The Hottie Next Door

Chapter 8: If only it was just a dream

Chapter 8

A/N: WTH, THIS SENTENCE DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE, BUT I'M GONNA LEAVE IT HERE SO YOU CAN LAUGH!

With the door handle in my left hand and my hands resting on my hips, I knew there was no way I was escaping this evening. I awkwardly laughed and opened the door wider to reveal my very dressed-up neighbor, Jax, holding a bottle of wine.

I glanced back at Ewan, who had disappeared, then turned my attention back to... this thing. I groaned and squinted, knowing he probably had another plan brewing in his head.

After a few seconds, I felt a hand press against my spine. I whipped my head around, and my hair swished with me, almost giving me whiplash.

Ewan.

Why am I not surprised to see him standing next to me?

"Who's this?" Ewan asked, glaring at Jax with a straight face. I took a moment to actually look at Ewan, noticing the small freckles that made him look even more cute than usual.

"Who the hell is this?" Jax growled in a husky voice, making his intentions clear—he wasn't here to mess around.

"None of your business," I shot back loudly.

"Ah, sweetheart, I know you missed me. It's okay," Jax said with a smirk.

I scrunched my face up and scoffed. "Who said she's your sweetheart? I think you should leave."

I could feel the tension building—manly tension—and I seriously hoped this wouldn't turn into a Bella, Edward, and Jacob situation. That movie ruined so many ships and made me want to scream.

I squeaked as Jax pushed past Ewan, shoving his shoulder. Reflexively, I stuck my leg out, and Jax stumbled, losing his balance. I silently smiled as he shot me a glare, throwing me a dirty look.

"You didn't answer my question," he said, looking down at me with a smile that was way too smug for my liking.

I smiled back and whispered, "An arsehole."

Jax seemed to finally realize that he had crossed the threshold and stepped into the dining room, where my mum was happily talking with the guests. She looked excited, as if Christmas had come early. I sighed—this was going to be a rough night.

My mum quickly ushered Jax to sit next to me, while the older guests retreated to the living room for tea. I was stuck between Jax and Ewan. I wanted to hide, feeling the wave of egotistical pride radiating off both of them. I slumped lower in my chair and stared at my food.

"You're seriously not going to eat?" Jax asked, his tone not even trying to be polite. "I'm not that bad."

I glanced at Ewan and shook my head in response.

Jax, who was watching the commotion unfold, suddenly grabbed my wrist under the table. My eyes widened as I tried to pull my hand away from his tight grip. I winced in pain as his hold tightened. Without thinking, I stepped on his foot to make him let go.

Then I felt another tug on my other hand. I turned my head and saw Ewan glaring daggers at Jax. I knew it was a "manly pride" thing, but hadn't they forgotten that I'm not a thing? What kind of idiot grabs someone else's hand without permission?

Without a second thought, I kicked both of them in the shin and laughed when they winced in pain and stared at me, wide-eyed in shock.

I shook my head. When will guys ever get a brain? I knew guys weren't the brightest—at least not when it came to basic common sense—but I really wished they could understand how annoying their behavior was.