Someone Like You (7 page)

Chapter Ten

Temperance

When the hell did he get here?

“What the hell are you doing?” I yell at Priestly, quickly covering my chest with one of my shirts from the closet.

He smirks as his gaze lingers on my chest area. “Nothing. Don’t let me interrupt.”

I scowl at him. “Stop being a perv!”

He throws his head back and laughs. “Well,
you
were the one who left the door wide open.”

“Because
you
left!” I shoot back at him, making sure that everything from my neck down is covered.

“
Hey, still, you didn’t know when I’d be back. Maybe you’re secretly into me and you wanted me to catch you. Why else would you be walking about half-naked?” He asks, throwing me a smirk.

I roll my eyes. “
Why yes Priestly, that was exactly my plan!” I quip sarcastically. “The fact that I’m half naked has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that my lipgloss leaked all over my top and I ran to the bathroom to wash it before it stained. No, it’s all a clever ruse to snare you – Mr Man Whore – so that we can live happily ever after. Yeah, dream on!”

Priestly grins, his pale
grey eyes holding my gaze. “Jesus Nerd Girl, why didn’t you say so? If you want me so badly, just say the word and I’ll be happy to comply.”

He then winks and smiles seductively, leaning casually against the doorframe.

I raise an eyebrow. “Forgive me for not jumping at that …
tempting
offer but I have standards.”

“Yeah, how’s that working for you so far?” Priestly asks with a wicked grin. “Oh yeah, guy
tried to make a move on you and you freaked out. I’m surprised you can even get a date after that. Hell, I wouldn’t date you.”

“Yeah, well, you forget that I’ve seen so
me of your dates … and I’m sorry to break it to you but the fact that you wouldn’t date me is a relief. Besides, judging by the amount of first dates you’ve had – ones that lead to more than kissing I might add – did it ever cross your mind why they never call you for round two? Maybe you’re not quite the Casanova you think you are. But hey, I’m only a Nerd Girl who’s never been kissed, what do I know?”

Priestly stares at me, obviously taken aback by my scathing reply.

Heck, I’m even surprised at myself. Although, maybe wounding his ego was a bit too much.

Priestly is silent for a moment and then approaches me, looking severely pissed.

“Fuck you Nerd Girl! Despite all the shit between us, I was trying to be nice, warning you about ‘perfect’ Nixon but you know what, I don’t give a fuck anymore. Just don’t come crying to me when he shows his true colours ‘cause I sure as hell won’t care. You deserve everything you get.”

I gape at him and then watch as he storms off to the kitchen. Even when he’s no longer in my sights, I continue staring after him.

Shit, I think I touched a nerve this time.

Even so, a small part of me can’t help but feel jubilant that I finally stood up for myself.

***

Priestly

Fuck! I’ve screwed up big time.

I’ll admit it, telling her to fuck off wasn’t a good idea regardless of the fact that she was criticising my seducing techniques.

But
she
was the one who went too far. I was just trying to be gentlemanly and advise her on why it would be best to avoid assholes like Nixon.

But hey, if she’s not going to listen, screw it!

I’m not wasting my time anymore.

Th
e way I see it, this just makes me even more determined to see her gone.

I really have to get my shit together and get rid of he
r. She’s fucking up my game and I’m sick of it.

I heave a sigh and angrily throw together a sandwich, banging the cupboard doors as I go.

Suddenly, I hear a knock at the door.

I abandon my BLT and fling open the front door with such force that it bangs off the wall.

Oh for fuck’s sake!

I eyeball Nixon, sending lightning bolts of hatred his way.

“What the fuck do you want?” I demand.

Nixon pales and stumbles over his words. “T-Temperance. We – we have a – a date.”

I roll my eyes and yell for Nerd Girl.

“Your
date’s
here Nerd Girl!”

I glance around as I hear footsteps and see that Temperance has appeared and she’s
looking murderous. “Quit being such an asshole.”

I scoff at her. “Yeah,
I’m
the asshole!”

She scowls and pushes past me, smiling at Nixon.

“Come on, let’s go.” she says to Nixon, pulling on his arm.

Nixon eyeballs me warily and I throw him a ‘don’t fuck with me’ look. He gulps nervously and then turns his attention to Temperance.

“You look great Tempy.”

What the fuck?

I sneak a glance at Temperance and catch her grimacing.

Oh fuck, this is good.

“Tempy?” I ask, smirking at her. “And you gave me shit about what’s-her-face calling me Presley?”

She shoots me a dirty look. “Screw you … and her name was Sandie, Man Whore.”

And with that, she drags Nixon out into the corridor and slams the door in my face.

Fuck, this girl is killing me.

Chapter Eleven

Temperance

I don’t know the hell Priestly’s problem is. I had a wonderful date with Nixon last night. He took me to this really nice restaurant and then for a walk along the park in the town centre.

And I let him kiss
me!

Okay, it was a peck on the cheek, but still.

It was after I asked him about the whole Priestly situation.

He
seemed a bit pissed that I brought it up but explained what had happened. When they were at high school, Priestly’s girlfriend made a move on him – against his wishes – and Priestly caught them but then accused Nixon of making the first move and taking advantage of the girl.

All in all, it sounds as if the whole thing spiralled out of control and that Priestly overreacted.

But as for Priestly’s blonde comment, I didn’t have the nerve to ask Nixon who it was – if she even existed at all – since he seemed annoyed at me for bringing up his past with Priestly.

Besides, I really think Priestly just likes
messing with people’s heads.

Anyway,
after that, Nixon left me back to the flat around one in the morning.

The weird thing was that Priestly was asleep. It’s not like him to have a quiet night in. I mean he didn’t even throw a party.

Yeah, there were beer bottles so he obviously drank himself into a booze-filled stupor but still, I at least expected some scantily clad blonde beside him.

But no, he was alone.

What the hell is that all about?

Maybe what I said really got to him.

I glance at my alarm clock – 9.27am.

Ugh, it’s way to early to get up on a Sunday morning.

However, it would be nice to screw with Priestly just a little, since he was such an asshole last night.

I grin to myself as I make my way to the kitchen and start banging about with pots and pans, getting out the ingredients to make pancakes.

Turning to the iPod dock, I scroll through the list of songs and then select one.

AC/DC’s
If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)
blares to life as I start to dancing around and singing along loudly.

Cracking some eggs, I start to make the pancake batter when I hear the familiar shuffle of Priestly entering the kitchen.

I whirl around to face him, grinning evilly when I notice his expression.

He looks relatively calm and I idly wonder why he’s not pitching a shit fit when he turns up the volume.

“Good choice this morning
Tempy
!” he yells over the music, smirking at me.

Ick, that word just makes my skin crawl. I must talk to Nixon about it.

I suppress a shudder, turn down the music and then throw him a wide grin.

“No overnight guests this morning? You must be losing your touch.” I quip, wiping my hands on a towel.

Priestly laughs. “Well, even a Lothario such as myself needs a rest once in a while.” he replies with a cocky grin.

Okay, so he’s not pissed about what I said yesterday … not that I was worried that I had offended him or anything …

I roll my eyes and pretend to gag. “Ugh, please. Spare me the visual.”

“So, how’d your date go?
Did you let Prince Charming make a move or are you still the unkissed Nerd Girl?” Priestly asks sardonically.

“None of your business
.” I retort hotly.

Damn him, he makes a valid point.

What’s wrong with me?

Why am I so scared to let Nixon kiss me?

Priestly grins. “I’ll take that as a no.”

I ignore him and turn back to the pancake batter
, feeling embarrassed.

I
know he thinks it’s funny but what if I am a freak?

***

Priestly

I watch her stir the pancake batter and I realise that I’ve hit a nerve.

As much as I relish the fact that I’ve got
ten my own back after the whole Casanova comment, I am curious why she seems so upset over something so stupid.

I mean all I
did was tease her about kissing – well, lack of, if I’m being precise.

So,
she won’t let Nixon make a move, what’s the big deal?

To be honest, I’m fucking glad. She really needs to stay away from him. Nevertheless, it doesn’t mean that I still want to live with her so I seize the opportunity to mess with her.

“Jeez, you won’t be able to hang on to a date if you refuse to let them make a move.” I say as I sidle up to the counter next to her.

I’ll admit it, I’m a sadistic bastard … I know it’s callous to torment her but I
still want her to leave and I’m damn curious about how far I can push her.

She doesn’t look at me but I hear her sniff loudly.

Oh shit.

Please tell me she’s not fucking crying.

I can’t handle it if she is.

What the fuck do I do?

Just as I’m contemplating how to handle this situation, she whirls around to face me.

There are tears running down her cheeks and she’s eyeing me like I’m the devil.

Oh fuck.

“Priestly Sawyer, you are one insensitive asshole! Why the hell are you so intent on making me miserable?” she yells, obviously pissed.

Yep, I’ve pushed her too far.

Fuck.

“Because I don’t want you here!” I yell back.

I know I shouldn’t start this shit but hey, it was bound to happen sooner or later.

She screws up her face in anger as I watch the tears form in her eyes.

“Why do you have to be such an asshole?
Why?” she shouts furiously, “What have I done to you that makes it okay for you to make me feel like shit?”

Oh, it is on.

“Stop acting so fucking goddamn righteous! Don’t think for one second that you’re the innocent party here! You know as well as I do that we’re both at fault! At least I admit it but you, you can’t even own up to the fact that you seem to relish pissing me off!” I yell back, glaring down at her.

“You think I like pissing you
off?” she fires back, outraged.

“Yeah!” I yell,
nodding furiously. “
Why
do you go out of your way to criticise me when you could just avoid me? Just move out! I mean we clearly despise each other so it would make sense but no, you just keep coming back for more. You want to know my theory? Some part of you must like it!”

“
Like it?” she screams at me. “Well, if that’s what you think, judging by your little theory, doesn’t that mean it works both ways? What about you? Huh?”

I advance
towards her, furious. “Why do you argue with everything I say?”

She
narrows her eyes at me. “Because I actually have a brain! Unlike your stupid conquests!”

“Well you’ve got that right!”
I yell back. “You’re just a boring, insufferable goody two shoes who doesn’t know the meaning of the word fun!”

Tears
form in her eyes.

Shit, I’ve struck a
nerve.

“I don’t have to listen to this. I’m le
aving.” she announces angrily, turning away from me.

I let out a grunt
of frustration, spinning her around to face me.

“
Oh, we’re not done yet.” I announce, breathing heavily.

I stare at her, taking in her big
blue eyes and then I find myself suddenly focusing on her mouth.

Why? I have no idea.

“Actually, I think we are!” she yells back, trying to pull away.

“N
o, we’re not.” I argue, pulling her closer. “We’ve barely even started.”

I start to close the gap between us and f
or one second, our eyes lock. For that one second, we stare at each other, frozen to the spot … until my thoughts interrupt.

Fuck! What the fuck am I doing?

What’s wrong with me?

Why do I feel the sudden bizarre urge
to kiss her?

One minute she’s driving me insane and the next,
I can’t stop staring at her mouth.

What. the. Fuck?

I
actually
want
to kiss her.

But,
I can’t do it … besides, she probably wouldn’t even let me.

No, it would be stupid, very very stupid
– not to mention weird.

I barely know the girl but I do know one thing for sure – someone like her is not
my type.

Someone like her will drive me insane.

I mean, come on, the fact that I both want to kiss her and then kick her out of the flat speaks for itself.

We don’t agree on anything. Hell, she won’t even listen to me about Nixon
.

I’m still staring at her as
she looks up at me, unsure.

Wait a second …

Does she
want
me to kiss her?

It’s then that her phone rings, breaking whatever weird-ass connection between us.

I step back from her as she wakes up from her stupor and searches for her phone.

Shaking off the weird moment, I turn to leave just as I hear her answer her phone.

“Oh, hey Nixon.”

Fuck. As much as I hate the little shit, he really has impeccable timing …