The Fine Line Between Love and Hate: Part One (Mistik Ridge #1)

by Ashley Erin

  The drive passes slowly. The last time we were alone together Evie was telling me off. Thankfully, she seems to have let go of that. I would like to be on good terms with her, she is my tenant after all.

  Pulling into her driveway, I notice that the grass is freshly mowed, but it still doesn’t look quite right. Making a mental note to check it in the morning, I angle my body to face Evie.

  Evie opens the door, pausing with one foot on the ground. “Thank you again. Have a goodnight, Charlie.”

  “Goodnight.”

  The door closes behind her. Once she’s safely inside, I drive away, my thoughts chaotic as I contemplate the way the evening turned out.

  Grabbing my bag from the passenger seat of my car, I heave it onto my shoulder, the weight of the books making me smile. Despite not getting a lot of sleep last night, I am in a good mood today.

  Last night was a turning point for me and Charlie. I can feel it. I’m still upset about the reading nook, but with his friends pointing out to him how inflexible and serious he is, maybe I can try talking to him again.

  I actually had a surprisingly good time with them. Even Darcy, who I know Natasha dislikes, but I’m guessing that’s because two years can feel like a huge age difference growing up. I remember some of the foster brothers I had and how annoying they could be.

  Shutting my car door, I lock it. Smiling as I check my flowers, pulling a few dead heads off. The pots have filled in nicely, and many of the neighbors have complimented my bright display.

  Sighing happily, I turn towards the house eager to start my evening of reading and drinking a glass or two of wine.

  Looking up at my front door, my smile drops at the sight of a white envelope taped to it. It’s been weeks since I’ve received one of these. I’ve been busting my ass to try and ensure he has no complaints about the way I keep the house. And aside from our brief argument, that he won, we’ve been co-existing nicely.

  The closer I get to the envelope taunting me, the angrier I get. So much for a turning point. Apparently last night was just a reprieve until we went back to battle.

  Ripping it off the door, I tear it open.

  Ms. Jackson,

  I noticed that the last time you mowed the lawn, it was left too long. The lawn mower was adjusted to the proper length, please return it to that setting and correct the lawn. If you have any questions, please direct your attention to your copy of the rental agreement.

  Thank you,

  C. Greene

  I see red. I get that he doesn’t like me. He doesn’t like that I push him outside of his comfort zone and that, despite our differences, he finds me just as attractive as I find him. But to fault me on the length of the lawn when I mow it every Sunday like clockwork?

  Hold the fucking phone. I mowed the lawn yesterday. That means he probably noticed it while dropping me off last night and didn’t bother saying something to my face.

  Oh. Hell. No.

  This means war.

  Storming to the shed, I take out the lawn mower, only to find another note informing me he has corrected the setting. A setting I’m positive I never touched, but whatever.

  I’m finishing up the front when Charlie drives by. Meeting his gaze, I smile at him.

  A smile that promises I’m going to push his fucking buttons. A smile that says whatever false idea I had that we’d turned a new leaf is gone. A smile that promises he’s not going to like what I have planned. And boy, do I ever have a plan.

  You see, I found an interesting website the other day and saved it for such an occasion.

  He continues driving without a reaction. I expected that, but he won’t be so expressionless soon.

  Finishing the lawn. I grab my bag from where I dropped it, letting myself into the house and bee-lining it directly to my laptop.

  Pulling up the website, I smile as I start to add things to my shopping cart. If I was a villain in a movie, I would be cackling right now with pure glee. A giggle slips out. It might not be an evil laugh, but I can’t contain my excitement.

  Up until this point, I’ve knowingly irritated him, but this time I want to piss him right off. I want the confrontation, and I’m going to get it.

  The three large boxes on my porch have me racing out of my car as soon as it’s in park. I don’t even take my keys out of the ignition. Dropping to my knees, I tear into the boxes and burst into laughter. They’re even better than I anticipated. The past two weeks have dragged as I waited for this moment.

  After opening all three boxes and finding everything in order, I grab my things from the car and haul everything into the house.

  Me: Tash, they came in and they’re even more glorious than I expected.

  Natasha: OMG. I’m coming over.

  There is a knock at my door twenty minutes later. She comes in without waiting, breaking into a huge smile when she sees my living room.

  “You’re going to get that fight you’re itching for.”

  My living room is cluttered with gnomes. Not just any gnomes. Vulgar gnomes. In a variety of compromising positions.

  Some are passed out drunk. Some are in a variety of sexual positions. Each gnome is more vulgar than the last. My personal favorite is the trio of gnomes engaged in a threesome. It’s fantastic. Or wait, the one that is urinating has a top spot as well. It’s simple, yet effective.

  “There is nothing in that damn agreement of his that says I can’t decorate the front lawn with lawn ornaments. And I’m going place them on the walking stones so he can’t even complain about them ruining the grass. And I’ve already talked to my immediate neighbors. They think it’s a practical joke, but they’re all fine with it.” Grinning, I walk into the kitchen and grab us each a beer.

  “Of course they are. They adore you.” Tash takes the beer, popping the top and taking a deep drink. “I’ve never seen Charlie lose his cool. I wish I could be here to see it.”

  Apparently it’s difficult to get a rise out of Charlie. He is who he is, and people have simply accepted that. That’s fine, but I’ve had enough and he is going to realize I’m not going to accommodate his rigidness.

  Compromise is part of being an adult. If he can’t learn how to compromise, then it’s time for me to up my game.

  Now I just need to plan.

  Two days later, Darcy and Guy walk into the library. Everett contacted them for me so I could enlist their help.

  After explaining my plan, they both agree to help, with one promise from me.

  “I guarantee, he will never know your involvement.”

  We shake, and the final step in my planning is taken care of. Now it’s just putting it into action.

  “Have things improved with Evie?” Mom hands me a cup of coffee.

  Dad is home, but sleeping with the move back has been tough for him. He’s shown even more improvement from the last time I saw him, which makes me incredibly happy.

  “I’m not really sure.” Sipping my coffee, I think back on the look of pure evil she gave me when I drove by the day I left her the note. Things have been quiet in the weeks since, but a feeling of unease has settled in my chest and won’t dissipate.

  “What do you mean?”

  Filling her in on the date I rescued her from, and the books she’s been recommending, I then tell her about the notice I left regarding the grass. A note that was effective, might I add. It’s been perfectly cropped since.

  “Oh, Charlie,” Mom sighs. She doesn’t say anything else, and she doesn’t need to. I can sense her disappointment without the words being spoken. I hate that she feels this way. I hate disappointing her. Part of me blames Evie, but deep down I know this has nothing to do with her and everything to do with what people have been telling me over the past couple of months. Have they tried to talk to me about this before? I couldn’t even tell you, but I’m guessing it’s come up and I’ve brushed it under the rug.

  Something about Evie has brought all of this to the surface.

  Resentment fills me. She’s be
en a thorn in my side for a couple of months now. If she only stayed the quiet renter I had all winter, I wouldn’t be having this issue. I wouldn’t be sitting here, looking into Mom’s eyes and seeing her disappointment in me.

  I would be in my comfort zone, living my routine, and being perfectly happy.

  Evie has managed to push all my buttons in less time than I thought possible. Even thinking about the purple door, those hideous pots, and the cluttery mess inside the house makes my skin itch.

  My phone buzzes, dread filling me when I see it’s a group message.

  Guy: Dude . . . You’re going to want to drive by Evie’s . . .

  Darcy: Yeah, man. Just warning you, though, you’re going to shit a brick.

  Me: The house is still standing, right?

  Darcy: Yeah.

  My gut turns. What’s she done now?

  Before I can excuse myself to go over there, Mom refills my cup.

  “You know what I think the real issue with Evie is?” she smiles at me, her eyes crinkling around the edges. Both her and Dad have laugh lines, I can’t remember a day growing up where they weren’t laughing or having a good time. How I ended up so serious with the two of them as parents, I will never know.

  Resisting the urge to roll my eyes, I ask, “What?”

  “You’re attracted to her, but because she challenges you, you’re resisting it, making you hostile. Maybe you would relax a little if you . . . you know,” she waggles her eyebrows suggestively.

  I can’t believe my mother is hinting at Evie and me having sex. I’ve just entered the Twilight Zone. My entire circle has completely lost their faculties.

  “You can’t be serious.”

  “You’re wrong. I’m perfectly serious. I think being with someone as spontaneous, fun, and spunky as Evie would be good for you. I would like grandchildren at some point, and obviously your previous choices haven’t been good fits either.” Her eyes sparkle when she sees me tense up.

  I need to get out of here.

  “Well, as fascinating as this visit has been, I need to go.” Bending, I kiss her on the cheek and rush out of the house before she can talk more about my sex life, future children, or any other crazy idea she comes up with.

  It’s a good thing my father wasn’t at the table, he just encourages her.

  The drive across town is tedious. I catch every single red light, all three of them, and get caught behind a tractor that must have been in the shop getting some repairs done.

  As I turn into the neighborhood, all I can focus on is getting to the house and seeing what Evie has done.

  My jaw drops as I pull up in front of the house. Slamming on the brakes as my foot slips, I shove my car into park and jump out.

  Lawn gnomes cover the front lawn. Scanning, I count ten of them. Ten gnomes in various positions of disarray or vulgarity. Scanning the neighbors in anticipation of them storming out to scream at me, I’m shocked when I see several of them have gnomes in their yards too.

  Even Mrs. Jesperson has a trio of gnomes engaging in a threesome. She enlisted the neighbors and successfully convinced them to display gnomes in a variety of compromising positions.

  Glancing to the house next to Mrs. Jesperson’s, I almost shit a brick, just like Guy said I would. Even Pastor Larry has a gnome on his front lawn. A gnome peeing on his tree. Pastor. Larry.

  How does one manage to enlist the help of a clergyman in decorating their lawn with dirty ass gnomes? Where does one even find gnomes like this?

  I’m pretty positive it takes dedication and some sort of mythical power to achieve this. But I already knew Evie isn’t your typical person. She’s managed to get under my skin, and win over everyone around her.

  Turning back to the display on the front yard of my house, I take it all in. One gnome at a time.

  There is a gnome passed out drunk with bottles at his feet.

  Another bent over as a second gnome takes him—or is it a her—from behind.

  There is a matching gnome to the one peeing on Pastor Larry’s tree urinating on one of the bushes, while another one right next to it is defecating in the shelter of the branches above it.

  My head whirls. I can’t even comprehend where to start with all of this. Technically she’s not breaking any guideline in the rental agreement, so I can’t remove them. Her car isn’t in the driveway, so I can’t even confront her about this.

  Growling as I glare at the offending gnomes, I stalk to my car and take off down the street. Once I’m home, I call Sebastian.

  He winds around my legs as I measure out his food, before spooning up the soup I prepared last night. Eating at the counter, I rinse the bowl when I’m done and place it in the dishwasher.

  My phone dings, pulling me from the roiling thoughts about gnomes and tattooed librarians that make me break out in hives.

  Guy: Just thought you’d like to know that Evie is home.

  My curiosity about how Guy knows Evie is home is drowned out by my need to confront her. Grabbing my keys from the hook by the door, I shove my feet into my shoes and race out the door.

  I’ve been stewing over this for over an hour, getting angrier.

  Pounding on Evie’s door, I glare at her when she opens it.

  “Charlie.” She’s not surprised to see me, and steps back allowing me inside.

  Slamming the door, I stare down at her.

  “Remove the gnomes.” Biting out each word, I fist my hands at my sides.

  She walks away from me and into the kitchen. Leaning against the counter she picks up half of a grilled cheese sandwich and takes a bite. “No.”

  Cringing at the fact she is talking with her mouth full, I cross my arms. “They are completely unacceptable. Ignoring the fact that they are inappropriate, they cover the lawn and I do not appreciate the display.”

  Evie finishes her sandwich, her eyes shining with humor which only feeds my anger. Setting her plate on the counter, she steps into my space. Her soft floral scent surrounds me creating a conflicting chaos of feelings. I hate her and the confusion being around her arises.

  “Listen, I have memorized the rental agreement. You did not specify anywhere in there that I cannot decorate the yard. I placed them so they won’t destroy the grass. You have no argument here.”

  Dropping my arms, I growl. “I don’t care. Screw the rental agreement. You have been purposely aggravating me and I don’t appreciate it.” Recounting everything she’s done, I can’t control the speed of my words as I speak.

  Charlie is talking so fast I can no longer follow what he is saying. I’ve seen him annoyed with me, but I’ve never seen him looking at me with such burning hatred. I clearly crossed a line with the gnomes.

  I knew he would be upset and I would get a fight, what I didn’t expect is the sinking feeling in my gut or that I would experience seeing the anger, hurt, and intense dislike in his eyes.

  I wanted to push his buttons, and truth be told there are times I can’t stand him, but seeing him this upset isn’t providing me the satisfaction I was hoping for.

  “Char–” I start to say, but he keeps talking over me.

  “—and the neighbors. Even Pastor Larry! How did you manage that?” He takes a breath before continuing, not even giving me a chance to answer his question.

  As he rants, he steps closer to me, my nerves igniting whenever his fingers accidentally brush against my skin as he gestures with his hands.

  Opening my mouth, I try to interject, but he just talks louder and faster.

  Holy hell. He needs to shut up, but I can’t get a damn word in edgewise.

  Grabbing his neck, I pull him down and kiss him, the movement shocking me as much as him.

  We both freeze, our ragged breaths filling the small space between us, and I can feel our hearts pounding in the same rhythm. My stomach knots at the loss of feeling his lips against mine, but I don’t lean in again.

  “Just shut up,” the words come out in a whisper, my eyes locked with his.

 
The words barely make it out of my mouth before his lips crush mine with a growl, his hands sliding over my lower back and pulling me into him with ferocity.

  Continued in The Fine Line Between Love and Hate: Part Two

  The Fine Line Between Love and Hate is my first attempt at a romantic comedy, and I hope you found it as funny as I did.

  Several people helped make the beginning of Charlie and Evie’s story come together. Missy and Jessica did an incredible job editing and providing feedback. Tami made the inside as beautiful as the outside. Kari, Mandy, and Rainey brought Evie to life with an incredible collaboration on the cover.

  I hope all of you enjoyed meeting Evie and Charlie. Part two is coming soon!

  Ashley Erin lives in Alberta, Canada where winter and summer compete to take over. She wears flip flops as soon as it’s above freezing, because her hatred of socks outweighs her dislike of snow. Her boyfriend stays with her despite a penchant for adopting rescued cats and dogs without permission. Their two dogs and four cats are spoiled rotten. When Ashley isn’t writing, she is reading or working with horses.

  Ashley is a self-published author of contemporary and new adult romance. Follow her on Facebook to keep up with her current and upcoming releases.

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  Also by Ashley Erin

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  The No Bad Boy Rule

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  The Fine Line Between Love and Hate