Love At First Hate (Love At Firsts Book 2)(7)

Besides, have you seen the world we live in today? Why would I want to bring a child into a world where people shoot at each other for no reason? Blaming it on religion or who people decide to love and choose to spend their lives with.

I’m more than happy with the idea of spending my life alone with the occasional hookup. I’m not into the romance or the intimacy a relationship entails. I like my independence and my peace and quiet.

“Earth to Nate.” Ellie elbows me as I was staring out the window of the plane sipping on a beer.

“What?” I turn to her.

“You haven’t spoken a word since we got on the place. What’s up?”

“Can you tell I’m so super-duper excited to get home.” I fake being excited.

“Oh yeah, I can totally tell.” She chuckles. “Let me guess, Lindsey called you, and she’s the super-duper excited one?”

“You got that one right.” I sigh rubbing my face.

“Dump the whiney bitch already!” Ellie groans.

“I don’t know what’s worse. Handling her whiney ass on a daily basis or my father’s disapproval if I as much as think of dumping her.”

“Neither. You’ve got to do what makes you happy. You can’t let your father’s threats hang over your head like you’ve been doing since you were born, and let him ruin your life. You’re a great guy, and you’ll make someone happy one day. I know you don’t do relationships, but I’ll tell you. One day you’ll meet someone, and it’ll knock you off of your little fort you’ve built for yourself, and you’ll be flat out on your ass wondering what the hell happened to you.” She snorts.

“Says the woman who’s allergic to relationships and who’s avoiding her boyfriend at all costs.” I snort.

“It’s different.”

“How is that different?”

“He’s a twat,” she says in her British accent.

“Then why are you with him?” I chuckle at her lack of logic. She’s as bad as me.

“Sex is decent.” She shrugs.

“There must be more than that.”

“Alright, alright. I met someone else when I was at my sister’s wedding. He was one of the best men, and he’s a twat too, but a loveable one.”

“Doesn’t tell me why you’re still with Paul.”

“I’m not. I ended things just before we left.”

“And you didn’t think of telling me?”

“Why? So you could come onto me? I know I’m irresistible, but you’re not my type, Nate. Sorry to crush your hopes in such a heartless way.” She pats my hand, and we both laugh.

“You’re so f*cking evil to me. You know I’ve been mad over you since the first time I laid my eyes on you,” I say dramatically.

“I know! I’m just awesome.” She shrugs and pops a peanut into her mouth.

“You’re a bit awesome. So who’s this new guy?”

“I’m not telling you,” she says through gritted teeth.

“Why not? Do I know him?” I rub my tattooed hands together thinking of who it could be.

“Not going there.”

“Oh come on, you’re spoiling the little fun I have left until I see Lindsey.” I frown.

“He’s not worth talking about.”

“He must be since you’re still talking about him.” I chuckle.

“It’s complicated.” She sighs.

“Is he taken?”

“No, at least not that I know of.”

“Then what’s the issue?” I ask actually concerned.

“He just thinks he’s God’s gift to women.”

“Like most men do.”

“True, there’s just something about him that really makes me want to be with him, but the rest is just annoying the shit out of me.”

“You’ll learn to fall in love with those annoying things.”

“Why aren’t you falling for Lindsey then?”

“She has a big mouth.” I shrug.

“You’re a pig!” She slaps my chest.

“What? She does, have you heard her when she starts talking? There’s no stopping her!”

“I know, sadly, I know.” She sighs dramatically.

We spend the remainder of the flight talking about anything but our ‘love interests’. I’m still curious to know who she’s pining for. It’s not like Ellie to be acting like a lovesick teenager. The guy must be pretty special for her to be like that. As long as she’s happy, that’s all that matters.



Two hours later, I’m finally driving back home. I’m glad I left my car at the airport and didn’t accept Lindsey’s offer to drop me off. It would mean that she would have had to come pick me up, and I’m not ready to see her yet.

Don’t get me wrong—she’s gorgeous, but she checked out of Hotel Brainy years ago. She doesn’t talk about anything interesting or that has substance, and whenever I try to have a normal conversation with her, she changes the subject to wedding plans, having a baby, or fashion. Nothing I care about or want to engage in a conversation with her. I know she’ll talk about any of those for hours.