Page 14 of Hate to Love You

He eyes me with interest. “Not from where I’m standing.”

I glance dubiously at the assortment of alcohol. I’m not one for hard liquor. It hits me too fast, and then I’m drunk. I don’t like the feeling of being out of control. Nor do I enjoy worshipping the porcelain god in the morning.

“I’ll just have a beer.”

“One beer coming up.” Not budging from my side, Brody holds up a hand and raises one finger. The younger guy manning the keg gives him a quick nod in response. Even though there are a ton of people waiting in line, he fills a plastic cup and passes it to Brody.

Once Brody has it in hand, he passes it to me with a flourish. “Your drink, milady.”

Now that he’s played the part of gallant host and procured a beverage for me, I’m hoping we can go our separate ways. I mean, it’s not like we’re going to spend the entire night together, right?

I almost shudder at the thought.

“Thanks.” Just as I’m about to take my first sip, someone steps into my line of vision. Before I can yank my eyes away, our gazes collide. Instead of taking a small drink, I end up downing half the glass. I need all the liquid courage I can garner to deal with this situation.

Forgetting about Brody, who hasn’t moved from my side, I groan, “Oh, great.”

“Davies?” He shoots me a confused look. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing.” Feeling agitated, I shift from one foot to the other wishing there was a place to hide. But it’s too late for that. Reed has already seen me. If I turn tail and run, he’ll only take pleasure in being able to scare me away and that, I will not have. I’d much rather stand here and endure a conversation with the asshole than allow him to believe he wields any kind of power over me.

Brody searches the surrounding vicinity. It only takes a moment for his eyes to land on Reed. “Fucking Collins,” he mutters under his breath in much the same tone as I’d just used. It’s enough to bring a small smile of commiseration to my lips.

Even though I’m looking everywhere but at Reed, I feel his gaze on me the entire time. Since he’s blocking the exit, there’s no way to avoid a confrontation. I straighten my shoulders and brace myself for impact.

Is it too much to ask that he simply ignore me?

Apparently so.

With a smirk twisting his lips, Reed beelines for me. People turn as he knocks into them with his shoulders. A few of them look ready to start something until they realize who it is. Then they bite their tongues and go back to their conversations.

“Well, look who it is. Natalie Davies.” His gaze runs down the length of me and lingers unabashedly on my chest. I’m not embarrassed by my body or my attributes, but his blatant perusal is humiliating. Instead of squirming, I stand my ground. I’ll be damned if I let him win.

When his gaze meanders back to mine, he says, “I’m surprised to see you here. Didn’t think this was your scene.”

I dig my nails into the palms of my hands and shrug nonchalantly. “Guess that makes two of us.”

Ignoring Brody, Reed steps closer. “Have you missed me, baby?” He grins, and I’m tempted to smack the smile right off his face. It would be so satisfying.

“About as much as I’d miss having crabs,” I say sweetly. “Or lice.”

The corners of his lips tip upward and a glimmer of malice enters his eyes.

It’s been about eight months since I told him to go to hell and we’ve barely spoken since then. Our breakup was not what one would refer to as amicable. We did not “uncouple” the way mature and sophisticated people apparently do and remain the very best of friends. Once I found out he was hooking up behind my back, I lost my shit the way any self-respecting girl would and kicked his ass to the curb.

Brody throws an arm around my shoulders and tugs me to him. Reed’s blue eyes sharpen as they bounce between us as if he’s surprised to see him standing next to me.

Reed and Brody have some sort of childish rivalry going on between them. Reed constantly bitched and complained about Brody when we were together. At that point, we were in complete agreement because I didn’t care for Brody McKinnon either.

Thinking back on our conversations, I realize that it’s more of a jealousy issue for Reed. Up until coming to Whitmore, Reed had always been the most talented hockey player out on the ice. Brody knocked him down a few pegs and Reed doesn’t like it.

Before my ex-boyfriend can ask any questions, Brody cuts in. “Davies is here with me.”

Wait…What?

Reed’s brows shoot up. “Really?” He drawls out the question as if he finds that hard to believe.

“Yup, that’s right.” Brody glances at me from the corner of his eye.

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