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“Oh, that’s mighty kind of you. Do you say that to all of the women who get within a foot of you?” I tease back, knowing this is how Slade has always been.
He’s still laughing when he begins to speak again, “It actually works ninety percent of the time.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“Dead ass serious.” He leans against the kitchen counter while he pours us both a shot.
“Jesus. You’re making me feel better already.”
“Yes, that’s the plan!” Emma slides up and swipes both of the shots from his hand before handing me one. She taps my tiny glasses with hers and then we both take the liquid back. “Now Slade, I love you and I missed your face so fucking much but you are not going to interfere with our mission tonight. We all three take the next shot and it’s when I’m slamming the shot glass back on the counter that I catch a glimpse of the real reason for all of my hatred of men.
“Fucking Brady is here.” I’m not sure if I said it out loud or if it was Emma but when Slade responds, I know this night is going to be living hell.
“How do you know Brady?”
CHAPTER 2
HADLEE
How do I know Brady… how should I even answer this? He was my first love. The guy who broke my heart and ruined me for all others. The guy I dream about and fight to forget each and every day. My first. The guy who was my everything… until he left me with nothing. Not a note. Not a call. Not a text. Not a fucking email. Nothing.
“How do you know Brady?” Emma questions Slade while I try my damnedest to gather myself. I’m sure I look completely together as I wipe this countertop clean of every single crumb I can see.
“He’s one of my guys.” Slade is vague and clearly intrigued by the slow delivery of his response. “Oh shit, you are Haddie.”
“What?”
“He slipped and said the name one drunken night but he doesn’t usually talk about his past. Hell, I don’t even know exactly where he is from.”
“I met him at college. We were supposed to move in together until he disappeared one day.”
“Small fuckin’ world.”
I can feel him watching my every move. God, the connection was always there. The damn connection that I’ve tried like hell and failed to sever for years. Why did it always have to be so hot with him.
Get yourself together Hadlee. Do not let him know what he does to you. He does not get this win.
“Shot.” Emma distracts me from my internal meltdown and I immediately take my third shot down, knowing this night is about to get very twisted.
I pour the fourth while I’m staring Slade in the face. “Do not block me, please. I need to have fun tonight, more than you’ll ever know.”
“If you keep drinking these shots, the only fun you’re gonna know is what it’s like hugging the damn toilet.” Slade pulls the shot glass from my hand and takes the tequila back.
“And with this many guys here, I promise you… that shit won’t be clean.” Emma hands her shot to a girl to her left before she starts dancing to the music, right in the middle of the kitchen.
I take this opportunity to slide out of the way and out the back door for some fresh air. The cool night air hits me and breaks apart that closed in feeling that was beginning to suffocate me. I’m about ten steps out when I hear the door slam behind me. I don’t have to look to know who it is. I can feel that it’s him.
My steps become quicker but they’re not fast enough. “Haddie.” His hand on my shoulder stops me mid-step.
“What do you want?” I turn around in a haste and glare right into his eyes. All of the sadness and hatred rush straight to the surface, leaving behind the love I once felt for this man. His face drops, guilt immediately flashing over his face as he takes in my expression.
“I just want to see you.” He moves to touch each of my arms simultaneously and I jerk back before he has a chance to touch me. He follows me with a single step, this time his hands both making connection with my arms. “To touch you.” His palms slide down as he pulls me closer and my body deceives me in every way. The warmth of his body against mine. The smell of his cologne shooting me straight back to the past when times were good just before reminding me of the shirt I hung on to for months after he left.
“You don’t get to do this.” I yank my arm from his hold and stomp away with the purpose of getting as far away from him as possible. “You don’t get to touch me or hold me… or freaking lift me around your waist anymore. I’m not yours.” I’m reaching for the door handle when he pulls me back once again.
“You’ll forever be mine.” His deep grumble heats my face as he speaks close to my ear.
“You lost me when you left, Brady. You don’t get to claim anything.” My breathy response frustrates me even further.
