Page 4 of Don’t Love the Boy Next Door (Hotties Next Door #2)

Chapter Three

Eric

I’m sitting at my window, staring at the room next door. Katie’s shade is firmly shut, and I wonder if she did that on purpose. Not that I expect it to be raised all the time, it’s just that I want to talk to her.

But I don’t think she’d want to talk to me. I still can’t get the image of her eyes widening in horror after our kiss. How she stumbled back and ran away from me. It’s as if she was…disgusted with me. Like I somehow hurt her.

I don’t understand. Not one bit. Why would she run?

Peering down at my notebook, I tear the page out and launch it into the trash bin. I’ve been working on this new song for hours, but it gets worse the more I delve into it.

I just can’t get what happened out of my head. I didn’t mean to hurt her or make her feel uncomfortable. The kiss was very short, but sweet and perfect. At least in my eyes. Maybe it was different for her. Maybe I really do disgust her and she doesn’t want to be near me again.

My phone is beside me and I’ve been contemplating if I should text her. But I figure she wouldn’t want that.

If she’s so uncomfortable around me, how are we going to play opposite one another?

I tear my hands in my hair as I replay the events over and over in my head, trying to dissect every detail and figure out what I could have possibly done wrong.

“Dude, we’ve got practice in five minutes,” Ethan says, entering my room. His eyes fall to the pile of crumpled balls of paper on the floor. He doesn’t comment on them because this is pretty standard when I compose a song.

“Any luck?” he asks.

I shake my head. How could she inspire me to compose a song only a few days ago and now make me feel like I’m trapped behind a brick wall?

“Where you guys at?” Cody calls from downstairs.

“We’re coming,” Ethan tells him. He squints at me. “You okay?”

Nodding, I get to my feet and sweep my guitar strap over my shoulder. “Fine. Is Katie here?”

He shakes his head. “Weird. She’s usually early.”

My heart pounds as I worry she won’t come because of what happened yesterday. But the logical side of me reassures me that she’ll definitely be here. She’d never let the band down.

I follow my brother down to the basement, where Cody is stuffing his face with food. Katie’s not here.

My fingers itch to send her a text, to check if she’s okay, but they freeze in place. I’m pretty sure I’m the last person she wants to talk to.

Will she come to practice?

Five more minutes pass and she doesn’t show up. Ethan frowns as he glances at the time on his phone. “Hmm. It’s not like her to be late. Text her, Eric.”

“Kind of busy.” I point to my guitar as I tune it.

Ethan’s thumbs hover over his phone just as a light knock sounds on the door. He answers it and my insides fill with relief. She’s here. Maybe she’s not disgusted with me. Maybe whatever happened at rehearsal has nothing to do with me.

“Hi, Katie,” I greet with a smile and a wave.

Her eyes flit to mine for a second before she takes her spot at the mic. I keep my gaze on hers, hoping she’ll look my way, hoping that it’s all in my head. But she doesn’t.

“Dude?” Cody says. “Are we ready to start?”

Clearing my throat and straightening up, I nod for him to give us a beat. I’ve still got my eyes glued to her, but like before, she doesn’t glance my way.

Katie’s voice is perfect as always, though I sense some nerves. Me? My playing is horrendous and my vocals are even worse. Darn it. What’s wrong with me? Why am I so off? Is it because I’m worried about what’s going on between me and Katie?

She and I aren’t in sync as we sing, and the entire thing is a mess.

Ethan and Cody are jamming, completely oblivious to what’s going on between us at first. But the more we sing, the worse it gets.

Ethan raises his hand and Cody and I stop playing. “What the heck’s wrong?” he asks. “Why do we sound like we’re twelve years old again?”

Katie’s eyes catch mine and she quickly averts them. I swallow the lump in my throat. “Sorry,” she says. “I didn’t really get much sleep last night and I’m a little out of it.”

It doesn’t take a genius to know she was tossing and turning because of me. And she’s not the only one. I had trouble falling asleep, too.

“No, it’s not you,” Ethan reassures her. “Bro, get your head in the game.”

“Sure, man,” I mutter. If I can actually pull my eyes and thoughts away from Katie, I should play perfectly. But that doesn’t happen. No matter how much I try, my mind refuses to forget about her.

“Stop,” Ethan orders. “Everyone stop.” He turns to me. “What on Earth is up with you? It’s like you flushed your skills down the toilet.”

My eyes meet hers again. “I’m fine,” I say, motioning for us to continue. I try to shove all my doubts away, but I’m still way off. The band pushes through, though.

Ethan calls for a snack break and we all gather at the refreshment table. Katie stands on the side, nibbling on a cookie, her mind seeming miles away.

I clear my throat, then make my way over to her. Her face registers panic as I approach, and she quickly turns away. I freeze in place. Clearly, she doesn’t want me to come anywhere near her. I still don’t understand why, but if she’s disgusted by me, then I should keep my distance.

She doesn’t look my way for the remainder of practice.

Once we’re done and Cody and Katie leave the basement, I swing my guitar off my shoulder and place it in its case. I just…I can’t stop thinking about her and why she’s acting this way.

Ethan places his bass on the floor. “What’s up with you today?” he asks.

I wave my hand. “Just stop.”

He crosses his arms over his chest, watching me for a few seconds. Then he tilts his head back, his bangs falling away from his eyes. “Did something happen between you and Katie?”

“ No ,” I stress.

Ethan and I used to be close and told each other everything, but it’s not the same now.

He’s so confident with girls, and while I usually don’t have a problem, it’s different with Katie.

I don’t know why. And I don’t want him to know what happened between us because I don’t understand it myself.

Not to mention it’s embarrassing that she’s so revolted by me.

And besides, I’m pretty sure Katie wouldn’t want me to tell anyone what happened.

He nods slowly, giving me a look like he doesn’t believe me. “Well, whatever’s wrong with you, fix it.”

“Yeah,” I mutter, snapping my guitar case shut. “Going to my room.”

As soon as I get there, my gaze springs to her window. The shade is shut. Not that it surprises me. I wonder what she’s doing in there, if she’s thinking about what happened between us.

Then I want to laugh at myself. I’m sure I’m the last thing on her mind.

Dropping down at my desk, I try to shove anything Katie-related out of my head. I need to get this song down for our next gig.