Julian's POV
For a second, I forgot what I was supposed to say. Hell, I forgot how to breathe when I saw Catherine standing in front of my door.
Her hair fell in soft waves and her lips were painted with a shade that shouldn't have existed on an 18-year-old.
As my eyes subconsciously moved to her body, I swore my brain short-circuited.
She was in a dangerously short black dress with a slit that ran up her left thigh. The dress complimented her skin color in the best ways, and I couldn't help but wonder if she wore underwear.
DAMN! I could already feel my dick bulging. The thought of bending her over, pulling up the gown, and spanking her ass cheeks, hit me hard.
"Get a grip," I warned in my head. I wasn't supposed to look at her like that. I was supposed to play the perfect guy, the one who makes her fall, not the fuck boy who can't control his hormones but my mind, my hormones, my dick, clearly didn't care about my plans, because she looked like every sin I'd ever wanted to commit.
"Julian!" Sasha's high-pitched voice dragged me out of my thoughts. I didn't even need to turn around to know it was her. That annoying perfume of hers announced her before her voice ever did.
I clenched my jaw, instantly pissed. What the hell was she doing here? Why would Ethan invite her of all people? I ignored her, hoping she'd take the hint.
No such luck.
She appeared at my side, her fake smile stretching too wide. "Hey, Julie," she purred, acting like we were still something. "You came."
I bit back the urge to roll my eyes. "Don't call me that," I said flatly. "And what are you doing here?"
"It's a party, chill," she said, tossing her bleached hair over one shoulder. "I got an invite."
I highly doubted that. The bitch was doing everything she could to slither her way back into my life. I wasn't going to take back a whore who couldn't keep her legs closed, especially not after she slept with my so-called best friend.
"Julian," she sighed, stepping closer. "How long are you going to keep punishing me for one little mistake?"
That did it.
In one sharp motion, I grabbed her wrist and yanked her with me toward the far corner of the venue where the lights dimmed and no one could see. Her heels scraped the floor, but I didn't care. My blood boiled as I shoved her against the wall.
"Don't you ever call what you did a little mistake," I said through clenched teeth. "You humiliated me, Sasha. You made me a joke."
Her eyes widened, mascara already smudging. "I'm sorry, I—"
"Shut up." My voice was low and dangerous. "Stay the hell away from me. You're a tramp made for men to toss around, and I'm not interested."
She flinched, her mouth opening but no sound coming out. Good. I turned sharply, storming back toward the party before I did something worse.
I needed air, I needed space and for fuck sake, Catherine's body was still in my head.
The bass of the music vibrated through my chest as I pushed through the crowd. The second I spotted Ethan near the bar, I headed straight for him.
"Julian, man!" Ethan grinned, clearly tipsy, and opened his arms for a hug. "You made it! How long have you been here?"
"Yeah," I muttered, brushing past the gesture. "Why the hell did you invite Sasha?"
He blinked, looking all confused. "What? I didn't."
"She said you did."
Ethan frowned, leaning closer so he didn't have to shout over the music. "She's probably someone's plus-one. I didn't even know she was here. Dude, calm down."
"Calm down?" I scoffed. "You'd be pissed too if your cheating ex showed up to my party like she belonged here."
Ethan sighed. "Look, man. Don't let her ruin your night. We've got bigger problems."
That caught my attention. "What do you mean, bigger problems?"
"Collins," he said with a dripping tone. "He's here too, I guess as someone's plus one."
It hit me like a punch. "You've got to be kidding."
Ethan grimaced. "Nope. I just saw him about ten minutes ago. Didn't even know he's back in town, apparently his suspension is over."
My jaw clenched so hard it hurt. That arrogant bastard who thought the world revolved around him.
My mind juggled back to him making statements about taking Catherine to bed like he did with Sasha and instantly, my eyes searched the crowd. I didn't even know what I was looking for, but my instincts already screamed trouble.
And there it was. Across the room, near the lounge area, stood Catherine and Collins, holding a glass out toward her with that smug smile I hated. She was shaking her head, clearly uncomfortable, but he kept insisting, pushing the drink closer.
That was all it took.
I moved before I even realized it, anger pulsing through every vein. Some people stepped out of my way when they saw my face. I reached them in seconds, and without thinking, smacked the drink out of Collins's hand.
The glass shattered against the floor, the contents splattering across his shoes.
"She said no!" I roared. "What the fuck is wrong with you!"
The music didn't even cover it. Heads turned and some paused their conversations. Catherine's eyes widened in shock. She looked at me like I'd just done something wrong.
Why did she look like that? Why didn't she look relieved? I just saved her from this animal.
"Julian—" she started, with a tight voice but before she could finish, Collins straightened up, wiping his hand dramatically. "Catherine," he said calmly, ignoring me completely. "Don't get involved. It's fine."
She hesitated, caught between us. Then he leaned in close, his mouth brushing her ear as he whispered something I couldn't hear but I didn't need to.
Her lips curved into something that looked like a small smile and just like that, the last thread of control in me snapped.
I grabbed him by the collar, yanking him back so fast his smug expression vanished. "You think this is funny?" I hissed.
"Julian, what are you doing!" Catherine shouted but it was too late.
My fist connected with his jaw in one clean hit. The crack was louder than the music. Collins stumbled back, clutching his face, his eyes blazing with fury.
They gathered with gasps while Ethan cursed under his breath.
I didn't care. My hand throbbed, but the rush of adrenaline drowned it out. I could still hear Catherine's sharp intake of breath behind me, and when I turned to look at her, there was this mixture of fear and anger in her eyes.
I wasn't sure who she was mad at, Collins or me.