My Beautiful Neighbor (The Greene Family Book 1) by Piper Rayne (phonics reading books TXT) 📕

and after I finish moving my comforter to the dryer, I head back upstairs. I’m not gonna lie, it’s a little scary coming to the main house at night with the woods surrounding us. But I don’t have much of a choice.

The boys left their Xbox on, along with all the lights, and left the doors unlocked. So I turn off the game, wrap up the pizza, and throw the box in the trash outside. I turn off the lights and lock the front door. I have to keep the back door unlocked so I can get back inside to remove my comforter from the dryer.

Once I’m in my apartment, I arrange my bathroom with my new toothbrush holder and trash can. I put out some knickknacks I bought, but once I’m done, I’m restless and unsure what to do with myself. So I open the small door that leads to the unfinished portion of the garage.

My phone rings and I assume it’s Cade, so I rush over to the bedside table and answer. “Hey. Is everything okay?”

“Sweetie, we booked our flights for your grand opening. We cannot wait.” It’s my mom.

I sigh, sinking to the bed.

“Are you okay?” she asks.

“I’m fine.”

“Once we’re in town, we’ll get you back into Glacier Point. Wyatt called your dad to say how sorry he is.”

I had no idea my dad even knew Wyatt’s family until after Dad told his friend at the club that his daughter was in Sunrise Bay. Long story short and Wyatt was offering us a discount and saying how he’d take care of me while I was in Alaska. He’s a nice guy and thankfully doesn’t give off the stuck-up society asshole vibe I’m used to dealing with in our circles. Especially since his circle is a lot wealthier than mine.

“That’s okay. I’m going to stay here. I already paid rent.”

There’s a long silence.

“You can’t stay there.”

“I can.” I flex my jaw while I wait for her to speak.

“Rent is so… I mean, it’s so permanent.”

“Yes, Mom, because I’m opening up a bookstore, I’m going to be here for the foreseeable future.”

Another long silence ensues, and I get up from the bed, annoyed, and go to the door to the unfinished part, finding a light switch by the door. Crouching through it, I see the boxes that Cade must have put away when I came up here.

I pry one open and pull out a football trophy with Cade’s name on it. And then another one and another one. There’s a yearbook and a homecoming sash with his and Reese’s names. I slide the silky material through my fingers then toss it aside.

“Well, we’ll talk when I land. Your dad wants to see your business plans anyway.”

“Listen, I hate to do this, but I need to go.”

“We just got on the phone,” she whines.

“I’ll call tomorrow. Promise. Love you.”

“Love—”

I click off the phone before she finishes because I’m too preoccupied with the picture I’m holding. It’s of a much younger Cade and Reese nestled together at some bonfire. His arms are around her and she has her head turned toward him with that same look she had on the sidewalk—love.

I pick up the yearbook and flip through the pages, seeing the Greenes everywhere in it. Cade and Jed together in football uniforms. All the Greene boys—Cade, Jed, Fisher, Xavier—in football gear. I scan the pages, reading some messages his high school friends wrote to him. Then there’s a long message that takes up an entire page and I don’t bother reading it until I see who signed it. Love you forever, Reese.

No one would have the self-control not to read it, I’m sure. So I start at the top.

Cade,

I know we’ve had our problems this year, but you’ve been mine since we were freshmen. Probably earlier. We were voted most likely to be high school sweethearts who’d marry and raise our children in Sunrise Bay. That says something. Since we’re going to different colleges, I wanted to let you know—after I’m done, I’m coming home to start my life with you. It’s always been us. I hope by the time that happens, you’ve forgiven me for whatever you think I’ve done. I love you, Cade, all of my life. Nothing will change that.

Love you forever,

Reese

She’s written the last e in her name as a heart. How cute.

I slam the book shut. I wonder if that’s the reason she’s back now, even if she’s years behind schedule—to lay her claim on him.

A little voice inside my head says, are you going to claim him? With all my issues I need to work through, I am not the person for Sunrise Bay’s golden boy.

Stuffing everything back in the box, I close it up and head back to my own area. Now I feel worse. Serves me right for being a snoop.

I lock my door and walk down the steps into their house with 911 in my phone and my finger hovering over the green button. Down in the basement, I grab my comforter and sheets from the dryer, clean out the lint trap, and shut the dryer door. I tiptoe up the stairs, but then a large figure appears in the doorway and blocks my way.

I scream and fall backward, my phone slipping from my hands.

“Shit,” Fisher says and barrels down the basement steps.

I follow him to find Presley at the bottom of the steps, her comforter over her face.

“What the hell?” I run down the stairs, my heart in my throat.

“I was just curious why the door was open and the light was on.” He squats to check on her.

“Presley?” I say, taking all the sheets off her to see if she’s conscious.

“I’m fine. Just a sore ass,” she says, but her hand is on her head.

Fisher puts all her stuff in her laundry basket, and I help her to her feet.

“Go slow,” I say.

“My phone.” She frantically looks around.

There’s a glow coming from the bottom of the