Collide (Collide #1)(101)

Gavin glared at his brother. "Don't even go there tonight."

Smiling, Colton casually leaned back in his seat. "I didn't say a word."

"Right, you don't have to," he replied, his voice holding a heavy warning. "Your face is reeking of it, and I'm seriously in no f*cking mood right now."

With a proper arch of his brow, Colton chuckled. "So, let me see, you're choosing the road that will inevitably leave you wallowing in your own self-pity?"

"You really have no f*cking clue, do you?"

"No, brother, I do. Like I told you earlier, either fight for her or just let her go."

Shaking his head, Gavin downed the third shot. "I don't need you schooling me on what to do, Colton."

"I know you don't, little man. However, you can try and drink Emily away all you want," he noted, giving a leisurely shrug, "or you can take advantage of the beautiful damsel in distress who's wiping mascara from her pretty eyes right about now inside the restroom."

"So now you want me to take advantage of women, huh?" he huffed as he cracked open his beer. "Not only are you annoying the f*ck out of me, but you're a walking contradiction."

Colton laughed. "You know what I meant. Take a chance on something that's more solid than what you're running after right now."

The nonchalant remark hit its target dead on, but Stephanie approaching the table saved Colton from being told off by his brother.

She took a seat across from Gavin and smiled. "I apologize for taking so long."

"No need," Gavin replied. "What can I get you to drink?"

"I'll take an Absolut and cranberry with a twist of lime."

Gavin motioned for the waiter and gave him her drink order.

Upon closer inspection, Gavin found her to be as beautiful as Colton said. Her rich chestnut hair was glossy despite being slightly mussed, and her light almond-shaped eyes edged with thick lashes would've normally had him pulling out a line or two - but not tonight. Unfazed and unaffected, Gavin kept the conversation with her to a minimum, instead focusing on the internal battle he was currently having with himself over Emily. Colton made sure to keep her entertained though, occasionally throwing a jab of humor directed at Gavin every so often.

As the evening wore on, Gavin noticed that Stephanie was staring in his direction more intently. Wanting to crucify himself for paying her no mind, he ordered another few drinks and tried to focus on her a little more. He learned that she was in school for journalism and would graduate the following May. Along with an older and younger brother, she was the middle child in her family and grew up in Lindenhurst, a moderately sized town on Long Island. She enjoyed fine arts, music, traveling, good food, family, friends, and lazy summer days.

Still, with all of the fine attributes that she clearly possessed, Gavin couldn't stop comparing her to what he wanted the most, craved the most, and what he unequivocally needed the most.

Emily...

There was no chill running down his spine when Stephanie spoke. Nothing lit up inside of him when she laughed. Even the slight touch she grazed on his arm every so often while she was talking did absolutely nothing for him.

Nothing.

For this, he felt like a total * for even carrying on a conversation with her because it was clear to him that she was interested.

And more clear to him that he wasn't.

Nonetheless - whether from the alcohol that had accomplished its purpose or because he'd finally convinced himself that having Emily in his life was a bad idea - by the end of the evening, Gavin found himself exchanging numbers with Stephanie.