyes, but I couldn’t see properly before she shunned me and climbed into her car.

my mind jumps to Jessa, God that woman is evil. we went to high school together and she was queen B of the cheer squad. I was the football captain and popular. she would gravitate towards me on the regular and even had people believe we were a thing. But I never touched her, not once.

The group that I would hang out with were ok to a degree, but they still had moments where they would pick on someone for no reason or call someone names randomly without care. Me I just stayed quiet, occasionally I would laugh to join in, but I would never intentionally hurt another person, whether it be verbally or physically.

Jessa on the other hand, she was pure Evil with a capital E. she picked on this one girl for the entire time we were there. They used to call her all sorts of names, and even went as far as to hit her a few times. I was never present when that happened, because if I was, I would have protected her and helped her.

There was even talk about one of the boys taking it a step to far, but again it’s just what I heard because I wasn’t around much. I avoided parties because Jessa would always get drunk and try to kiss me and well that’s just a solid NO from me.

I was accepted into NYU, my dream collage. I did everything I could to get my business degree. I wanted my own company, my own staff, but I also wanted a happy healthy work environment. As of yet it’s still just me, but I have a couple of college buddies who are looking to come on board.

I can do plumbing, electrical, woodwork, I can plaster, and I can build anything you ask. General maintenance or handy man Is what I tell people, but it’s so much more than that. my father hated it, so I got better and better at it just to spite him.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my parents, they helped get me though collage, they then helped me with my house, a house I intend to fully pay back when I am earning a good wage. but they have suffocated me since I was a child, Kyle too. they expect me to do whatever it is they want me to do. I don’t have an opinion because they shut it down. I wasn’t given a choice, I just did. like football, not my choice but I did it anyway.

Dad thought I was getting my business degree so that I could work for him. you can’t even begin to imagine his disappointment when I started getting my other qualifications under my belt. He shouted at me for a solid month to pull my head out of the clouds, that being a maintenance man was below our paygrade.

Now he just kind of accepts me and what I want to do. he still tells me that when my business fails at least I will have a degree to fall back on and hopefully one day take over the family business. If only he could see what I see, I’m not going to do that, even if I fail, it’s more Kyles thing anyway, not mine.

3: Vanessa

I had another nightmare last night, a bad one. I woke up with sweat sticking to my skin and my heart thundering in my chest. it’s always the same, the same faces, the same smells, the same room. I stumbled beside my bed trying to find my lamp, knocking it over in the process and making me curse. it took me a few seconds to calm down before switching the light back off and laying down to only stare at the ceiling for the next few hours.

the words they would call me, the touch of their hands as they held me down. nope, not going there, not now, not ever again, I refuse. I shower as usual and make my way down for breakfast. it’s a sunny morning, the birds are singing, and my porch is calling my name.

I take a deep breath and close my eyes. It’s so peaceful here, my own safe haven, away from the city, the people, the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Footsteps alert me to someone approaching. Its him, I can see him, I lift my head as he walks from his lawn onto mine like he has the right to do it. He is smiling and yes, he has a beautiful smile, his teeth are straight, and he is clearly built like a brick shit house, like he is made of rock.

“Good morning” he calls out, “just wanted to come over and say hi and introduce myself.”

before he even gets to my porch, I’m up and off my seat ready to flee inside my house. the confusion on his face is adorable. but he keeps coming and I make it to the safety of my front door. it’s almost shut when he reaches my porch looking slightly amused by my reaction to him.

“Wow, I’ve never had a reaction like that before, was it something I said.” His smile is a mile wide, is straight nose, his deep chocolate eyes, his dark hair hanging over his forehead. he’s beautiful and it scares the crap out of me.

“I just moved in next door, the names Callum, but you can call me Cal.”

I stare at his features, he is so damn hot it’s not fair, while I’m here, just existing. just doing the bare minimum to live my quiet life.

“What do you want.” my words are harsh; my tone is stern. he cocks his head as he studies me back.

“Nothing really, I just wanted to be friendly and introduce myself.” he smiles and folds his arms across his wide chest. his black t-shirt pulling tight across his muscles.

“I don’t need you to fix my house, I can do it myself.” and I can do it myself. I may not be qualified to do it, but my house is well maintained and as of yet nothing major has gone wrong. Cal looks on amused by my bluntness.

“Noted, look I’m not sure if it’s something I did when I moved in that’s clearly pissed you off, so I apologize and can I tell you that from now on it will be complete silence from here on out.” he smiles again, and I have to admit my brain is telling me to punch him in the face. my other senses are telling me to chill and give him a chance.

“You haven’t pissed me off, I just don’t like people, so cool or whatever for moving in next door and good for you for knowing how to be a decent human being and all that but please for the love of my sanity step the fuck off my porch.” I try to close the door, but he again starts to talk.

“Can I at least know the name of my Neighbour.” he gives me a cheeky grin, one that sends direct signals to all my lady bits, and that in itself also makes me want to vomit.

“No.” and with that, I slam my door in his face. I hear him laugh from the other side of the door, then after a few beats of silence I hear him walk away whistling. like whom whistles now a days?

“So, he like just waltzed on over here and was like, “hey I’m Callum your sexy new neighbor and wanted to ask if I can fix your leaking pipes.” Beth makes me chuckle with her manly impression of Cal’s deep voice while Trevor sits and reads something on his phone, but still, he gives a small laugh.

Beth turned up an hour ago, Trevor has Rugby practice in an hour, so I know they won’t stay long. “No, he asked if I was pissed off with him and I basically told him to get the fuck off my land and don’t come back.”

This time Trevor laughs louder, “oooh arrgghh get of my land you dirty scumbag” Trevor laughs when he tries to sound like a pirate. Beth covers her mouth with her hand. “Oh Jesus, that would be get off my ship, because pirates don’t own any land, just gold” I reply to his comment, and he sticks his tongue out at me.

“Babe, god I love you, but really, you need to learn to chill out, he was probably a genuinely nice guy and was being neighborly.”

I scoff, “really, you didn’t see him, he was big and scary, in his tight top and skinny jeans, with his cute hair and straight teeth. he screamed mommy’s boy, and I didn’t like it, like I said, big and scary.”

“So, you admit he was hot yeah? babe, I’m not saying offer him a place in your bed, but think about it, if he’s as big and scary as you say, he could at least be someone to protect you if the need arises, and also lift any heavy furniture you might need moving.”

I look at Beth with narrowed eyes, “your excuses are shit woman and you know it, yes he may be good looking but as far as protection, I can do it myself, and if I need furniture moved I have you and fucking dumbass over there.”

I point to Trevor over my shoulder as he looks up at me and smiles, “I’m not dumb thank you very much, yes I have big muscles and a big di.”

“Do not finish that sentence” Beth yells. “Not if you want to walk out of here alive” Beth flutters her lashes at him as she tells him to go and get his shoes on like he’s a child. well, I guess he still is in Beths eyes, Beth being 2 years older than him.

“Look just say hello if he’s outside, that’s all, no more no less. and if he really is harmless then he will leave you alone.” she has a point, if he stays on his side of the garden then I can just nod or wave or whatever. we can stay strangers but friendly.

“Fine, but I’m not inviting him over for playtime, he’s too big and he won’t fit inside my dolls house.” I sass Beth as she walks to the front door. she hugs me briefly as she kisses my cheek.

“See ya trouble” Beth looks over to where the Cal is getting out of his work’s van. “damn” that’s all she says as she walks down the porch steps and gets in the car with Trevor. like damn good, or damn bad.

I look over to Cal’s when Beth has gone, sure enough he’s standing next to his van as he looks over at my house. just before I turn to leave, he lifts his hand to wave. As if my mind and body are their own separate being, my hand lifts and I give a small wave back. then I stomp back inside and slam the front door.

4: Callum

Mother: we will be over next Sunday for lunch.

that’s the message I woke up to this morning at 7am. no “Hi son” no asking if I’ve settled in ok, no asking me how is work, just a simple message telling me they are coming over and that’s that. if I’m busy, I have to cancel, they are the ones who come first, always. I don’t even bother to reply because there’s no point.

I’m meeting a new client this morning across town, a Mrs. Ferdinand. her husband has finally granted her the funds for a new kitchen, and she called to ask if I could fit it for her. I’m stoked because she will be my first real client since moving here. I get my phone out of my pocket.

Me; you still interested?

my phone chimes straight away.

Buxton: Sure am buddy, meet me Wednesday for dinner Carries diner, say around 6?

This makes me smile. I ran into Buxton in town yesterday, he was milling about with his sister Kelly. She’s a pretty girl and when she hits the age when boys start to notice, Buxton is going to have many fights on his hands, but for now she can remain the sweet and innocent 12-year-old she is. we discussed him coming to work for me, and this new job would be a perfect starting point.

I step out of the house and breath in the crisp cool air of the morning. I don’t have to leave for another two hours so I’m going to enjoy my coffee on my porch and then take a shower before I get to the appointment.

movement catches my eye across the yard, of course she’s out here at this time of day, although yesterday it was around 8 before she materialized. I’m not one to judge, she can get up whenever she likes. I don’t know if she works or if she even leaves her house with how jittery she is around strangers, but then she went out when I moved in., she’s just odd, but intriguing, and fucking beautiful. when I finally get my ass into gear an hour later, I notice her car is still in the driveway.

---

“Hector let me choose the design and all the colors, he even let me choose the tiles, isn’t that wonderful.”

Mrs. Ferdinand smiles. she asked me to call her Pat, but I refuse to do that with clients, and she was even more grateful when I told her this. Mrs. Ferdinand is in her mid-fifties and although she is still an attractive woman, I can see the general wear and tear of her body from years of drinking heavily and smoking like a chimney.

Mr. Ferdinand on the other hand looks in better shape, probably early fifties if I had to guess. He looks like he works out and takes care of his appearance. my mind instantly accuses him of cheating on his wife by buying her a new kitchen. I shouldn’t think that way, but all the signs are there. we finally agree on a price, and I tell them I will start as soon as the kitchen has been delivered, hopefully that will be Thursday at the latest.

the rest of the day is quiet and uneventful, until Kyle pops in for a Random visit and we end up drinking beer into the early hours of the morning. I must have been too far gone, many beers deep because one minute I’m sitting on my lawn chair bopping along to the music and the next I’m lying on the floor with an angry looking woman yelling in my face from above.

---

“dude” I can hear him, my brother, my enabler. My brain is fried, it hurts so bad. “Cal, Yō, wake the fuck up” I hear him again. stop yelling at me please. “Yō Cal, some bird is at the door, she’s pissed, and I think it’s the Neighbour.”

I sit up in bed a little too fast. shit that was not smart. wait how did I end up in bed, fucking Kyle getting me to drink on a Monday night. shit who am I kidding, I’m a grown ass man, I make my own decisions. but still, what the hell happened in such a short space of time.

“Dude, she’s pissed, like spitting lava pissed” Kyle looks like I feel, his face is pale, and his hair is a mess. “Fuck, what the hell happened last night? I literally can’t remember anything after the three or four beers we had outside.”

“We had shots, then more shots, and then you turned up the music. your sexy ass Neighbour pushed you backwards off the lawn chair, she yelled like a lot a lot” great, Kyle thinks this is funny, but I was trying to keep the peace. I was meant to keep the peace and I failed.

“Finally,” a female voice grumble as I make my way to the front door. “Do you have any idea the noise you made last night and how many of my plants you trampled on?” wow a shouting Neighbor and it’s not the sexy one? No, this one is from across the street. her husband died three years ago and She’s lonely. I remember because she told me in great detail an hour after I had moved in.

“Mrs. Granger, I’m so sorry, please send me the bill for the damage and I will replace everything that we broke” I really need to go back to bed. I think I’m going to be sick. “it’s not just me you have to apologize to, poor Vanessa had to throw water on your sound system in order for it to stop working.” so there was an angry woman shouting in my face last night. Vanessa. I like it.

Quite a few hours later and a shit ton of coffee, I made my way out onto the front porch and instantly locked eyes with vanessa. she was having a coffee too, her usual evening drink. she stands abruptly, maybe she will head in and slam her door like she always does. but no, this time she marches over to my house with a tongue full of venom.

“Do you have any idea how much noise you made last night? or that fact that you went on a military manhunt and army crawled through Mrs. Grangers beloved flowerbed” Vanessa is stunning when she talks, all facts and to the point. “Or how about how you tried to climb my drainpipe and shouted for me to be ready” my jaw hangs open.

holy shit if that’s what I said when I was drunk, maybe that’s what I’m thinking when I’m sober. “I’m so sorry, I was celebrating my first client and my brother Kyle” Vanessa holds her hand up to stop me. “I’ve met him, he showed me his ass, then he asked me to compare and tell you who had the nicest of the two of you.”

I have no words; I must have dropped my pants like a horny teenager. “Fuck, I’m so sorry, please tell me I didn’t get my ass out” Vanessa nods and I can tell she’s holding in a laugh. I close my eyes disgusted with myself. “Your brother then turned up the music and asked me to dance for you both.”

Again, there is no humor in her words, just straight facts. she turns to walk away but not before pointing in my face. “This was the one and only conversation you will get from me, if THAT happens again, it will be an all-out war” she means it too. she’s a fighter and it shows. she turns and walks.

“Wait, Vanessa” she stops and turns with a scowl on her pretty face. “Who has the best ass, me or my brother” she hides a small smile behind her hand and then looks at my brother who is now standing next to me. “He does” she points to Kyle and then walks back into her house. lying little minx. my ass it tighter than my brothers. Kyle looks at me with a cheeky grin on his face but soon wipes it off when I charge after him for getting me so God damn drunk last night.

5: Vanessa

“Hey vanessa, are you enjoying the party?” The fact that Jessica is even speaking to me normally, should have had me put my guard up, but a fool I am. “Wanna get a drink with me?” And now she wants to drink with me.

“Um ok, sure” that’s the dumb ass reply I gave her before I looked around the room for Beth. We only came to this party because Beth assured me none of the A list popular people would be here. How wrong she was.

“Cool, oh shoot I need to pee, come with me please” again my guard should have been up, but she was acting quite normal and nice, I should have known better when she led me upstairs and away from safety.

“Just let me grab a tampon from my room really quick” I’m such a dumb ass for following her, for thinking she was being nice, Jessica doesn’t do nice, bigger fool me for being so damn needy for a slither of kindness. Because the minute she opened that bedroom door my life changed forever.

I wake with a start, my heart racing from my nightmare. God damn it. My body is covered in sweat as I re-live that moment over and over again, coming face to face with HIM. His smell, that room, their hands on my body.

I climb out of bed and walk downstairs to get a glass of water; I need a strong drink, but I refuse to do that as a way of escaping. If I drink now, I won’t get up tomorrow and be able to finish my latest book.

The clock in the kitchen tells me it’s just past 1 in the morning, and I leave the light off because I like the darkness. Next door is also in darkness and thankfully quiet after his little party of two a couple of days ago.

Seeing two grown men army crawl across Mrs. grangers flower bed was quite comical, until they decided to try and climb my drainpipe and yell out for me. Callum shouted out for me calling me his sexy Neighbor. Then he asked me if I was ready for him?

The music started soon after and that’s when I’d had enough. Seeing them so drunk was amusing until they both showed me their ass, asking me to choose whose was the tightest.

Then when I wouldn’t answer, they asked me to dance for them. So, what did I do? I took a bottle of beer and poured it on their sound system. Both men whined like little babies before they stumbled inside and shut the door in my face.

There is no denying that Callum is a very good-looking man, he reminds me of someone from school, but then a lot of people remind me of people from school.

The next morning as I’m sitting on my porch having my morning coffee, I see Callum leave his house and climb into his van. He waves as he drives past, and I can’t stop my hand from waving back. The smug asshole even smiles at me.

I’m meeting Beth later for our weekly dinner in town. Something we have done since we moved here, a way of keeping close but not in each other’s pocket. Regardless of the fact she is here more times than not.

Around 2.30 I finish the book I’m working on and email the final copy to my boss. I love my job and find myself excited for the next one. I only read romance novels, and they are always fiction. Horror books along with fantasy don’t get my heart racing like a good reverse harem, or a dark mafia with a little MC biker gang troupe.

I find myself at a loose end after my afternoon coffee so I decide a little time in the garden might help keep my mood light. I planted some roses last year and they are doing exceptionally well. Grabbing my watering can I trudge back inside and put it in the sink ready to fill.

Turning the tap to a steady flow I’m met with a large leak that quickly fills around my feet. “Oh, my fucking god, no, no, no, no” I open the cupboard and see that the pipe has burst due to a rusted intersection. “God damn it” I try to turn the cut off valve and the damn thing breaks in my hand.

“You stupid son of a bitch, fucking ball busting bastard” I’m soaked in a matter of seconds so, grabbing my wrench from the draw, I try to stop the water but it’s only getting worse. A throat clears behind me, and I snap my eyes towards the back door.

“Need some help” Callum is standing just outside my back door with a smug as hell look on his face. “No, I can do it myself Thank you very much” I reply with a grunt as I try to adjust my wrench around the pipe.

“How long have you been trying?” Oh, for god’s sake why is he here? “About five fucking minutes” my reply is short and sharp. He chuckles and steps inside. “I can have it stopped in a matter of seconds if you step out of the way” the smug bastard is smiling at me.

With a huff I get up and step aside. “Fine, knock yourself out, but I’m not fucking paying you” he laughs at this, but steps closer and good lord does he smell good. He squats down and reaches inside the cupboard and sure enough the water stops after 3 seconds, and I huff again with my hands on my hips.

“You need a new cut off valve and a new intersection pipe, maybe a new down pipe too” I give him a glare that would have kids running for their parents screaming for help. “I’ll get right on that, thanks for the help” I’m being sarcastic as he stands and looks me up and down.

“No problem, if you order the parts, I can fit them for you, free of charge” why is he looking at me like that? He makes me self-conscious of my body because my shirt is soaked and now very see through. He can probably see my bra.

“And why would you do it for free?” He laughs. “It’s my apology for the other night, my behavior was… inappropriate” damn straight it was, even though it was slightly amusing. “Fine, you can do the work, but don’t expect me to be nice to you” he laughs again. “Wouldn’t dream of it” then he turns and walks out of the door.

I will need to be careful around him, he has my stomach in Notts, and he doesn’t even need to do anything. I don’t know how to act around men since that dreadful night years ago. I’ve not had a boyfriend, and I’ve never been kissed.

I’m 24 and that’s really sad when I say it out loud but that’s my life, my insecurities and my past. That one night changed me, ruined me for all others. The bullies got what they wanted and made me a recluse who doesn’t know how to be normal.

Would I like to have a relationship and one day settle down? Don’t we all want that at some point? I’m just scared and confused. Stuck on an endless loop of hopelessness.

I grab my car keys and leave the house. Time to go buy me some new pipes before I meet Beth.

6: Callum

Damn she’s cute when she’s flustered. Her cheeks turn pink, and she huffs a lot. but her eyes scream for you to run away. I wasn’t going to go over when I saw water trickling out of her back door but decided it was a good way to apologies and to see if she needed help.

The curse words she was spitting was amusing to hear and I couldn’t help standing for a few seconds to admire her curves while she was getting wet. Her shirt was clinging to her chest, her red bra visible and I have to admit it made my mouth water and my dick twitch.

I can fix it for her in a matter of a few hours but I’m thinking maybe I’ll drag it out a bit and see if she will open up to me, talk to me. Maybe we can have a normal conversation and be civil with each other.

Walking back home I go over the new contract I have in my head, a very lucrative one if I can get more people to work with me.

I had a very interesting meeting today with a man named Logan Stanly, he is opening a new night club in town and wanted me to help with the renovations. The sheer size of the place is too much for me alone, so bringing Buxton into the business now is a smart move.

My other buddy Josh is finally back in town this weekend so we are meeting up for some drinks and to discuss him also coming on board. Things are finally looking up for me and I am so damn proud of myself.

I grab a shower and change into some comfy jeans and a white shirt; I’m meeting with Buxton for some food in a couple of hours and it will be good to shoot some shit for the evening.

My phone chimes when I step back into my bedroom.

Mother: you know a reply would be nice, or a phone call once in a while?

My mother can be so dramatic and I know its because I didnt reply to her message about coming over on the weekend. I let out a sigh and reply.

Me: sorry mom, works been crazy, sunday sounds fab, ill fire up the grill.

She will absolutely hate the fact that I will fire up the grill, she prefers her meals healthy and cooked in a kitchen. Tuff luck for her Because ill be the one hosting.

She dosent reply, but then I wasn’t expecting her too. I grab my shoes after I’m dressed and head downstairs. I may aswell head into town early and have a beer while I wait for Buxton.

…………..

“So your serious about coming on board?, I’ve got a kitchen to fit and now a total refurb to do on a new club that’s opening up, its a lot of work but the pay will be good” Buxton is sitting opposite me as we drink beer. We had some food which was great and now we are talking shop.

“Absolutely man, you know I’ve been out of work now for a few months, Lacey is pregnant and we need to move out of her moms asap” he gives a small grunt because I no how hard it is to live with parents when all you want to do is be independent.

“I get it man, I’m meeting Josh on the weekend to discuss the same thing with him, you wanna join us for some beers” his face lights up and he nods. “Sounds good to me man, luckily for me, Lacey is laid back and doesn’t want me joined to her hip 24/7” he laughs and I join in.

He is lucky, he met Lacey in College and they hit it off right from the get-go. “You know Josh just broke up with his woman? so he will need this distraction, we can keep him busy for the foreseeable future” I tell him as he lifts his glass in a salute.

“She was a bitch anyway, always nagging him for doing shit wrong, poor bastard” I laugh because hes not wrong. “What about you? Anyone I need to know about?” I shake my head but then turn when a familiar face walks into the diner.

“No, not anyone as of yet, my parents want me to marry someone of their choosing but fuck that, I don’t care if I lose my inheritance, I want to marry for love not business” Buxton salutes me again.

“Amen to that brother, you do you, fuck what anyone else says” I like Buxton more and more, he’s a cool guy. “Ill go get us some more beers and then we can discuss money and contracts and shit” he chuckles as I stand up.

“Sounds good man, although I’m just happy to finally be doing something that I love again” amen to that. I make my way over to the bar as Vanessa and her friend take their seats in a booth close to ours.

Vanessa looks up just as the barman hands me the two bottles of beer and I can’t help but smile at her. She of course rolls her eyes and continues to talk to her friend like I don’t exist. But just as I start to walk away, she looks back up and I can’t help but see the blush in her cheeks, so me being me, I wink at her as I walk away.

“Thanks man, so tell me about this club in town” Buxton and I talk for a couple more hours, we discuss the club and how we plan to start. We discuss his hourly pay and what contracted hours I expect him to work and what he in return needs from me.

All in all, it’s been a good night, so after a couple more beers we head our separate ways and agree to meet at Mrs. Ferdinands on Friday to start the kitchen remodel. We are also meeting at mine on Saturday when Josh arrives, maybe I’ll fire up the grill and have a mock run for when my parents arrive on Sunday.

The uber drops me off at my house because I had to many beers to drive home, ill get my van tomorrow. I walk up to the front door and see a note stuck to the wood.

I got the parts; you can do it tomorrow.

That’s it, that’s all it says but I know who it’s from and I smile. Bossy little thing. She didn’t say what time to start so I guess it will be when I’m good and ready. I’m sure she will come banging onmy door if I keep her waiting and it sends a small shiver over my body.

There is something extremely sexy about Vanessa and I can’t wait to get to know her more, as long as Jessa stays out of the way and my parents back off, I could be very happy here.

7: Vanessa

“You can come to me on your own, or I can drag you here kicking a screaming” His voice sends chills down my spine. he’s older than me by at least 4 or 5 years, good looking but with a darkness behind his eyes. I only turned 16 last week.

I’m so confused because it takes me a few seconds to realize he’s talking to me and not Jessica. “Last warning little lamb” his low gruff voice sends chills down my spine. I look at Jessica for help, but she’s just smiling and leaning her back against the door, my escape route.

“Just go and sit with him, he’s really just a big teddy bear” Jessicas words do not make me feel any calmer and why would I want to sit with a stranger. “Let me out, I need to find Beth” Jessica and the stranger both laughs.

“Dumb bitch, just fuck her and get it over with” those 8 words freeze me where I stand, “just fuck her” oh my god no, this can’t be real. “What do you mean, he’s not touching me, you can’t do this Jessica, just let me out already” I can feel the tears rolling down my face, but before I can wipe them away, I’m grabbed from behind and thrown on the bed.

I wake with a scream, my nightmares coming on stronger and stronger every night. I turn on my lamp and take a few minutes to just sit and sob. I don’t cry very often because it never got me anywhere. once I’m composed, I turn off the light and just so happen to glance at Callum’s house.

He’s standing at his bedroom window, both arms above his head as he rests them on the ledge above. he has on a pair of tight black boxer briefs, and I have to admit with the moon out in full and how its shining down on Callum, he looks beautiful. He is beautiful. he must see me because he waves and I wave back, not because my hand did it for me, because I actually wanted to wave back, how odd is that.

I climb back in bed and try to fall back to sleep. The next time I open my eyes its light outside. Who knows what time he will arrive to start on my broken pipes, but hopefully he wont make me wait all day.

Beth was totally enraptured at the thought of Callum showing me intrest. She thinks he could be the one. I had to roll my eyes at her mushy remarks. When he saw me at the diner and winked my whole face must have been as red as a tomato.

I have a quick shower and decide on a slice of toast for breakfast; my usual coffee is enjoyed out on the porch. The house next door is quiet, and I wonder if he’s even up yet. Not wanting to seem eager I walk back inside and check my emails from my boss.

Another hour passes and Callum still hasn’t shown up, he must be messing with me. My boss Ellen sends me over a new script and I dive right in to the world of the mafia.

Just after 1 in the afternoon Callum finally decides to show his face. “What time do you call this” I huff as he stomps up my porch steps. He smiles and my heart does a little back flip.

“Well hello to you too Vanessa, good to see your in a chipper mood” I step aside from the front door so he can walk right in. I huff again and mumble out a curse word behind him.

“Whatever, just hurry up and fix it, I have shit to do, I’ll check on you later” he puts his bag down near the sink and looks at the new pipes and valves I have spread out on the counter.

“You don’t like me much, do you?” he’s smiling again and I take a step back to assess him. “Don’t take it personally, I don’t like anyone” I reply as I start to walk away. “Why?” He asks as he places his hands on his slim hips.

I let out a small sigh. “Because people let you down, I’m good on my own, I don’t need anyone but myself and Beth” he frowns at me and then speaks. “Something happened to you didn’t it” his voice is barely a whisper, and it makes me gasp.

“I would never hurt you Vanessa, I want to be your friend, after all we are neighbors” his face is serious. “Like I said, don’t take it personally, I just want to live a quiet life and be left alone”

“Who hurt you? Was it an ex-boyfriend?” Why is he so concerned about me? “What? Why do you care, just do the damn kitchen and leave me alone” I sound boarder line hysterical when I say it. “Its not an ex, its not anyone, its just life and… and shit”

He looks so confused and like he genuinely cares. “We’ve all been hurt at some point in our lives Vanessa, doesn’t mean you have to go on hating the world or every man that tries to get close to you.”

He doesn’t get it; I don’t expect him too. “Yeah, well the last man that got close to me destroyed me, he wasn’t an ex or anyone important, for fucks sake, I don’t know why I’m even telling you this, I’ve never had a fucking boyfriend, nor do I want one, for fucks sake, I’ve never even been kissed.”

Shit, that was not meant to be said out loud. He looks at me in utter shock. “How, how is that possible.”

He wants to know how I’ve never been kissed or how I’ve never had a relationship. I can see all the unanswered questions running around his head.

“Look, forget it ok, I’m at peace with it and I just want to be left alone, life has been cruel to me, to many times to count. Just do the damn job and get the fuck out of my house” I turn and walk away. I just need to be left alone.

I spend the rest of the day in my office and slowly sink into my depressive thoughts. Callum is a gorgeous man, and I can see he has a good heart, but I’m too fucked up in the head for anything more.

When I leave the office around 6, he is gone, and the kitchen is spotless. I spot a note on the counter and begin to read.

Vanessa

I’m sorry if what I said upset you, I had no right to pry or ask personal questions. Please forgive me. I just want to be your friend, someone you can trust and to call on if you need me, nothing more. Yes, I find you insanely attractive, but I will respect your wishes and try to stay away. Please don’t use your taps until morning to allow the glue to dry.

Callum x

He finds me attractive. Well, I never. I’ve been nothing but horrible to him and he still finds me attractive. I can’t communicate with words, it’s a fault of mine so maybe I can write him a letter back and try to apologize for my rude behavior.

8: Callum

I royally fucked up with Vanessa yesterday; I pushed her to damn fast and hard. she probably won’t ever speak to me again after the way I behaved. I slept like shit and tossed most of the night, but at least I didn’t hear her screaming from another nightmare. I’ve woken up twice now to her cries of what must be fear, it’s a horrible sound that wrenches my heart.

I make myself some coffee and gather my boots ready to meet Buxton at Mrs. Ferdinands. we are ripping her kitchen out today. I see the small white envelope on the mat by the door and my curiosity gets the better of me. my name is on the front, so it’s been hand delivered. I take it too the kitchen and sit down to read it.

Callum

I want to apologies for the way I yelled at you, it was out of order and I’m sorry. I don’t communicate well; I’m a loner and I like my own space. it’s not that I don’t like you, because against my better judgment I do. but I don’t trust people, men especially. Beth is the only friend I’ve ever needed or wanted, but with you I guess I can try, just have some patience.

Vanessa

well, I’ll be damned, she actually wrote me a letter back. maybe this could work between us, build her trust. she likes me, she said it. I will write back later because right now I need to get my ass moving.

……………………….

“Good morning, Boss” Buxton is his normal cheery self when I pull up at Mrs. Ferdinands. “It is a good morning yes” I smile and show my teeth. “Well, someone is happy today, what’s got you smiling like you won the lottery” I think about his question and then smile again. “Can’t a man just be happy about doing something he loves” Buxton snorts. “Doing something, or someone” he wiggles his eyebrows at me.

Mrs. Ferdinand is waiting on her front step when we walk up the porch steps. “Good morning boys, you ready to start the day with some coffee and pastries” God bless this woman. “That sounds fantastic mam, but don’t spoil us or we might never leave” Buxton winks at her and she blushes while holding her hand on her heart.

Buxton is currently under the sink taping of the last of the pipes so we can rip out the old sink. I have disconnected the electrics and started to remove the countertop in pieces. Mrs. Ferdinand is on constant coffee duty, with a pasta salad thrown in for lunch. Her husband is a banker and works all the hours he can, again I’m convinced he’s having an affair, and probably with his receptionist.

“I’ve told some of the ladies in my book club about your services and I know Mrs. Kingsley is desperate for a new porch” I smile at Mrs. Ferdinand. “that’s very sweet of you, we appreciate the advertisement” Buxton stands up and because its hot as hell today, he whips off his top and wipes his forehead. “Oh my” Mrs. Ferdinand can’t contain her gasp at the muscles on display.

“Please excuse me boys, I need to water my plants in the lounge” I chuckle as she leaves, Buxton looking at me with a wink. “Woman can’t resist a dad bod and some tattoos” I laugh again. “I think you just gave the poor woman a heart attack” He laughs then helps me lift the largest part of the countertop.

“We have to meet Logan Stanly on Monday at the new club. he wants us to have a walk round and see if there is anything specifically, we will need for the job” I explain to Buxton as we sit down for a break. “Sounds good man, you sure Josh is up for the job” I have thought about that. “I’m confident it’s what he needs right now, and once he sees what exactly we will be refurbing, he will want to get stuck in”?

Fever is the name of the new club. normal dance club above ground. darker desires below ground. I for one am excited to start working on it. another three hours later and we are done ripping out the kitchen. Buxton and I work well together, he’s easy to get along with and is defiantly not lazy.

once I’m home, I have a shower and dress in some lose joggers, it’s nice to let my old boy breath. I grab a beer and sit at my kitchen table, pen and paper in front of me. what do I write, how do I communicate without scaring her away.

Vanessa

You do not need to apologies to me, I’m the one who asked personal questions when I had no right. you like me? good because I like you too. my favorite color is grey, I know it’s boring as hell. I love fresh bread, the smell gets me every time, and I love steak. I’m a simple man with simple needs. I’ve been single for over a year, and I would very much like to be your friend. more than friends if I had my way but I know what you mean about trust. I need to earn it and earn it I shall.

Callum x

I think that’s good enough for now. I’ve told her some things about me, but not too much. I will drop the letter off in the morning, ill either hand it to her when she’s enjoying her coffee or post it when I know she’s not looking. I need to go to town tomorrow and get some food for the cookout, Buxton can eat for England and Josh isn’t exactly small. plus, I need to buy extra for Sunday for when my parents come over.

I pull out my phone to text Kyle.

Me; Yō little bro, please tell me you’re coming over on Sunday?

…

Ky; Of course, I am, I wouldn’t want to miss the look on mom’s face when you offer her food from the grill, lol.

…

Me; bring beer, and some scotch, maybe some Taquila, I’ve got Zanax and morphine ready to go lol.

…

Ky; Jesus Cal, why are you so worried about them coming over anyway, it will just be like all the other times.

…

Me; exactly, all the other times when I’m told how I’ve let them down and how I need to marry Jessa to save dads business, fucking sucks to be me.

…

Ky; drama queen, I’ll be there, it will be fine, I got your back bro.

And he does have my back, always, just like I’ve always tried to be there for him. Venessa isn’t the only one with trust issues, or bad memories, some of mine are so bad I’ve buried them deeper than the titanic.

Me; love you bro, see you Sunday.

…

Ky; love you too.

Kyle is two years younger than me, but we have been close, for as long as I can remember it was just me and him. What a lot of people don’t realize is there is actually three of us. but we don’t talk about him, because he is the devil incarnate. someone who we pushed from our minds and for a very good reason. I head upstairs and slide into bed. I’m exhausted and after the small supper I had I soon fall asleep.

9: Vanessa

I can’t believe I slept through the night. I didn’t have one nightmare, but then it does seem to be the norm for me, I get two or three good night’s sleep, but the rest are normally shit. I stretch and climb out of bed. it’s going to be another beautiful day and I have to make the dreaded trip into town.

I have some eggs with two hash browns and my coffee on the porch. the sun is almost all the way up by the time I see Callum walk out of his house and head my way. he must have read my letter and now wants to come over and discuss it. I mean yeah ok cool, but on the other hand he terrifies me.

“Good morning, Vanessa” I smile and lift my hand to wave. “I’m not going to talk your ear off, I just wanted to give you this” he hands me a letter and turns to walk away. once he has disappeared back inside his house, I open the letter and read it.

he likes the color Grey, and he loves fresh bread and steak. does this mean I now have to reply with all my favorite things? He tells me he likes me more than a friend and I know I need to tread carefully. I grab my keys and walk back outside just as Callum is climbing into his van.

the ride to the store isn’t that long. my little blue Honda loves her twice weekly trips into town. I pull up at the butchers shop first because I need to stock up on my favorite sausages. “Morning Nessa” Jim Holden is the owner of the butchers, and probably one of a very few people I can tolerate in this town.

“Jim” that’s all I need to say to show I’ve acknowledged him. I grab my sausages and a few other bits and head for the counter. the door opens and in steps Callum. we both nod our heads, and he gives me a panty melting smile. “Are you following me Vanessa” he teases me with a wink.

“don’t flatter yourself Callum, if I was going to follow anyone it would be Jim here, at least he can supply me with a good sausage” I realize straight away how that can be perceived and so with a blush I pay and say my goodbyes, all while Callum chuckles quietly behind me. asshole.

my phone rings when I leave the grocery store and I answer it as I climb into my car. “hello”

“Hey how do you fancy some beers and food tonight” Beth asks me on the other end of the line.

“Your place or mine?” I ask her back, because the thought of actually going out makes me feel sick.

“Well Trevor is going out with his brother, so I thought I would come to you, and we could chill.” I start my car as I listen because damn its hot.

“Sounds good to me, I’ve just picked up some sausages, so you get the beer, and we can fire up the grill.”

“Oh, hell yes girl, your grill is so much better than mine, Trevor is a shit cook anyway” she laughs as Trevor shouts at her from the background.

“Just come over whenever you’re ready, I’m now heading home anyway”

“You got it, see you soon bitch” Trevor shouts again and I hang up the phone.

Beth is truly my hero; she has my back. there is nothing she wouldn’t do for me and vice versa. I head back towards home and breathe a sigh of relief as I pull into the driveway. I hate going out. I empty the shopping away and decide to sit and write Callum a letter before I clean the grill.

………………….

I want to trust Callum, hell I want to like him in a normal way. I want to fall in love and have children. I want marriage and the perfect house. wait, scratch that, I have the perfect house. I just want to feel normal; I want to find romance the way Beth talks about it. I want someone to love me unconditionally, to see my scars and love me anyway.

I walk over to Callum’s and post the letter through his door seems as he isn’t back yet. I then head back home and start cleaning the grill. An hour later Beth arrives and hugs me from behind with a kiss on my cheek.

“Some people would think we are together sexually the way you hug and kiss me” I give her the side eye and wait for her witty reply. “Bitch you would do well to bag me, I’m a real catch, and I can do this wicked thing with my tongue” I can’t help but smile when she flicks her tongue in a very erotic way.

“So that’s why Trevor stays, it’s your wonderful tongue” I take the beer from her, and we step inside the kitchen. “That and the way my ass jiggles when I sit on his” I hold up my hand. “Please don’t say face, or cock, or fingers” I hate that sometime the Mear thought of talking sexually makes me freak out. “I was going to say front seat” we both look at each other and burst out laughing.

“of course, you were you dirty wench” I grab the sausages and take them outside. the grill only takes a few minutes to heat, plenty of time to start on some salad and turn on some music. “you’re the one with the dirty mind V, I’m innocent here” Beth throws herself down on one of my comfy chairs and lets out a long sigh.

“Talk to me Beth, what’s on your mind” I ask as I toss some salad in a bowl with some fresh tomatoes and cucumber. “it’s nothing V, honestly it’s just drama at work, my parents and something Trevor said to me before I left” she sighs again, I’m not used to seeing my friend so down. “Tell me all about it, let’s deal with it one thing at a time ok, food, then beer, then we put the world to rights” Beth smiles and finally gets up to help me take everything outside.

“This is why you are my best friend V, your so at peace with the world, even if you don’t have much to do with it.” this makes me chuckle.

“that’s because I read smut for a living Beth, you can learn a great deal from books, even the smutty ones.” now it’s her turn to chuckle.

Tonight, is going to be fun, I can already feel my body relaxing. that is until the music from next door starts up and me and Beth both whip our gazes in that direction. “What the fuck” I look out of the kitchen window to see Callum charge towards a new sound system that some other man is trying to fiddle with. the sound turns down and Callum looks over towards my house. seems like he really does want to keep the peace.

I relax again and step outside to place the sausages on the grill. Beth wonders out and slings herself in the hammock. “God, I love your garden V, it’s so damn peaceful here” I have to agree with her, it is peaceful. “Um hi, Vanessa, would you ladies like to join us for dinner” Callum is standing at the gate that separates his back garden from mine.

Beth looks at me and shrugs. “I already have the grill on, why don’t you all come over here” I feel a cold sweat make its way down my spine. God I’m an idiot, why did I invite strangers over to my house.

10: Callum

Seeing Vanessa in Jims butcher shop was comical. I genuinely believe she thinks I’m following her. I dropped her letter off and left. I didn’t engage like I wanted too, like my body was screaming at me to do. no, I was good and left.

with my arms full of groceries, I let myself back into my house and set everything down on the countertop. I must have stepped right over another letter from Vanessa because it was another hour before I spotted it on the matt. I couldn’t wait to read it, so I sat on my bottom step and ripped it open.

Callum

I don’t have a favorite color, but I like green, I like roses too, I like the quiet, but I also like to listen to the rain. I had a bad, no, traumatic experience when I was only 16. that’s where the trust issues come from. you like me, I like you. but I have too much baggage in my head, I don’t think I would even know what to do in a relationship, and if I was to be kissed. eek. you want to earn my trust, just don’t lie to me or treat me like a fool, and don’t fucking hurt me.

Vanessa.

Traumatic experience. that’s the second time she’s told me something bad has happened in her past. she likes the color green, and she likes roses. she likes to listen to the rain, well so do I. she thinks I wouldn’t want her if she told me her past, she’s so wrong. I want nothing more than to kiss the ever-loving shit out of her and take her in my arms, but I also know she’s scares easily.

I see her friend Beth pull up and walk around the back where our yards join together via a little white gate. I expect the boys to be here soon anyway. I’ve got enough meat to feed an entire baseball team. Not another minute passes when Josh pulls up outside and God it’s good to see him.

“Callum my man, good to see you brother” he yells as he steps out of his car and meets me at my door where we share a very manly hug. “Good to see you to brother, how was the drive? your looking good man” I step back and take a look at my friend. he has bulked up since I last saw him. He’s in a pair of Demin shorts and a white polo shirt.

“Drive was good, it’s good to finally be here. you still cool with me crashing for a while? not stepping on anyone’s toes am I.” I snort at him as we walk inside. “No, it’s all good man, no toes here accept mine” He laughs as I shut the door as he looks around.

“Nice place you got here, just you then? no woman?” I huff and walk to the fridge to get us a beer. “No, just me at the minute” I look over towards Vanessas and see she is in the backyard also lighting the grill.

“Yō mother fuckers, where’s the food at” Buxton lets himself in the house and it makes me smile. “Good to see your ugly mug again brother” Buxton teases as he walks into the kitchen. Josh laughs as they also embrace in a man hug. “You have that the wrong way round shit head, I’m the best looking one out of all of us” Josh replies and we all laugh.

“let’s head outside and fire up the grill, I’ve got a new sound system so we can listen to some music while I cook” we all head for the back as Josh pushes ahead and turns on the speaker. Music blasts out and I have to cover my ears as I step up to Josh to try and turn it down. I look over to Vanessa’s and sure enough she’s staring at me out of her kitchen window with anger on her face.

“Shit, sorry man, didn’t realize it was going to be that loud” Josh says as he sits down with his beer. no harm done. we talk about work for a bit and an idea hits me and before I think too much about it, I walk over to vanessa’s and ask if they want to join us for dinner. What I don’t expect is for Vanessa to ask us to join her instead.

………………………..

“When Callum said we should meet his sexy as fuck Neighbour, I wasn’t expecting you to be this sexy, and you have a sexy friend, win win” Josh has no filter as Vanessa looks at me in amusement. we came over 10 minutes ago, both boys eager to meet Vanessa and Beth. “I’m sorry about him, he doesn’t get out much” Vanessa looks at Josh and then me with a shrug.

“it’s fine, honestly, Beth is the same, and well you know I say what I think” Vanessa is so fucking beautiful it hurts my heart. “Do the taps work ok; I mean no leaks in the pipes or anything?” I feel my cheeks heat and I don’t know why. “Yes, they work fine, all good and thanks by the way” she smiles, and I hand her another plate for her to put the cooked sausages on.

“I’m in a committed relationship, so no I don’t want to sit on your face” oh dear lord, Josh definitely has no filter if he’s asking for her to do that. “I didn’t say my face and you know it; Bux back me up man, I said come sit on my lap you little brat” Beth looks shocked but quickly smiles. “I’m not brat, you’re the brat, coming over here acting like a caveman” Josh huffs “I’ll show you caveman when I throw you over my shoulder and spank your ass.”

“Man, this right here is better than watching the Kardashians” Buxton laughs as Vanessa puts the sausages down and grabs the steak I brought over. “Here allow me, please” I take the steak from her and our fingers meat as we pass the plate. vanessa gasps so I know she felt it too. “Lacey would eat this shit right up, I’ve told her she needs to get out more” vanessa sits on the chair closest to me and it makes me puff out my chest.

“Is Lacy your wife?” Vanessa asks quietly as Josh and Beth continue to whisper yell. I think josh has met his match. “No, not married, but she’s expecting my kid, so we live together at her parents” Vanessa nods along. “And him” she points to Josh who turns to look at her. “I’m staying with Callum until I find my own place, so I’ll be nice and close” he winks at Beth when he says it and she rolls her eyes at him.

“where’s your fella then if you’re in such a committed relationship” Josh makes air quotes and I chuckle. “he’s with his brother actually, having a guy’s night, which by the way this was supposed to be a girl’s night and now its ruined” Beth tries to look angry but it just makes her look cute. “I can paint your toes and do your hair for you baby” Josh just can’t help but wind her up more, it’s fun to watch.

Vanessa sits quietly until the food is cooked, I walk in the kitchen with her and help her gather the salad and the pasta dishes. we both lean for the fridge at the same time and that brings our faces as close as close can get. “sorry” she stands back up and steps away from me. I step closer to her at the same time, and she hits the countertop behind her. it’s now or never. “Can I kiss you” she looks up at my eyes and I can see clear indecision on her face.

The room fades away the noise too, it’s just me and her. I want to kiss her so bad. I lean in further and she doesn’t stop me. “I swear to god that man is a dick” Beth crashes through the door like a bull in a China shop. The moment gone, a missed opportunity. vanessa finds her backbone and steps away from me.