I Hated You First: Sworn To Loathe You Page 3

  “They’re suspicious, but they let it go. After that, the two of you just give each other looks of mournful yearning from across the hall. It’s very tragic.”

  Jenny sighed. “Lauren, the secret romantic.”

  “Emphasis on secret.” I had a tough-girl image to protect, after all.

  My phone rang in the other room where I’d left it on the arm of the couch. I ran and grabbed it, assuming it was my mom or sister-in-law. Denver wasn’t one to call and check in. In fact, the only thing that would make him call anyone instead of text was if he’d suddenly been turned into Edward Scissor Hands, and even then, he’d probably use voice-to-text.

  It was a surprise to see Parker’s name. He did call occasionally, but never after a spat at work. We usually just pretended like it never happened; the Harwood version of a truce.

  “Hi, Parker.”

  Jenny lost interest upon hearing it was my brother and got up to refill her glass with ice water. Business calls bored her to tears.

  “Hey Lauren, I have great news for you.” The sarcasm in Parker’s voice didn’t fill me with confidence about what was coming next. “There’s an Aichi bucket truck for sale in Boise, Idaho, and Dad is insisting I fly with you to check it out and haul it back. I guess you’re the expert on Japanese bucket trucks now.”

  “Idaho. Yay.” I did not want to drive home in a bucket truck from Idaho, especially with Parker taking me along as punishment. This was Dad’s version of sticking us in the timeout T-shirt together until we stopped fighting. But if he’d found the bucket truck holy grail, we didn’t have a choice. Most of the ones we wanted shipped straight from Japan at a price we couldn’t afford. Finding a decent used one in the U.S. was worth a lot of driving. “How tall is the lift?”

  “Sixty feet.”

  “What year?”

  “2005. Look, I can email you all the specs. But what I really want you to do is talk Dad out of making you go. I’m the one who works on these. I know what they’re worth, and I know what to look for. You’ll just slow me down with bathroom stops. No offense.”

  “None taken. You should take someone with you, though. Just in case you break down.”

  “You worry too much. Maybe Clay can come along and babysit me. Would that make you feel better?”

  “Yes. But only if you cut the attitude, Parker. It’s a little much, even for you.”

  “Sorry. I just hate having Dad as my boss. It’s not even that I want to be the boss instead. It’s just…”

  “Trust me, I get it. And I’ll talk to him tomorrow about not making me go along with you. If I call him now he’ll know you asked me to.”

  “True that. Thanks, Lauren.”

  I put my phone down and fiddled with the last bite of my dinner. I wasn’t sure if the business was what kept our sibling relationship going or what constantly tore it apart. Sometimes it was both. Parker was really cool when he wasn’t trying to be such a jerk.

  Did Clay treat me the same way out of solidarity, or did I truly annoy him, too? Occasionally, when Parker wasn’t around, I’d catch Clay looking at me, really looking—the way a jewel thief might stare at a priceless necklace encased in glass. Or maybe it was just my active imagination. My secret romantic side, as Jenny liked to point out.

  “What was that about?” Jenny offered to take my now empty plate along with hers, but it was my turn for dishes, so I took hers instead and brought them to the sink.

  “My dad is trying to make me and Parker take a road trip together.”

  “With Clay along, too?” Jenny smirked. “Do it.”

  “No way.”

  She’d been relentless since the day she’d seen the two of us together, which was for literally about thirty seconds three months ago. My truck had been acting up, and Clay picked me up for work since he lives close by.

  Jenny didn’t buy my promises that the two of us were like brother and sister. I didn’t buy it either, but I’d keep trying to convince us both.

  I also wouldn’t be accepting rides from Clay anymore. He made me listen to sports talk radio and wouldn’t turn down the air conditioning in freaking January. Even when I closed the vents on my side of his truck, I froze. An all-day road trip in a bucket truck with him and Parker would be a pleasure I’d gladly help wriggle my way out of.

  5

  ___________

  Clay

  I rolled over and silenced my alarm. The dream I’d been having before being rudely awakened slipped away like sand through my fingers. I was pretty sure Lauren had been in it, based on how badly I wanted to return to the land of the unconscious, but now that I was awake and aware, it was better to let it go.

  Thinking of Lauren reminded me of yesterday and her dad’s boyfriend-breakup request, and the stress of it returned, especially after I remembered we had a company meeting first thing. I hoped John wouldn’t say anything stupid in the meeting today; anything that might upset the status-quo between me and Lauren, as imperfect as it was.

  But there was no use laying here speculating. I jumped up and showered, ate, dressed, and gathered up my things. Living alone was new to me. I’d had roommates for years, including Parker, but I’d jumped at the opportunity to buy this townhouse when the market took a dive and the interest rates were crazy low.

  Sometimes the quiet got to me, but mostly I loved doing my own thing at my own pace and not having to move around other people and tolerate their odd habits or noises. Parker, for example, used to put his initials on everything with permanent marker. His milk carton, the tags of his shirts, the bottoms of his shoes, even his beloved kitchen appliances, like his Vitamix blender.

  Strangely enough, he probably missed having roommates more than me. At least, based on how often he was over here. A pair of his socks with P’s written on the toes were still on the living room floor from our movie marathon the other night.

  I flipped off the kitchen lights and locked up before jumping in my truck parked outside, only to hear the dreaded click, click, click, telling me I had a dead battery. Perfect. I’d become too reliant on getting to work with mere minutes to spare, and now it was going to bite me in the butt.

  Parker, ever punctual, would already be at work. I mapped out other options in my mind, trying to deny the obvious choice, which was to call Lauren and have her swing by. The longer I waited, the less likely she would still be at home.

  I sat up straighter as I scrolled to her number, putting my game face on like I was psyching myself up for the high jump in track. Talking would be faster than text, and yeah, I also wanted to hear her surprise at hearing from me because I’m whipped like that.

  “Clay?”

  “Hi, Lauren. Have you left for work yet?”

  “I’m leaving now. Why?”

  “My truck decided it was your turn for a favor.”

  She laughed. “I thought your beautiful new Ford was problem free. It was only my hunk-of-junk Chevy that was allowed to have a bad day.”

  “All I need is a jump from you. A dead battery is a little different than transmission failure after 300,000 miles.”

  “Insulting my truck while asking for a favor? Bad form, Clay.”

  “Okay, I’m sorry. Your truck is beautiful and will live forever. Now will you please come give me a jump?”

  “That’ll take too long and we’ll be late for the company meeting this morning. I need John in a good mood. Just get in my truck as soon as you see me, and after the meeting, I’ll come back with you. Or Parker will come back and help you jump it.” With that, she hung up.

  I should have been irritated knowing I’d have to deal with my truck later, but I smiled and got out, leaning against my truck to wait. The Palo Verde trees in my yard were in full bloom, leaving yellow fluff on everything they touched. Later this summer, they’d drop ugly seed pods everywhere because, why not? If it didn’t take so long to grow trees, I’d uproot them and plant something that didn’t make such a mess.

  Two neighbors drove off while I waited. I could hav
e asked either one of them for a jump, but when it came to inconveniencing people, it was better to stick with those who didn’t feel obligated to be polite. I hated asking strangers for favors. Which reminded me I should probably meet my neighbors beyond the occasional head nod.

  Speaking of people who didn’t feel obligated to be polite, Lauren finally pulled up in her Chevy and lowered the driver window. “Get in, loser.”

  I rounded the hood and jumped in the passenger seat. “Morning, Harwood.”

  “Morning, Clayton.”

  Only my grandparents, and Lauren when she wanted to annoy me, used my full name. She turned her peppy music back up and purposely ignored my reaction to hearing it. Which was a shame. My look of disdain was legendary.

  “Is this Shadow Behind the Sun?”

  “Yes, it is. Thanks for asking. Are you hot?”

  “Some girls say I am. Thanks for asking.”

  She gripped the steering wheel tighter. I’d totally foiled her plans to rub it in that she was sweating me out by withholding air conditioning. It was a little stuffy, but I wouldn’t be saying a word no matter how warm it got in here.

  She looked me over, probably hoping for another way she could make my life miserable during the short trip to the office.

  “Put your seat belt on, Clay.”

  “Make me.”

  That was a mistake. As soon as we pulled up to the stop sign on the corner, she threw the truck in park, reached across the bench seat, and pulled my seatbelt across my chest, giving me a nice whiff of her shampoo. The only way I could describe it was sexy bubble bath scent. I didn’t resist her seat belt enforcement, afraid a tussle might turn into what I was imagining in my head.

  She caught my expression as she pulled away, before I hid my reaction to her invading my space. The look she gave me in return was… contemplative. Not good.

  “It’s your turn to go,” I pointed out. The car behind us agreed by laying on the horn.

  Lauren put the truck in drive and stepped on the gas. She and that gas pedal were good friends. I had a feeling she’d charmed her way out of several speeding tickets over the years.

  She tossed her blonde hair over one shoulder. “At least by giving you a ride, we’re even now for the Prince Charming thing.”

  “Not a chance. I gave you a ride a few months ago, so we’re even as far as rides go. The Prince Charming favor will be coming, as soon as I figure out what I need from you.”

  “The adoration and thanks of my little niece wasn’t enough?”

  “Nope.” Though I hadn’t even remembered the favor Lauren owed me until she mentioned it. It felt like she was egging me on, and that made me a little wary about calling in a favor. Maybe that was her plan. Reverse psychology. There was no way I’d let her get away with that. A favor was a favor, and she’d pay up soon.

  “Why do you need John in a good mood?” I asked, changing the subject.

  “What?” She turned, looking flustered.

  “You said you needed him in a good mood. Why?”

  “Oh, I don’t know. He wasn’t happy that Parker and I got into it over the scissor lift yesterday.”

  There was more to it than that, but I’d get better information out of Parker.

  We pulled up to a stop light and Lauren looked me over again.

  “Planning your next attack?” I asked.

  “You have something yellow in your hair.”

  It was probably Palo Verde tree fluff. Before I could lower the mirror and check for it myself, she put the truck in park and reached over, plucking a piece out and lingering close to my face as she brushed her fingers through the rest of my hair, searching for more. Yeah, she knew exactly what she was doing to me.

  I swallowed hard. “Your boyfriend doesn’t mind it when you fix another guy’s hair?”

  She immediately retreated, looking insulted. “He’s not my boyfriend. We haven’t really put a title on what we are yet. And no, he wouldn’t mind me pulling yellow fluffy things out of your hair because you’re like a brother to me.” She shivered. “Gross.”

  I put my hands up. “I was just trying to be fair to the guy. No need to throw up in your mouth a little.”

  Her responding grin suddenly turned into a frown. “Ugh, I fell right into your fishing for information trap, didn’t I? Are you going to report to John that I don’t consider Denver my boyfriend?”

  “His name is Denver?”

  She smacked my arm before turning her focus completely to the road, and no matter what I said for the remainder of the drive, she remained silent. Mission accomplished. The second we parked, she grabbed her stuff and took off. It was better if it didn’t look like we’d arrived together anyway.

  6

  ___________

  Lauren

  There was something seriously wrong with me. I had been toying with Clay, and whether or not it would have bothered Denver, it was certainly bothering me that I couldn’t seem to help myself. How could flirting and fighting walk such a thin line? Sometimes I just wanted to see how far I could push things to get a reaction out of Clay, like he triggered my competitive nature or something.

  He was my co-worker, my enemy, my brother’s best friend, and my dad’s lackey. I had a million reasons to keep me from ever considering Clay as anything other than a nuisance, so why wasn’t I acting like it?

  I cleared my thoughts the best I could and squared my shoulders before walking into the conference room, where almost everyone was already seated at the table staring at their phones. My dad turned around from the white board and raised one eyebrow when he saw me. To him, five minutes early was five minutes late, especially when it came to our mandatory safety meetings.

  Clay slipped into his seat right as Dad was writing talking points on the board.

  Dad would write a follow-up email with the minutes of the meeting, but I took my own notes. Attitudes were contagious, and when Parker and I paid attention, so did the rest of the guys. With the size of our small company, even one more recordable incident would have OSHA all over our backs.

  The guys had gotten lax about wearing their ear and eye protection, not to mention the cigarette butts Dad found near the welding equipment. He gave our three smokers a verbal tongue-lashing that had all of us wincing. Of course, if he didn’t threaten to fire us all at least once, it wasn’t a Tuesday.

  After the meeting, Clay tilted his head towards Parker to let me know they’d take care of getting his truck jumped, and I was relieved.

  I went back to my desk and went through the equipment logs, checking to make sure everything had been returned that morning as scheduled. No one bothered me for a blessed hour until Dad loomed over my desk, bearing donuts.

  That was never a good sign, but I took a glazed treasure from him anyway.

  “What’s up, John?”

  “Did Parker tell you about the Idaho trip?”

  “Yes.” I kept my eyes on my paperwork. “Is it worth going all the way to Idaho for? I haven’t seen the specs.”

  “We’re in negotiations with the owner now, but yes, it’s worth it.”

  “I don’t think Parker needs me along then, do you?” I looked up, trying to appear nonplussed, as if the thought had only just occurred to me.

  “I’d really like you two to go together.”

  “Clay could go. He’d actually get Parker to take turns with driving the thing.” I knew from experience Parker would have to be on death’s door to let me take the wheel.

  “I need Clay here, and it would be good for you and Parker to spend some time together. I trust you’ll get the job done no matter who’s driving.”

  Parker was going to hate me if I failed him. I took a bite of donut and tried to think of my next plan of attack.

  Dad shrugged. “Of course, maybe I could let you off this one time if you’ll promise me one thing.”

  Crud. He’d led me right into a trap. I’d never been the one ahead in this conversation. “Oh yeah?”

  “Your mother
is planning a nice family luncheon for this Sunday and we’d love it if you’d bring the young man you’re dating.”

  “Dad, that is so unnecessary. We’ve only been out on a couple of dates.”

  “How many is a couple?”

  “Like four or five.” It was actually more like six or seven, but you couldn’t call it a date if you stopped for Burger King, right? “He won’t be asking for my hand anytime soon if that’s what you’re worried about.”

  “I’m not worried, but you seem to be. I promise we’ll be nice. No grilling whatsoever. Except for the steaks.”

  He smiled at his own joke, and I couldn’t help smiling back. “And if I bring him, I don’t have to go to Idaho? That’s what you’re saying?”

  “That’s what I’m saying.”

  This was so unfair. But maybe Denver wouldn’t be available anyway. I didn’t have any control over his schedule. “Fine. Deal.”

  Dad left me in peace to finish my donut and my work. Unfortunately, peace at work was a fleeting thing. Within minutes, Evan came over and pulled up a chair. He needed to log information on the laptop we kept on the end of my desk, but that never stopped his mouth from running while he did it.

  “Hey, Lauren. How’s it going?”

  “Not great.” I closed up the invoice I’d been looking at and crossed my arms. “The next time you see me around town, forget you ever saw me, okay?”

  Evan’s eyes widened. “Okay.”

  “I’m not saying don’t come say hi to me. I’m saying, don’t come in here the next day and report on who I’m dating. It’s rude.”

  “Yes, ma’am. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it, but I can see now why that might bother you.” Evan looked down at the keyboard, continuing his hunt and peck method of typing. Somehow, even when he did the stupidest things, it was impossible to stay mad at him. He was just so nice, and he’d gained enough experience in apologizing that he’d gotten really good at it. Evan also had wholesome, boy-next-door looks that let him get away with more than he should. Luckily, he was too sweet to know he could use it for evil.