Page 80 of Twisted Collide

DANE

Hate is too strong a word,but my chest feels tight whenever I have to attend a fundraiser.

Even though we’re here to raise money for a cause near and dear to my heart, I’m not too fond of these functions.

It’s a necessary evil, but it reminds me too much of the past.

Especially when I look at my reflection in the mirror. Currently, my jaw is locked, brow furrowed, and not one hair out of place, but if you knew me enough to know what to look for, you’d know I wasn’t happy. The reason I don’t belong is because the man I am tonight screams that I belong and, worse, that I want to be here. Spoiler alert: I don’t.

These nights always remind me of my father. Of the night when my life changed. It reminds me of him walking down the stairs, dressed in a tuxedo, my mother with him, and how he said he’d see me later.

How my mom gave me a kiss and told me to be good. I wasn’t, and she died because of my mistake.

So even though I wasn’t driving the car, and I didn’t kill my mom, whenever I look at myself in the mirror, I see my father.

All the parts of him I hate.

I lift my hand to my tie and center it, then adjust my tuxedo jacket. Once everything is in place, I take a deep breath and walk out of the bathroom.

Tonight is already in full swing. The grand ballroom looks opulent, adorned with large chandeliers and rich burgundy tablecloths. Sheer drapes add to the timeless luxury, and it makes me want to roll my eyes.

None of this is needed. It’s so extra.

I peer around the room and my hands fist. The who’s who of Redville elite are all here, milling about, glasses raised, praising themselves like they did something important. Sure, they helped raise money, but in my mind, no one needed to take credit for their good deeds. The moment you do, it loses its soul.

The women in attendance are decked to the nines, dripping in jewels, dolled up, and begging for attention. All the guys from the team are here, scattered around, doing their best to work the room.

I should be mingling too, but I’m searching for one person instead. I’m having no luck finding her, but as if the crowd can hear me, they part, and she’s there.

Josephine is always gorgeous, but today she looks like a goddess. She’s wearing a stunning red gown that clings to her curves in all the right places. Her blond hair is swept up, exposing the graceful line of her neck.

What I wouldn’t do to touch that neck. To caress her soft skin. But that’s not in the cards, and I’ve been trying my hardest to stay away from her since she came to work for the team. The problem is, no matter where I go, she’s there.

She haunts my every thought and my every dream.

It’s a real problem.

Astonishingly, for the first time since I’ve known her, I don’t even care.

I’m not the only one drawn to her either. My gaze drifts around the room, and a bunch of my teammates are staring, most likely thinking the same thing I am.

A drink will help tamp down my need for her.

With a new goal in mind, I stride to the nearest bar.

Once there, I rest my hand on the sleek marble, then lean forward to get the bartender’s attention.

“Whiskey, neat.”

My new location is even worse. Now I have a clear shot of the little hellfire, holding court and laughing away with random men who would love nothing more than to bring her home for the night.

Must be nice for them not to be burdened with the desire to have something you can never have. Soon, a drink is in my hand, and I lean up against the bar, nursing it, and try my best not to watch her. All is lost, however, when Hudson gallops up to her, like a prince in a fairy tale who would happily slay the beast for a moment in her bed.

It’s too bad I like the guy so much because I’m having a hard time not wanting to kill him for how close he’s currently standing next to her. I have no business being jealous. She’s not mine, but it doesn’t stop the fact that I want her, and I can’t stand that my friend isn’t burdened by the guilt of what Coach would say if I had her.

Hudson and Robert don’t have the same relationship that we do. Robert has been the one stable person in my life despite Molly.

I shouldn’t jeopardize that relationship.Right?

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