14. Now You Can Get Shit Done
Now You Can Get Shit Done
Doug
‘Morning, Cara.’ I hear the happy sing-song voice of Artie, the owner of the grocery store, as I stare at the cereal boxes, trying to decide what to get for Bo.
‘Good morning, Artie,’ she answers sweetly, and my nostrils flare.
It’s been a week of this shit; walking around this town where I was born, where I grew up, where I know everyone, and they know me, and where they hardly glance in my direction, but they can’t get enough of Cara fucking McKenzie.
I have talked to her twice since she walked away from me up at the house, and both times were as successful as the last. I pissed her off, which pissed me off and left me feeling like a prick.
‘How’s the house coming along?’ Artie asks, and I can practically hear the smile in her response.
‘Really well, I think. I’m staying away, but no major problems.’
‘Well, Doug knows what he’s doing, even if he doesn’t look the happiest while he’s doing it.’
She laughs, and Artie laughs—fuck this. I round the aisle and expect them to look a little ashamed at being caught talking about me.
‘Not enough to do today, Artie?’ I snap, and they both fucking smile at me.
‘Always time to talk to my happy customers, Doug. You too, of course.’
Cara snorts and turns away, and I shake my head.
‘You got a sec?’
She glances back at me and nods, and Artie says goodbye to her before offering me a quick nod and walking away.
Cara turns to face me, and I step a little closer, faltering when I smell her perfume.
‘You need to make some decisions on the kitchen so I can get it ordered.’
‘Okay, send me the details.’ She turns to carry on her shopping, and it pisses me off. I didn’t say we were done.
‘You got time for a coffee? I’d like to get them ordered today.’
‘You want me to see the options for the first time right now and make a decision on the spot?’ I stare at her, and she stares at me. ‘Doug, you’re being unreasonable.’
I know that, but she pisses me off. She’s so fucking happy all the time, so unflappable, and so likable. Everyone fucking loves her, and they all get to have these normal interactions with her without their whole lives hanging by a thread because of it.
‘I have shit to do, Cara. I need you to make a decision.’
She inhales deeply and blows it out.
‘I’ll make my decision when I have time to go over the options and not before. You might not like me, but please don’t forget this is my house. I have to live there, not you. Drop off, or send me the details, and I will let you know what I decide.’
She turns and walks away, and I notice Mr. and Mrs. Abernathy staring at me, trying not to laugh.
‘She’s got spirit, that one,’ Mr. Abernathy says, grinning.
‘Just like her mother,’ Mrs. Abernathy adds before winking at me and walking away the same way Cara did.
What the fuck is happening? She has the whole town under a spell. The whole town, me included, because I’d be lying if I said the way she talks to me doesn’t get my dick hard, but come on, this is ridiculous.
I’m waiting for materials to be delivered, so there’s not much I can do at the house right now. I decide to go to the diner for some lunch for a change because I’m sick of sandwiches on the back of my truck. I push open the door, and long blonde and purple hair stops me in my tracks. She’s fucking everywhere.
‘What do you think of this one?’ she asks as Merv leans over the counter toward her.
‘It’s nice, but I think it’ll get stained up pretty quick.’
I approach and see what they’re discussing. What the fuck? She’s talking to Merv about the kitchen.
‘What’s going on?’
‘Oh, hey, Doug. Cara was just showing me the options.’ He smiles at me, but I turn my eyes to the woman smiling sweetly up at me.
‘I asked if you had time to discuss them—you didn’t.’
‘No, I didn’t have time to discuss them with you . I wanted to get Merv’s opinion.’
I glare at Merv, who presses his lips together, amused. The fucker.
‘Cara, I need to get this ordered.’
‘Doug, the longer the house takes, the more you get paid, so I’m very surprised you’re rushing me.’
The fuck? I hear the low chuckle of Greta Clancy and snap my attention to her, glaring.
‘Don’t you turn those mad eyes on me, Douglas Campbell. You forget I changed your diapers. Don’t make me lay all your shit bare.’
This whole town is fucking insane. I press my finger into the plans on the counter.
‘If you would be so kind as to let me know what you’re going with, I’d appreciate it.’
‘I will. Once I know. You made the rules, Doug.’ I glare at her, and she smiles that fucking beautiful smile that’s infuriating the shit out of me right now. ‘I’m not allowed near the house until you say so. I’m the owner, not a worker. I’ve kept up my end, so would you be kind as to back off and let me decide what I want in my own time?'
I hold her attention for a moment longer before turning and stomping out of the diner. I forgot my lunch but fuck it. She’s pissing me off.
‘Why do you look so pissed?’ Zoe asks as she slides me a beer.
I drove back up to the house and stomped around for a couple of hours. After eating my sandwiches on the back of my truck, of course. Now I’m sitting in the bar in a fucking bad mood.
‘Fuckin’, Cara. She has the whole town eating out of her hand.’
My sister laughs. ‘Because she’s nice to people, Doug. You could try it.’
‘Except me. She’s got no fuckin’ time to talk to me.’ Yes, I heard how whiny that was, but I don’t care.
‘Aww is wittle Dougy feeling weft out?’ She reaches over to pinch my cheek, and I swat her hand away.
‘Fuck you.’
‘You said you don’t like her, and she heard you. What do you expect?’ She shrugs, then leans in closer and lowers her voice. ‘Unless, of course, you’re ready to admit that’s not true.’
‘I didn’t mean, fuck it, it doesn’t matter. It’s easier this way anyway. I just wish she’d make some fucking decisions so I can get shit done.’
‘This one.’ The Scottish accent startles me, and I turn to see Cara dropping the brochure onto the bar, her choice circled in red. ‘Now you can get shit done.’
And then she turns, and she’s gone, and Zoe laughs.
‘Oh, you’re right. She has zero time for you.’