Free Someone Like You by Joanne McClean Page B

familiar shuffle of Priestly entering the kitchen.
    I whirl around to face him, grinning evilly when I notice his expression.
    He looks relatively calm and I idly wonder why he’s not pitching a shit fit when he turns up the volume.
    “Good choice this morning Tempy !” he yells over the music, smirking at me.
    Ick, that word just makes my skin crawl. I must talk to Nixon about it.
    I suppress a shudder, turn down the music and then throw him a wide grin.
    “No overnight guests this morning? You must be losing your touch.” I quip, wiping my hands on a towel.
    Priestly laughs. “Well, even a Lothario such as myself needs a rest once in a while.” he replies with a cocky grin.
    Okay, so he’s not pissed about what I said yesterday … not that I was worried that I had offended him or anything …
    I roll my eyes and pretend to gag. “Ugh, please. Spare me the visual.”
    “So, how’d your date go? Did you let Prince Charming make a move or are you still the unkissed Nerd Girl?” Priestly asks sardonically.
    “None of your business .” I retort hotly.
    Damn him, he makes a valid point.
    What’s wrong with me?
    Why am I so scared to let Nixon kiss me?
    Priestly grins. “I’ll take that as a no.”
    I ignore him and turn back to the pancake batter , feeling embarrassed.
    I know he thinks it’s funny but what if I am a freak?
     
    ***
     
    Priestly
     
    I watch her stir the pancake batter and I realise that I’ve hit a nerve.
    As much as I relish the fact that I’ve got ten my own back after the whole Casanova comment, I am curious why she seems so upset over something so stupid.
    I mean all I did was tease her about kissing – well, lack of, if I’m being precise.
    So, she won’t let Nixon make a move, what’s the big deal?
    To be honest, I’m fucking glad. She really needs to stay away from him. Nevertheless, it doesn’t mean that I still want to live with her so I seize the opportunity to mess with her.
    “Jeez, you won’t be able to hang on to a date if you refuse to let them make a move.” I say as I sidle up to the counter next to her.
    I’ll admit it, I’m a sadistic bastard … I know it’s callous to torment her but I still want her to leave and I’m damn curious about how far I can push her.
    She doesn’t look at me but I hear her sniff loudly.
    Oh shit.
    Please tell me she’s not fucking crying.
    I can’t handle it if she is.
    What the fuck do I do?
    Just as I’m contemplating how to handle this situation, she whirls around to face me.
    There are tears running down her cheeks and she’s eyeing me like I’m the devil.
    Oh fuck.
    “Priestly Sawyer, you are one insensitive asshole! Why the hell are you so intent on making me miserable?” she yells, obviously pissed.
    Yep, I’ve pushed her too far.
    Fuck.
    “Because I don’t want you here!” I yell back.
    I know I shouldn’t start this shit but hey, it was bound to happen sooner or later.
    She screws up her face in anger as I watch the tears form in her eyes.
    “Why do you have to be such an asshole? Why?” she shouts furiously, “What have I done to you that makes it okay for you to make me feel like shit?”
    Oh, it is on.
    “Stop acting so fucking goddamn righteous! Don’t think for one second that you’re the innocent party here! You know as well as I do that we’re both at fault! At least I admit it but you, you can’t even own up to the fact that you seem to relish pissing me off!” I yell back, glaring down at her.
    “You think I like pissing you off?” she fires back, outraged.
    “Yeah!” I yell, nodding furiously. “ Why do you go out of your way to criticise me when you could just avoid me? Just move out! I mean we clearly despise each other so it would make sense but no, you just keep coming back for more. You want to know my theory? Some part of you must like it!”
    “ Like it?” she screams at me. “Well, if that’s what you think, judging by your little theory, doesn’t that mean it works both