Have you ever hated someone so bad that you wished they'd forget to breath and drop dead. I did and that wish was for Noah Riley. He infuriated me to no end and knew everything about pushing my buttons.
Currently we were bumping heads over his sister's wedding. I will just point out that I was a wedding planner and was being paid for this service. He was just a groomsmen or whatever.
Ashley Riley was getting married to Noah's best friend Joshua Pine. This was something that Noah was against for the longest time but came around. I liked it better when he was upset.
Ashley was my best friend and I was so happy for her. I knew about her crush on Joshua and how much she loved him. The honor of being her maid of honor was so precious to me. I couldn't wait till they made this official in the eyes of God. A match made in heaven.
If I could survive Noah's interference. Or not end his existence on earth.
I continued talking to the ladies about the decor and ignored Noah inputs. I ordered them to ignore him as well. He was like an annoying fly you just wanted to squash.
I can't believe I once had a crush on him. I must have been deranged. Let's not even go there. Yuck.
Once done, I left the staff at it and walked out to my car. Of course, the fly was on my heel.
"Uh, what are you doing?"
I looked over at him then his hands on my passenger door.
"Waiting on you? Unlock the door."
"Noah Riley, you have been nothing but a pain in the butt and now you want me to chauffeur you around?"
"Hardly, we live next door to each other. Don't be petty. My baby sis is marrying my best friend, I just want everything to go right."
"And I don't? I don't care if we lived in the same house, I'll be petty if I want. I don't want you anywhere near me!"
"Aw, Chickens, don't be like that. I don't have my car with me. Please. Please. Please?"
I looked at him begging and did relish that.
"Don't call me that! I hate it always. And fine after you promise, no more interference."
"I promise, no more."
I looked at him suspiciously, that was almost too easy and very unlike him. I waggled a finger at him in warning like I'm watching you mister, then unlocked the door. I slapped his hands off the radio, put on my favorite station, Smooth Man, Simon, and drove us home.
"Why do girls go crazy for this loser?"
I ignored him and enjoyed Simon's beautiful voice, lovely music taste and humor. Noah couldn't relate and was just jealous.
Simon was the man of my dream. And he was single. I met him once while in the city. This town was too small and I would never encounter him here. He was so handsome. A real man. Unlike Noah. He was a boar.
I just grunted and got out of the car and headed into my home. Or rather my parents home, where I still lived. Noah had his own home but was still living with his parents. He said he was lonely. I bet he was, with no one to bother.
"Mom, Dad, gremlins, I'm home."
The gremlins were my siblings. They knew it too so they didn't even care about the name. Gremlins will be gremlins. I wonder what havoc the 4 wrecked in the world today.
The twins came tumbling down the stairs. They were ten going on thirty. I rolled my eyes as they started taking over each other. I headed to the kitchen to get grab something to eat then head to my room. I scooped up Teddy as I walked to my room. He was out tabby cat. He purred in my arms and all was right in this world. I love the little furball.
One of the twins eyebrows were gone and I didn't care to ask. It would grow back.
My sister's room was across from mine and her music was blaring loudly. It was melancholy stuff so I could only assume she and her boyfriend had a fight. They were always on and off. It was too exhausting to keep track. I hope those two never have kids. It was a toxic environment. Melody was two years younger than me. We couldn't be more different.
Brian was the last one and a lady's man. Quite like dad. He had trails of girls following him, young and old. It was embarrassing for all women kind.
Mom was a mother hen, she kept them away by any means necessary. Dad was a proud rooster. That was even more embarrassing. Brian was a star quarterback at our local high school. He was the star of the town.
I laid Teddy down and flopped down beside him. I was saving up to get out of this house. I can't imagine my 30s in this house. I can't imagine my 30s without a husband and kids either. But as it creeps closer each year, so does the fear that it would be so.
I dated but the dating world was in the pits. All the good men were taken, except Simon. Handsome, funny Simon. As if that would ever happen. The closes this town has ever seen to a celebrity was Ted Reagon who was on the local news for catching the largest fish. He was entered into the book of world records. Not my idea of celebrity but good for him, I guess.
"Teddy, do you want mama to marry Simon? Is that a yes? I love you too my sweet boy. Pray for me."
Teddy purred louder and rolled into my side, nestling his head on my shoulder.
"Li, do you have Teddy?"
"Yes, go away. You were with him all day."
Brian thump the door in protest, then went away. He was such a pain.
"Lily, can you let Brian have Teddy? He just wants to play with him."
"No mom, I will not. They were with him all day. Besides, I found him and allow him to be with everyone."
What a mama boy. Brian always did that, whine to mom.
"Ok, sweetie. Dinner will be ready soon."
I wasn't hungry. Teddy and I drifted to sleep.
