Chapter 13
After Avery leaves, I grab my laptop and move on to the guest bedroom to attack another closet and pack away the playpen. Avery told me to keep it, just in case I need it again, which I’m sure I probably will. Not that I mind. I’ve seen Juliet more in the last two days than I have since the day she was born. I want to soak up every second that I can with her while I’m in Fawn Creek for the summer.
After a bit of a struggle, and a short YouTube tutorial, I fold the playpen back up the way I found it and lean it against the wall next to the closet. I fling the closet door open and let out a sigh of exasperation. Of course, this closet is just as full as the other one was. Immediately, I pull hangers from the metal rod, piling everything on the full size bed. After the clothes are removed, I grab the bright blue plastic totes from the floor and pull them towards the center of the room. Just as I yank on one final tote, I hear something that resembles a hissing sound. Instinctively, I jump backwards, just in time to see something long and dark slither against the back of the closet. IT’S A SNAKE!
“Shit!” I scream out, and without wasting another second, I race towards the front door. As soon as I reach the edge of the yard, next to the street, I let out another squeal. My body is trembling and I feel woozy. I hate snakes.
My mind races. How did a snake even get into the house? How long has it been there? Have I been living with a snake for the past two days? What am I supposed to do with it?
Still shaking, I pull my phone from my back pocket and call my dad. After three rings, my call goes to voicemail. Frustrated, I call Avery on FaceTime.
“Hey! What’s up?” She answers quickly. I can tell from the background that she’s standing in her kitchen.
“Ahhhhh!” I let out a shriek and hop from one foot to another, recalling my slimy roommate before I can answer her. “There’s a snake in the bedroom closet.”
“Is this some sort of metaphor that I’m not understanding?” She asks, setting the phone on the kitchen counter and moving backwards to allow herself and Juliet, in a highchair, to fill the camera frame.
“No, there is a literal snake in the bedroom closet. I found it when I was putting the playpen away. What do I do?” I can’t help but squirm again, thinking about that snake being inside the house with me for the last twenty-four hours, and with Juliet while she was napping.
“You could use a shovel? Maybe there’s one in the garage?” Avery suggests.
I violently shake my head. “Absolutely not. There is no way in hell that I am going near that thing.” I say, not taking my eyes off the door. “Is there someone I can call for something like this? Like animal control?”
“Hmmm.” Avery pauses thoughtfully. “We have a dogcatcher, but he only does it in the evening after he gets home from his day job. Maybe you could go next door and ask Andrew for help?” Avery mutters with a smirk.
I let out a loud sigh. “Hard pass.” I answer immediately. If I never see that jerk again, it’ll be too soon. “Maybe I can handle it myself, after all. What’s the likelihood this snake is poisonous?” I reply, dryly.
“Venomous,” Avery corrects me. “Well, there’s one way to find out. If it bites you and you die, then it’s venomous.”
I roll my eyes, trying to think of any way I can get around this that doesn’t involve Andrew. Maybe I should try my dad again? But, it’s too late. I turn to the sound of crunching gravel as I spot Andrew crossing his driveway towards me.
“Everything okay?” He says. “I heard screaming. I was under my house or I would have been over sooner.”
Great. Just one more thing for him to judge me over.
“There’s a snake in the house.” I say, trying to appear calm, although internally I can’t stop shaking. “And I don’t know what to do about it.”
He smirks and shakes his head, almost as though he is trying to keep from laughing. “I’ll be right back.” He says, and without waiting for a response, he disappears towards his garage. Within moments, he returns with a garden rake in his hand. “Where is it?” He asks without breaking his stride.
“In the guest bedroom closet.” I say, slowly moving towards the house, but he steps ahead of me and hurries towards the door. “Last door on the left down the hallway!” I call to the back of his head.
I turn my face back towards the screen and look back at Avery. “What if he can’t find it?” The mere thought of a snake on the loose in my house makes me ill. There’s no way I could stay here with that thing running loose.
“He will.” She snickers. “It’s not a big house.”
“If he doesn’t, I’m sleeping on your couch tonight. And possibly every day until I find a new place to live.” I warn her.
For half a second, I wonder if I should text Elliott and beg him to take me back. A rooster has already harassed me. I’ve had an altercation with my jackass neighbor and discovered a snake. I’ve only been living here for just over twenty-four hours. Things aren’t looking great for me. Maybe this is a sign that I really don’t belong here. Perhaps instead of staying for the summer, I need to just list this place and get back out of town.
Just then, Andrew walks out of the house, with a long black snake hanging from the end of the rake.
“Is it poisonous?” I shout to him, taking a step back, my heart picking up speed once again.
“Venomous,” Avery corrects me once again. I roll my eyes at the phone screen.
“Nope, just a rat snake. He’s a good guy,” He says, carrying him across his backyard towards the alley and disappearing along the fence line.
I turn my face back towards the phone to shoot Avery a disgusted look, only to be interrupted by Andrew’s return.
“Did you kill him?” I ask, although I’m not sure I want to know the answer.
“No ma’am. Those snakes eat mice, and they kill the bad snakes. We want that kind around here. I threw him in the treeline behind the alley.”
I scrunch my nose. I don’t like the sound of this. “You don’t think he will come back to my house, will he?”
“I wouldn’t if I were him.” He replies with no emotion, obviously a dig at me.
If he hadn’t just saved my life, I’d say something shitty in return, but just this once I’ll keep my mouth shut.
“Thank you for your help.” I say, trying my best to smile. “I appreciate it.”
He doesn’t respond, just waves over his shoulder as he makes his way back to his house, wasting no time for conversation.
I hate myself for it, but I can’t help but let my eyes linger as he walks away. Why does he have to be such a jerk and so freaking hot at the same time? Dammit. His horrible attitude ought to be enough for him to completely turn me off. However, his eagerness to help me just hours after our confrontation causes me to wonder if he isn’t such a jerk after all. I bite into my lower lip as I watch him disappear.
“I saw that.” Avery interrupts me. I forgot I still have her on FaceTime.
My face reddens. “You saw nothing.” I mutter.
“Nothing except you checking him out. Pretty sure you were picturing him naked. You know, makeup sex can be a lot of fun after an argument.” She wiggles her eyebrows. “And for the record, blue collar guys can do some great things. Much better than the nerds that you’re used to.”
“Goodbye.” I sigh and disconnect the call before stuffing my phone back in my pocket. There is no chance I’ll be getting involved with a guy like that.
The bell above the door at Drip rings cheerily as I push my way through on Wednesday morning. I have to admit, while I’m fully capable of making coffee at home, I’m loving the routine of a morning walk and a fresh coffee before starting work for the day.
“Hey there, beautiful,” Cassidy shouts across the room. “I just love seeing your pretty face here every morning.” She says, moving towards me to envelop me into a hug. “It’s so good to have you home.” She whispers into my hair while squeezing me tight.
When she finally releases me, I offer her a half smile. I admit it, I’m enjoying the quiet and simplicity of small town life. Everything is just so much slower than what I’ve been used to after all these years. “It’s good to be back.” I reply, worried that I might mean that a little too much.
“How’s the house going?” She asks, moving to the counter to take my order.
“Sugar free vanilla cold brew latte please, a big one.” I wink and hand her my debit card. “Slow. Sorting through all of her things is a lot of work, but I’m getting there.” I yawn and stretch, waiting for my coffee. “Avery talked me into having a yard sale.” I grumble. “Once all the extra stuff is gone, I think I’ll be able to make some actual progress.”
Cassidy shakes her head softly, obviously reminiscent of my late grandmother. “That Hazel. She was quite a collector.”
“Of EVERYTHING.” I add with a laugh as she wipes my cup off with a rag and slides it across the counter to me.
“Have you met that neighbor of yours yet?” She asks, wiggling her eyebrows. “He’s a cutie.”
I sigh. “Yeah, we’ve met.” I respond, not allowing myself to elaborate any further. “He’s okay, I guess.” I say with a shrug, trying to sound aloof to the entire thing. “I hadn’t really noticed.”
“Oh, come on,” she says as she leans across the counter towards me. “A young, single girl like you hasn’t noticed that?” She raises her brows at me. “I don’t believe that for a second. Have you seen him without a shirt on?” She fans herself dramatically with her hand and I stifle a giggle.
“Okay, yes. He is nice to look at.” I admit, “But I’m in no position to be ogling him. Don’t forget, I just got out of a long-term relationship, and the last thing I need to do is get tangled up with another man.” I pause. “Besides, I’m only staying here for a few months. Getting involved with someone, anyone, would just further complicate things.”
“Whatever you say, sister.” She says, handing my card back to me. “But if I was your age, I would be all over that. There’s nothing wrong with having a little fun.” She adds with a wink.
“I bet you would.” I tease back with a laugh.
“I’m old and married, not dead.” She replies with a chuckle.
Just then, the door jingles again, and in walks Andrew, toolbox in hand.
“Speak of the devil.” Cassidy mutters with a wink.
I feel my face turn red when he turns to nod in my direction. I’ve successfully avoided him ever since the snake and music fiasco yesterday and now I’m not really sure how to act towards him. In all honesty, I feel like a jerk for needing his help after yelling at him. Of course, I haven’t forgiven him for calling me a Karen, either. Why is everything so damn confusing?
He puts his toolbox on the ground and goes back out the door.
“What’s that about?” I ask.
“Oh, he’s doing some work around here for me today. He’s a contractor, so I’m taking advantage of his time in town.”
“Oh.” I say, nodding. Maybe I need to make nice with the contractor next door while I deal with my fixer upper. It’s probably too late after our last few interactions, though.
While I’m lost in thought, an older woman walks through the door and approaches the counter. I don’t know her, but I recognize her face as a Fawn Creek regular. She has to be close to Hazel’s age, or maybe older. Hazel always seemed so young for her age.
“Oh, honey.” The woman says to me, reaching her hand out to squeeze my shoulder. “I heard all about what happened.”
“Uh..” I drag out my confused expression, unsure how to respond to her.
“I can’t believe your husband was cheating on you with the maid.” She whispers. “His loss though.”
I blink slowly as she turns her attention towards Cassidy and places her order for a small black coffee, leaving me dumbfounded. Husband? The maid? Is this what the people of Fawn Creek are saying about me? I shake my head and try to make sense of what just happened. With a raise of my hand, I wave goodbye to Cassidy and make my way towards the door. I need to get home and get ready for work, and out of this weird situation.
I reach the door just as Andrew appears on the opposite side. His hands are full of tools. Quickly, I pull the door open and hold it for him to make his way inside.
“Thanks.” He offers with a soft expression. It’s not quite a smile, but it’s nicer than anything else I’ve gotten from him in the past. I decide to count that as a win and make my way back to Hazel’s. Maybe I can at least get along with my neighbor. But that’s the only goal. I don’t need my heart broken again.