Nightmare Neighbor

CHAPTER 7 - Alek

I took a cold shower to calm down, but it didn't help. The two short meetings with Madeline were the cherry on top of the shitstorm that had come down on me today.

Okay, I could admit the coffee shop incident was my fault. Looking back, I shouldn't have snuck behind her. But when I finished the call with Jenna and saw Madeline standing by the counter, I couldn't help but smile. I usually didn't chat up girls during work hours, but I knew a sign when one hit me in the face. So I approached her, stopping too close, and met with her cake up close and personal. Any other time, I'd let it go without hard feelings, but my body was still buzzing with irritation, and I took it out on her.

However, the rest... That was on her. She shoved a pepper spray in my face for no damn reason, for God's sake! Nobody could blame me for not being all warm and fuzzy afterward. But I came through. I helped her with her stupid bags; I tried to be friendly and start a conversation. What did I get for my trouble? She basically called me an alcoholic because I had one drink with my lunch and slammed the door in my face. Obviously, being a bitch was her factory setting.

How the hell was I supposed to put up with her?

After the shower, I tried to get some work done since my workday wasn't over yet, but my mind was a mess. I gave up, deciding to hit the gym and sweat some of my frustration out.

My phone went off as I was getting ready to leave. I checked the caller ID. Mason. Damn it; I forgot to call him to let him know how the meeting went. I considered ignoring him since I wasn't in the mood to chat, but he wouldn't stop bugging me until I gave him something.

"Don't ask," I said instead of hello.

"That bad, huh?"

Bad didn't even begin to cover it. I summarized both the unpleasant encounter with Madeline and the even shittier interview with Helene, complaining most of the way to the gym.

"She came already decided I wasn't the right fit because I happen to have a dick," I groaned, a fresh wave of anger rushing through my veins at the thought of Helene's reserved face.

"That sucks, man," Mason said and paused. "You aren't letting it go, are you?"

"I'm not sure. Still considering my options." I thought about my next move long and hard during lunch as I watched dear miss Iceman conclude her following interview. She seemed thrilled with the young woman, which gave my delicious food a bitter aftertaste of jealousy. I wouldn't beg her for another chance since it was pointless, but I wouldn't take her unprofessionalism lying down. It was a long shot, but I could try to go over her head straight to Sierra. I just had to get to her.

"How about we grab a drink, and you can bounce your ideas off me? I'm heading out in a bit; you should tag along."

"I have to work tomorrow."

"So do I. They serve other things than alcohol in bars, you know. You can get a soda as the old, boring person you're deep inside."

Smartass. "Tempting, but I'd be a crappy company."

"Who said anything about you keeping me company? I planned to buy you a drink or two and leave you to fend for yourself once Hannah gets there. No offense, but I won't spend my night off with your ugly ass."

"Gee, thanks, but I'll pass. I'd seen enough of you dry humping your girlfriend to last me a lifetime last time you guys came over."

"Is that jealousy I hear in your voice? Because there's nothing easier than getting some pussy for yourself. God knows you could use letting out some steam. You're turning into a real dickhead."

"Those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones."

He snorted, "I'll be at Ben's if you change your mind, prick."

I hung up, slid the phone into my pocket, and picked up my pace, eager to get my body moving and my muscles burning. I preferred the bigger gyms in the city center, but since my car was in the shop and I couldn't bother to call an Uber, the small gym a few blocks from my apartment would have to do today. As long as I could get my hands on some heavy weights and no one would bother me during my workout, I didn't care.

It was still early, so the gym was mostly empty—just as I liked it. I got through my workout without interruption, pushing extra hard to get rid of the frustration build-up in me. By the time I was done, sweat had drenched my clothes, and my legs felt like overcooked spaghetti. I was ready to go home. If I could make the trip without my knees giving up on me and sending me face-first to the ground was a different question entirely.

"Alek? Is that you?"

I turned at the young woman sitting on one of the exercise bikes I passed by. She was about my age, tall and slim; her dark hair pulled into a high ponytail bringing attention to her pretty face. She looked familiar, but I couldn't put my finger on it... Wait. "Kira?"

"Oh my God, hi!" She hopped off the bike and threw herself at me, her boobs pressing against my chest as she hugged me. Those were new for sure. The Kira I knew was as flat-chested as they got. "I haven't seen you in ages! How have you been?"

Ages sounded about right. We dated for a couple of weeks back in college about ten years ago. I was our team's starting quarterback, and she was the cheer captain. As cliché as it sounds, we were a perfect match. I tried to remember why we broke up but came up short. It wasn't a nasty breakup, though; that much I knew. We kept in touch for a while until we didn't. The last time I heard from her, she'd signed a modeling contract with some big agency and headed to the East Coast.

"Can't complain. How about you? I thought you moved to New York."

She pulled away, my gaze dropping to her chest for a second too long before coming back to her face. In my defense, she wore only a tiny sports bra, so her impressive new rack was all up in my face whether I wanted to check it out or not.

The twinkle in her dark eyes and how she straightened up informed me she didn't mind the attention. "I just got back. Remember how I always said modeling was a step toward acting for me? I landed my first big role! It's this new TV show... I can't say much yet, but the shooting starts next week. I'm staying with Vivi for the time being."

I nodded, although I couldn't recollect who Vivi was. Probably one of her sorority sisters. "That's amazing! Let me know once it's on-air; I wouldn't want to miss your big breakthrough."

She flashed me a flirty smile. "You haven't changed a bit. Still the sweetest guy I know."

I laughed. "You might be surprised."

"I'm free tonight if you want to hang out and... catch up."

Her tone left no mistake about what she was interested in. My dick didn't oppose the idea, but my mind was still elsewhere. It wouldn't be fair to either of us.

"I'd love to, but I have plans with Mason," I lied. "He'd have my balls if I bailed on him."

"Mason is your brother, right?"

Not by blood, but in every way that mattered, so I stopped correcting people long ago. "Yeah."

"Shame," she purred, her gaze traveling down my body, her eyes shining with the heat she didn't bother to hide. "Maybe another time?"

"Definitely."

"You won't let me wait for ten years again, will you?"

"Now, when I saw you? Wouldn't dream of it."

"Still got my number?"

"Of course."

"Perfect." She stepped forward, closing the small distance between us to run her finger down my biceps. "Use it."

Damn, I forgot how outward she was. I loved women who knew what they wanted and weren't afraid to get it. God knew what my issues were back in college—probably raging hormones and a colossal ego. Maybe this was my opportunity to fix past mistakes. "See you around, Kira."

"Can't wait."