Page 33 of When love and Hate Collide

“Dean…”

“JJ.”

“No,you can’t be. I would have known… you, you look so…” I stammer pathetically and look him over in absolute horror. Now I know it’s him, my brain is starting to pick up on the familiar mannerisms and features that seemed so familiar to me when I met him. Like his eyes, the dark curly lashes that I always said was wasted on him. And his smile, the dimples that appear under his eyes whenever he smiles—how did I miss all those things?!

Dean smirks and draws his lower lip between his teeth, “Different?” I press my palms together and bring it to my lips, praying to whoever is above that this is some sick, sick joke. “Losing three stone and packing on muscle mass can really transform a person.”

“Oh fuck,” My chest constricts and my mouth fills with saliva when my stomach churns unpleasantly. “No, this isn’t happening; this can’t be fucking happening.”

Dean looks at me sharply and narrows his eyes, images of us having sex, kissing and him making me climax moments ago floods my mind.

“I think I'm gonna be sick," I utter, pressing my fingers to my mouth.

“Oh, there you bloody are!” Ashlyn exhales when she turns the corner and spots Dean and I standing by the bathroom entrance. When she notices the grim look on my face her smile falters, and she turns to look over at Dean scowling. “Oh no...”

I can’t breathe, I need air. “Excuse me.” I push past them both and hurry toward the exit leaving Ash calling after me.

The fresh air hits me and I lean over placing my hands on my knees and suck in several deep breaths to calm myself down. I’m having some sort of panic attack. My emotions are spiralling and I can’t get them under control.

I slept with Dean. Goddamn it, I slept with my best friend’s brother—my childhood nemesis. The boy I spent my entire life loathing. “No, no, no, no.” I whimper, shaking my hands while I pace back and forth. “Oh God… oh God.”

Oh Jeyla, what have you done? What the fuck have you gone and done, you foolish girl.

“Jeyla?” I spin when I hear my name and sigh in relief when I see Oscar standing there, a look of concern on his face as he walks toward me. For a split second I thought it was Dean coming out to torture me. “What’s wrong kid? Are you okay?”

I exhale and force myself to nod. “I’m fine.”

Oz cocks his head to the side and smiles sympathetically, his kind brown eyes glittering, likely from the effect of the alcohol he’s consumed. “What did I tell you about lying to me?”

“Oskie, I'm fine, I just needed to get some air.” I assure him with a phony smile when he throws an arm around my shoulder. “What are you doing out here, shouldn’t you be in there getting stinking drunk?”

“Oh, I am, I’m two jaeger bombs away from becoming blotto.” He states with a snigger and shoulder bumps me. “I saw you legging it out here like someone lit a firecracker up your bum and wanted to make sure you were alright. Ash was coming after you, but I told her I’d check in on you.” I opt for staying silent and lower my gaze to stare at my feet. “Who upset my Jeykins? Tell me, so I can go and rip their heads off.”

I shake my head mutely and blow out a long, frustrated breath. I wish I could tell him everything that has happened, but I can’t. I can’t stomachanyoneknowing what Dean and I have done. “It’s nothing, I’m honestly fine.”

Oz shifts and moves to stand in front of me so he can face me properly. “Hey, since when have you not been able to tell me what’s bothering you?” He questions, his tone wounded. “Is it Dean?” My head snaps up so fast at the mention of his name that I almost give myself whiplash. The look of surprise in my gaze evidently answers his question and he nods in understanding. “I saw the two of you kissing earlier and now you’re all upset and he looks like he wants to murder someone.”

My mouth drops open and like a fish fresh out of water I gape at him, unsure of what to say. “You did?” he smiles, shoving his hands into the back pockets of his jeans while he regards me closely. I sigh, “Believe it or not I didn’t know it was him.”

Oz chuckles, “I know.”

When I give him a quizzical look he shrugs and goes on to explain. “Even I had a hard time recognising him and he’s my little brother. The little shit went and grew up and transformed into an action figure.” He jokes with a short laugh, and I smile faintly, shaking my head.

“Ugh Oskie, I feel really stupid, I should have seen it.” I whimper, rubbing my temples. “How could I be so blind?”

“Hey, come on, it can happen to anyone. Dean didn’t recognise you either. Besides, four years is a long time, people change as they grow up. Look how sexy I became over the last two years.” I couldn’t contain my laugh. “I’m fucking irresistible.”

Yes, he in fact is very irresistible. The teenager crushing on him growing up inside me marvels mentally.

If ever there was a choice of sleeping with one of the Reyes boys, it would always without a doubt be Oz.

“You were always sexy to me Oskie, you’ve just becomesexier.” I state playfully with a wink, and he beams proudly puffing out his now defined chest.

“Ahh, see, this is why you’re still my favourite girl.” I smile warmly when he draws me in for a tight hug. I melt into his embrace and sigh. “Everything is going to be okay. It was an honest mistake, only the three of us know, so bury it and move on,” he murmurs, burying his nose into my hair. I pull my head back and gaze up at him.

“Thank you, Oskie.” I pout. “I really love ya, you know.” I profess smiling up at him affectionately and his beautiful brown eyes light up with adoration.

Oscar murmurs, brushing a kiss to my forehead. “I really love you too, kid. Now, what do you say we have a couple of shots of something we’ll regret tomorrow and move this party to the dance floor?”

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