Return of the Jerk (Sweet Life in Seattle, Book 2) (36 page)

Nathan spends the next few days away from the condo, though he goes back there to sleep at night. At first, he brought his computer with him and tried hanging out at his mom’s to get some work done, but that was impossible as always. Not to mention, her boyfriend, Garth, is a serious dick who wouldn’t leave him alone. Garth kept trying to borrow money from him, claiming he could double it. Apparently, Garth has a sports gambling addiction. So instead, Nathan went to Brody’s garage, figured he’d sit in the office and work there, though it wasn’t long before Brody was handing him a grease-stained Toyota Celica manual.

“What’s this?” Nathan asked.

“My mom’s car needs the head gasket and valves replaced. I don’t have time, but you do.”

“You’re kidding.”

“Nope. All you’re doing is sitting here on your ass anyway.”

He flipped through the manual. It’s been years since he replaced a head gasket. It took hours and was labor-intensive work.

Brody grinned. “Figure you can mope over Blair and make yourself useful at the same time.”

“Christ, I never should have told you anything.”

“Probably not.” Brody laughed. “Come on, don’t be such a pouty little girl.”

“Not pouting,” Nathan muttered. “Plus, I’m very busy.” But he turned his computer off and got up anyway.

He worked on the Celica for a couple days to trace some timing and electrical issues then started helping Brody with an engine rebuild yesterday. It’s killing his back, but it’s been good for readjusting his focus. After working on cars all day, he usually works on his blog all night since his insomnia has come back with a mighty roar. Clearly, he took for granted how well he slept with Blair beside him.

“Oh, my
God
, look what the cat dragged in,” Fiona says the next morning when he emerges from the bedroom. He’s been leaving every day before she wakes up, but didn’t get to sleep until nearly dawn last night. “Where have you been? It’s like you’ve fallen off the face of the Earth!”

“Whatever,” he grumbles and goes to the cupboard to get down a box of cereal.

“Seriously, where have you been all week?”

He shrugs. “Around.”

Fiona smirks. “Blair called me yesterday afternoon.”

He opens the fridge to get some milk, pretending indifference. “She coming back?”

“No. Apparently, Tori is going to stop by later this morning and get some more of her things.”

“What for?” Nathan turns around now with a scowl.

“I guess she needs more stuff. Blair said we could stay here, though, temporarily.”

“We need to both move out.”

Fiona shrugs. “I think she’s being quite generous. Have you apologized to her yet? Because that’s what you need to do.”

He pours the milk over his bowl of cereal.

“You’re not handling this the right way,” she rants. “You know that, don’t you? You need to apologize, and then you need to start courting her. That’s what women expect, especially
her
type.”

Ignoring Fiona, he takes his bowl of cereal with him back into his office. Can still hear her carrying on. “I don’t know why you’re not listening to me!” she shrieks. “I’m trying to help you!”

Nathan closes the door loudly.

Christ, does she ever shut up?

He eats his cereal in peace. Told Brody he’d stop by later and help work on the engine rebuild some more. He was surprised how much he enjoyed working on that first car, the Celica. It felt good to work with his hands again, though he hasn’t been getting much writing done and still has no idea how he’s going to end this book. He thinks about Blair calling Fiona yesterday.

Why the hell didn’t she call me?

In frustration, he pulls his phone from his front pocket. He hasn’t called Blair at all the past few days, hoping she’d cool down and come to her senses. Apparently, that’s not the case, though. He listens to her phone ring, but she doesn’t answer.

“This is ridiculous,” he says to her voicemail. “I’ll move out, if that’s what you really want.”

He hangs up.

Hits redial two seconds later to leave another message.

“Look, didn’t know you were feeling crowded. You should have said something.” He hesitates, almost tells her how much he misses her sleeping beside him, misses all their talks, but stops himself. He’s even tempted to make up something about Mr. Maurice, since he knows that would get her attention.

But I’m not that desperate.

Or pathetic.

He goes to put his empty bowl in the kitchen sink, hoping to catch Tori before he leaves for Brody’s. Fiona is working, but starts harassing him again. He ignores her, but she won’t leave him alone, still giving advice about how he should handle Blair. She even tries following him into the bathroom.

“Go away. Jesus Christ, can’t I take a piss in private?”

Fiona scoffs. “Like you have anything
I’m
interested in.”

When Tori finally comes by to get more of Blair’s things, he attempts to get a straight answer from her about what’s happening, but it feels like she’s speaking in riddles.

“Is she staying away because of me?” he wants to know.

“You’ll have to ask her that yourself.”

“But she won’t speak to me.”

Tori puts some of Blair’s shirts into a leather bag then gets makeup from the bathroom, and finally grabs a few of her scarves.

“Exactly how long is she planning to be gone?”

Tori shrugs. “A while longer.”

He doesn’t like that answer. Doesn’t like it at all. Once he’s at the garage and working on the engine rebuild, he keeps thinking about Blair, getting more frustrated because he’s starting to understand part of the problem.

The part where I’m an asshole.

He keeps telling himself he’s going to start making arrangements to move out so she can move back in, but he hasn’t done a damn thing. Nothing. Just can’t bring himself to do it for some reason.

We need to have a conversation first.

That evening he decides enough is enough. He leaves the garage and heads straight for Tori’s, determined to talk to Blair once and for all. Unfortunately, when he arrives, he discovers Blair isn’t there.

“Where is she?”

Tori stands in the doorway, blowing on her freshly painted fingernails. “She’s out with some guy.”

This stops him cold. “What guy?”

“I forget his name. It’s someone she used to date.”

“Graham?”

“No, someone else. They went out for dinner, and I don’t think she’ll be back until late.”

Nathan doesn’t move. Can barely breathe. Is it possible Blair is out with that guy who broke her heart? The dipshit who was too stupid to see how incredible she is?

“Why do you think they’ll be out late?”

Tori smiles. “Just a feeling. I’ll tell her you stopped by, though.”

“MY BROTHER WAS
just here looking for you,” Tori says.

Blair walks into the kitchen, carrying a couple of grocery bags. She’s just come back from getting provisions for the girls’ night they’re planning tomorrow. “He was?”

“I told him you were out on a hot date with an old boyfriend.” Tori laughs. “You should have seen his face.”

“You shouldn’t have lied. He’ll figure it out anyway.”

“No, he won’t. Plus, it’s for his own good. He needs to wake up and smell the reality.”

Blair puts the veggie platter in the fridge, then starts putting away the rest of the groceries she bought. It’s like entering a time warp staying with Tori again in her same old bedroom.
The scene of the crime.
Or at least that’s how she occasionally thinks of it, since that’s where she and Nathan had their ill-fated night.

“Did he seem bothered?” Blair can’t resist asking.

Tori smiles. “Yes, he did actually.” She goes over to the counter to get one of the cookies Blair brought home from work. “These are incredible.” She chews for a bit. “Enough is enough, you know? I don’t want to lie to my brother, but at the same time, I’m tired of watching him make stupid decisions about women. I mean, what if he actually winds up with a Skank Factor X for life? I have to protect him from that. Plus, I’m still hoping he ends up with you.”

Blair doesn’t say anything as she folds up a paper grocery bag for the recycle bin, can feel Tori’s eyes on her.

“This whole thing with you staying here, I think I finally understand it.”

“You do?” Blair looks over at her. “Because I’m starting to wonder if I understand it myself.”

“This is about Road, isn’t it? You’re obviously still in love with him.”

Blair sighs and puts the bag down. “Yes, but I don’t know what to do about it anymore. I feel like a crazy person.”

“So, what else is new?” Tori laughs. “I mean, let’s face it, you’ve never been rational when it comes to my brother.”

“And I’m still not. Look at me.” Blair throws her hands up. “I can’t believe any of this. I’m staying here with you all week while those two live in my condo. Talk about the height of irrational!”

“I don’t know.” Tori’s expression grows thoughtful. “I think putting some distance between you and him is a good idea. Especially for Road. He doesn’t always see what’s right in front of him, but he might see it if it’s not there anymore.”

“All I know is I was feeling overwhelmed. Like I had to get out of there and try to think clearly for a change.”

“Do you want Road to move out of your place?”

Blair bites her lip. “No, I don’t want him to leave. That’s the problem.” She meets Tori’s gaze. “But one of us had to.”

“See, maybe this whole thing isn’t so crazy.”

“Maybe.” Blair laughs. “Except instead of sleeping with the guy I’m in love with, I’m sleeping with a bunch of snoring dogs every night.”

“Hey, the boys like you. It’s a compliment.”

“Lucky me.”

“And what about Fiona? Are you going to let her keep staying there?”

Blair sighs and goes back to putting the groceries away. “I don’t know how she does it, but she keeps making me feel sorry for her.”

“Good, because I invited her to our girls’ night tomorrow.”

“What?” Blair turns around, annoyed. “Are you serious? Why would you do that?”

“Because she’s lonely and doesn’t have many friends. You told me so yourself. Plus, you said she cries half the night. That’s so sad.”

Blair doesn’t say anything more. The mention of Fiona’s weeping makes her think of all those nights with Nathan. The truth is she misses him. Too much.

She wonders if Tori is right, and maybe this distance will help him see their relationship in a different light.
I hope so
. Though it doesn’t seem like it. He’s left messages, but he mostly sounds grouchy and annoyed with her.
At the very least, this will help me decide what my next step should be.

The next day, after delivering wedding cakes with Carlos, Blair comes back and helps set up stuff for their girls’ night. By the time Natalie and Lindsay arrive, she and Tori have laid out fun snacks and the fixings for cocktails, and of course mocktails for Natalie. Tori leaves to go pick up Fiona.

“I can’t believe she invited her,” Blair groans, taking a seat on one of the living room chairs with her drink called a ‘Pink Squirrel.’ Tori loves drinks with silly names and printed up recipes for some great ones, including ‘Sex with an Alligator,’ ‘Blue Balls,’ and ‘Satan’s Whiskers.’