My Cousin Next Door

CHAPTER 3

I clear the last of my boxes away, somewhat impressed by my hard work.

I've managed to unpack all my belongings, which sadly isn't a lot. Over the years, I've accumulated very little. Ethan monitored what I bought and insisted I run everything by him. In the end, I stopped. Not because I was scared (which I was) but because I no longer found joy in treating myself. I wasn't worth nice clothes or cute jewelry.

I didn't deserve the expensive lipstick. Ethan didn't just control my spending habits; he controlled my every thought. He controlled how I saw myself. How I still see myself. That's the part I'm finding hardest to swallow. I left him a month ago and he still has such a strong hold over me. He's still influencing my every decision.

I can’t believe I fell for that manipulative person! Not a person. That animal!

"I like this," informs Nan, holding up a plant pot.

Catherine-AKA my nan-is the most wonderful person in the world and without her, I wouldn't be here. She raised me after Mum died and for the longest time, it was only the two of us. She lost her husband (my grandpops) three years before I was born. I didn't know the man, but I feel as though I do with the endless stories she tells. Her hilarious tales keep his spirit alive. Mum's too.

"It's a snake plant," I explained. "It's supposed to purify the air at night."

"We should grow m*******a!"

Oh my God!

"Don’t say that!”

"Helen has it all the time. Says it's good for her joints."

Helen, Nan's ride or die—is the definition of rebellious. As a kid, I remember wanting to be just like her. Carefree and adventurous. The pair of them together are quite frankly-a f*****g disaster. Neither one of them owns a shred of responsibility between them and relies purely on charm to get them out of certain situations. And believe me, they're known for getting themselves into certain situations. Like Nan, Helen's husband died many years ago. Unlike Nan, she doesn't talk about him.

"Helen is sixty-seven and doesn't suffer from joint pain," I chastise.

Nan smirks.

"Besides, we can't. I live next door to a police officer."

This piqued her interest.

"Do you?"

"Yes."

"Is he hot?"

I both love and hate how that was her first question.

"Very."

She grins.

"But I'm mad at him right now."

"Why?" she asks, positioning my plant on the windowsill.

“Well, I never knew that we were cousins not until he moved here. Well can’t deny the fact that he was hot but, otherwise, I never had a fuckboi cousin,” I explain.

Although her frown lines are deep, Nan doesn't have one wrinkle on her face. She's taken great care of herself over the years and still has regular trips to the hairdressers. She only ever puts the 'good stuff on her face and is a bit of a snob when it comes to beauty products. When I was thirteen and told her I wanted to experiment with makeup, she took me to Chanel.

Fucking Chanel!

"He kept me up all night," I explain, decorating my coffee table by placing a scented candle on it.

I don't usually bother with candles, but Natasha from work got me it as a move-in gift.

"Doing what?" asks Nan, flattening the three cardboard boxes by her feet.

I contemplate lying, unsure if I can trust her with such information.

"Having s*x with his fling."

Who am I kidding? Nan lives for this sort of thing and I'm certainly not about to deny the woman.

"NO WAY!"

Her eyes light up like a Christmas tree. I've always thought Nan had the most expressive set of eyes I've ever seen. Emerald green and mischievous as hell, they have the potential to achieve wonderful things. When combined with her wonderful wardrobe and blonde hair, Nan certainly has no trouble attracting attention. Not that she ever wants it. She hasn't been on a single date since Grandpops died and although part of me thinks that's sad, it's a testament to the love they both shared.

"I have to see this hot police officer for myself!"

What?

“He’s not yet licensed,” I inform her.

“Well I still want to see him,” she says in an excited tone.

“Nan! Don’t you dare!”

Before I can stop her, she's making her way towards my front door. I contemplate rugby tackling her to the ground but decide against it. I doubt I'd be able to take her out anyway. The woman is stronger than anyone I know.

"Nan, don't!" I stress, trying my best to catch up with her.

By the time I detangle myself from the coffee table legs and reach her side, she's already at Jay's door, knocking.

"You didn't," I gawk.

She smirks. "Oh, I did."

Seconds later, Jay answers looking well put together in dark jeans and a T-shirt. The green material brings out the richness in his eyes and I can't help but stare. His polite smile is wonderful to look at and I can't tear my gaze away from his brilliant build.

"Well, hello Jay."

Nan's impressed.

"I'm Catherine-Rachelle's Nan. I thought I'd come over and introduce myself to her new Cousin." I awkwardly stand to her left, struggling not to die on the spot. Why is this the most humiliating thing I've ever had to endure?

"Hello, Catherine," greets Jay, shooting her a smile. "Pleasure to meet you."

He swings his gaze across to mine and smiles.

"Settling in alright?"

"We need a strong man like you," informs Nan.

I quickly nudge her hip. "No, we don't. We'll manage."

"Ana, your TV is a tonne of weight. How is a frail, old woman such as myself supposed to help you?"

Frail old woman, my arse!

Just last week she single-handedly carried seven bottles of wine for her weekly book club. Like I said, the woman is stronger than anyone I know.

"I would get her boyfriend to help, but she doesn't have one."

Oh my God!

"Subtle, Nan," I mumble.

She completely disregards my comment. "Her last one was what I would call a total f*****g waste of space."

"NAN!"

Jay unable to hold back-bursts out laughing.

"I imagine you know what I mean, given your line of work?"

"Oh, absolutely," he agrees, smirking. "I've met my fair share of men who are a total f*****g waste of space"."

Once again, his gaze lands on mine and I can't help but smile in retaliation. "I thought you police officers were supposed to remain impartial?"

"We're supposed to," he replies. "But when a man doesn't realize what he's got right in front of him, I can't help but brand him a total f*****g waste of space."

Nan, sensing our familiarity, looks suspiciously between the two of us.

"Jay arrested a person last month, Nan," I explained, putting her curiosity to rest.

"Oh?" Her eyes widened in delight. "Really?"

“Yes, WITHOUT A LICENSE.”

I nod, firing a glance at Jay.

Neither of us has brought up our previous interaction and I have a feeling Jay wouldn't've until I did. He strikes me as the type to allow people the privilege of going at their own pace and I'm grateful for that.

"Well, I'm not sure how to tell you this, Rachelle. But I think I might be in love with your new Cousin."

"And, we're leaving," I announce, yanking on her arm.

Jay smirks as I drag Nan back into the apartment, showing no sign of mercy.

"Rachelle?"

I slam the door behind Nan and turn to face Jay.

"Yeah?"

"Is there anything I can do to help?"

I know he's being polite, but I still haven't gotten my revenge on him for keeping me up all night. And if I let him into my apartment now, he'll think all is forgiven.

"Just one thing," I tell him.

He quirks a brow.

"Keep it down tonight."

With that, I spin on my heel and strut back into my apartment, making sure to add a slight spring to my step. It's hardly the payback I had in mind, but I'll think of something soon. In the meantime, Jay knows I'm here to play.

He knows I'm here to win.

Game on!