Lovely Neighbor by Alexa Riley Page 0,4
and I wonder if I really want it, or if I’m bored and looking for something to do.
When I step off the elevator, I hear music and voices coming from my gram’s place and smile. I guess I won’t be getting any sleep tonight. I knock on the door and no one answers. I can hear laughing over the music, so I knock harder this time.
“Raul, you’re late,” Grams says as she pulls open the door and then is shocked to see it’s me standing there. “Sugar!”
Grams grabs me and pulls me in for a giant bear hug. “I didn’t know you were coming.” She kisses me all over my face, which is something she’s done my whole life. It doesn't matter how old I am or where we are.
“Who’s Raul?”
She waves her hand dismissively at the question. “He’s just someone coming over to try and get in my pants.” But she leans in and winks. “I might let him.”
My grandma has a more active sex life than I do. Hell, she has a more active life than me altogether. It’s hard to believe we're from the same family. She’s an extrovert and I’m a complete introvert.
“Everyone, my granddaughter is here!” she announces to the group as she pulls me into her place.
“Hi.” There are at least twenty people here and I wave my hand nervously. Grams points everyone out, telling me their names like I could possibly remember them all. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“You need a bingo card?” an older lady with pink hair asks.
“No, thanks.” I look at Grams. “I kind of want to lie down, my head hurts.” Maybe I can sneak off to the guest room.
“Migraine?” She touches my forehead with the back of her hand.
“Not yet.”
“Well, shit. The spare room is a mess. I’m having it redone.”
“Oh. I’m sorry. I should have called and not popped in on you.”
“Oh please. You know I want you here anytime you’re able to come.” She turns to the crowd and waves a finger. “Don’t have any fun without me. I’ll be right back.”
She grabs a key off the entryway table and we walk out.
“Where are we going?”
“Next door. You can stay at Devin’s.”
I stop walking and shake my head. “No way.”
She’s been talking about Devin for months and how she wants me to meet him. She goes on and on about how handsome he is and that he needs to find a nice girl to settle down with because he works too much.
“I’m not meeting him right now. I’m a hot mess.”
“What are you talking about? You’re always adorable.”
I roll my eyes because that’s how she sees me, and adorable is not what I want a man to think when he looks at me.
“He’s not home anyway,” she says as she pulls on me with her freaky strength.
“Oh.” I’m surprised when I feel a small amount of disappointment. “Then what are we doing?”
“I’ve got the keys to his place.” She holds them up.
“Do you have to feed the dog or something?”
“No.” She lets out a laugh. “He’s not home enough to have pets.”
“Then what are we doing?”
“You’re staying here.” She says it like it’s obvious and unlocks the door.
“I can’t stay here.” She pulls me inside and shuts the door behind us. “Have you been hitting the gym or something?” I pull my wrist out of her hold and shake it.
“Water aerobics,” she answers casually as she flips on the lights.
“Whoa.” I glance around the massive space that looks like a museum. “No wonder he doesn't have pets.” I look down at the spotless hardwood floors. Are they black? This whole place is so shiny and new, I should take my shoes off. “I really can’t stay here. I’ll get something dirty or break it.”
“It’s fine.” She takes my bag from off my shoulder. “You rest up here. They are going to be going all night and you need to sleep off your headache. We know how bad your migraines can get. Oh, you should take a dip in the tub,” she says before kissing my cheek and putting my bag down on an oversized chair.
“What if he comes home?”
“He won't, he's in Paris.”
That sounds glamorous and exciting.
She gives me another quick kiss and a hug. “I’ll see you in the morning. Lock the door behind me.”
I follow her out, knowing this isn't a fight I’m going to win. Plus this place is looking so peaceful compared to the party next door. I wave to Grams and