Friend. Zone.
Right, my dick mocked as it pressed against my board shorts. I’d like to get friendly with her.
Fuck my life.
Chapter Five
Maddie
I stared back at Nathan in bewilderment. He was okay? Honestly, the whole thing had freaked me out. He was a strong swimmer—medaled in State championships his senior year of high school. That was ages ago, but still. I’d watched him swim laps just now. He was strong.
“Are you sure?” I shifted my weight in indecision. I really wanted to get someone just to make sure he was okay.
“Yes, Mads.” Nathan gave a harsh laugh as he sat up. “I just lost my grip on the stupid wall.”
Everything from the way he laughed to his annoying nickname for me had me feeling about an inch tall. Like I was crazy to be worried about him. “I, uh, okay. If you say so.”
“I do,” he bit out.
I couldn’t even look at him. I returned to my towel, bent down to grab my book, and Nathan made a muffled groan behind me. The urge to check on him burned inside me, but at this point I knew better than to try. He’d only push me away again.
When was I going to get a freaking clue? He’d friend-listed me years ago. Why couldn’t I get that through my head?
“You’re leaving?”
My lips twisted in the semblance of a smile, but I didn’t let myself make eye contact. “I’ve spent plenty of time in the sun already. Besides I should get ready for work.”
“Really? You’re going into work at ten o’clock on a Saturday? Seems like a weird shift. Don’t you close early on Saturdays?”
It was, and we did. He couldn’t even let me slide by with a ridiculous excuse?
“Fine. I lied. I’m just trying to get the hell out of here. Is that okay with you?”
A wounded expression swept across his face.
And now I felt like the bad guy.
“If you want to go, then go. You don’t have to be mean about it.” He almost sounded like a petulant child. But for the fact that he was all adult with his perfect six pack and gleaming chest muscles. I would’ve drooled if I wasn’t so annoyed. Did he have to look so yummy while being such an ass?
And why was I still drooling over him? I was done mooning over this man.
“Seriously? I’m the mean one? You all but called me stupid a second ago. Like I was crazy for being worried about you. I just—I don’t—Whatever. I’m done. Enjoy the pool.” I turned and walked toward the exit in a huff.
“Mads, wait!”
I whirled back around. “Don’t call me that! We’re not kids anymore. And I’m sure as shit not your fucking sister. It’s Madison or Maddie. Not Mads. Not Squirt. Not any of that shit. I’m a grown ass woman. Try treating me like one. We clear?”
I didn’t even wait for his reply. I whirled and stomped through the gate, slamming it shut behind me.
I couldn’t put my finger on what it was about the whole thing that pissed me off so much. But what I was certain about was that I was done crushing on Nathan Burns.
Next time I’d let him choke on the pool water.
Okay, maybe not choke. I’d call for help. Maybe throw in a life ring or something. But I was definitely done with my infatuation. It was time to move on.
And I knew just the thing to help me.
* * *
“Okay, I know we’re supposed to be talking about the week’s book, but there’s something else I want—need you guys to help me with.” I gulped, staring at my two besties. We got together every week to talk about romance books, but today I had a different agenda.
“Are we finally doing an apartment search?” Sabrina asked with a frown as she leaned forward on Hope and Ryan’s couch.
Technically it was supposed to have been my turn to host, but I didn’t feel comfortable hosting it in Dylan’s condo. And Hope didn’t mind—or at least that was what she’d said.
I snorted. “I wish. I still can’t get my landlord on the phone, and he’s never around when I’ve tried to swing by his place. I can’t afford two rents, so I’m couch surfing until I can get him to agree to let me out of my lease.”
But I wasn’t hopeful. Especially with the specter of unemployment looming over me. I was going to be living my parents again before the end of the year, homeless, jobless, and single. I just knew it. How did my life turn into such a shitshow?
“And even then, you might need to hire a lawyer.” Hope raised an eyebrow. “Some landlords are assholes when it comes to ending a lease early. They know they have you on the hook, so they’re not going to do you any favors they don’t have to.”
Sabrina nodded. “It would help your case if you called the police on your neighbor. You need some documentation to back you up.”
“Yeah, okay. Thanks. Really. But I don’t want to talk about my screwed-up living situation anymore.” I hunched into my end of the sofa, feeling kinda attacked. I wasn’t ready to hear all the solutions to my problems. Or at least not that problem.
Although maybe they were right. It would be silly to spend time and effort dating when my life was in shambles. What was I thinking?
I cleared my throat unevenly. “So this week’s book. What did you guys think?”
“Wait.” Sabrina interjected. “Are we seriously not going to talk about whatever you needed help with?”
I laughed, but it sounded suspiciously like a sob. “Nope. It was my apartment. So this week’s book. Opinions?”
Sabrina waved her hand in the air. “Nope. Not buying it. Did something happen at work?” She waited a beat then continued. “Or with Nathan?”
I tried to hide my reaction, but I flinched when she said his name.
Sabrina swore under her breath. Then, louder, “What did the clueless ass do
