Love At First Hate (Love At Firsts Book 2)(15)



“Get a f*cking grip, Nate,” I whisper to myself and push from the door. I’m not sure how to feel about all of this. All I know is that I have to deal with the crazy woman upstairs.

I walk up the stairs and see her lying on my bed, crying her eyes out. I see red upon seeing the mess she created in my room. She threw some of my most prized possessions against the wall, like my first tattoo gun and a frame with my first flash tattoo sheet I ever drew, as well as my military tags and badges. Besides the frame, nothing broke, but it’s the fact that she’s wanting to destroy what is most valuable to me because I don’t want her that has me f*cking enraged. Despite me hating the fact that I was forced to join the military, it was the time I was the most content with my life because I was away from the cause of my daily struggle in life.

“Get out,” I say, my voice tight.

“Baby, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t. Get out now before I lose my shit.” I glare at her and pick up my tags.

“I didn’t mean to do th-”

“Get. Out. NOW!” I yell at her, and she cowers away from me. Good. Maybe she’ll finally get the message.

“I love you,” she says in her little voice, but I don’t buy it. She knew exactly what she was doing. She hasn’t been crying long either. Her eyes aren’t red, nor is her nose. It’s all for show, and I’ve had enough of her bullshit. I can’t end it now or I’ll end up saying or doing something I’d regret. I’m not a violent man, but she keeps pushing her luck every single f*cking day.

“Lindsey.” I stop her. She turns around, looking hopeful. “Give me my key back.” I hold my hand out, and she snarls at me. She reaches into her pocket and slams it in my hand.

“You can expect a call from your father tomorrow,” she spits at me and rushes downstairs.

“I know.” I blow out a breath and go after her to lock up. I hope she doesn’t have another spare key.

I put the leftover food in a container and put it in the freezer before grabbing some leftover pizza and heat it up. While it does, I clean up the dishes and turn on some music and remember to put it on low so I don’t disturb Matt. I wish I could blast some loud classic rock, but the last thing I want is to have Matt annoyed with me. One person for today is enough.

I eat my pizza and go to bed earlier than I usually would. I just want to forget about today…





Today is a new day, but last night’s talk with Nate is still playing on my mind. Who knew he was sexually curious about men? I guess it’s a common thing nowadays for men to be curious about how it would feel to be with a man, but I never suspected him to feel that way. I always thought he was the typical alpha man who can’t deal with a bit of flirting with another man, but he didn’t seem so against it last night.

I was half joking when I offered him a spot in my bed if he needed it, but for some reason, if it were to happen, I wouldn’t want it to be just a one-night thing. I mean he’s annoying just because he’s loud and screams randomly in the middle of the night, but I could forget about that very quickly. The man is sex on freaking legs. Tall, he towers over me and I’m six feet; short sandy blond hair, blue eyes, full lips, a bit of stubble, lean muscles, tattoos, thick thighs–just what I really like in a man. He just has something about him, a presence. From the little I know of him, he’s not very confident, but he screams confidence and power when you’re in the same room as him. As long as you aren’t a man and hit on him, then he goes all shy on you, but that’s another thing I really like about him.

Then there’s his girlfriend. She is one hell of a whiney bitch, worse than Gabby who could rival any of those socialites who are famous for no apparent reasons. I’m not going to name names, you know damn well who I’m talking about. I seriously wonder what the hell Nate is doing with her. She must have some secret skill to be able to keep him locked up tight.

After I had left last night, they exchanged some words and he kicked her out. I’m not sure if they ended things on good terms, but I’m glad he got rid of her. I’m not the jealous type, but I would have been after seeing his fine body, damn those abs. I guess I’ll figure out how things ended if he’s at the shop this morning after my interview with his boss.

Normally I’d do the interview on the opening night, but from what Tyler said, it’s going to be crazy busy. They have something special planned, so I figured getting a head start and just have a quick word with him on the day of the opening would be as good. Besides, when I go to an opening party, I want to have fun and not spend my night harassing people with my questions and shoving my camera in their face.

Switching my usual designer suit for a casual outfit isn’t something I do nearly enough, but I don’t think a Calvin Klein suit would be the appropriate attire for today. I’d look stuck up to go interview the owner of a tattoo shop dressed like that.

I put on black jeans that hug my ass perfectly—according to Haven and Jessica, a black vest top, and my trusted flannel shirt. I don’t wear it enough. I’m usually in smart clothes, but I feel the need for change. I don’t know why but upon looking at myself in my full-length mirror, I really enjoy this outfit. I complete it with a pair of black hi-top Converse, my leather jacket, and my black glasses. I’m too tired to wear my contact lenses today, and the frames finish my outfit perfectly.

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