by Claire Adams
“It's okay.” She shrugged.
“It really isn't. I should be the one apologizing. I’ll try to pay more attention to your schedule. I forget that everyone doesn’t sleep like Ryan. He sleeps like a log.”
“It's fine. I'll get used to it. But right now, I’m going to get some breakfast. I’ll just take a nap when you two are finished out here.” She smiled and then looked to Ryan. “I'll see you later, Ryan.” She turned and walked away. I watched her as she made her way over to the railing, picked up her coffee cup, and walked into her house. I whipped my body around, laser-focused on Ryan.
“You just can't help yourself, can you?”
“I have no idea what you are talking about nor what you may be implying.” Ryan squinted up at me.
“Why would you bring her over here?”
“Dude, I just went to say hi, and she asked if I thought she should apologize for yelling at you. I told her to do what she felt she needed to do.”
“I didn't need an apology. I just wanted to get a workout in before you have to be at work, and now we’ve lost twenty minutes.”
“What crawled up your ass and died? Don't be an asshat. We’re just going through the motions at this point, chill.”
“I need to have a good showing, as do you,” I pointed out.
“Look, I know this is important, and you want to win it all, but the title isn't as important to me. Me? I’ve found what I need in that wood shop in town. I want to compete cause you're my man, but I'm not doing it to follow in my father's footsteps like you.”
“So you're saying you don't want to compete anymore?”
“No, I'm saying that win or lose, I do it for the competition of it and to have fun. If we win awesome, but if not, that's okay too.”
“I know, and you also know that this will probably be the last year I do this. My furniture is taking off, and I have to have time to make real money. The competition money is good, but we spend most of it traveling. It doesn't pay the bills. This is my last chance.”
“I know. That’s why I’m here. But you don’t need to worry about the bills, dude. You'll always have a job at the mill. Dad has already talked about retiring, and I'll need your help.”
“If you need me, you know I’m there. No questions asked. Now, stop screwin’ around and help me practice.” I shoved him out of the way, and we set up to get a few runs in.
***
A couple of hours later, we wrapped up, and I went in the house for a shower. The water beat down on my skin for what seemed like minutes, but when it started to turn cold, I turned it off and stood there, head down arms steadying myself, thoughts running rampant.
My life had always been on track; at least, I’d always thought so. While my mom wanted me to find a girl and settle down, my own goals and a parade of crazy women I’d never even consider a long-term relationship with kept that from happening. Stepping out of the shower, I dried off as I walked to my room and then flopped on the bed with the towel around my waist. I looked over my head at the wall that separated my room from Emmy’s and thought about the woman on the other side of it.
Chapter Ten
Emerson
I laid in bed and thought about Luke, wondering why I couldn’t seem to stop myself from being so hard on him. I picked up my phone to call Rachel; if anyone could figure me out and make me stop being ridiculous over something, it was her. I tapped on the phone until it was ringing on the other end.
“Ummm, it’s Tuesday morning at...” she paused. “Seven thirty your time. Everything okay? You’re not exactly a morning person,” her chipper voice sang through the phone.
“Well, that depends on how ya look at it. And good morning to you too,” I laughed.
“Okay, you’re laughing. It’s much too early for you to be laughing. Are you drunk?”
“I’ve only had a few hours of sleep. Does that count?” I asked.
“In your case, kind of. So, what’s up buttercup? I can hear it in your voice. Something’s on your mind.”
I sometimes hated that she knew me so well. “I’d try to say it’s nothing, but you’d just call me on my bullshit. So... it’s my neighbor,” I admitted.
“Oh! You mean the one you’ve got a thing for but won’t admit to yourself? Or anyone else for that matter?” she said matter-of-factly.
“What?” I said, a little surprised at her statement. “I don’t have a thing for my neighbor.”
She chuckled in that way she always did when she was about to humor me even though she didn’t agree with me. “Right. You don’t have a thing for the stupid hot guy next door who keeps trying to be nice to you and moves your furniture then makes your stomach go all butterfly central when he’s near you. Of course you don’t.”
Okay, maybe she wasn’t going to humor me.
“Admit it. That’s what you’re calling me about, isn’t it?” she demanded.
“No.”
“You’re a liar liar pants on fire, Emerson Myers,” she pointed out. I could almost hear the smirk on her face through the phone.
“Am not,” I shot back.
“Okay then. Why’d you call at this time of the morning? Hmmm?”
I huffed in defeat.
She laughed. “That’s what I thought. Now spill, what’s going on?”
I proceeded to tell her everything I had been holding back. She’d heard about how infuriated he’d made me causing me to stomp out to the shop the first night and his endless noise in the backyard, but this time, I found myself admitting to the attraction, the strange energy when he was near me, how I kept giving him such a hard time, and so much more.
When I was finished spilling my guts, she just said, “Hmmm.”
“Really? Hmmm? That’s all you’ve got?” I asked.
“Well, it’s like I said before. Only you just confirmed it. You’ve got a thing for the guy next door. That’s why you keep being so nasty to him. You’re pushing him away. I just don’t know why,” she said.
“Because he’s so... so...”
“So under your skin?” she finished the sentence.
I blew out a hard breath. “I don’t know.”
“I do. Em, you have realized that this guy isn’t like every other guy you’ve been exposed to, right? I’m about to tell you something, and I say this with love: you’re being stupid. I’ve watched you steer clear of men for the past two years. Ever since what happened with Assface—”
“He has a name, you know,” I interjected.
“Yeah, his name is Assface. He doesn’t deserve a Christian name.”
“Touché.”
“So, ever since then, you haven’t even considered dating. You just threw yourself into your work and never looked back. You can deny it all you want, but if you’re honest with yourself, you know I’m right. You’re scared. Scared to let anyone get too close and break your heart like that again. But every guy isn’t like that, Em. And it sounds to me like Luke is nothing like that. Everything you’ve told me says he’s exactly the opposite of Assface. And the sooner you admit to yourself you’re pushing him away, maybe that’s the sooner you’ll be able to stop being so stupid.”
“Geez, why don’t ya tell me how ya really feel, Rach?” I joked.
“You know I’m right.”
I stood and moved over to the window, looking down at the ridiculously handsome, shirtless man swinging an ax. “Fine. You might be a little right,” I admitted. “But what am I supposed to do now? I’ve kinda been a bit of a bitch to him.”
“Oh, I don’t know. Here’s a novel idea: just be nice,” she mocked.
I laughed. “Yeah. I guess I can do that.”
“Of course you can. You’re a sweetheart. Ya know... after a couple cups of coffee and eight hours of sleep,” she teased.
“I hear ya. Ya got jokes.”
She laughed louder. “It’s so cute you think I’m joking.”
“Yeah, yeah. I’m going to take a nap now. You know... so I can be nice later.”
&
nbsp; “You do that.”
“Thanks, Rach. I appreciate you setting me straight.”
“Anytime. That’s what I’m here for,” she beamed.
“Give Charlie a hug for me. I’ll call ya later,” I said.
“Please do. I’m going to want to hear how you being nice to the hottie beside you works out.”
“We’ll see. Talk to ya later.”
“Sweet dreams,” she chided and hung up.
I knew she was right. I didn’t want to admit it, but I knew it.
I reached over to the table by my bed, grabbed my book, and started reading, trying my best to get out of my head and into someone else’s. Apparently, I dozed off because I woke a while later, jerking up from the bed thinking I’d overslept.
There were no noises coming from outside. I looked over at the clock, and it was almost eleven. I brushed my teeth, pulled on some clothes, and made my way down to make coffee. I poured my coffee into a travel mug and grabbed my backpack, walking outside into the sunshine and followed the trail that led to the meadow.
The cool air of late afternoon crawled over my skin before I realized it was getting late. When I arrived back at the house, it was eerily quiet, and Luke’s truck was gone.
I made a sandwich and settled into a chair on the porch with my laptop on my legs. When the moon began to make an appearance, headlights from Luke’s truck emerged at the end of the driveway. I watched as they bounced with the bumps of the path until he parked in front of the house.
He gave me a simple wave and walked into his side of the house without a word. I was disappointed even though I had no right to be. It was the first time he hadn't said a word to me. Maybe I had pushed him too far with my selfishness. I stood and started to walk over but changed my mind and went inside instead.
***
The next morning, I awoke to silence. I looked at the time. Twenty minutes after nine. It took a moment for me to remember it was Wednesday, and Luke had said they’d be leaving for the weekend. I assumed they were gone, even though he hadn’t said what time they’d be leaving out. It dawned on me that I was truly alone in the place for the first time.
I set about my morning routine of a run, then breakfast and coffee. Then I started some research on my laptop that would be useful for my study. I’d been at it a few hours when my phone rang. When I saw it was my grandmother, I wondered why she was calling when I’d just spoken with her and Granddad on Sunday when they’d returned from their trip.
“Hey Mimi.” I smiled into the phone. “How are you?”
“I am good, my sweet girl, but I’m afraid I have some bad news. Your grandfather has been taken to the hospital. I think it may be a good idea for you to make your way to Portland.”
“Is he okay?”
“We aren't sure, honey. He’s had a heart attack.”
“Oh my goodness.” My hand flew to my chest. “I'll be right on my way.”
“Thank you, dear. Please drive safe. See you in a hour or so.”
“Yes ma’am. Love you, tell him I love him.”
“I will as soon as I see him. Love you too, dear.”
I hung up the phone and ran up the stairs to change and pack a few things before I started the drive to Portland.
Chapter Eleven
Luke
We got to the event a little after three in the afternoon only to find some of my best competition already there. Nothing started until the next morning, but Ryan and I always arrived early so we weren’t tired from the drive when things started.
We moved to make our way to the sign-in tent, shaking hands with a few guys and making small talk along the way. There was some jesting and posturing as well. Ryan and I had been competing with most of these guys off and on for several years, and it made it fun, mostly.
After we were registered and set up, we went to the local bar and had a few drinks with some guys we hung out with on the regular circuit—Paul and Joseph. In many ways, they were just like us. Guys doing it for the love of it. Yes, I wanted to be a champion like my father, but love of the game was more important. We chatted for a few hours then made our way back to the camper and bedded down for the night.
“Dude, can you prop yourself up so you don't snore? I really need to sleep tonight,” I threw a pillow across at Ryan.
“I do not snore,” Ryan shot me a look over his shoulder.
“Sure you don't,” I laughed.
“Whatever, shut up.” Ryan threw the pillow back at me and then laid back down. I followed suit and found myself wondering what Emerson was doing. I picked up my phone and sent her a text under the guise that I wasn’t sure if I’d left the light on in my shop, but I didn't receive an answer. Considering it was after midnight, I figured she was probably sound asleep and enjoying the quiet of me not running power tools.
***
“Are you gonna dick around with your hair all morning?” I pushed at Ryan who was standing in my way, hogging the tiny bathroom messing with his hair.
“I was just trying to make it look decent,” he complained.
“Nope, you're trying to cover up that receding hairline.” I poked at his head and then moved quickly when he tried to hit me. “Come on, we’re going to be late.” I grabbed my boots and pulled them on.
“Just so we’re clear, my hairline is not receding, absolutely not.”
I chuckled and stepped out of the camper.
“If you say so, honey.” I laughed this time.
“You’re an ass,” Ryan said and followed me.
Our first day went as expected. The nerves got the best of me, but I still performed well while Ryan was a rock, as usual. We had two more days, then a final competition with a board keeping the scores. While they didn't count, it was nice to see where I actually was.
The next day, I was performing at my best. I had been unbeatable in my individual competition, and Ryan and I were neck and neck with last year’s title holders. We went to bed early, planning to get some decent rest. As we laid there, Ryan sat up.
“I sent Emmy an email yesterday, and when she didn’t respond, I sent her a few texts today. I still haven't heard anything back. You think I should have Dad go over and check on her?”
He had my attention, and I sat up as well. “I don't know. I sent her a text last night too and haven't heard anything either. Then again, she’s probably still irritated with me, so… there’s that. We’ll be home tomorrow afternoon, maybe we should just wait until then, ya know before we send in the calvary, and she thinks we don’t think she can handle being there by herself.”
“Right. But what if she got attacked by a bear? I mean twenty-four hours could be detrimental to her survival.”
“Really? Can we not talk about her getting attacked by bears, please?”
“I was just saying. Maybe it would be best if Dad just went and checked to make sure she was okay.”
“Fine, have him go by and check on her.”
“Okay. I'll send him a text.”
Ryan was quiet for about an hour before he spoke again. I had just begun drifting off to sleep.
“Her truck is gone.”
“Then I’m sure she’s fine,” I said.
“Yeah. She just usually emails me back the same day.”
“How many emails have you sent her?” I asked, a twinge of jealousy rushing through me.
“Recently?”
“Huh? How long have you been emailing her?”
“Well, I guess for a while?”
I rolled over, propping myself up on my elbow. “She hasn't lived here that long.”
“I know, but we emailed for a couple of months before she moved in.”
“Wait, you had been talking to her for two months, and it never crossed your mind to tell me anything about her?”
“If I had told you about her, then you wouldn't have allowed her to move in because you’d have been all whatever about her being a girl and all. Even though she was exactly what we needed.”
“What we ne
eded, huh?”
“Yes. She was flexible on the lease and how long she’d be here, and I was kind of hoping you would fall in love and then it wouldn't matter if you bought me out or not. You may think I don't really know or care, but I do. I know you aren't like me; you’re looking for forever, while I am just looking for right now. I just thought she may be the right girl for you.”
“You did, did ya?”
“Look, I've gotten to know her pretty well, and she is exactly what you need. We’ve been chatting through Facebook and email, and if I was a betting man, I’d wager you guys would be married if the two of you would just look past your noses. I have never known two people that were better for each other than you and Emmy.”
I looked at him skeptically. “And you don't want her?”
“Dude, are you serious right now? Any red-blooded man would want her, but I don't want her. I’ve seen the way you look at her. That girl is off limits. Besides, if I tapped that, you wouldn't.”
“Truth.” I laughed at him.
“I just thought it would be nice to see you find someone. You're like my brother, and I want good things for you. And honestly, you need to get laid, like for realz.” He flipped me the bird.
“And there it is,” I shook my head. “I'm good, thanks.”
“I'm sure the callouses on your hands don't feel quite as good as—”
“Just shut up,” I demanded.
He pointed at me as if to tell me to shut up.
I laid back down and closed my eyes.
“Just give her a chance, Luke. Like a real chance.”
“Kind of hard to do if she won’t give me the time of day, ya know,” I added.
“Look past what she shows you, and you'll see what I already know. She’s kind of perfect for you.”
I didn't respond. Instead, I thought about her until I fell asleep like I’d done every night since she’d moved in.
***
The next day went well. I placed first in my individual competitions while Ryan and I placed second in the team event. We bent a tooth on our saw somehow, and that had taken valuable time off our best run. Everything else had been perfect.