by JA Low
“Ignore him,” Axel states. “He has no filter.” The twins glare at each other, like they do most days.
“You should jam with us after school,” Evan tells him. He frowns for a moment, looking a little confused.
“You sure? I mean you just met me.”
“Dude, your skills are mad, of course we want to hang out. Did people not do that back in wherever it is you came from,” I add.
“I’m originally from Germany, but we’ve been living in London for the past two years and the school I went to, let’s just say because I didn’t have a butler or a summer house in France, I wasn’t included in a lot of things.” We all stare at each other blankly because that world seems so foreign to us.
“We have no butlers or even know where France is, but we have football, cheerleaders and fucking music, that’s what we can offer you here,” Christian explains to Oscar.
“I think I can handle that.” Oscar smiles at us all, the wall he just had up looks like it might have shifted for a moment.
“I just have to go home and grab my bass,” Oscar explains as we exit the school gates.
“Where do you live?” Evan asks.
He frowns for a moment, as if he is trying to work out where the hell his actual house is.
“Um, I think Honeysuckle Lane.”
“Dude, that is like next street from ours and same street as Finn.” My stomach sinks for a moment, he’s a new kid, we had people move in next door, this all could be a complete coincidence but…then my skin prickles again.
“Isla,” Oscar calls out as he moves away from the group. That’s when I see the angel again. Her face lighting up when she sees Oscar, then those blue eyes fall onto me. Shit. They know each other.
“Isn’t that your new next door neighbor,” Christian whispers to me.
“I think so.”
“How does Oscar know her?” I watch as they start to talk to each other in another language.
“Shit, I think that’s his sister.”
Dammit, sisters are off limits, just my fucking luck.
“I’m so looking forward to Tracey’s party,” Christian says excitedly as we jam in his garage. We’ve been coming over to his house every afternoon after school for years. Now that Oscar has joined us, turning our band from four to five is going to take a little getting used to, but he fitted in fine after our first jam session.
“This summer is going to be epic, nothing but music, parties, beer and chicks,” Evan adds giving Christian a high five.
“Please, you have your eye on that Hailey bird,” Axel teases Evan, whose cheeks have turned a bright shade of pink.
“Yeah, well, at least there is a chance that I’m not going to be a virgin by the end of summer,” Evan says cockily.
“As if I’m a virgin.” Axel rolls his eyes at us.
“Who? Who the fuck did you sleep with?” Christian questions his brother.
“I don’t want to say.” Axel’s eyes narrow at his brother.
“Seriously? I don’t believe you. Tell us,” Evan taunts.
“I don’t think someone is going to like who it was with.”
“Who?” Christian yells at his brother.
“Tracey Wilcox.” Axel says her name and Christian launches himself at his brother, the two of them scuffle and we try and pull them apart.
“You fucking fucker. You knew I liked her, you knew I had a crush on her. Why?” Evan holds Christian back.
“How the fuck did you think I got us this gig?” Axel tells him. We are all a little stunned. Christian pulls himself from Evan’s hands and storms off.
“Seriously, dude. That’s your brother, your fucking twin. Aren’t you supposed to look out for him?” I ask Axel.
“She wasn’t interested in him. He never stood a chance,” Axel adds.
“So, doesn't mean you had to sleep with her,” I argue.
“We needed this.”
“At the cost of your brother, that’s cold man,” I tell him and Axel looks a little ashamed of his actions.
“What’s done is done,” Evan adds. “Give Christian time to cool off, he will come around.” He’s a pretty laid back kind of guy but he genuinely liked Tracey, I’m not sure if he is going to get over it quickly this time. We continue packing up our stuff, waiting for Christian to return.
“Sorry about that guys.” Christian comes back into the garage.
“Chris, I’m sorry, man.” Axel attempts to apologize to his brother. “I just wanted to protect you.” Christian looks up at Axel and gives him a look.
“I don’t think I like your definition of protection, Axe.” There is steel to his words.
“I know, I’m sorry. But she wasn’t right for you.”
“And that should have been my lesson to learn. You are only a couple minutes older than me not years, so stop acting like my older brother. I’m not some stupid kid that can’t work his own shit out.”
“Okay, I’m sorry.”
“Whatever, there’s going to be so many chicks there and after they see me on stage, they are all going to want a piece of this. Tracey Wilcox is going to be sorely mistaken when she realizes she fucked the wrong twin.”
181
Finn
“Welcome to our home,” Mom sings when Oscar’s parents arrive at our front door. I hear them exchange pleasantries with his family, but my nerves are on edge, waiting for Oscar’s sister to arrive. Every night for the past couple weeks we have caught each other through the window. I watch as she moves around her room, which is totally creepy. Then when we get to school we pretend the other doesn’t exist. She’s a couple years younger and Oscar is kind of protective of her at school, especially where guys are concerned.
“Stop staring at her like that.” Hudson elbows me. “That’s your friend’s sister, hooking up with her is only going to lead to problems.”
“I don’t want to hook up with her.” Hudson gives me a look like he doesn’t believe me, I wouldn’t believe me either, because Isla is beautiful. She’s wearing skin tight jeans that are molded to her thin body, making her legs look a mile long, and a pair of pink converse. My eyes trace up her body, to where the tiniest bit of tanned, toned stomach peeks out from her shirt. I swallow because as much as I want to I can’t take my eyes off of her. Her blonde hair is dead straight, no make-up on, unlike the other girls at school, and the most beautiful ice-blue eyes. Finally, as my eyes settle on her face, she gives me a shy smile; the tiniest hint of a blush flushes her cheeks. Right then and there, like an arrow to my heart, I was in lust or maybe love, who knows, it was a new feeling.
After dinner Mom suggested that we go hang out in the basement and get out of their hair. Our parents were getting on really well, counting by the number of bottles of wine they had all consumed. My younger brothers went to bed and Hudson made his excuses as he went out with friends. It was just Oscar, Isla and I. We sat and watched TV, they talked about growing up in Germany and England, and how excited they were about being in America and wondered if it was just like the movies. Then when Oscar and Isla spoke to each other in German, I’m not going to lie, my dick twitched, which is really unfortunate as a teenage boy. I can’t control shit with my hormones as they are. Isla excuses herself to the bathroom and I watch as she leaves the room. Oscar punches me in the arm, that fucking hurt.
“Stay away from my sister,” he warns me. I splutter over my words, trying to hide the fact that I think his sister is the hottest girl in the world. “She’s only fourteen, way too young for you.” I could see the rage sitting behind the boy giant’s eyes. I like Oscar, he’s cool, but I like his sister as well. But we also need Oscar in our band, I can’t mess that up over some chick. I let out a sigh.
“I promise, dude, she’s not my type anyway.” The wooden floor creaks behind me. Oscar and I turn our heads and see Isla standing there. Shit, shit, shit, her face falls a little; she heard what I said about her.
“I was just coming in to say goodnight. I’m going to bed.”
I nod my head in silence, she gives me a sad look, flips her blonde hair and walks out of the room.
A month later
“You guys made it.” Christian smiles as he pulls us into a bro hug. “This party is going off.” He grins. Tracey’s backyard is filled with horny teenagers enjoying the hot night with cheap beer, loud music and next to nothing outfits. “So many hot chicks.” He points to the girls in their bikinis. We survey the backyard and he’s right, everyone from school is here and looking fine. “This is the start of the most wicked summer ever,” Christian hollers.
“Come on guys, we have to get ready for our set,” Axel tells us, his face serious.
“That was fucking epic,” Evan screams at us as the crowd goes crazy after our last song.
“We fucking rock,” Christian yells.
“So much pussy.” Axel points to the girls standing before us, our first groupies.
“I see one girl that has my name written all over her.” Evan places his guitar on the stage and moves toward Hailey, whose eyes widen as he walks right up to her and kisses her. We all holler after him, the adrenaline giving him the balls to go after his crush.
“Tonight is going to be a great night.” Oscar looks out to the girls in front of us who are waving at him. But his attention is pulled from them by someone else, his face clouds over.
“What the fuck is she doing here?” I follow his gaze and find Isla standing with some girls and a bunch of guys standing beside them chatting, one of them makes her laugh, and hearing it twists my gut. There’s steam coming from Oscar’s ears as he stomps over to where they are standing. I run after him because in the short time I’ve known him I’ve realized what a short fuse he has when it comes to his sister. Oscar starts speaking to Isla in German which none of us have any idea what he’s saying, but the tone kind of gives it away, as does Isla’s hands on her hips.
“I’m sorry, I brought her here,” a tiny voice echoes from behind Isla. “I had to drop something off for my sister.” This black haired little mouse of a girl steps out and toward Oscar. His attention is pulled away from his sister, his glare directed at the tiny thing. “We were just leaving when I ran into some guys from chess club, we were talking about next week’s tournament,” Claire, I think her name is, explained. “Isla wanted to watch you finish your set, she’s super proud,” she tells him, calming Oscar down. Who the hell is this girl? She would make an awesome hostage negotiator because Oscar is smiling.
“You saw me?” I can hear the pride in his voice.
“Yeah, you sounded really great,” Isla adds, giving her brother a blinding smile.
“Now that it’s over we are going to leave,” the small girl says. Oscar pauses for a moment, takes a look around the party.
“You might as well stay, seeing as you are here.” He rubs the back of his neck.
“Really?” Isla seems shocked.
“Just this once,” he warns her. Isla throws her arms around him. “Just stay safe, don’t drink and don’t talk to any boys.” Isla just shakes her head in agreement.
“Go have fun, I can see you have an adoring fan base to look after.” Isla looks over to a group of girls that are standing off to the side eyeballing her.
“Looks like I do. Don’t wait up, sis.” Oscar kisses her forehead and waltzes off to the group of girls. Isla’s face drops when she sees me.
“I think they’re waiting for you as well. They look like they might be your type.” And with that barb she turns on her heel and disappears into the sea of kids. I’m guessing she isn’t quite over my comment then.
“Dude.” Oscar pulls me aside. “I need a favor.” He’s probably wondering why I don't have a girl on my arm like him, but none of the girls hold my interest. “Deanna wants to take me for a ride.” He wiggles his eyebrows. I look over his shoulder and see her twisting her brunette hair around her fingers.
“Good for you,” I tell him. “Losing your virginity tonight, man.” Oscar looks at me strangely.
“Dude, I lost that a long time ago. I ain’t no virgin. Those rich chicks in London, they’re frisky as.” Okay, wow. Guess I’m the only virgin around here then. “Anyway, Isla needs a lift home, can you give her one?” My eyes widen. What the hell?
“You want me to drive your sister home?” I need to clarify it for myself that I heard him right.
“Yeah, man. I trust you. Unless you picked up?” He looks around me trying to see if anyone is there.
“Nah, not tonight. Guess no one is that into drummers,” I joke, but in reality, this drummer is just not that into anyone else who isn’t some German blonde who lives next door.
“Cool, so you’ll do it?” He looks at me hopefully. How can I stand in his way of getting lucky?
“Of course.” He slaps me on the back.
“I owe you.” I nod as I watch him retreat into Deanna’s arms.
“Guessing my brother isn't my ride anymore.” Isla’s voice makes me jump.
“Nope, guess you’re stuck with me.” She looks me up and down, but stays quiet. We stride off toward the street where I parked my truck; I open the door for her and help her into my beast. The ride home is met with silence, no small talk, nothing. I’ve never been more thankful for seeing my street than I am at this moment. All the lights in our homes are out, everyone long gone to bed.
“So here we are.” I pull up to the curb.
“Thanks.” She starts to undo her seat belt.
“I’m sorry you heard what I said to your brother,” I blurt out. The thoughts have been going over and over in my head. This stops her. “It’s not that I don’t think you’re my type, it’s that I do.” I stare out the front window, too scared to look at her.
“You do?” Disbelief fills her words. I finally get the courage to turn and look at her. I’m stunned by her beauty.
“I think you are one of the prettiest girls I’ve ever met.” My heart is thumping inside of my chest confessing this to her. Isla’s hand rests on mine which is gripping the gears of my truck for support. A jolt of electricity shoots through my body from her soft touch.
“I think you’re pretty cute yourself.” I know I shouldn’t be thinking about kissing her right now and what I’m doing goes against bro code. But Isla surprises me and leans over, her lips meeting mine in a chaste kiss. She pulls away quickly before I get a chance to kiss her properly, I can see she is flustered and is trying to get out of the car quickly.
“Isla.” She turns her head; her cheeks are flushed pink. I pull her face to mine and kiss her, properly, the way I’ve been dying to kiss her for weeks, ever since the night I laid eyes on her through my window. Our mouths open, our teeth clash as we try and work out how to maneuver each other. She tastes like mint, pure and fresh, I could get giddy on that taste for the rest of my life. We eventually pull away, both of us breathing heavily.
“That was…” No words come to mind, I’m concentrating on keeping my dick from poking my eye out, it’s ram rod straight in my jeans.
“Perfect,” she finishes for me.
“Yeah, so perfect I want to do it again.” Her eyes widen in shock as I lean over and kiss her again and again and again. We spend the rest of the night in my truck making out and it is perfect.
182
Isla
Two years later
I’m standing in the living room of our home watching Oscar and Finn have photos with their prom dates. Wishing that it was me on Finn’s arm instead of Britney Marshall, the head cheerleader and Finn’s on/off girlfriend. Two years ago we kissed, the most amazing kiss I have ever had, I never wanted it to end but it had to. I told him it could never happen again, we both knew it was because of my brother, especially now that they have a band together. In the past Oscar has found it hard to make friends, and the group he hung around with in London, well they were pretty bad, bored rich kids. I didn’t like the guy he was turning into around them, but with Finn and the other Dirty Texas boys, he’s changed, he’s back to the old Oscar he used to be,
no longer brooding, no longer getting into trouble. If that means sacrificing whatever was happening between Finn and I then I was going to do it. Oscar saved me from a stupid situation I had gotten myself into with one of his friends, they were older, sophisticated, and the hottest guy on campus liked me, wanted me, and stupidly I thought we would live happily ever after. But in reality I was just a conquest, one that Oscar saved me from. So he’s a little protective over me now.
I haven’t sat here pining away for Finn Connolly, though. I’ve dated some guys over the past couple of years since our kiss. I haven’t gone all the way with them just some heavy petting, because if I’m honest the person I want to lose my virginity to is Finn. That is never going to happen, but I can’t help wanting it. I hide the crush I have on him deep down inside, especially now that we are friends. Yes, I like to torture myself by continuing a close friendship with a guy that I want more than anything but can’t have. We text each other most days about random stuff, I hang out at Christian and Axel’s place and watch them practice, they are really good. I honestly believe they are going to be big someday, all the guys are so talented. What I do hate is watching his girlfriend Britney all over him during practice, she likes to make sure that the star quarterback and future rock god is hers. The bending over in her cheerleading outfit, exposing her G-string clad ass to him while he’s drumming is a little over the top, especially when she does it in front of all of the boys. She’s such a slut, mind you she isn’t the only girl acting like that. The amount of girls now that hang out at Christian and Axel’s garage where they rehearse has exploded, wearing skimpy clothes, heaps of make-up, push up bras pulled tight they nearly burst out of their tanks trying to get their attention. Pathetic. Oscar, of course is loving his new rock god status, if the crying girls leaving messages for him or talking to me about him are testament to his player way. I’ve lost count on how many suck up to me to try and get an in with my brother. I’m not stupid.
