Chapter 9
CHAPTER 9
LEARN HOW TO BE NICE OR LEAVE HER ALONE.
Griffin
“You can’t fire me.”
Blair stands tall with her hands on her hips and her chin held high. Being more at her level, I realize just how small she really is.
My gaze bounces between her and Lily. Come to think of it, I might just be large because she’s actually the same size as my sister seeing them standing next to one another.
“You don’t own the place,” she continues.
“Actually, I do,” I deadpan.
Blair turns to Lily, waving a hand in my direction. “This is your brother?”
Lily nods, her mouth agape. Clearly shocked by this exchange.
My sister told me nothing about the new girl she was hiring. Then again, I didn’t ask many questions myself. When she told me about it, I didn’t even think about how we have a new girl roaming around town. My head went straight to a trustworthy local.
I’m pissed at myself for not thinking it was the city girl she hired .
“Did you know your brother was an asshole?” Blair asks her.
“Did you just call me an asshole?” I want to laugh, but aggravation is the only thing flowing through my blood right now.
She faces me, stepping into my space. Which only pisses me off even more, because the buzz in the air when she’s this close is undeniable.
I want to turn away. I want to run off into the kitchen. Because I don’t want to feel like this with anyone new.
Especially her.
“I call it like I see it,” she says with a shrug.
“How do you two know each other?” Lily asks.
But I can’t take my eyes off Blair, who’s giving me the death stare. The evil eye only makes her look that much hotter and sends chills down my spine. And fuck me for even thinking that.
Also…I was right.
The whiskey color in her eyes burns worse than when drinking it straight from the bottle.
She should come with a warning.
“She just moved here. To my road.”
“Barlow Drive is not your road. Just because you were the only person who lived there before I got here, doesn’t mean it’s yours. It’s town property.”
She’s got a backbone; I’ll give her that. I extend my hand in front of her, void of emotion. But all she does is look at it like its poison before her eyes lock with mine again. “Hi, Blair…”
“Andrews,” she says, crossing her arms over her chest.
“It’s nice to meet you. I think.” I shrug. “That part is still up for debate. But, I’m Griffin Barlow.”
I watch as everything in her changes. Her shoulders relax while her eyes widen, taking a few steps away from me before her hand covers her forehead. I feel the air change around me from just moments ago.
Almost like I can breathe again.
“This can’t be happening right now,” she murmurs under her breath. “I’m going to the restroom,” she tells Lily .
I want to laugh, or hell, even smile with satisfaction.
But that’s not who I am.
It’s kind of comical watching as the wheels spin in her head, putting the pieces of the puzzle together.
I lied when I told her I owned Barlow Drive.
Even though it has my name on it, it’s not mine . But I own the property on the road. Including the house she lives in now. It was mine before Nan helped me sell it. I just didn’t think she would sell it to some city girl when she knows exactly how I feel about them.
Knowing the shit I’ve been through.
“Be nice, Griff,” Lily says, swatting my forearm. “She’s still trying to get acclimated and, whether or not you like it, she’s my new employee. It might be too soon to tell, but she might actually be one of my new friends. I like her a lot, and I know she’s going to be an amazing addition to Batter Up.”
I glare at her, not caring about any of it.
“Besides,” she continues, “despite her tough exterior, I think she’s been through some shit. I don’t know all of it, but she briefly told me about her parents, and I feel bad for her.”
“I truly don’t care, Lil,” I answer quickly, ignoring her comments about Blair’s past. “Her dog runs around my property all hours of the night. Not only do I have to live next to her, but now I have to work next to her? It’s just grating on my nerves.”
“Why?”
“Because I hate the city. You know this. That woman reeks of it. Her stupid car and her clothes. She’s not fucking from here.”
Lily throws her arms out. “Neither are half of the people who come through here. The difference is, she’s here to stay. You have to give her a chance, just like everyone else who’s ever moved here.”
I know my sister’s right. I do.
But it’s hard for me to accept it.
Lily was my voice when I went through the greatest heartbreak of my life, so she should know how hard this is for me .
Blair coming back from the bathroom forces me to turn my gaze in her direction, pushing back the feelings of my past.
Hurt replaced with anger that she’s still here.
“I’m going to head back to the bakery,” she tells Lily, glancing at me before looking back to Lily. “I have an idea for a cookie.”
“But you didn’t eat anything,” Lily says.
“I’m not that hungry. I’ll grab something when I get home after I’m done.”
With that, she’s out the door.
Lily glares at me with rage. “Do you know what she told me before we walked over here?”
I cross my arms over my chest, keeping my chin held high. “I don’t. But I know you’re going to tell me anyway.”
“She told me she was starving,” Lily says, throwing her arms out. “I can’t even believe how rude you were to her.”
“I told you. I don’t want her here.”
Lily’s shoulders relax as if she’s admitted defeat.
Or she just completely gives up on me. I don’t blame her.
“You really need to get over your past. You need to learn how to be nice or leave her alone. She’s a good fucking person and likes it here.”
And then she’s out the door.
“Fuck,” I curse, pulling a bottle of whiskey from the shelf and pouring a glass. I down it in one gulp.
I never drink when I’m on the clock.
But I’m losing my mind.
It turns out whiskey isn’t enough to numb the past or the present.