Page 2 of Hate It with You

It isn’t until I watch as Theo throws a smug grin my way that I decide I’ve had enough of letting my brothers have the upper hand. After all, I certainly can’t look bad in front of the guests Roman essentially dared Theo to bring with him this year.

Whatever plan Theo has in place, it’s not my job to make a bad impression.

Taking long strides, I catch up to Theo, throwing off his balance as I wrap my arm around his shoulders. My moves are swift as I yank him down into a headlock. As usual, he tries to wiggle out of it, but my grip tightens as I fight Theo for the belt back.

He really should take training with me more seriously if it’s this easy for me to overpower him. Especially given how tall he is compared to my six-foot-one height.

After successfully wrestling the belt out of his hands, I sling it over my shoulder just as the music from my car cuts out. I don’t need to glance behind me to know that Leo is ensuring my Mustang is parked properly. Always the ever-responsible one.

I’ve been too preoccupied with my brothers to pay any attention to the two guests that have been standing in the driveway watching our display of testosterone. Still gripping Theo, I reach my hand out to the woman who’s stepped closer to us. I assume this is the woman who is supposedly his “girlfriend” per the family group chat.

Theo begins to talk, but when his voice comes out gurgled, I loosen my grip. It’s enough for him to push free and stand to his full height. He may be taller, but he knows I have years of training on him, so he steps away. I smile at my younger brother.

“Alex, this is Sienna, my girlfriend.” Theo’s tone comes out clipped, enough for me to know I should back off for the time being. Given the fact that I’m not a complete asshole, I oblige.

I reach my hand out, and Sienna meets me halfway to shake my hand. “It’s nice to meet you.” I throw a glance at Theo, and my suspicions are all but confirmed. They're more than likely not actually dating, but he sure as shit can’t take his eyes off her.

I don’t blame him. She’s certainly his type, with her slim build, darker skin tone, soft facial features, and dark brown curly hair. Her brown eyes that seem to be locked onto Theo every time she thinks he isn’t looking tells me he’s her type too. She’s cute, and their awkwardness at least assures me that this summer won’t be boring.

Sienna looks to her left, the opposite of where Theo stands, and my gaze follows hers.

When my light-blue eyes meet her deep-blue irises, my world is thrown upside down as her beauty threatens to knock me on my ass in front of everyone.

An idiot. That’s what I must be for not noticing her sooner. When her eyes stay locked onto mine, a glint of rebellion shining bright, the earth beneath my feet begins to melt away.

Her name. I must know her name.

Wanting to make a good impression, I use my signature line, deepening my tone just a tad.

“And you are? Single, I hope,” I say as I reach my hand toward her, punctuating my sentence with my best smile, lacing just enough lust through it to get my message across. Her eyes dart to the two doves permanently inked into my skin before she places her delicate hand in mine.

The moment our hands meet, a jolt of lightning is sent through my body. By the way her chest expands wide at our touch, her lips parting slightly, I know she felt it too.

She shakes my hand once before letting go. “Annoyed with your shitty-sounding car, nice to meet you.” Theo snickers beside me as my hand turns cold in her absence. My heart rate picks up at her response, a laugh building in my throat as she seemingly calls bullshit on the mask no one else has been able to crack.

I don’t even know her name yet, and she can see right through me. I like her already.

Smirking, I wait to see if she’ll eventually give me her name. Though when she finally breaks eye contact, I let my eyes wander before she has a chance to catch me. Something tells me she wouldn’t hesitate to land a fist to my jaw if she caught me looking.

Though I’d probably say thank you if she did.

Her brown hair cascades past her shoulders, framing her face in gentle waves that complement the season. Her T-shirt and shorts expose her lightly sun-kissed skin, decorated with tattoos much like mine. However, I’m quick to stop my mind from wondering what other tattoos hide beneath her clothing. Her thick but toned curves match her short frame perfectly, and I can’t help but focus in on the small strip of exposed skin around her abdomen.

Careful, Alex… you’re obsessing.

She readjusts under my gaze, the trail of piercings on her ear catching the sunlight just enough to pull my gaze toward her face again. A white flame lights in her blue eyes as her facial features turn up into a scowl as she looks back at me.

If I didn’t know any better, I’d think she wants nothing to do with me. Which would be true if she didn’t keep glancing at my lips, her body betraying her face as she leans in my direction ever so slightly.

I always did like a challenge.

“Beth, her name is Beth.” Sienna smiles as she wraps an arm around Beth’s shoulders.

Beth.

Short for Elizabeth, I’d assume, but that’s not enough. I need to know her last name. Her middle name. Where she grew up. What her favorite color is. What her tattoos mean. If there are any tattoos I can trace with my tongue.

Stop obsessing, Alex.