Nathaniel: Can we please talk? It meant nothing, and it’s hardly something to lose so many years over.
And just like that, my blood pressure shoots through the roof.
Me: I’m good. Find somebody else to fuck over. Lose my number.
If it weren’t for the fact that we had to figure out what to do with the house we own together, I’d block him completely. But we either have to sell it or, at the very least, get my name off the title. All of which requires me to communicate with him.
Not tonight, though.
It’s so goddamn infuriating that he sent that and that he was trying to be nice and talk to me earlier. It’s been weeks since I caught him getting fucked by someone else, and he hasn’t contacted me once. Not that I wanted him to, of course, but fuck, it would’ve been nice to see some sort of remorse or effort. Losing years’ worth of a relationship was clearly no sweat off his back.
And what? Did his Grindr options run out, so now he wants to crawl back to me? I don’t fucking think so. I amdonebeing anybody’s back-up plan.
The elevator dings hitting the third floor, the doors sliding open. I climb out and hang a right, walking down the narrow hallway toward my unit. It’s all the way at the end. As I get closer, I notice the neighbor directly across from me is outside—coming or going, I’m not sure. Even though I’m not in the socializing mood, I know I should do the nice, neighborly thing and introduce myself.
“Hey, man. I’m Travis, your new neighbor.”
The guy, tall and built, glances over at me, and my veins turn to ice. Slightly bloodshot, hooded green eyes lock with mine. They rake boldly down my form before dancing their way back up. A sinful smirk tugs on the corner of his full, cherry red lips as he shifts, his whole body facing me.
I immediately regret being fucking neighborly.
“Hi, Travis.” His voice is deep, raspy. Sexy enough to get under my skin and make me shiver.This cannot be happening.“So nice to formally meet you. The last time was a little…rushed.”
Rushed.Who the fuck does this guy think he is?
“Do you live here?” I snarl, taking a step back with a quickly pumping heart.
“Sure do,neighbor.” He practically purrs the last part, his accent making it sound like a dirty word.
How is it possible that, of all the places in Desert Creek I could’ve moved into—a town purposelyoutsideof Pullman, where Nathaniel and I lived together—I picked the one across the fucking hall from the guy who helped upend my entire life just last week? What kind of cosmic joke is this?
Shaking my head in disgust, I turn with a groan, pulling out my keys to unlock my door. “Unbelievable.”
As soon as I get the key into the lock, I sense him. The hairs on the back of my neck raise as he stands close enough that I can smell his spicy cologne and feel his hot breath on my skin.
“Mateo.” That must be his name. I don’t move, and I say nothing. “Welcome to the building,cariño. If you ever needanything—a cup of sugar, some flour, to let off somesteam—don’t be shy.”
He steps back, cool air hitting my back in the absence of him. Only once I hear his door shut, do I exhale the deep breath I was holding.Cariño… what the hell does that mean? Pushing open my door, I kick it shut behind me, furious at his cockiness. How fucking dare he.
Does he have no shame?
He is caught with his pants around his ankles—quite literally—with my boyfriend, and he has the fuckingnerveto make a pass at me. And that fucking smirk… so full of arrogance. I should’ve decked him right in his smug fucking face. A face that, of course, is full of sharp lines, high cheekbones, and ridiculously perfect features. Because why wouldn’t he look like a fucking model?
With my appetite officially gone, I shove the food into the fridge before cracking open one of the beers I’m now even more thankful for. I wish I had gone to the dispensary this afternoon… could really use a fucking joint right about now too.
9
TRAVIS
Mom: Okay, honey. See you when you get here. Drive safe. Xoxo
Turning my car on, I plug my phone into the charger as it connects to the speakers, and I turn on the heat, warming up the car. I am counting down the days until spring hits. A little warmth and constant sunshine will do wonders. The weathermen are predicting a long winter, though.Cue eye roll.
It’s Sunday afternoon, and even though I didn’t want to move a muscle after all the moving I did this weekend, I miss my pup so I’m about to drive to Pullman to pick up Nova—finally—from my mom’s place. It’s been too damn long without my dog, and I’ll be happy to have her back. She hasn’t seen the new apartment yet, obviously, but I think she’ll love it. There’s a little dog park around back, and there’re a few really great trails nearby I can walk her on.
Nathaniel and I got Nova together, but she’s always been more my dog than his. He didn’t even want to get an animal at all until I put the idea in his mind, and practically begged him. I’ve always wanted a golden retriever, since they seem like the perfect family dogs. Growing up, my neighbor had one named Trixie. She was the sweetest dog I’d ever met. They’d let her come out front and play with me forhours. I’d walk her for them, and whenever they went out of town, I’d watch her. I wanted one of my own so bad, but my mom always said no.
Finding Nova was kismet. I searched all the shelters around here and came up with nothing. Not a single golden in any of them. Turns out, my boss’s sister had one that was pregnant, and I was able to adopt one from her litter. Nova is barely a year old, but she’s the sweetest pup I ever could’ve asked for. And she always seemed to prefer me to Nathaniel, which was a nice bonus. She must’ve seen what I couldn’t.
