Romance with Mr. Grumpy Pants: A Witty, Opposites Attract, Enemies to Lovers, Next Door Neighbor, Sw

8. Brian

North has been the best part of my stay here in South Brook. Aside from giving my band a slot in his bar, he’s a savvy businessman. If there’s a question, he has the answer. If there’s a problem, he knows how to fix it. North is the man.

The weather is great here, too. It’s not too hot, not too cold, and definitely not that windy. It’s just right. For one, I can take a midday stroll down the road without bothering to put on a baseball cap or jacket.

I stand on the patio and survey the compound. My eyes fall on the house next door—Jessica’s. Obviously, not everything or everyone in this town is nice. Some things I just have to learn to tolerate. If only I could make these fences taller.

I walk over to the fence to examine it and plot my design.

There are different flowers and plants decorating each side, separating my property from hers. I look toward her patio, which is engulfed with even more plants. Well, if I had to guess, gardening must be her passion. Boring, but good for her. I turn to glance at my doorstep. It’s plain. There’s not even a leaf on it. Oh, well.

“Hello,” a child’s voice calls from the other side of the fence.

It’s the little girl about Sonya’s age. She’s still sporting her school uniform and wears an adorable smile on her face.

“Well, hello there, stranger.”

“My name isn’t stranger. It’s Lily.”

I offer her a soft smile as I prop my weight on my knees, aligning our gazes at the same level. “Hi, Lily.”

She giggles softly, and for a moment, a sharp pang shoots through my chest. She has the same light in her eyes as Sonya did when she laughed.

“What’s your name?’’

I blink and extend my hand to her as I return to reality. “I’m Brian.”

“Nice to meet you, Brian.”

“You, too. So, did you have a good day at school today?”

Her eyes instantly glow, and I know she’s about to give me the full rundown of her day. But for some reason, I don’t mind. I have nothing better to do right now anyway.

“It was the best ever. I told everyone about my new neighbor, and they were so excited to learn you were a famous drummer. I think I might be getting a lot of special treatment in school from now on.” Her lips form into a proud pout as she closes her eyes, tilts her chin up, and places her hands on her hips.

I chuckle. “Glad I could help, I guess.”

She giggles before smiling brightly again, her hands crossed behind her as she sways from side to side. “Can I ask you for a favor?”

I give her a knowing look. “Let me guess, kids at your school want an autograph now? Probably a picture, too, huh?”

She rolls her eyes before exhaling deeply and dramatically, throwing the back of her palm over her forehead. “It’s so exhausting being a celebrity.”

I erupt in laughter. In contrast to Sonya’s shy and reserved behavior, Lily is witty and outspoken. I glance past her at the house she walked over from, and Jessica flashes through my mind.

Of course! It suddenly clicks. She gets it from her Mom.

Lily is such an actress, but unlike her Mom, she’s a lot more bearable. And that says a lot coming from someone who doesn’t really like being around a lot of kids.

I return my attention to her. “Hmm. I’ll tell you what. Here’s the plan. You should let those kids at school know that a celebrity who just moved into town is very busy and has many important things to tend to. So, autographs are only available in batches of five and only during the weekends. It’ll be something I whip out during my breaks.”

I know it’ll only be a matter of time before kids at school get bored of her celebrity neighbor story, and then her newly amassed fame will start slipping. But not when she’s bringing a new set of autographs every weekend. She’ll be the star of her school for a long time, and for some reason, I want her to be just that.

A shining star.

Her eyes sparkle at my suggestion. “Really!? You’ll do that for me?”

“We stars have to stick together, you know.”

She snickers, that sweet sound that reminds me of a lifelong past every time. “Yeah, you’re right.”

“Lily.”

I look up to find Jessica on her patio, her lips a stern line as she folds her arms and plants her gaze on Lily, who turns to her.

“Hi, Mom. I was just talking to the new neighbor.”

She looks at me, then back at her daughter with raised brows. “Sure, honey. But I think that’s enough conversation for the day. I’m sure Mr. Brian has a lot to do. You don’t wanna disturb him now, do you?”

Did I ever complain?My eyeballs do a marathon in their sockets. I sure enjoy having conversations with her more than I do with you.

Lily shakes her head. “No, Mom.”

Jessica eyes me slightly. “Very good. So, head in and get started with your homework.”

There”s something about her tone and the way she keeps averting her gaze from me that’s bugging me. Is she trying to spite my communication skills, or is she just keeping Lily away from me? Maybe both.

I get ready to leave when a wink and smile catch the corner of my eye. It’s Lily with the most vibrant smile I’ve seen since Sonya.

“See you Friday, Brian!”

My heart fills with a warmth that radiates throughout my body. “Friday, it is, superstar.”

She giggles and runs towards her Mom. Their hug doesn’t last, though. Jessica combs her fingers through Lily’s hair before kissing her forehead and sending her inside.

I turn toward my house.

“Hey.” Jessica’s voice is hushed, almost inaudible as she approaches the fence. I can probably get away with pretending not to hear her, but the image of my messy, unsettled house flits before me, so I turn back.

“What’s up?”

Her eyes widen. Then, instantly, as if she’d already gotten used to me, she masks it with a smirk.

“Still need help with those boxes?”

My brows furrow. “We made a deal, right?”

She’s silent for a moment. What’s she thinking about, staring at me like that? I wait. She says nothing. She’s more aggravating now than she was when implying to Lily I have a lot to do in order to avoid my assumed terrible communication skills.

“I guess I’ll see you later then,” I answer myself. Any other response will evolve into something else. It’s not worth it.

Before she can even say anything, I walk back into my house. The door shuts, and the realization hits me like a punch in the gut.

Why did I do that?

I’m not even sure why she bothers me so much. Actually, I’m not even sure bother is the right word anymore. Dare I say, I enjoy the spat between us? It’s the fire in her blue eyes when she lashes out. Perhaps it’s the curls that frame her face, or her puckered, moisturized pink lips when she’s feisty.

My window shows me the beauty of the site she stood at a minute ago. I race to it hoping to catch a last glimpse. She’s gone.

I should have stayed outside with her longer to figure it out, or at least given her the chance to respond. Maybe we could have resumed our push and pull out front.

She’ll come. What if she doesn’t? Nah, she won’t leave me hanging. But she doesn’t owe me anything either. I grunt and face my living room, the sight causing my jaws to split. Even after helping me unpack so much, there’s still piles more to go through. It’s the never-ending battle against rogue packing peanuts and bubble wrap avalanches.

Man.I need to get this place semi-decent for rehearsals.

She seems to be more of a distraction than anything else. Why else did she suddenly decide to help me settle in after refusing initially? Why is she in my head and mind? Why am I enjoying staring at her? She’s supposed to be the annoying neighbor.

She is, Brian. Get a grip.

That’s it! I haven’t drummed, so my mind has to be playing tricks on me. Yet, I can’t help but think about how amazing she looks.

But she doesn’t trust me enough to be around her daughter. She’s just being a protective parent, right? Like any parent would. Then she must deliberately be trying to sabotage my career and experience in South Brook, and there’s just something wrong about her being around me. And there’s something right about her.

We need a do-over, a fresh start with a better introduction. Only, I can’t ask her out to get to know her, or to figure out what angle she’s playing. I’ve done a terrible job of loving my close friends and family.

Let this go, Brian.

I move some stuff to the side and make my way to the garage. I’ve spent too much time running in circles like a dog chasing its own tail. I need to get back to work. I really wish she wouldn’t have this effect on me.

Flipping the lights on in the garage, I’m relieved to find my set glistening under the bright hue of white light that falls over the space. Finally, a moment of clarity. This should do it.

As I prepare to play, she lingers in my mind like a broken record. I remember the deal we made.

Never mind that. I’ll just stay single for the rest of my life.