6—"Welcome home, sweetheart"

Elmer Reese 

I packed three suitcase, the last one was on my bed. Filled with with taken items that used to belongs to Neville.

I like to call them ‘taken’ instead of stolen.

I might have steal them but they are mine now, His shirts, towels, pictures etc.

I grabbed a some of my own clothes to come over it up, I zipped the suitcase and gently placed at the corner where the rest are.

Tomorrow morning, Ernest will drive me too Neville's place…that idiot had been spamming since morning.

I should’ve block him.

I picked up my phone and like I expected, Neville had sent new message.

                                          Neville 

                        Good evening, Sweetheart. 

                       you avoided me today at 

                      practice? Why?

My teeth gritted.

He knows why, this bastard.

                                            Neville 

                            Have you packed your 

                            things? I know you can 

                            be forgetting at times.

I closed my eyes, he trying piss me off over the phone.

Me

Stop texting me, Neville.

His reply came in like he had been waiting for me to text back.

                                              Neville 

                               You don't want me to

                               stop, Love. Pack your 

                               things.

I hissed.

Cocky bastard.

Me

I’ll block you.

                                              Neville 

                                    You’ve to unblock  

                                    me eventually, we

                              going to be roommates

I sighed, I can't really defeat him in an argument.

                                             Neville 

                           By the way, I bought your

                           favorite cereal.

I frowned ho the hell did he know about my favorite cereal?

Me

How did you know my favorite cereal?

                                            Neville 

                        I used to know your favorite 

                        everything.

Me

Neville, My taste in cereals 

as change over the years.

You're starting to look like

a creep.

    

                                                 Neville 

                               Right, Well I learned 

                              about your favorite 

                              cereal when you were

                              whining to Ernest for

                             buying the wrong one.

A smile tugged at my lips, I remember that day. Neville was seating on the kitchen counter and i was holding the wrong box of cereal Ernest bought when I just moved into his condo.

I didn't think Neville was listening, Not when he claimed I am whining.

Me

You were listening?

That's creepy.

I grinned to myself like I have achieved some great accomplishment.

                                               Neville 

                               I could only remember

                              because you were 

                             whining like a child.

Me

I'm blocking you.

                                            Neville 

                              Goodnight, sweetheart.

I threw my phone on my bed, I’ll definitely kill him when I see him.

————★                           

                                

Ernest's car drive through the gate, in front of us is Neville Evans house.

Tall gate, floor to ceiling windows, huge…the place looks like it was torn out of an expensive architecture magazine.

It is beautiful.

Infuriating beautiful.

And also disgusting…why would one have a house that looks like a luxurious hotel?

Of course his house looks like a luxury hotel. 

He is a professional racing driver with sponsorship deals, endorsement contract and a face that could convince anyone to give him their money.

I stepped out Ernest's car, my eyes on the building. 

“This is disgusting” 

“The house?” Ernest asked, he was already opening his truck.

“The wealth” I answered

Ernest laughed, “You’ll survive”

“That's what everyone who say before abandoning me in a terrible situation” I shot back at him.

Ernest let out a sigh as he placed one of my suitcase on the floor.

“You're twenty three, El. You’ll be fine”

“You're leaving with Neville Evans”

“Yes”

“The man who thinks annoying me is a legitimate job” I throw my hands in the air

“Well, you two clearly have something in common” he takes out the last suitcase.

I shot him a glare and he smiled at me.

“Come on” Ernest said as he grabbed two of suitcase while I grabbed the last one, trying to take the second one from Ernest who refused to give it up.

“I can carry my own things”

“I know”

“Then give it to me” I tried to take the suitcase from him again.

He let go of it and I instantly regret my tone.

Ernest watched, I know that look…he had when he knows something is up.

“Are you sure you're okay with this?”

The question caught me off guard.

“What?”

“Staying with Neville, if you're not comfortable we can find somewhere else”

For the first time in years, I had considered telling Ernest the truth…how I find his best friend irritatingly attractive.

I imagine myself explaining that the problem was, infact Neville had done nothing but exist with the irritating awareness of a man who knew he attractive.

“I'm fine” 

The words came out low and soft but Ernest didn't look convinced.

“Elmer”

“I am fine, Ernest”

Ernest studied me for another moment before speaking again, “If anything happens, call me”

“I will”

“And don't let Neville convince you to do anything stupid” Ernest said in his big brother tone.

“Please” I snorted, “I’m not the one who thinks drinking champagne out a racing trophy is a good idea”

Ernest's lips twitched, “That happened once” he defended.

“Twice”

“The second time isn't my fault”

“Who accidentally pour champagne into a trophy?”

“Ask Neville”

I rolled my eyes, muttering that there was only a slight difference between him and his best friend.

Ernest laughed at me, “Be nice”

I raised my middle finger at him.

 We haven't walked a few step when Neville stepped out the door. A wide grin playing on his lips, his stupid blue eyes sparkling with mischief.

My eyes dropped to his clothing, he looked normal. A little, He was wearing a grey shirt and black sweatpant.

His bangs falling over his brows, with a mug in his hand.

“Good morning, man” Ernest dropped the box to greeted his friend, hugging themselves before patting themselves in shoulder.

I rolled my eyes.

“Good morning” Neville greeted me,

“Morning” I answered,

“Now that you're here, I should leave you two.” Ernest said, shoving his hands in pockets.

I frowned and turned to him, “You’re leaving?”

“Yeah…I promised to take Aria out today,” Ernest lied, he is using his girlfriend as an excuse.

He didn't mention to me.

“Don't keep her waiting, We will be alright” Neville said, taking a sip from his mug.

“Get along, Kids” Ernest said before jogging to his car.

“Traitor” I muttered,

“Welcome home, Sweetheart” Neville said to me with a wide grin.

“Oh…f**k you”

“You say that everytime, You’re still yet to take actions”