Next-Door Nemesis(61)
“If I don’t have water soon, I think I might literally die.” I think the body can only survive three days without it and we have to have surpassed that number already.
“I don’t want to call you dramatic, but . . .” Nate lets his sentence trail off and I take his sentence as a personal attack.
“Absolutely not. I reject that.” I shake my head and cross my arms. “We just sat on the back of a car for an eternity and a half and weren’t allowed to drink water. In no way am I the drama queen here.”
Mr. Wilson will forever hold the title in this scenario and anyone who disagrees is a victim of the patriarchy.
“You’re not wrong,” Nate agrees, albeit reluctantly. “That was a little ridiculous.”
“It was a lot ridiculous. I mean, what was the point?” I don’t want to be this worked up over Mr. Wilson and a freaking neighborhood parade. I’m blaming dehydration. “Isn’t freedom the reason for the season?”
“I don’t think Mr. Wilson having rules for his car was a violation of your rights as an American.”
“That’s what someone who doesn’t believe in the Declaration of Independence would say.”
I’m not above an easy joke and this one is right there.
“You’re such an asshole,” he says, but I can tell he’s trying not to laugh. “Do you know how many times I’ve had to tell people that I know Benjamin Franklin really existed? National Treasure is my favorite movie!”
Solid movie choice. I worried he became one of those guys who only watches documentaries or movies that make you hate yourself.
“All I’m hearing is you have an unhealthy obsession with Nicolas Cage and believe in conspiracy theories.”
“I can’t deal with you.” He rolls his eyes but makes no move to put distance between us.
If anything, he might come closer. My fingertips twitch to touch him, but the curious eyes of the entire neighborhood keep my hands firmly planted at my sides. He pulls his bottom lip between his teeth and a wave of heat that has nothing to do with the weather crashes over me.
“I’m going to find water if you want to join me.” I turn and walk away before he can respond. I’m afraid that if I stay in front of him for any longer, our neighbors are going to get a fireworks display they didn’t sign up for.
The parking lot is even more crowded now than before the parade started. Instead of neighbors packing it in for the day and enjoying their nice, air-conditioned homes, they’re filing into the clubhouse parking lot carrying a plethora of beach towels and coolers big enough to feed the entire community. Picnic blankets are being spread across the grassy areas as people claim their spots for the fireworks display set for hours from now.
PTA moms are setting up folding tables, covering them with plastic tablecloths and an unrivaled assortment of homemade goodies. I lose count of the different pies sitting atop ceramic stands and almost ditch the pursuit of water in lieu of a sugary treat.
“There’s Janice.” Nate points across the way to the HOA secretary, who has been rocking the same curly perm since I was in eleventh grade. “She always has a cooler for board members after events like this. I’m sure she’ll share even though you’re not technically a part of the HOA.”
“Yet.” I finish his sentence for him. “I’m not a part of the HOA yet. I’m still totally going to kick your ass.”
“Sure, keep telling yourself that,” he says. “I’m not sure if you’re confident, delusional, or both.”
“Confident, definitely confi—” I start, but stop when a voice as sugary sweet as the desserts around us calls his name.
“Nate? I thought I might find you here.”
Beside me, every line in Nate’s tall body goes taut and the color drains from his sun-kissed face.
I follow his eyes and even though I’ve only seen her face from a small framed photo on his bookshelf, I’d still know that this is the kind of woman Nate was engaged to. She seemed tiny in the picture, but she’s even smaller in person. Her cream skin doesn’t have a blemish or wrinkle anywhere on her face. With her long blond hair, wide eyes, and delicate features, she looks like a Barbie doll come to life.
Elizabeth’s eyes are trained on Nate and she doesn’t seem to notice anyone else around us. She shifts back and forth on her heels and nervously bites her bottom lip. It’s obvious to anyone watching this scene play out that it took a lot of courage to come and say hello. If I didn’t know who she was or what she did to Nate, I might feel bad for her.
But I do know, so all I see in the pint-sized blonde is a whole lot of nerve.
“Nate,” she says his name again. “Please, I’m so sorry.”
My palm itches to slap her back into whatever hole she climbed out of, but no matter what happened between Nate and me last night, I know this isn’t my battle to fight.
The fun-loving, happy-go-lucky guy who was waving to the entire neighborhood is long gone. Frown lines I didn’t even know he had deepen around his mouth, which only moments ago was laughing and smiling. He watches her from hardened eyes, and pressure builds in my chest as I watch.
“What do you want, Elizabeth?”
Her features crumble as nosy onlookers watch the scene unfold. I’m sure half of them know exactly who she is and why she’s here. I can’t decide if she’s brave or cocky.