Chapter 10
CHAPTER 10
WHAT, LIKE IT’S HARD?
Blair
“He’s my boss’s brother, Kodi,” I groan.
“He’s your friend’s brother. Start rewording that because she really sounds like a good friend to you so far.”
That’s exactly why I didn’t wait a week to call Kodi and tell her what happened yesterday. I need her voice of reason. Even if she can be a little out there sometimes.
After excusing myself to the bathroom, I overheard Lily stand up for me with her brother. Something I didn’t expect was that she and my grumpy neighbor are blood-related. It was the words he said to her that rang in my ear and had all night while I tossed and turned in bed.
She’s not fucking from here .
The old me would have run back to San Francisco so fast.
The person I’m trying to become only wants to work harder to prove I’m here to stay.
I didn’t uproot my entire life to be treated like this.
“It doesn’t matter who he is. He was a total jerk. It sort of takes away how pretty he is.” I shrug.
“At least you’re finally admitting he’s pretty.” She laughs.
“Don’t even start. ”
She giggles to herself. “I’m just saying.”
“I just don’t understand what makes him think he can act like that. He went on and on about how he owns the street and it’s irritating him that I’m there. How was I supposed to know that? Nan is the one who sold me the house. I didn’t actively seek it out.” I pace my small space, growing frustrated with every word out of my mouth. “And in my defense, I didn’t even know his name, let alone last name, to figure out he owned all of this.”
“ You own the house, Blair,” Kodi reminds me. “So, he can’t kick you out or run you out of town.”
I scoff. “Trust me, I’m not planning on going anywhere.”
I’m not letting the short incident with him take away from the best day I had at the bakery. I went back into Batter Up with my head held high because a bad attitude can’t break me. I’ve already hit rock bottom in my life and felt completely broken in the cruelest way once before by a man. I won’t let this man, who I barely know, bring me down to that dark place.
I spent the rest of my shift putting together an apple crumb cake. My first attempt was a success. It actually came out better than I could have expected. Lily even said she might put it on the weekly specials next week.
“Now,” I tell Kodi, “no more negative shit. Tell me what you have planned today?”
“I have a consultation about twenty miles outside of the city for an indoor rustic design. Let me tell you, I am really enjoying the farmhouse style so many people have been looking for. It’s a challenge for me which I like.”
“That sounds amazing. You’re so good at what you do. Even if it is a challenge, it’s one you will nail.”
“Thank you.” I can feel her pride through the phone. “What about you? What are you doing since you’re off today?”
“You’re never going to believe me when I tell you,” I say with a wide smile that I’m sure she can feel through my tone.
“I’m scared.”
“I’m going to the General Store to buy a power washer. ”
“I’m sorry…what?”
“You heard correctly.” I begin to laugh. “I don’t know what the hell I’m doing, but I’m going to figure it out.”
“I’m still over here trying to visualize you using a power washer. I can’t see it. Now the question is, what do you plan on washing with this thing?”
“What, like it’s hard?” I scoff. “And I’m going to power wash the outside of the house.”
She laughs incredulously.
“Don’t laugh at me,” I tell her, despite me actually laughing as well. “This is me finding my independence, remember? I have to learn how to do this. I want to learn how to do this. I own a home now. I think this is part of that process.”
“You’re right. I have full faith in you, sis.”
“Thank you,” I say proudly. “I’m going to let you go so I can get this project started. I’m confident it’s going to take me most of the day just learning how to turn the thing on.”
She barks out a laugh. “Have fun.”
The General Store is a lot less busy than it was last time I was here. Probably because I made it here early in the day. I don’t know why more places don’t have something like this. It’s truly the town’s one-stop shop. It stretches the whole block. One side of the store is where you can shop for groceries, the middle of the store is apparel, while the other side is all household supplies. Including paint, hardware, and those types of things that I wouldn’t even know the names of.
It’s weird and foreign to me, but I don’t hate it.
I’m used to having to go to one place for groceries, another for clothes, and then a specific spot for household supplies. Then again, I’ve never had to shop for household stuff .
Stopping by the clothing racks first, I realize I need something for today because the weather is on the warmer side. It’s wild how different each day is here.
Even the clothing here is different from the city. Most of the stores in the city were filled with designer things or outfits for people who worked in offices. None of this is what I’m used to wearing.
But I’m here to embrace the changes.
I see a cute pair of jean shorts, and the first one on the rack is my size, which is a total sign I need them. Next to it is a light blue crew neck that reads Bluestone on it.
Would it be weird to buy a shirt with the town name on it?
It feels kind of touristy, and that’s the last thing I’m trying to feel here.
Lifting it up to assess the front and back, I spot a familiar face and pause.
Griffin Barlow .
My eyebrows pinch together, and I feel a sense of annoyance course through me as I lift the sweatshirt to hide myself and hope he doesn’t see me. I won’t let him ruin this already positive day.
When I find the guts to peek over the hanger again, he’s gone.
In his place I see a strange man staring at me as if he were here for me. At least that’s what it looks like with the way he doesn’t move or look away. My insides flutter with nerves and the uneasiness of his posture. It’s stiff, as if he’s saying “got ya” in his head. After three seconds too long, he looks away and walks out of the store.
Breathing a sigh of relief, I decide I’m getting the crewneck. It’s light enough to wear during these crisp days, but not thick enough that I’ll sweat if the sun peeks out.
Making my way to the hardware side of the store, my eyes land on a pair of rain boots. The cutest pair of high-top pink boots. I can’t help it when my eyes light up .
These would be perfect for today’s mission.
Different than what I’m used to, but perfect.
The moment I cross the threshold to the hardware section, I feel overwhelmed. I find myself questioning if I’m getting in over my head here.
A clerk walks by, and I stop him.
“Excuse me, sir, I’m looking to buy a power washer.”
Greeting me with a warm smile and assessing the items in my arms, he nods. “Right this way, ma’am.”
He guides me to the back of the store after silently grabbing me a cart for my belongings. I hope he’s not judging me. Not that there’s anything to judge. But I’m an outsider.
Walking to the back, I almost trip over my feet and lose my grip on my cart when I see Griffin again. He’s with…a woman.
Thankfully, he doesn’t see me.
But I keep staring like a creep.
He wears a signature scowl look on his face and for a reason I can’t quite comprehend, it makes my heart rate spike. I feel the thunder in my chest and will it to slow down while I wonder if that man ever smiles. I’m thinking absolutely not. Is that his girlfriend or wife? I feel bad for her if that’s the case.
She’s beautiful, though; there’s no denying that.
She has long, strawberry-blonde hair that cascades down her back in loose curls. She also looks very young. Freckles line the apple of her cheeks. She doesn’t seem like his type.
Then again, is anyone his type?
He’s probably into the Cruella de Vil type of woman since he hates dogs too.
Big red flag. BIG.
The clerk is telling me about the three different power washers, but there’s something about watching Griffin with this woman that I can’t seem to focus on anything the clerk’s telling me. My curiosity’s piqued and I wish I knew why.
The words coming out of the clerk’s mouth drown out in the background as I watch Griffin lean in and hug her. It does nothing to help slow the pounding in my chest as I watch. The corner of his lip lifts just the smallest amount when he pulls away. If I blinked, I would have missed it. It’s not a real one, but still…does that count as a smile? It’s enough that it shows he appreciates her to some extent.
Now there’s a pang of jealousy in my chest.
Not because I wish he would hug me like that.
Hell no .
I’m not looking for a relationship in Bluestone Lakes. It’s too small of a town to get wrapped up in that. Nor do I want one with that man.
It’s a type of jealousy from watching him be nice to her.
Being his neighbor, I wish he would be nice to me, too. I’m not planning to go anywhere, and clearly, he isn’t either. It’s a shitty feeling walking on eggshells in your own yard because the person who lives on the property next to you can’t stand you.
I sigh, realizing I didn’t hear a thing the clerk told me.
“I’ll take whatever one you think is best for a beginner,” I tell him.
“You got it.”
I brush away the thoughts of what I just saw and check out with all my items.
Let’s do this.