Page 15 of When love and Hate Collide

That boy has had her attention since we were all in school and hung out in the same crowd all through college. Ashlyn’s no fool, she’s always known Shane’s a playboy, but that never stopped her from letting him know she was interested.

While I take a sip of my drink, I notice a group of my friends from college in the corner of the kitchen and make my way over to them.

Might as well mingle.

“Cheer up bro,fuck me, it’s a party not a funeral.” Oz jokes, slapping my shoulder while we walk through the front door to Shane Owens house party.

This stinking party is the last place I want to be, but Oz and the boys dragged me here anyway despite my refusing profusely. Years ago, this would have been my scene, but Shane and I haven’t been on good terms for a while now, not since he started fucking around with my sister back in college. I wouldn’t mind if he was a decent guy and treated her right, but the fucking cockhead leads her on until he gets what he wants then drops her when he’s bored. No one treats my sister like that unless of course they have a fucking death wish.

I roll my eyes and shake Oz’s hand off my shoulder irritably. “I wouldn’t bet on it. The night is young, it may just turn into a funeral if twat Owens so much as blinks in my direction.”

Oz chuckles glancing around the room, “Well shit, if it isn’t the pot calling the kettle black. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not exactly thrilled with the way Shane fucks around with Ash, but is it really any different to what you do with girls, bro? Aren’t you being just a little hypocritical?”

I stop walking and turn to pin my brother with a scornful glare, “First of all, the girls Ifuckknow the deal beforehand. I don’t fill their heads with promises I have no intention of keeping. Secondly, unless I’m looking to date them, I don’t fuck the same girl twice, so no, I’m not a fucking hypocrite.” I bite out and Oz smiles back at me which only adds to my annoyance.

Oz whistles lowly, his brown eyes focusing on something behind me. “Speaking of girls, there’s a smoking ten checking you out,” he gestures behind me with his brows. “Three o'clock.” he finishes nudging me with his shoulder. “Go get your dick wet, maybe then you’ll be more pleasant to be around.” I turn my head to look back and frown when a redhead smiles and waves at me flirtatiously.

I greet her with a nod and sigh before I turn to face my brother again, “Nah, not feeling her. I need a fucking drink if I’m going to be forced to endure this shit show you dicks call a party.” I utter, scanning the living room for a bar or drinks table.

“He usually keeps the drinks in the kitchen. You go and get those, and I’m going to go mingle with that redhead and her friend.” Oz states, nodding his head in the direction of the blonde smiling at him.

I shake my head and make a beeline for the kitchen, stopping to fist bump and chat with some old friends from college along the way. The house is so crowded, and I’m finding myself growing more and more irritable by the second every time I’m having to squeeze and push past people to get to the kitchen. When I finally make it to the kitchen, I find the drinks on the island in the middle and pour myself and Oz a Jack Daniels and coke. I take a long sip of my drink and sigh when the alcohol burns the back of my throat.

Fuck yes.

The RAF prohibits any alcohol consumption whilst on the training program. Whether you’re on or off duty, if you’re found with a drop of alcohol or any drugs in your system, your arse is out. It’s been almost two years since I’ve had a drink, and when I tell you I’ve longed for the feeling of kicking back with a scotch or vodka lemonade.

Drinks in hand I once again make my way through the crowded kitchen toward the door leading out into the back garden. It’s already so humid it’s suffocating out, but it’s disgustingly stifling in that house what with the hundred odd people jam packed into one space.

I stand outside and lean against the wall; setting the two drinks in my hands on the rattan dining table outside, I light up a cigarette and take a long pull, holding it in for a second waiting for that transitory buzz of epinephrine to hit me before I close my eyes and exhale, forcing the smoke out of my lungs.

When I open my eyes, I stare up at the clear sky and I sigh. My mind fleetingly wanders off to the mysterious girl I spent the night with. I’ve been kicking myself for not asking for her number. It’s not an easy feat and takes a lot for a girl to leave such an exceptional impression on me. I groan inwardly when I recall the silkiness of her skin, her plump velvet lips, so damn perfect for kissing.

I shake my head, swiftly forcing away the thoughts of her. “Fuck,” I grumble and flick the cigarette away after taking one last pull from it. I blow out the smoke and walk back inside and spot Oz necking off with the blonde he’s been eyeing.

Pfft, and he’s got the cheek to call me a player.

“Yo, D man, where the fuck you been?” Jonah Wiles, one of my old school friends questions, slapping me on the back.

I smile and fist bump him, “Was out back for some fresh air and a quick smoke.” I tell him, shaking my head, politely declining when he offers me a bottle of beer. I hold up drink, “Nah mate, I'm good for now."

A roar of laughter coming from the corner of the room catches my attention from a group of four girls. I glance over at them, sitting on the L-shaped, brown leather sofa, each one looking as pretty as the last. However, there’s one that has her back to me, I couldn’t see her face but she’s animatedly swinging her arms as though she’s explaining something evidently humorous because they all double over in laughter.

Intrigued, I slyly move to the left of the room to get a better angle. Even through the loud thumping of the music I could hear her melodious laugh, but it’s not until she turns and glances over her shoulder that I see her face and my suspicions are confirmed. “No fucking way,” I whisper to myself, when her eyes veer and lock with mine across the room.

God has answered my silent prayers.

What are the odds that I run into her two nights in a row? Why is she even here? Does she know Shane and if we run in the same circles why have I not seen her before now?

The startled look on her pretty face tells me she wasn’t expecting to see me again either. Those beautiful green eyes I’ve spent the last twelve hours daydreaming about are wide, and her full lips parted while we continue to stare at one another from across the room.

I’ve never been a believer of coincidences but I sure as shit am now. There’s no way I’m letting her get away again. When I start walking over to her, she spins to look at her friends before she takes something from the redhead sitting on the sofa to her left. My eyes follow her when she gets up from the sofa and moves toward the kitchen.

Oh, where do you think you’re dashing off to, little mouse?

I push my way through the crowd in the direction of the kitchen, keeping my eyes on her as she navigates through the party goers dancing or standing around talking. “Hi,” I halt when the redhead suddenly steps in my way.

“Not now,” I dismiss frostily and sidestep her, continuing my pursuit of the gorgeous brunette that’s been plaguing my mind since the very moment I had a taste of her.

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