Page 12 of When love and Hate Collide

I sigh and pin her with a deadpan look, “Like you don’t know. I told you, I want this summer to be as drama free as possible. The last thing I want is to jump into another relationship. I’m not ready, not after…” I trail off and Ash nods sullenly in understanding. It’s better this way. It was a fun night with a hot guy I’ll never see again. “I can’t lie there was a moment just before I walked out that I felt a little gutted I won’t see him ever again, but at the same time I enjoyed the anonymity of the whole thing. No expectations or waiting and wondering if or when he’ll call.” I mutter looking at my reflection in the mirror and combing my fingers through my hair.

“The boy literally said he wanted to see you Jey, of course he was going to call. What if this was your Mr. Right?” Ashlyn declares.

“No way,” I differ. “I mean, we had a great time and there was chemistry there but Mr Right? Pfft.” I snort with a shake of my head. “It was an unexpected hook up, a one-night tryst that I will remember fondly.” I explain and smile when Ashlyn makes an incredulous sound in response. “A guy that hot is no stranger to hook ups. He has that cocky, bad boy demeanour girls just eat up. I promise you, he’s not the type that can be faithful to one girl.”

“Perhaps,” Ashlyn voices, twirling her hair thoughtfully with her finger. “Or he could be the love of your life and now you’ll never know, you divvo.”

I roll my eyes dubiously, “Oh my God, now you’re being ridiculous.”

Ashlyn giggles, a twinkle lighting up her green eyes. “So… let’s move onto the important stuff. Howbigwas he?” she questions holding her two index fingers apart, her brows rising with intrigue, and she grins toothily while she waits for me to answer.

I stare at her horrified, my cheeks growing hot. “I’m a lady and a lady doesn’t kiss and tell.” I throw over my shoulder as I begin walking towards the door.

“A lady my left tit! Oi, where are you going?” Ashlyn calls out after me. “I want every sordid detail, you little tart!”

“I must pee!” I exclaim over my shoulder. Shaking my head and muttering profanities under my breath, I reach for the doorknob to the bathroom when it swings open and I’m swathed in a cloud of steam and heat which surges towards me as soon as the door is open, momentarily obscuring my vision. It takes a couple of seconds until it slowly starts to clear.

A tall, muscular figure appears in front of me, with a white towel hanging loose around his narrow hips. I force myself to drag my eyes up when they linger a little too long at the bulge under the towel. I marvel at the glorious sight before me until my eyes lift to his handsome face.

“Oh… God,” I utter, not even making an effort to mask my current state of astonishment.

“Jeez, close your mouth kid, you’ll swallow a fly.” He teases with a deep throaty chuckle and tucks his long index finger under my chin and pushes my mouth shut.

I gape up at him wide eyed. “Oskie!” I squeal and throw myself into his arms. Ashlyn’s oldest brother Oscar laughs and wraps a muscular arm around my waist, effortlessly lifting me off the ground while we embrace each other tightly.

“Bloody hell,” Oz half chuckles, half groans, looking down at me after he sets me down onto my feet again and we pull apart. “What happened to my chipmunk Jeykins?” he jests playfully pinching my nose.

I swat his hand away, grinning, “Oh no. What in the hulk happened toyou?” I state gesturing to his now brawny physique. “When did you become such a beefcake?” Oz laughs when I reach out and poke his left pec. “Last time I saw you, you were so thin you could have dodged rain drops so what gives.”

Oz shrugs, proudly flexing his pecs, “Have you met my mum? She’s been force feeding me carbs for two years straight. I had no choice but to hit the gym before I became obese.” Oz explains coolly and rests his shoulder against the doorframe. It doesn’t go unnoticed that his warm brown eyes rake over the length of me. “Growing up suits you, kid.”

I shift under his gaze and ignore the nervous pull at the pit of my stomach. “Oh, stop it.” I modestly wave off his compliment. “I’ve not changed that much, but you on the other hand look like a whole other man all together—not that you were bad looking before…” I point out and instantly regret it when his eyes lock with mine.

Oh my God Jeyla, shut the fuck up!

“Well, thanks I guess,” he utters with a chuckle and rubs the back of his neck. “I do try and work out when I can.”

I grin and shake my head, “Don’t be so modest. This isn’t a physique one gets by working out intermittently.” I express, raising a brow and pinning him with a knowing look. “To maintain a body like that I bet you work out religiously.”

Oz laughs and bites his lip, drawing my attention to his mouth. “If you weren’t five years younger and my sister’s best friend I would have been more than happy topersonallydemonstrate how I keep in such good shape,” he asserts, holding my gaze and inching closer.

Oh boy.

I stare up at him in bewilderment for a beat, unsure of how to respond to his flirty remark. The fifteen-year-old me is swooning hard right now. “Relax kid, I'm just playing.” He adds with a smirk. And I exhale a breath I didn’t even know I was holding. Rolling my eyes playfully I slap his bicep.

Oz and I have always been exceptionally close over the years. I mean, I may have harboured a teeny, tiny crush on him— all right fine, a big crush. How could I not, he was hot, skinny but still attractive. I remember the days he would drive Ashlyn and me around in his sports car and he always made me feel special and protected. A couple of years back when I was seventeen, I had a boy in my college harassing me relentlessly. I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it, but Ashlyn blurted it out in front of Oz and he went berserk. The next day he was waiting outside my college. Till this day he refuses to tell me what he said to him because the boy wouldn’t come within ten feet of me nor look at me for longer than five seconds at a time.

The last time I saw Oscar was over two years ago. Just before he went off to tour the world with his mates, just as Ashlyn and I finished up college and were enrolling for University.

While he’s good looking, he’s also kind, intelligent and a giant history nerd. He got his degree in teaching and began working at our old school as a history teacher. At twenty-seven years old, Oz cherishes his bachelor life and much to his mother’s dismay has no intention of settling down anytime soon. Two years ago, he was tall and lean with shaggy light brown hair and warm chocolate eyes. Now, all the hair is gone and he’s donning a buzz cut. He’s beefed up with bulging biceps and a chiselled chest. It’s clear he’s on gear to bulk but damn does he make it look good. I ogle the ropes and ropes of veins down his forearms.

What is it about those damn bulging veins that are so attractive?

I smirk. “You’re hot, but you’re still not funny, Oskie. Now, move aside and let a lady by.” I jeer impishly and he laughs.

“Oh, you’re no lady chipmunk.” He throws back with a wink and I flip him off before disappearing into the bathroom and closing the door.

While I wash my hands I stare at my reflection in the mirror and smile. Since this morning I’ve been getting flashes of the night before. Fucking hell, come on Jeyla, it was just sex, that’s all. You can stop looking all dreamy eyed now.

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