I Love You, My Neighbour: Chapter 9
Mind if I tag along?
Logan
Parent-teacher interviews are a killer, I decide as I pull into the driveway of my under-construction home. It's well past seven, and I know I won't be able to get much work done tonight. In my haste to get here, I haven't even changed out of my suit and tie.
Luckily, I've started keeping spare clothes in the house—mostly shorts and t-shirts, along with my work clothes. But since I don't have any hangers yet, I can't hang up my jacket, shirt, and pants.
I'm not sure why I didn't go straight home. Coming here has become part of my routine, I suppose. Besides, I would have been bored and restless at the place I'm currently renting.
I step out of the car and stretch. After sitting through all those interviews, my muscles feel stiff. According to my mum, I was always a difficult child to take anywhere because I couldn't sit still for long. That still holds true today. Even when I'm teaching in the classroom, I find myself constantly moving around. PE is my favourite class to teach because most of the lessons take place outside the classroom.
Loosening the tie around my neck, I look around for any sign of Kristy and Cricket. I haven't seen Kristy since Sunday when she brought over those incredible chocolate-strawberry muffins. If I had any hope that the guys would forget about her and her baking, she quickly dashed it by showing up with her unnecessary thank-you gift.
After Kyle helped himself to not just one, but two muffins that were meant for me, he informed me that we have to go to the café every Saturday and Sunday. Kristy's unnecessary gift has turned Kyle into a giant nagging pain in the butt. Even worse, every time I think about those muffins, I start salivating. Somehow, Kristy has managed to turn me into Pavlov's dog.
I mean, I've actually had to stop myself from driving to the café during lunch breaks this week, just for another taste of her baking. Yeah, I've got it bad. If Simon, or whatever his name is, could come back, maybe I could help her out and make her feel like she owes me again.
"Woof!"
"Cricket, come back here!"
There it is—the familiar cry from Kristy. This time, though, it's coming from a different direction than usual. Instead of coming over the hill and heading home, Kristy looks like she's just about to take Cricket for a walk.
To be honest, it's a relief to see my neighbour and her dog. I've seen them every single day since I started working on my place, so not seeing them for four days straight had me worried. I've been working on the exterior of my house during the time of day when she usually walks her dog, hoping to catch a glimpse of her and thank her for the muffins. Yesterday, I even wondered if she was avoiding me, but that's ridiculous. We're on good terms now. It's more likely that she's just been busy this week and hasn't had time to walk Cricket.
I watch the dog race out of my neighbour's front door and come running over to me, with Kristy following closely behind.
"He's been so good recently, staying by the front door when I open it," she says, glaring at her dog. "Then he sees you today and races over here. I swear, you're like catnip for dogs."
The thought is so absurd that I chuckle. "Dog-nip?"
Kristy smiles apologetically. "I don't know if that's a thing, but if you could bottle up whatever scent my dog smells on you... you'd make a fortune."
"Something to think about, I guess."
I bend down to pat Cricket, looking up at Kristy as I do. Unfortunately, it reminds me of the last time I was in this position—Saturday night. After my friend's observations about Kristy had haunted me all day, the last thing I needed was to see her answer the door in her robe. I spent the whole time at her front door, patting Cricket while trying not to think about whether she was naked under that slip of navy silk. The possibility made me feel uncomfortably hot under the collar and edgy.
I chalked up my reaction to the guys' comments earlier that day and my sudden realization that Kristy is... attractive. Even now, despite my attempts to push the thought aside, I can't help but remember the way she looked in her robe. Specifically, her legs. Crouched down, I had a perfect view of her shapely calves—a clear sign that all her walking is paying off.
It's safe to say that it's been too long since I've seen a naked female body if I can't stop obsessing over my neighbour's calves. And it's not something I know how to remedy since I have no intention of going out and getting laid.
"You're wearing a suit today," Kristy remarks, her eyes scanning me.
"Yeah, trust me, it doesn't happen often."
Izzy joked about it when I proposed, hoping I wouldn't try to weasel out of wearing a tuxedo on our wedding day. Of course, I would have worn it proudly. But the next day, I would have returned it to the rental shop without hesitation.
A wave of sadness washes over me as I think about the wedding day that will never happen, thankfully erasing thoughts of Kristy's calves from my mind.
"Tell me," Kristy starts hesitantly, "what do you do for a living?"
Still scratching Cricket behind the ears, I stand up. "You mean, since I'm not the lazy tradie anymore?"
Heat creeps up her cheeks, and I offer a smile to let her know I'm joking. I've let that comment go, but it's fun to make her remember it.
"I'm a teacher," I tell her.
"Oh, wow."
"You sound surprised."
"No." She purses her lips. "I'm not surprised. It's just that... you don't look like any of the teachers I've had."
"In what way?"
Another wave of heat sweeps up her neck, darkening her cheeks. "I just meant, you look... very fit to be a teacher."
"I do teach Physical Education."
"Oh, well, that makes sense then."
"Fits your mental image of me?"
Clearly embarrassed, she nods.
"I also teach Math and Health Education," I say, wondering if that will throw her off balance again and secretly hoping it does. There's something oddly satisfying about proving her initial impression wrong.
"Smart guy," she comments.
"Hardly."
"What made you choose teaching?"
I shrug. "It seemed like a decent profession to get into. And..." I hesitate, debating how much to reveal. "I struggled with learning in my earlier years of high school. I couldn't sit still long enough to understand some things, I guess. But there were a couple of teachers who took an interest in me during Year Nine and Ten. They found a way to teach me that resonated, and I finally understood the content."
Her wide smile shows that she understands. "A good teacher can make such a difference."
"Tell me about it," I agree. "Until I was fifteen, I wanted to be a professional athlete. I couldn't imagine doing anything other than running around on a football field for a living. But the way those teachers approached me made me feel like I could learn. They opened doors for me, and I wanted to do the same for others."
She nods. "That's really cool. I bet the kids love you."
"I'm not sure if that's true for all of them. The curriculum can be challenging, but I try to understand each student so I can teach them in a way that works best for them. PE is different, of course. I just run them ragged."
"So, definitely not the lazy tradie I assumed you were," she smiles. "I guess I already knew that though since Kyle says you work him too hard."
"And thank goodness," I joke. "If I don't, I'll never get all the work done on my house."
"Right," she agrees before frowning at me. "You're here late today."
"I have parent-teacher interviews tonight, hence the suit."
"Ah."
"And you're out for a walk late," I mention.
She looks at the ground and then back up at me. "Yeah, I've been walking the dog a bit later than usual."
I study her, feeling like she might be embarrassed about something.
"It's getting dark. Wouldn't it be better to go earlier?"
"I've been baking earlier in the day," she says. "Instead of trying to sleep, I just go home and bake. Once I've done that and eaten dinner, I take Cricket out."
"I see," I say, even though I don't fully understand.
It would make more sense to walk the dog before it gets dark, maybe when she first gets home or before dinner. Walking alone at this hour doesn't seem like the safest thing in the world, especially when Cricket isn't the type of dog to fend off an attacker. The light is fading fast, and it will be dark in minutes.
"Anyway, I should head off before it gets any darker," she says.
I don't point out that it's already too dark to be walking alone. I'm not being sexist or anything like that, but it doesn't seem like the safest time for her to be out with Cricket. Especially considering Cricket wouldn't be much help in an emergency.
"Cricket, come," she commands.
But instead of obeying, the dog sits down and licks my hand. I make an impulsive decision.
"Do you mind if I tag along on your walk tonight?"
Her eyes widen. "What? Why?"
That's a good question. Deciding not to mention the darkness and the late hour—if she's a feminist, she might have a field day with it—I opt for a half-truth.
"After sitting on my butt for the past few hours, I could use a walk to loosen up."
"Oh, okay. I guess. Sure."
She doesn't seem entirely convinced, but at least she said yes.
"Just give me a moment to get changed. Want to come inside for a minute?" I offer.
"Okay."
She follows me into my house, hesitating at the front door with Cricket. "Is it okay if he comes in too?"
"Yeah, bring him in. I'll give both of you the grand tour."
And I do, taking Kristy and Cricket through the whole house.
"I came to one of the open days when the place was on the market," Kristy tells me once we've walked back to the entrance where we started. "I can see a huge difference already."
"I like to think all my hard work has paid off. Anyway, I'll just go get changed. I won't be long."
As I sit on the floor in what I've dubbed my bedroom—it has an ensuite that will be nice once I've refitted it—I put on my shoes and question why I asked Kristy if I could join her. She would probably be fine walking alone. Yeah, it's not the safest time to go out, but it's only getting on for seven now. Hardly the witching hour.
But Kristy brought me muffins, even though they were completely unnecessary. And she gave me a great discount when I went to her café. I'm just returning the favour, that's all. Despite my imaginings of her in a bathrobe, I'm not betraying Izzy or doing anything wrong by going for a walk with Kristy. I'm just being a good neighbour.
There's nothing wrong with that, right?