Next-Door Nemesis by Alexa Martin

Author:Alexa Martin [Martin, Alexa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2023-11-14T00:00:00+00:00

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The rain started with a drizzle and quickly turned into a downpour, forcing us from the rooftop patio to the inside of an Uber.

This driver isn’t nearly as awesome as the one who took us downtown, but it’s raining and I appreciate his focus. After dropping off Ruby at her hotel not too far from our houses, he takes his time navigating the wet suburban side streets.

“I’ll just get out with you,” I say to Ashleigh as we pull up to her house. “I’d feel like an idiot having him pull forward a few hundred feet.”

While exercise is one of my least favorite pastimes and I’ll never pass up an escalator for stairs, this feels ridiculous even to me. Plus, Ashleigh tried to keep up with Ruby tonight and I’m not sure she’ll make it to her door without my assistance.

The driver pulls up to Ashleigh’s house and slides into her driveway. It’s only a few feet, but it makes a huge difference. Ashleigh may be tiny, but she’s almost totally deadweight, and if I had to start at the street, there’s a good chance we would’ve gone down.

My finger hasn’t even left the doorbell before Grant swings open the door and takes her weight from me. His expression is a mixture of relief, amusement, and love. I don’t know what was in those drinks, but watching Grant and Ashleigh makes my heart squeeze a little bit. I’m glad she has that.

He closes the door behind them and I hurry to the sidewalk. Between the empty streets and flashes of lightning in the distance, it feels a little eerie being outside alone. The streetlights are the only thing illuminating this side of the street, and when I chance a look in the other direction, I can’t help but notice Nate’s porch light is the only one on the entire street that’s still on.

I look back to my parents’ dark house, my key sitting in my purse ready for me to use, and know that’s where I should go. But for some reason, when my feet move, they take me in the opposite direction.

The closer I get to Nate’s house, the more of a mistake I know it is. But for some reason, I can’t stop myself. Not when I get to his paved walkway. Not as I pass the pruned bushes. Not as I push down on the doorbell and listen to it ring over and over again until I see a hallway light turn on through the window.

Nate swings the door open and stills when he sees me. He’s not wearing a shirt. Loose-fitting pajama bottoms hang low on his hips and I struggle to keep my eyes where they belong.

“Collins?” His voice is sleepy, but his eyes are alert. “It’s late. Are you okay? Why are you standing in the rain?”

“I heard what you said to Angela. Thank you.” My hands fidget by my sides as longing and lust I’ve hidden away for years claw their way to the surface.

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