Someone Like You (9 page)

Instead, I sigh heavily and say, “Are you seriously saying that this is all my fault?”

She nods. “Damn right it is.”

Oh hell no!

“Hey,” I begin, suddenly angry. “You can’t blame me for this shit. I told you your boyfriend was an asshole. I also apologised for what Carter said. What more do you want from me?”

“How about accepting the fact that I live here and you can’t get rid of me no matter how hard you try!” she fires back furiously.

“Eh, hello? I’ve tolerated you the last few weeks but I guess you were too wrapped up with your asshole boyfriend to notice.” I retort coolly.

She shoots me daggers and launches into yet another tirade.

“Tolerated me?” she repeats incredulously. “You’ve made my life miserable! All I wanted was to have a quiet existence and graduate. But no, you just make it your personal mission to torture me just because I’m not like you. Well, I’m sick of it. I don’t deserve to be punished just because you want to party and skip class all the time. In the end, I won’t be the dumbass loser who drops out, that will be you!”

I watch as she storms off and then slams her bedroom door. Frankly, I’m too stunned to defend myself … and if I’m
being totally honest, I know I can’t. Nerd Girl’s right – I am a dumbass.

Now, the question is, how do I fix it?

I think I know how, the problem is, I don’t want to admit it.

Chapter Fourteen

Temperance

The next day, I wake up and pray that it was all a really bad dream. I don’t want to think about the fact that my life has taken a turn for the worse. I heave a sigh and slowly make my way to the kitchen in search of some coffee.

I
don’t even bat an eyelid at the fact that it’s one o’clock in the afternoon. It’s Saturday and I’m entitled to a lie-in – especially after what happened last night.

I
find Priestly lounging on the sofa, watching cartoons and spooning peanut butter straight out of the jar.

His gaze flits in my direction and then quickly reverts back to the TV screen. I guess he’
s still pissed about last night.

Flicking on the kettle, I spoon coffee in
to a mug and will myself not to cry.

I can’t lose it today. I just can’t.

I quickly make my coffee and then flop down on the couch beside Priestly.

He turns to look at me but I avoid his gaze. I have nothing more to say to him but part of me does feel guilty about what I said to him last night.

“So, you hear from Nixon?” I hear him ask quietly.

I reluctantly glance his way. “Why do
you
care?”

He shrugs. “No reason. I was just thinking about calling a truce.”

I eye him suspiciously. “Why now?”

“A lot of shit has happened and I think we both need to start over.” he says simply.
“Besides, it’s not like either of us can go anywhere. We’re just going to have to tolerate each other.”

“Okay.” I reply unsurely.

I can’t help but think that he’s up to something.

“What are the terms?” I ask hesitantly.

“I’m willing to curb my partying.” he tells me seriously.

“Wait. What? Are you serious?” I ask, stunned.

He nods. “Yeah. I am.”

“What’s the catch?” I ask, eyeing him warily.

“No catch. You were right.” he says. “About failing.” he adds.

Shit. I had no idea.

Now I feel bad.

“Seriously?”

I watch as he nods. “Yep. I’m totally serious. And I’m serious about the partying too. Although, there’s one condition.” he adds with a smirk.

I roll my eyes. “Oh God … what?”

“Will you tutor me?”

What. the. Hell?

***

Priestly

Okay, even I’ll admit, asking her to tutor me was a surprise to me too.

But hey, the girl was right, I’m well on my way to becoming a failing, dumbass loser.

So, with her being studious and all that shit, I figured that she could help rectify that.

Plus, I can’t let Dad down.

“What?” she asks, looking quite dumbfounded.

“Tutor me?” I repeat.

“And why do you think I would agree?” she asks, throwing me a curious look.

“Because I can help you out too.” I say, flashing her a charming grin.

She looks uneasy. “With what?”

“Your attraction to assholes.” I say bluntly.

“Oh really?” she asks, raising her eyebrows.

Yeah, Nixon will be a distant memory when I’m through tonight. Tonight Nerd Girl is going to get all liquored up and have some fun.

After all, it is a fresh start and all that. It’s time to forget all the shit between us. Plus, she needs cheered up big time.

Don’t ask me why but I feel like it’s my job to see her smile again … because she’s got a
killer
smile.

Fuck.

There I go again.

One second she’s drivi
ng me crazy and the next I’m thinking shit like that.

Get a grip Priestly!

I throw her a grin. “Yeah. I can help you learn to have some fun once in a while. Meet some new people. Live a little. You know.”

And I also feel really really bad about what Carter said to her last night.

“I don’t know.” she replies, looking wary. “Who says I don’t know how to have fun?”

I roll my eyes wearily.
“Look, it’s a win-win situation. I don’t fail and you get peace and quiet most nights. Besides, you study way too much. You’re only young once. A few nights away from the books isn’t going to kill you.”

I watch as she deliberates this for a few minutes.

“You can only have parties twice a week.” she says eventually.

Huh, she’s actually being reasonable.

I nod. “I can do that. I’ll even stop trying to kick you out of the flat.” I add with a wink.

The ghost of a smile pulls at her lips and I bite back a grin.

“Now, hang on a minute. I haven’t agreed yet. What else is in it for me?” she asks, her blue eyes gazing at me expectantly.

I shrug. “I dunno. I’ll clean the flat?” I suggest, inwardly cringing at the thought.

Fuck.

Cleaning.

Ugh, the chick better be a damn good tutor.

She grins. “Deal. When do we start?”

I flash her a charming grin. “Well,
your
education starts tonight.”

“What do you mean?” she asks, looking worried.

“We’re going out.” I announce. “Come on Nerd Girl, we’re going out for a late lunch and then we’re going to come back here. Then you’re going to put on something not tent-shaped and you’re going to learn how to have some damn fun and forget all about that little shit Nixon. Besides, it’s 2 for 1 on all drinks tonight as a pre-Halloween bash. Who can say no to that?”

“Okay.”

I stare at her, surprised. “Okay?”

She nods. “At this point, my life can’t get any worse.”

Okay, not exactly the enthusiasm I was looking for but I’ll take what I can get.

“Okay.” I say. “Let’s do this.”

***

Temperance

I had no idea that he was failing.

I also have no idea how he got me to agree to go out clubbing.

But, there is
something just so damn charming about Priestly Sawyer.

Even though he’s a womaniser, those grey eyes could make a girl agree to
do anything.

I have to admit,
I feel really bad about what I said to him last night, which is partly why I agreed to his truce in the first place. The other reason being that he was perfectly friendly at lunch and actually seems willing to make this truce thing work – he actually agreed to my terms so he must be desperate.

Perhaps putting the past behind us was the best idea after all … especially if it
means that we both get what we want. In the end, we both said things that we regret; starting afresh seems to be the only solution.

Although, I am quite scared about tonight; I’ve never been one to let my hair down. Then there’s also the fact that I have no clue as to what I should wear.

Where’s Anson when you need him?

I survey my wardrobe and flick through the rack
of hangers, methodically crossing off the majority of my clothing.

I glance at the dresses that Anson made me buy on our shopping trip and lift one out. It’s blue lace with cap sleeves so I’m in no danger of feeling half naked.

I pull it on and find that it flows quite nicely. It’s not too skimpy yet I feel very comfortable. Sure, I miss my baggy shirts but I can’t help but think that Anson would be proud of my ensemble. I pair the dress with sheer black tights, black wedged heels and start to work on my hair and make-up.

Priestly hasn’t told me where we’re going but I feel like making a little effort. Besides, he’s going to all this trouble to make me feel better, so I’d better look the part.
That and a tiny part of me actually
wants
to look my best for him. 

Yes, I know it’s stupid since I flit between hating him and finding him irresistibly attractive but a little part of me squirms excitedly when I think about how I’m going out clubbing with a smoking hot
guy … even if it only is to forget about Nixon.

Nixon.

Ugh, it kills me to admit that he was right about him all this time and a small part of me is still struggling to accept it. Although, at the same time, I can’t help but be damn curious about the history between them.

Now that I’ve seen with my own two eyes that Nixon is a lying scumbag, I can’t help but wonder what else he lied about.

Hmm, maybe with a few beers in him, Priestly will reveal all. I guess there’s no harm in trying … even if I have no idea how to sweet talk him.

It’s actually quite laughable when I think about it all. My years spent living in books and avoiding the real world have really messed up my beliefs about the male sex.

I mean I was led to believe that someone like Priestly was the kind of guy to avoid and Nixon was the kind of guy to go after. Nixon is supposed to be the guy that girls want to end up with. So, why – despite my better judgement – do I have such a strong attraction to Priestly? Apart from the obvious of course.

Okay, so
he can be kind of an asshole at times – not to mention a womaniser – but he is the one who warned me about Nixon. He’s also the one taking me out to cheer me up. Maybe he’s not the guy I think he is. After all, appearances can be deceptive.

Maybe we could actually have a shot at being friends. Perhaps I should give him a second chance then. Everyone deserves one. The question is
, will he screw this one up too?

***

Priestly

“You’re doing
what
with
who
?” Carter yells down the phone as I search my bedroom for my shoes.

I finally locate my Keds under the bed and sit down, shifting my phone to my left hand as I attempt to pull them on one-handed.

“Well, you were the one who acted like a dick to her.” I tell him with a sigh.

“So, you’re doing this out of pity?” he asks.

Shit.

Am I? I don’t know anymore.

“Uh, I dunno. After the whole Nixon situation, I figured I’d cheer her up.” I say hastily.

Well, it is the truth … mostly.

Carter sighs. “Yeah, I guess that makes sense. It
was
a pretty dick move on my part last night but how the hell did I know that she’d leave to find Nixon cheating on her?” he asks, sounding agitated.

I let out a low chuckle. “You wouldn’t be having a case of the old guilty conscience there, would you?”

“Oh fuck off.” Carter says abruptly. “You know I say dumb shit when I’m drunk off my ass.”

“I know … which is why you should apologise to her the next time you see her.” I tell him firmly.

“Okay.” he replies morosely.

“Good.
Anyway, I’ll catch you later. I gotta go.” I tell him quickly, getting to my feet and making my way down the hall.

“You’re still going to get rid of her though, aren’t you?” Carter asks suddenly.

Uh …

“This doesn’t change anything.” Carter continues. “Does it?”

I hesitate and glance into Temperance’s room and find myself staring.

Fuck.

“Hey dickwad!” I vaguely hear Carter shouting down the phone. “You still there?”

“I gotta go.” I tell him abruptly
, still staring at Temperance and then hang up before he has time to say anything else.

I shove my phone in
my pocket and continue to gawp like an idiot.

Holy shit!

Nerd Girl looks hot.

I watch as she fiddles with one of her earrings and then suddenly turns to face me.

Uh oh, busted!

Her face pales as she takes in my expression.

“Oh God, it’s too much, isn’t it? I don’t know what I’m doing. I’ve never really went clubbing, you know? I look hideous, don’t I?” she babbles as I try to remember to think with my upstairs brain …

Fuck!

I blink a few times and try to take in what I see before me. Temperance is dressed in a bright blue dress that skims over some pretty surprising curves and high heels that make her legs look like they could go on forever.

Her hair is curled and pi
nned to one side yet her face looks practically make-up free. She’s still wearing her glasses but somehow she looks different.

But
, that’s not the weirdest thing. No, the weirdest thing is, she’s hardly showing any skin – yet I can’t stop staring …

Priestly!

Upstairs brain!