Dirty Neighbor(4)

“There is something. Maybe you could help me?” Beth was older than she was. Surely she’d have some advice.

“Oh, tell me, is it a man? Are you thinking of going on a date?”

“I’m not dating. I told you I’ve sworn off dating.”

Andrew growled. “You know, not all men are complete assholes. So Greg was a fucker, I did warn you.”

She may not entirely get along with Andrew, but he was very protective of her. He’d warned her the first day she brought Greg around to meet her sister. Andrew had pulled her aside and given her a stern warning. She should have listened.

“I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, you like everything clean and precise, yet your love life is in tatters. It’s ridiculous.” Andrew shook his head, taking a long swig of his coffee. In the background Elisha heard the children screaming and arguing about something.

“Are you going to sort them out?” Beth asked.

“Fuck no. They’re animals. They can fight to their hearts’ content. I’ll drive them to the hospital when it’s done.” Andrew shuddered. “I’m more interested in seeing what Elisha’s problem is. It’s not often we’re the voice of reason but she’s making it far too easy.”

Elisha stuck her tongue out, hating her own childish behavior. “It is about a guy but not one that I’m actually dating. I’m not dating anyone. This is about my neighbor.”

“The hottie?” Beth asked.

“Hey, I’m the fucking hottie in your life.” Andrew moved up behind Beth, capturing her hip.

Elisha saw her sister’s cheeks grow pink.

“I’m just talking girl with my sister.”

“Well, remember who you belong to.” He captured Beth’s chin and kissed her.

Staring down at the table, Elisha wished the world would just open up and swallow her. Andrew and Beth did this often, and it was embarrassing. They were grown ass adults with children. Shouldn’t the sex have stopped?

It would be nice to actually have sex.

She rubbed at her temple, hating the uncertainty rushing over her body. Elisha hated this feeling that was consuming her.

I need sleep. That’s all it is, sleep.

“So your neighbor, what about him?”

“He’s driving me crazy.”

“You got the hots for him?” Beth asked.

“Ew, no. He’s a complete slob, and he’s a pain in the ass. I don’t like him. He parties all the time, makes mess that I have to clean up. Nearly every single night he’s fucking some woman in his backyard, and I can’t sleep. It’s killing me. He goes all night, and it’s not just him either. It’s his damn brother, and I just can’t take it anymore.” She stood up, pointing out of the window as if he lived next door, when of course he didn’t, not next to her sister.

She was at the breaking point to be asking her sister for help. Beth maybe older than she was, but Elisha really didn’t believe she was better at making decisions.

“Is that it?” Beth looked toward Andrew.

“What? What do you think I should do?” She really wanted to get this matter resolved, and the sooner the better as far as she was concerned.

“Talk to him? Reason with him?” Andrew said. “Guys respond real well to being spoken to.”

Elisha glared at him. “I can handle everything without the sarcasm, thank you.”

“What’s the big deal?” Beth asked. “He has a few parties, and has sex. Has he not invited you?”

“Well, he has, but I turn him down—”

“Why do you turn him down?” Beth asked. “You know what, don’t answer that. You ever thought that part of the problem with your neighbor is because you don’t put yourself out there?”

“I’m a good neighbor.”

“Why are you? Because you clean up? You don’t have any parties? What is it, Elisha?”

“You’re being unreasonable. There’s more to life than partying.”

“And there’s more to life than cleaning.”

“You know what, I’m not in the mood to go to the hospital today. I’m going to check on the kids.” Andrew made his escape, rushing out of the house.

Elisha stared at her sister. “I like cleaning.”

Beth sighed. “That’s all you do. You clean, and the men in your life cheat on you. Everything starts out beautiful, and it’s all romantic, and I get that you don’t want to move on from that, but, honey, you’re really losing something right now.”

“You think I should just accept a party invitation?” Elisha asked.

“If you even get another one, then yes, accept it, and embrace it. Don’t turn him down. You’ve got to learn to live a little, and right now, you’re not living at all.” Beth shook her head. “I know it’s hard being out in the world—”