Page 15 of Branded Hearts

“Atta boy!” Luke whoops, followingsuit.

A couple of drinks turned into many more, and now my head has a slight buzz. I’m feeling a lot more relaxed than I was earlier. The music is loud, the atmosphere vibrant, and for the first time in a long while, I feel like I can just be in the moment. As the night rolls on, Jennifer, a girl from my year, totters over to me, clearly sloshed.

“Bradley, there you are,” she slurs, before plopping herself onto my lap. Jennifer’s been in our social circle for a while now. Her mates took a liking to Jackson and Luke, although Jackson has never been one for too much female attention. I’m pretty sure he swings both ways, but each to their own. I’ll never judge a mate or their sexuality. This meant, naturally, I got roped in, too.

While I don’t mind the attention from girls, tonight feels off. Sure, I’ve hooked up with girls plenty, but I’ve never settled down. Lately, I haven’t been in the mood to chat them up. Since graduating, girls have been all over me ever since they heard I’m aiming to be a policeman.

She’s made it obvious she wants me, yet I haven’t done much to reciprocate the feelings, apart from an occasional kiss here and there, and I don’t want to lead her on, especially since she’s made it clear to others that she has a thing for me.

As Jennifer’s fingers weave through my short hair, her boozy breath, mixed with a sweet perfume, envelops me. Despite these thoughts, I findmyself welcoming her closeness, the alcohol coursing through my veins heightening my senses.

“I’ve been thinking about you all night,” Jennifer whispers, her voice dripping with desire, sending a shiver down my spine. Her touch intensifies as she moves closer, her lips brushing against my neck in a seductive dance.

But amidst her advances, I can’t shake this nagging feeling of unease. It’s as if my body is here, but my mind is elsewhere, lost in a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts. Then, amidst the haze, I spot a group in the distance. Liv stands among a few people and next to her stands… Amelia.

I watch her as she speaks, a smile painting her face, all while Jen continues her assault on my neck, and in that moment, her eyes lock with mine. Fuck.

It’s brief, but our eyes lock, and I can’t look away. As I watch her, she holds my gaze, her smile fading slightly as she notices Jennifer on my lap. This feels wrong. Weird.

Why am I so caught up with this girl? She’s my sister’s best friend, for fuck’s sake.

As I grapple with these thoughts, Jennifer’s eyes lock with mine, and a wave of discomfort washes over me. This feels all wrong, weird. I gently push her away, mustering a weak smile.

“I, um, sorry, I think I left something in the house,” I mutter, my voice strained as I search for an excuse to escape.

As I head off, a voice calls my name from behind, but I continue walking, my head pounding. Water, I need water. Inside the house, Ihead straight to the kitchen, grab a bottle, and gulp it down, the cool liquid soothing my throat. Tossing the empty bottle into the bin, I decide I need some space to clear my head.

Outside, at the front of the house, two wooden chairs beckon. A wind chime hangs from one of the beams, swaying gently in the now-cool breeze, its soft tinkling a stark contrast to the earlier raucousness of the party. Leaning back, I close my eyes, trying to clear my mind.

But the evening’s events keep pushing in. Jennifer, my unease, and then seeing Amelia again. She’s off limits in every way—my sister’s best friend, too good for a guy like me.

Yet, there’s something about her, something that draws me in, makes my pulse quicken. I remember the way she looked at me, her eyes full of something I couldn’t quite read. It’s like she sees right through me, past all my bravado, and into the parts of me I try to hide.

She’s different. She’s... real. And it scares me how much I want to know her, really know her, beyond just the surface.

I shouldn’t feel this way. It’s complicated, messy. But fuck, I can’t help it.

I shake my head, trying to dispel these thoughts. I can’t afford to be distracted, especially not tonight. Tomorrow, I start preparing for the police academy, and I need to be focused. But as I sit here, in the quiet of the night, I can’t shake the feeling that everything is about to change.

The distant thump of music from the backyard is still audible, but the sound of the front door suddenly bursting open startles me, and out stumbles Amelia.

What the?

She looks around and squeals when she spots me. “Oh, my goodness! You scared me.” Her voice is so pure, melodic, and innocent. I can’t explain it, but I love the sound of it.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb. I was just looking for…” Her words trail off and I raise my eyebrow, prompting her to continue.

“Looking for?” I mimic her, my tone dry.

“Liv. She came back into the house, and I thought she might be out here.”

As she stands there, looking lost and a bit vulnerable, a protective instinct kicks in.

“Well, she’s not here. She might still be inside,” I say, my voice softer. “You need help finding her?”

She shakes her head, her eyes meeting mine. There’s something in her gaze that makes my heart race. “No, it’s okay. Thanks,” she replies, but she doesn’t move. She just stands there, fidgeting with her bracelets, in the cool night air, the tension between us palpable. “I didn’t mean to intrude. I’ll just... I’ll head back inside.”

“Wait,” I blurt out, surprising myself. She stops, looking at me with those wide eyes. “You don’t have to rush off. It’s nice out here, and honestly, I could use the company.”

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