The Boy Next Door: A Standalone Small Town Romance (Soulmates Series Book 3)

by Hazel Kelly

  “Umm yeah.” I craned my neck forward. “This whole conversation is about how I wish you’d started being more honest with me ages ago.”

  She squinted at me. “Based on how little compassion you’ve shown yourself lately, I wasn’t convinced you could handle any more love in your life.”

  “That woman doesn’t love me. And it’s not love she wants to give me. It’s guilt and shame and disgrace. Like it’s always been.”

  Helly shook her head. “It’s love, Laney. And it may be her own brand, but no one can make you feel any of those other things without your permission.”

  I swallowed.

  “Ever since you came here with that Care Bears suitcase, you’ve only had one real obstacle to happiness, and it’s been yourself.”

  I pursed my lips.

  “Not Henry. Not your boss at the diner. Not all those people who didn’t give you those covetable jobs in the art world right out of college. It’s only ever been you getting in your own way.”

  “Jesus. Tell me how you really feel.”

  “Frankly, it’s the only concern I have for you and Connor.”

  “Okay, I was being hypothetical there,” I said, pulling my teabag out of the mug and putting it on the saucer. “But now I have to hear the rest of it.”

  She clasped her hands on the table. “I worry that you aren’t happy enough in your own skin yet to accept the love he’s capable of giving you, the love he’s ready to give you.”

  “That’s not your concern.”

  “No,” she said, pinching her teabag in her fingers and setting it beside her mug. “Just my opinion.”

  “I don’t want you to write my mom any more letters.”

  “I’ll do what I want, Laney.”

  “Not about me, at least. Please. I’m not comfortable with it.”

  Helly leaned back in her chair and wrapped her thin fingers around her mug. “I’ll agree to that on one condition.”

  “What is it?”

  “That you keep in touch with her yourself.”

  I shook my head. “How can you ask me to do that?”

  “I’m not,” she said. “I’m asking you to think about it.”

  “I don’t even know her anymore,” I said. “And I didn’t like her when I did.”

  “She’s changed.”

  “So you say.”

  Helly lifted her mug. “It’s obvious when you read her letters.”

  “Which I haven’t.”

  “I’m happy to give them to you,” she said. “If you want.”

  “You have them?” I asked, a lump forming in my chest.

  “Of course I have them. She’s your mother.”

  I bit the side of my lip.

  “I figured a day might come when you’d want them.”

  Chapter 34: Connor

  I knew Laney was home when I walked in because there was an open box of Wheat Thins in the middle of the butcher block, and the back doors to the porch were wide open.

  Outside, she was reclining on one of the sun loungers with a shoe box of letters in her lap.

  “What’s all this?” I asked, bending to give her a kiss.

  “They’re from my mom,” she said. “To Helly.”

  I raised my eyebrows and sat next to her crossed legs. “There are a lot of them.”

  “I guess she had a lot of energy when she stopped drinking.”

  “How did things go this morning?” I asked. “At the motel?”

  “I feel guilty that I wasn’t more charitable.”

  “Don’t waste any more guilt on this,” I said. “Guilt is such a worthless, unproductive feeling.”

  “Then why does the church love it so much?”

  “Because it distracts people from questioning their faith.”

  “Shit, Connor.”

  I shrugged. “You asked.”

  “True.”

  “So how did you leave things?” I asked, noticing she was wearing one of my t-shirts.

  “I told her I didn’t want to see her anymore and that, while I wished her well, I wasn’t about to let her back into my life.”

  I nodded.

  “Do you think I’m a horrible person?”

  I shook my head. “No. I think it would be horrible if you didn’t put your own needs first.”

  “Really?”

  “Of course,” I said. “Don’t you think the best thing for both of you is for you to do what makes you happy?”

  “I never thought about it that way.”

  I turned away from her and scanned the yard. Sarge was following Neo as he sniffed around the perimeter of the garden, rubbing his cheek on every surface he could find. “How long have they been playing together?”

  She shrugged. “About an hour.”

  “Not bad.” I glanced down at the letters. “Just out of curiosity, how is reading her letters not letting her in?”

  “Because it’s only fair.”

  I raised my eyebrows. “Fair?”

  “Helly’s been writing to her about me since I arrived in Glastonbury.”

  I squinted. “What?”

  “She knows about everything. Even you.”

  “Shit.”

  “I know,” she said. “So it only seems fair that I should know a little about who she is when she’s not too intoxicated to express herself.”

  “You’ll take a break if you need to, right?”

  She nodded.

  My phone buzzed in my pocket.

  “Who is it?” she asked.

  “It’s my folks.”

  “Tell them I said hi.”

  I answered the phone and stood up, walking down the steps into the yard to keep a closer eye on Sarge and Neo.

  “It’s good to hear your voice, Connor.”

  “You, too, Dad.”

  “How’s the house?”

  I glanced over my shoulder at it. “I haven’t burnt it down yet.”

  “Did you call those guys about the double glazing?”

  “Not yet.”

  “What the hell have you been doing?” he asked.

  My eyes found Laney and followed her crossed ankles up to where her thighs disappeared into her shorts. “I’ve been working- and doing that stuff at the park I told you about.”

  “Oh right. How’s that going?”

  “Fine,” I said. “We’re almost done. Then we’re going to reinstate Bark in the Park.”

  “I’m glad there’s something in it for Sarge.”

  “Yep.”

  “Do you think you could send down a few books we left in the basement?” he asked. “If I told you where they were?”

  “How about I send you money instead and you and Mom make a day of buying replacements?”

  “I suppose that makes more sense,” he said. “I just got so excited she remembered we had them. But you’re right, the less time she has to forget she mentioned them in the first place the better. Maybe we’ll go tomorrow after golf. Or before golf so I can have a drink at the club…”

  I lifted my eyes to the tops of the trees and waited for him to stop rambling.

  “Jim McNulty told me you’re seeing some girl.”

  One corner of my mouth curled up. “Jim McNulty’s eyes aren’t as bad as he makes them out to be.”

  “Who is she?” he asked. “Someone local?”

  “It’s Laney.”

  “Laney Laney?”

  I nodded. “The one and only.”

  “How long has that been going on?” he asked.

  “Since before Fourth of July.”

  “I always liked her.”

  “I’m glad,” I said. “Because she just moved in this week.”

  “Where?”

  “Into the house.”

  “Holy Cow,” he said. “Hold on while I go tell your mother.”

  I strained my ears to listen.

  “Guess what dear? You’ll never guess!” he said.

  “Just tell me then,” my mom said. “I’m too old to play guessing games.
My time is too valuable.”

  “Connor’s seeing Laney again.”

  “Laney Price?” she asked. “Like Next Door Laney?”

  My chest swelled at the discovery that my mom remembered her.

  “Yep,” my dad said. “Isn’t that wonderful? She just moved in.”

  “Where?” she asked.

  “Into our house- Connor’s house.”

  “That’s great news,” she said. “We should send them something nice from Harry & David.”

  “I don’t think they want pears, dear.”

  “Everyone wants pears! Who doesn’t want pears? What’s wrong with them?”

  “I just think maybe a cake would be better,” he said. “Or a pie. We should look and see what else they have-”

  “If they know what’s good for them, they’ll be thrilled with the pears.”

  “Dad!” I called into the receiver. “Helloo?”

  “Sorry,” he said, sounding slightly winded. “Your mother is thrilled.”

  “I heard.”

  “And she remembers her.”

  “She is pretty unforgettable,” I said, glancing back to see that she’d rolled onto her side and was squinting at the letters with her sunglasses on her head.

  “Does Laney like pears?” he asked.

  I laughed. “You don’t have to send us a housewarming gift, Dad. Save your money.”

  “I think your mother has her heart set on it.”

  “Are you sure this isn’t one of those times where she insists on getting something for someone because she wants everyone to realize how much she, in fact, wants that same thing?”

  “That hadn’t occurred to me,” he said. “But she does do that.”

  “At least three times a year.”

  “Hmm.”

  “Here’s an idea,” I said. “How about you tell her you’ve ordered the pears, but just send them to you instead of us.”

  “And if she ever thinks to ask, you’ll tell her they were juicy and delicious?”

  I rolled my eyes. “Of course.”

  “You’re a good man, son. Laney is lucky to have you.”

  “Thanks.”

  “I hope she doesn’t blow it again.”

  “Not cool, Dad.”

  “You know what I mean,” he said. “I just hope she’s grown up a little. You were both so young.”

  “I’ll keep you posted.”

  “Please do,” he said.

  “So don’t feel like you have to check back in with Jim McNulty.”

  “How else will I know what’s going on with you?” he asked. “You didn’t even tell me you two were dating again.”

  “Just agree,” I said. “And I’ll tell him you shot four under par next time I see him.”

  “Make it six and you’ve got a deal.”

  I ran my hand through my hair. “Is there any truth to that or are you still spending all your time in the sand trap?”

  “Everyone’s allowed a bad game, son. A real man never gloats about another man’s off day.”

  “Really?” I asked. “Because after the game where I shot into the lake twice, you hung a snorkel on the front of the golf cart and told everyone we came across what it was doing there.”

  “That was hilarious.”

  “I’m still going to get you back for that,” I said. “When you least expect it.”

  “Bring it, ace. I have a new tee that’s totally changed my game.”

  I laughed. “I’ll believe it when I see it.”

  “Alright, son. Well, thanks for calling.”

  Had he forgotten that he called me? Oh well. No harm in taking the credit. Might discourage him from having Jim McNulty spy on me. “You’re welcome. Love you guys, and call if you need anything.”

  “Will do,” he said. “And tell Laney we said hello. Like I said, we always liked her.”

  Chapter 35: Laney

  As much as I’d never admit it, I’d taken Helly’s words to heart.

  I was my own biggest enemy, and my lack of trust in myself had caused me to choose the wrong man and the wrong work and the wrong path too many times.

  But with each passing day, the confidence I had in myself- and my ability to trust my gut- was getting better.

  For instance, it was clear that my heart had chosen Connor. Again. And just because I couldn’t believe my luck that he loved me back didn’t mean I shouldn’t be grateful for what we had.

  And Neo. Keeping him was down to pure intuition, and that silly klutz had been bringing me more joy and soft cuddles than I ever imagined might fill my days.

  The mural was a good thing, too. It had reignited my belief that creativity wasn’t just something I wanted, but something I needed. And while I was nervous as hell for Bark in the Park- when the whole town would finally gather to see the finished article- I knew it was a big step forward for me.

  After all, I had a professor in school who said art wasn’t art until you showed it to someone. Sure, it’s something you made and it’s wonderful to flex your creative muscles, but he said only by putting yourself out there can you expect the universe to take you seriously and pull you along.

  He also thought Picasso came to him in his dreams, but I never claimed to be a good judge of other people’s sanity.

  So I was doing my best to make progress, no matter what shape it came in.

  Unfortunately, not everything was falling into place.

  I mean, I didn’t want to settle again- like I had with my job at the diner- but I also didn’t want to be unemployed.

  Following my talk with Helly, I spent two hours floating on my back in the lake trying to pinpoint all the things I was capable of doing that made me feel most loved and most deserving of love.

  And being employed was one of those things.

  Some of the others included taking the occasional candlelit bath, reading young adult fiction, going for long walks at the nature preserve (Sarge’s favorite), and practicing new recipes to surprise Connor with.

  But finding a job in Glastonbury was proving harder than I thought, and there was no disputing that it was a more urgent priority than perfecting my fried rice, learning to feign appropriate excitement about Connor’s tomatoes, or reading.

  Unfortunately, most of the local residents hadn’t changed jobs in over a decade, and as one would expect in a small community, the level of nepotism was off the charts.

  Still, I’d remained optimistic and had officially dropped my resume off at every single place in town and half of the places in neighboring Sunnyside… except for the funeral homes and the garbage depot.

  So far, only two places had called me back.

  One was the principal of the local school who informed me that, while they already had an art teacher, she’d be happy to add my name to the end of a dispiritingly long list in case a subbing opportunity popped up.

  And the other was someone from Mimi’s Café who had just called to get Helly’s number since I’d mentioned that I was her granddaughter.

  Needless to say, I was feeling a bit deflated by the time I dragged my sore tootsies into the house and kicked my shoes off.

  I could hear the shower running upstairs so I headed towards the kitchen to brainstorm what we might have for dinner, greeting Sarge and Neo on my way in.

  As I walked around the butcher block towards the fridge, I heard Connor’s phone making that horrible dying beep so I grabbed it and walked it over to the charger.

  I kept my eye on the screen as I plugged it in to make sure the little battery icon popped up okay, but when the screen lit up, my eyes saw an opened text.

  “I’m sorry about that stuff I said about Laney.”

  I saw Dave’s name right before the glowing green battery appeared, and my heart sank.

  A moment later, my mind started racing, trying to think of the last time Connor had even mentioned Dave, much less seen him.

  I couldn’t think of a single time he’d come up since I moved in.

  Here I was worry
ing I might come between random town residents and their favorite librarian when I’d clearly caused friction between the man I loved and his best friend.

  I walked up the stairs, feeling a strange mixture of hurt and anger, and opened the bathroom door.

  Connor was shaving over the bathroom sink with a towel around his waist.

  “Hey babe,” he said, dragging the razor up his neck.

  “What did Dave say about me?”

  “What?” he asked, glancing at me in the mirror.

  “I just saw your phone.”

  He dropped his hand and looked at me.

  “It was dying so I plugged it in, and I saw a text from him saying he was sorry about what he said about me.”

  “It’s nothing,” he said, turning back towards the mirror. “Don’t worry about it.”

  “What a stupid thing to say.”

  “Can I finish what I’m doing here?” he asked.

  “Sure.” I folded my arms. “Be my guest.”

  I watched him shave for as long as I could before my body started to betray me, and when the desire I felt to run my hands over his muscly chest became too much, I let myself out.

  When he came in the bedroom to get dressed a few minutes later- looking freshly shaved and hot as hell- I was sitting on the end of the bed.

  “Don’t pout,” he said. “It’s got nothing to do with you.”

  “It obviously has everything to do with me,” I said, crossing my legs so they dangled over the crème colored rug. “You haven’t even spoken to him since I moved in.”

  “Yes I have.”

  “When?”

  He opened a dresser drawer. “The day he pissed me off.”

  “What did he do?”

  Connor pulled his shirt on as he walked over to me and set his hands on my shoulders. “Do we really have to talk about this?”

  I nodded.

  He sighed. “He thinks I can’t trust you.”

  My shoulders drooped.

  “But he’s not the one who has to trust you. I am.”

  I pursed my lips.

  “And I do.”

  “Why?” I asked.

  He furrowed his brow. “Why what?”

  “Why do you trust me?”

  “Because I love you.”

  I shook my head. “That’s not the same.”

  “It’s good enough.”

  “It shouldn’t be,” I said, shrugging him off. “Dave’s right.”