This guy is intimidating. This guy is angry. This guy is watching me like I should be giving him an apology or explaining myself.
It is the same guy, though, because hes wearing the same pair of jeans and the same black T-shirt he fell asleep in last night. The only difference in his appearance between last night and this morning is that hes now able to stand up without assistance.
What happened to my hand, Tate?
He knows my name. Does he know it because Corbin told him I was moving in or because he actually remembers my telling him last night? Im hoping Corbin told him, because I dont really want him to remember last night. I suddenly feel embarrassed that he might recall my consoling him while he cried himself to sleep.
He apparently doesnt have a clue what happened to his hand, though, so I hope that means he has no recollection of anything beyond that.
Hes leaning against my bedroom door with his arms folded across his chest. He looks defensive, like Im the one responsible for his bad night. I roll over, still not quite finished with sleeping, even though he thinks I owe him some sort of explanation. I pull the covers over my head.
Lock the front door on your way out, I say, hoping hell take the hint that he is more than welcome to go back to his place now.
Wheres my phone?
I squeeze my eyes shut and try to drown out the smooth sound of his voice as it slides into my ears and makes its way through every nerve in my body, warming me in places this flimsy blanket failed to do all night.
I remind myself that the person that sultry voice belongs to is now standing in the doorway, rudely demanding things without even acknowledging the fact that I helped him last night. Id like to know where my Thank you is. Or my Hey, Im Miles. Nice to meet you.
I get none of that from this guy. Hes too worried about his hand. And his phone, apparently. Too worried about himself to be concerned about how many people his carelessness might have inconvenienced last night. If this guy and his attitude are going to be my neighbors for the next few months, Id better set him straight now.
I toss the covers off and stand up, then walk to the door and meet his gaze. Do me a favor and take a step back.
Surprisingly, he does. I keep my eyes locked with his until the bedroom door slams in his face and Im looking at the back of the door. I smile and walk back to my bed. I lie down and pull the covers over my head.
I win.
Have I mentioned Im not much of a morning person?
The door opens again.
Fliesopen.
What the hell is wrong with you? he yells.
I groan, then sit up on the bed and look at him. Hes standing in the doorway once again, still looking at me like I owe him something.
You!I yell back.
He looks genuinely shocked at my harsh response, which kind of makes me feel bad. But hesthe one being the jerk!
I think.
He started it.
I think.
He eyes me hard for a few seconds, then tilts his head slightly forward and arches an eyebrow.
Did we … He motions his finger back and forth between us. Did we hook up last night? Is that why youre pissed?
I laugh when my initial thoughts are confirmed.
Hesbeing the jerk.
And this is great. Im neighbors with a guy who gets shitfaced on weeknights and obviously brings home so many girls in the process that he cant even remember which ones he messed around with.
I open my mouth to respond but am cut off by the sound of the apartment door closing and Corbins voice yelling out.
Tate?
I immediately jump up and rush to the door, but Miles is still blocking the doorway, glaring at me, expecting a response to his question. I look him straight in the eyes to give him an answer, but his eyes catch me off guard for a short moment.
They are the clearest blue eyes Ive ever seen. Not at all the heavy-lidded, bloodshot eyes from last night. His eyes are so light blue theyre almost colorless. I continue to stare at them, half expecting to see waves if I look closely enough. Id say they were as clear blue as the waters of the Caribbean, but Ive never actually been to the Caribbean, so I wouldnt know.
He blinks, and it immediately pulls me away from the Caribbean and back to San Francisco. Back to this bedroom. Back to the last question he asked before Corbin walked through the front door.
Not sure if you can call what we did hooking up, I whisper.
I stare at him, waiting for him to move out of my way.
He stands taller, putting up an invisible wall of armor with his posture and his rigid body language.
Apparently, he doesnt like to envision the two of us making out, based on the unyielding look hes giving me. It almost seems like hes looking at me in disgust, which makes me dislike him that much more.
I dont back down, and neither of us breaks eye contact when he steps out of my way and allows me to pass him. Corbin is rounding the hallway when I exit my room. He glances back and forth between me and Miles, so I quickly shoot him a look to let him know thats not even remotely a possibility.
Hey, Sis, he says, pulling me in for a hug.
I havent seen him in almost six months. Sometimes its easy to forget how much you miss people until you see them again. Thats not the case with Corbin. I always miss him. As much as his protectiveness can get old at times, its also a testament to how close we are.
Corbin releases me and pulls at a lock of my hair. Its longer, he says. I like it.
This may be the longest weve gone without seeing each other. I reach up and flick the hair hanging across his forehead. So is yours, I say. And I dontlike it.
I smile to let him know Im kidding. I actually like the shaggier look on him. People have always said we look a lot alike, but I dont see it. His skin is a lot darker than mine, which Ive always envied. Our hair is the same rich hue of brown, but our facial features are nothing alike, specifically our eyes. Mom used to tell us that if we put our eyes together, they would look just like a tree. His were as green as the leaves, and mine were as brown as the trunk.