Chapter 25
25
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A ll day at work, Layla has been giving me the cold shoulder. Though I can’t really say I blame her, after I came onto her like a horny neanderthal, only to push her away moments later.
I’m not sure if she’s embarrassed by the way we both lost control in my kitchen last night, or if she’s hurt over how I stopped it from going further.All I know is she refuses to have anything to do with me.
I hate the distance I’ve caused between us. Because despite my pathetic crush these past few years, we’ve always been able to somewhat maintain our friendship, even though things were sometimes weird between us. But today’s just been cold and quiet and awkward.
And I want to fix it.
I want to apologize, but then that would mean having a conversation about what happened last night, and that seems worse than just bearing through this Layla-shaped ice storm.
I’m working in my office late in the day when I hear Nolan’s voice coming from the front of the store. “Hey Layla. How’s it going? Do you know where my brother is?”
From behind my desk, I can see just enough of her to catch her shrugging. “Holed up in his office, I guess…” Even her voice doesn’t sound like its usual cheerful self.
Nolan appears in my doorway moments later, too jolly and too chatty for my current mood. “Hey man. The roof of my storage shed caved in under all that snow. I need a solution that’ll last until the spring.”
I glance at my wall-mounted clock that tells me it’s almost closing time. “And you need this solution right now ?”
I always appreciate the business my family brings to my store, but I’m knee-deep in trying to figure out these stupid formulas on this stupid budgeting spreadsheet, and I’m just hoping to get this done before it’s time to go home.
Layla appears in my office doorway, her mahogany eyes lacking their customary sparkle. “Hey, Layla. Do youthink you can help Nolan find some roofing nails and some tarp?”It’s probably only the third time we’ve traded words today.
She won’t even look in my direction. Her eyes touch on everything but me.
Then the alarm on her phone starts ringing. “Can’t. It’s the end of my shift. Sorry, Nolan. I’ve got to pick up my son from daycare before they start charging double. If you come by here tomorrow, I can help you out.”
“Sounds good.” My brother nods. “By the way, Inez mentioned you might want some of the baby furniture we’re trying to get rid of. I don’t want to pressure you but with the storage shed falling apart, when do you think you could swing by the house to pick out what you want?”
“We’ll get that done by the end of the week,” I respond for Layla. The death glare she shoots me makes me instantly regret speaking up for her.
In contrast to the frightful look she just gave me, she offers Nolan a sweet smile. “I’ll text Inez to see how we can sync up our schedules this week. Thanks again for the offer.”
“Cool. We’ll all have dinner,” my brother suggests.
She nods faintly. “Sounds good.”
Layla slides her cashbox across my desk and turns to leave.
I lift my hand to wave, but she’s already grabbed her jacket, making her way toward the front. “I…I’ll be home soon!” I call out, but the only response I get is the sound of the bells tinkling over the front door when it bangs shut.
Fucking fantastic.
Nolan sits in the chair across from my desk, eyebrow lifted as he bears witness to the tension between me and my supposed girlfriend.
He lets out an annoying whistle. “Damn, big brother. Have you fucked up your new relationship already?”
“Shut up,” I mutter.
“Hey, I’m just making an observ—”
“You want your roofing nails or not?” I interrupt.
Nolan stands and flips me off. “I’m thinking the customer service will be a whole lot better if I wait for your girlfriend to help me tomorrow.”
With a huff, I ball up a sheet of paper and sling it at him. “Well, get lost, then.”
“Sheesh, bro!” Chuckling, he strolls to the exit. “She’s got your balls in a death grip, doesn’t she? That tracks.” He nods slowly.
I don’t respond. My chest is too tight.
His shoulders drop on a heavy sigh. “I know you were good on your own all these years, doing life on your own. But as a man who’s been where you are, I just want to give you a heads-up—now that you got a taste of what it’s like to be with a good woman, there’s no going back. You no longer have the choice to go back to your old ways.” He pins me with a serious look. “Whatever you did to piss her off, you have to fix it with her, bro. That’s the only way forward.” He raps his knuckles against the doorframe. Then he’s gone.
I grumble peevishly to myself, glaring at the empty doorway after he leaves. But Nolan’s words remain in my head as I finish up my paperwork and close up the store for the night.
Because I know he’s right.