Page 3 of When love and Hate Collide

“No doubt.” I utter sourly.

* * *

A four-hour drive and two stops later; we finally arrive at our childhood homes with our respective families.

“Sweetheart, how’s the studying going?” My mother questions while we’re sat around the dinner table.

After a year, I’m having my first home-cooked meal. Oh, how I’ve missed my mother’s cooking. I nod gingerly while chewing on my mouthful of delicious lasagne, “It’s going good, Mum.” I reply and stop to swallow. “I'll be in my last semester next year, so it’s going to be even harder when I get back. Hopefully all the hard work will pay off when I get my degree.” I told her once I shovel another bite of lasagne in my gullet.

“I can’t believe you're in your last year already. Time has flown by, huh? It felt like just yesterday we were bawling our eyes out because you were leaving.” Jessica, my older sister says with an adoring smile.

“It has flown by. I'm thrilled it’s almost over, even though I am truly going to miss Uni, I’m excited for the next part of my life.” I claim blissfully.

I look over my shoulder when the front door opens and closes again. A second later, my brother Jaden walks into the dining room. “Squirt!” he grins upon seeing me at the table.

“Jaden!” I exclaim, jumping to my feet and run into my big brother’s arms.

“You finally found a way back home, huh?” He teases, “Welcome back, sis."

“I know, it’s been too long since I’ve been home, and I’ve missed you all so much. But, oh my God, look at you! You finally took my advice and changed up your image!” I state excitedly with a grin while I examine him. Gone were the nerdy glasses, the ugly knitted sweaters, and skinny jeans, replaced with a tight fit azure t-shirt showing off his muscular arms and torso. Dark cobalt ripped jeans paired with a pair of stylish black Nike trainers.

“How are the ladies supposed to appreciate this breath-taking physique in those thick jumpers. I don’t put in all that hard work at the gym to keep these baby boys hidden,” Jaden jests with a charming grin while curling his bicep proudly, his brown eyes full of mirth.

“The ladies?” I intone. “You mean there’s been more than one?” I jest and he gasps and ruffles my hair playfully.

“You’re not too old for an arse whooping, Squirt.” Jaden chuckles when I slap his hands away with a playful frown.

“You can flash all the muscles you want but you’ll always be my goofy older brother.” I say with a snicker and eye him knowingly. “Tell me the truth, it’s a girl, isn’t it?” I coo.

Jaden laughs, “Nice try, not telling you diddly squat.” He replies pulling me into a headlock. I chuckle and hit him.

“Stop messing up my hair!” I complain in a huff, slapping his chest.

“You need to hit me harder than that if you want out weakling.”

I groan, “Mum, if you want some grandchildren by your precious son, you might want to tell him to let me go.”

“Jaden, let go of your sister.” My mother scolds him playfully. Laughing, Jaden drops a kiss atop of my head before he uncurls his arm and releases me.

“Welcome back, Squirt.” He winks and walks out of the dining room and into the kitchen.

“It sure is good to be home,” I sigh contently and re-join my parents and Jess at the table to resume my dinner.

After an hour catching up with my sister at the dinner table, she went off to meet with her friends and I was left to help mum clean up the kitchen.

“Mum, there’s no washing up liquid!” I shout out to her while rifling through the cleaning supplies she keeps under the sink.

“Oh sweetheart, I think we are out. I did tell your dad to get some, but clearly, he forgot again. Jason…” she says, giving him a chastising look to which he responds with a sheepish smirk.

“Sorry dear, I’ll run out and grab some.” Dad sighs looking longingly at the TV broadcasting a live football match of the team he supports—West Ham United.

I stare down at the pile of dirty dishes soaking in the sink. “That’s okay Dad, I’ll pop and get it.” I assure him and he smiles back at me gratefully. “I need to pick up some supplies I forgot to bring anyway.”

“You sure, sugar plum? I don’t mind going.”

“Yes daddy, I’m sure. Heaven forbid you leave for a minute and Defoe scores and you miss it.” I tease with a smile. Dad chuckles, blows me a kiss and turns his attention back to the TV and claps enthusiastically.

“That’s my girl.” He utters, pumping his fist in the air. “Come on you Hammers!”

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