Boys Next Door: A Contemporary Reverse Harem Romance (Boys Next Door, Book 1)

by Mia Belle

  Chapter Fourteen

  Aidan

  “Serves you right.” Zane plunks a glass of water onto my end table and shoves two pills into my hand. “Take these.”

  I peel my pillow off my face. “Why’d you turn on the light,” I moan.

  “Not the light. It’s the sun.”

  I shield my arm over my eyes. Since when is it so bright?

  Forcing myself to sit up and squint at the sun glaring in through my window—when the hell are we going to buy blinds?—I pop the pills into my mouth and down the water. My throat is so dry, like I’ve been lost in the desert for weeks.

  And my head? Feels like it got run over by a herd of hippos.

  “You were a mess last night.” Zane looks down at me with his arms crossed over his chest. “Caleb had to drag your sorry ass home. Think it was fun for him?”

  I look over at Caleb, who leans in the doorway, his eyes anywhere but on me.

  I glare at Zane. “Never told him to.”

  “This isn’t like you. What’s going on?”

  I glance at Caleb again. He presses his lips together and shifts from one foot to the other. Nothing but guilt eats away at his face. And probably his guts, too. He blames himself for what happened. How many times do I have to tell him it’s not his fault?

  “I don’t need you looking out for me,” I gruff. “Neither of you.”

  “Clearly you do.” He stalks out of my room.

  Caleb and I lock eyes. He scratches the back of his head. “Aidan—”

  I hold up my hand. “I don’t want to hear it.”

  “But it’s all my fault. I uprooted you from—”

  “Caleb, I don’t want to talk about it, okay?” I lie back down and drag the blanket over my face. Shutting him out. Shutting the world out. Shutting last night out.

  I hear him waver by the door. Like he has something to say but isn’t sure if he should say it. Eventually, he leaves me in peace. Except, I’m not in peace. And that’s not just because of the hammer banging against my skull. It’s what’s going on in my heart. I’m not proud of what I did last night. Not proud at all. I wish I could say I was so drunk the whole night is a blur, but that would be a lie. I remember every detail. How lost and alone I felt. How I downed those beers as though it was water and I was parched. And I got Sophie drunk, too. An innocent girl who just wanted to have fun and get to know me.

  “Zane! Caleb! Aidan! Lia’s here to give you a tour around town.”

  I lift my cover and strain my ears. Did she say something about a tour? Then it hits me. Lia’s dad volunteered her to show us around town. I was actually looking forward to it. I don’t know, ever since I divulged those personal details of my life to her, I’ve felt…closer to her somehow. I mean, we’re still strangers and I know nothing about her, but I guess I was looking forward to closing the gap.

  But I don’t want her to see me like this.

  I hear her voice downstairs, mixed in with Mom’s and then Zane’s and Caleb’s. And something about a pickle? Is the moron eating a pickle again this morning? Then the door slams. I try to ignore the little pang in my chest. Seems like an opportunity wasted. But maybe that’s for the best. I’ll only drag her down with me.

  It’s not long before footsteps are at my door. Then Mom says, “Aidan, your father and I would like to talk to you downstairs. Please take a shower and meet us in the kitchen.”

  Her voice is soft, but there’s an edge to it. Not sure if it’s disappointment, worry, or anger. Maybe a little of all three. I heave myself off the bed, once again shielding my eyes from the glaring sun. Is this headache going to follow me the whole day?

  I grab my clothes and hop into the shower. The cold water feels good as it rains down my skin. I wrap a towel around my waist and rub the fog off the mirror. Look at my reflection. I don’t like the guy staring back at me. Gone are those muscles I’d worked so hard to upkeep. What do I need them for if I don’t have football anymore? Instead of hitting the gym like I used to, I hit the snacks and the TV.

  I’ve got the same blond hair and brown eyes as I did before, but I don’t feel like the same guy. The person staring back at me is an illusion. A ghost from the past. I wish I could smash every mirror in the house. I don’t want to be reminded of what I’ve lost every time I see myself.

  I throw on a T-shirt and jeans and go down to the kitchen, where Mom is preparing sandwiches for lunch and Dad is reading the paper. A glance at the clock on the wall shows it’s nearly elven thirty.

  Dad lowers the newspaper and gives me a tight smile. It doesn’t even look like a smile. Just makes the wrinkles near his eyes more pronounced. Further shows that he’s disappointed in me. “Please sit, Aidan.”

  Mom pushes some scrambled eggs before me. “Eating will help with the headache.”

  I dig into the food and scarf it down. I’ll eat every damn egg in the house if it’ll get rid of the hammer ramming against my skull.

  I feel their eyes on me. I keep my gaze on my plate. I don’t want to see their expressions. Don’t want to see the worry, anger, disappointment. They expect better from me. I know they want me to be their pride and joy. And I was. At least until a year ago. Now? I should win an award for Worst Son of the Year.

  “Um, can I please have some more eggs?”

  Mom’s all too eager to comply. And that makes me feel even crappier than I already do.

  As I munch on the next batch of eggs, Mom lowers herself in the chair next to Dad. This time, I look at her when I feel her eyes on me.

  “What’s going on with you, Aidan?” she asks in that soft voice.

  I push my plate away, my appetite suddenly gone.

  “Getting drunk?” Dad asks. “You remember what happened last time.”

  When I first made the football team last year, the guys took me out to celebrate and I got so wasted I puked all over the house. It was the excitement of it all, sure, but it was the stress, too. I was worried I’d disappoint the team. My coach. The school. My family.

  None of that matters anymore. I didn’t know it would suck so much to feel this lonely.

  “Talk to us, honey,” Mom says. “Don’t shut us out like this.”

  My eyes move from one to the other. Note the worry on their faces. I can’t take it. But if I tell them exactly what’s going with me, it’ll make the worry lines on their foreheads quadruple. So I do like all kids my age do and say, “I’m fine.”

  They don’t buy it.

  “Getting drunk isn’t like you,” Mom echoes Zane. “I know something’s going on. Is it the stress of the move? Are your classes too hard? Having trouble making friends?”

  Mom and Dad like to give us privacy, never prying too much. But right now, it feels like she’s digging deep.

  I shrug. “I guess I’m stressed. Frustrated. Like any kid my age would be.”

  Dad nods slowly. “Yes, you’ve had quite a few life changes this past year. It definitely has taken its toll.”

  Mom stretches her hand across the table and rubs mine. “Talk to us, Aidan. Don’t hold everything in and let it out through drinking. We’re here for you. And if you’d rather not talk to us, talk to Caleb and Zane. You know they’re here for you, too.”

  I know they are. The guys and I have been through a lot together, the ups and downs of childhood and transitioning into teenagers. They let me chew their ears off when I had that paralyzing crush on Zoe, gave me advice when they had no idea what they were talking about. They tried to cheer me up after my football injury. We’re brothers and best friends.

  But they don’t get it. Can never and will never. Because they haven’t been through what I’ve been through. Yeah they each had—and still have—their shit to deal with, but it’s not the same shit I’m going through.

  But I do know one thing. I don’t want to get drunk. Don’t want to slide down the slippery slope and doom myself to that kind of lifestyle.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Caleb

  Aidan’s in a mood,
and I usually try to stay out of his way. I’ve gotten used to it these past few months, but it’s getting worse and I’ve got no clue how to help him. It’s Saturday afternoon and I’m in my room, browsing on my computer.

  I know I shouldn’t do this. I’m only torturing myself, but I’ve got to. Pulling up a Google search, I type: Maxwell the Magnificent.

  My eyes pour over every news article featuring the famous magician. It’s like I want to soak up every word, can’t get enough. The first few sing praises about him. How great he was, so talented he could give Houdini a run for his money. His shows were always sold out, audiences hungry for more. And he never disappointed.

  My gaze moves to the box stuffed in the corner of my closet. I don’t even know why I still have it. I haven’t touched magic in six years.

  Maxwell the Magnificent was my hero. My idol. I used to look up to him, would watch as many YouTube videos I could find. I would gobble down each and every article written about him. Maxwell inspired me to want to become one of the greatest magicians of all time. After him, of course.

  My eyes sting as I read the more recent articles, the ones accusing him of being one big fraud. He conned people out of their money. While they were enjoying his knockout performances, he was working magic on their wallets. He gathered millions of dollars over the years. Even murdered anyone who got in his way.

  My idol became one of the most hated people in America. The day he was arrested, I trashed my magic.

  I stare into blue eyes on the screen, noting the evil twinkle in them. They’re so similar to mine. And that smile…

  I slam my laptop shut, running my sleeve over my eyes.

  “Hey,” a voice says. Looking up, I find Zane leaning against the doorway. How long has he been there?

  He drops down on my bed, giving me that sympathetic look he’s given me more times than I can count. He definitely knows what I’ve been doing. Probably sees my red eyes. “You okay?”

  “Fine.”

  Zane narrows his eyes like he doesn’t believe me, but he must sense I don’t want to talk about it. “We need to do something about Aidan.”

  “All we can do is look out for him. He’s going through a rough time—”

  “Don’t you dare say it’s because of you. I’ll punch the shit out of you.”

  I rub the back of my neck.

  “We’ve all been through shit,” he goes on. “And we’ll continue to go through shit. And you’re right that the only thing we can do is look out for him.”

  “You think he’s got a drinking problem?”

  “No. Not yet anyway. And we’ll make damn sure it doesn’t happen. Guy needs to get his shit together.”

  I’m quiet for a little bit, my thoughts traveling to what I just saw on my computer. It’s not healthy for me to keep thinking about it. But I can’t help it. Aidan’s not the only one who’s a little screwed up right now. I can’t even walk on the street without looking over my shoulder to ensure I’m not being followed.

  Zane’s right that this is a tiny town with pretty much nothing to do. That’s why it’s the safest place to live. I had a small group of friends back home, and I miss them a lot, but it’s best to stay safe. Aidan will probably make new friends—he’s good at that. Not sure why he’s so worried. Me? I’m not the most social person on the planet, but I do all right. Zane? Forget about it.

  My thoughts shift to Lia and our conversation last night at the party. We both didn’t want to be there, but I hope she enjoyed my company. I enjoyed hers immensely.

  “He lost football,” Zane says, drawing me back to the present. “Lost his friends. I get it. We all get it. But he seriously needs to get over it.”

  “He’ll come around.”

  “Yeah, maybe.”

  He stands and heads for the door, then turns around. “And you need to quit torturing yourself like this. It’s not your fault we’re stuck in this tiny, boring town.”

  I shake my head, blowing air out of my mouth. They can try to convince me all they want, but the truth is I’ve put them in this situation. They weren’t obligated to take me in, but chose to.

  That’s why I try to do whatever I can to make it up to them.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Lia

  “Hey, hey! Guess who’s spending the night with her awesome best friend?”

  Sophie tosses her backpack onto my bed and makes a beeline for the window. She yanks the slats of my blinds apart and peers out, squealing when she notices that the Armstrongs still haven’t put shades on their windows.

  I wonder if she’s here to hang out with me or spy on Zane.

  She grumbles and releases the slats. “Ugh, he’s not there.”

  I sigh dramatically. “The world’s coming to an end.”

  She drags a chair next to me at the computer and drops down. “How did the tour go? How was spending time with all three of the super, super hot Armstrong boys?”

  I try not to roll my eyes. “First of all, I only spent time with two. Aidan was hungover. You know, because he got you and himself drunk?”

  “He didn’t get me drunk. I chose to get drunk.”

  Yeah, but the only reason she did was because she wanted Aidan to notice her.

  I’m not pissed at Aidan. I know he’s a decent guy, even though I want nothing to do with him. Still, his behavior last night didn’t match the impression I had on him. Not that I know him. But he seemed stressed about something or trying to block out happy memories. Maybe about football? Not that it matters.

  “Well, two out of three is still good.” She yanks on my arm. “Spill.”

  “There’s nothing to spill. I showed them around town and that’s it.”

  She groans. “The Armstrong boys are totally wasted on you! Why couldn’t they move next door to me?”

  “Because people live in that house?”

  She yanks on my arm again. “Come on, Lia. Don’t tell me you weren’t excited to spend time with them. Not even a little?” She brings her thumb and index finger together. “Maybe a teensy weensy?”

  “Uh, no. And if my dad hadn’t forced me to do it, I wouldn’t have m—” My mouth snaps shut. I didn’t mean for that to slip out.

  “Wouldn’t have what?” Sophie teases as she bumps her shoulder into mine. “Realize you have a major crush on Caleb? No, I bet you’re secretly crushing on Zane. I mean, how could any girl stay sane when he’s got abs like that? And his hair.” She sighs like she floated up to heaven. “It just begs to be worked through. And did I mention his eyes? They’re the color of—”

  “Grass.”

  “Huh?”

  “Like fresh, vibrant grass. Not the ugly, yellowy, dying kind.”

  Sophie’s eyebrows rise in surprise.

  “Not that I think they’re that color,” I quickly say. “I just overheard girls gushing about it.”

  Sophie tries to hide a smile.

  “I don’t have crushes on any of them,” I stress. “So go ahead and chase after Aidan. Or Caleb. Or Zane. Hell, go after all of them for all I care.”

  Definitely Zane. Because I hate him. Hate him, hate him, hate him.

  She holds up her hands. “Okay, okay. If you don’t want them, I’ll gladly take them all.” She licks her lips.

  “Anyway…What were we talking about?” I ask.

  She looks lost for a moment. “Something about if your dad hadn’t forced you to take them on the tour you wouldn’t have…?”

  “Oh.” My body sags. “Nothing. Forget I said anything.”

  Her expression completely changes. Gone are the humor and the teasing. They’re replaced with concern. “Lia?”

  I force a smile. “I’m fine.”

  “No, you’re not. Seriously, what’s going on?”

  A lump forms in my throat. I slide onto my bed and hug a pillow to my chest, doing everything I can to keep the tears at bay. I’ve shed enough the last few months.

  Sophie stares at me, the concern magnifying. She gets off the chair and joi
ns me on the bed. “Lia?”

  “I met his friends,” I whisper.

  “Who’s…you mean Josh?”

  I don’t say anything. I don’t have to.

  She takes in a sharp breath. “When?”

  “During the tour. They were leaving the mall.”

  “Did they approach you? Say anything to you? Because if they did—”

  “You know the restraining order is only against him. His friends can do what they want.”

  “You have to tell your dad and he’ll go to the police and—”

  “And what? His friends didn’t do anything to me. Look, Soph, they’re harmless. I’m not scared of them. But they did say something…” My voice cracks a little.

  She moves closer to me. “What?”

  “They said he’s being released from juvie.”

  Her eyes widen. “What? That’s messed up. He should be locked up for the rest of his life. I bet it’s his parents. Spoiled, privileged SOB. Are you going to tell your dad?”

  I sigh like I’m carrying the world on my shoulders. “No. I don’t want to worry him. Besides, it’s not a big deal. I told you they’re harmless.”

  Even though they threatened me, I know it was all just a pile of crap. They’d be stupid to try something with me after what happened to their best friend.

  Sophie makes a move to wrap her arm over my shoulder, but I plaster on a smile. “I’m not wasting any more time or energy on that jerk. Change subject?”

  “You sure?” she asks.

  “Definitely. Work your talent and talk about something silly that will drive me up the wall.”

  She grins mischievously. “Like how hot the Armstrong boys are?”

  I roll my eyes. “Sure.”

  “I’m not sure who I like best,” she gushes as she bounces on my bed. “I mean, Aidan is cute, but Caleb is so much sweeter. And Zane?” She licks her lips again. “God, those abs.” She sighs dreamily. “I bet he’s a softie under that tough exterior. I bet he’s the most romantic of all.”