by Maris Black
I dug my heels into the floor for leverage and pulled against Leo. I almost called out to Gavin, but that was stupid, because I knew very well that he wasn’t there. I wanted him to be, though. He would get between us and make me feel secure again. He’d get Leo to shut up and stop making accusations.
“Let me go,” I said through clenched teeth, still pulling steadily against the grip Leo had on my wrist.
The bastard opened his fingers and released me on the spot, sending me reeling backwards, my chair balancing precariously on the back two legs. I grasped the table edge just in time to avoid crashing to the floor.
“That wasn’t very nice,” I said. “Why are you acting like this? I don’t get it.”
Leo raised an eyebrow. “You expect me to buy you dinner, compliment you, be interested in you, share myself with you, and yet you give all of your attention to someone else. How do you think that makes me feel?”
“I don’t know. I’m just really confused right now about what you’re saying. Maybe you just don’t understand what it’s like to be a twin. My brother will always be a part of my life, and I will always be a part of his.”
“Well, it seems like more to me,” Leo said.
“That’s ridiculous.”
It was a lame defense, and I meant to say more, but the waitress brought our food. Leo got a rib-eye with mashed potatoes, and I had a plate of tomato basil pasta. We ate in silence until Leo finished his food.
“I’m sorry,” he said, dabbing his lips with his napkin before letting it drop back into his lap. “I shouldn’t have said those things. Twins are different, like you said, and I’m just going to have to be more understanding of that if we’re going to see each other.”
“Thank you.” I wasn’t sure if that was the proper response to what he’d said, but nothing else came to mind.
“You do want to keep seeing each other, right? Because I definitely want to see you. In fact, I want to see you in bed next to me when I roll over tomorrow morning. How does that sound?”
That got my attention, but probably not in the way he had hoped. I laughed out loud. “How do you think we’d pull that one off, genius? You think no one would notice that I slept in your room? Drake is up your ass twenty-four-seven. There’s no way he would miss that little detail.”
“I don’t give a fuck about Drake.”
“What about the rest of the guys? They’ll freak out when they find out you’re gay. They already think I’m your little pet.”
“Is that what they call you?”
“Yes.” I twisted a bite of pasta onto my fork and shoved it into my mouth. “Well, Drake called me that a couple of days ago. And I get the feeling the others think so, too.”
“My pet,” Leo mused. “That could be fun. I’d love to see you get down on all fours and beg for a treat.”
I shook my head. “This is serious, Leo. Drake has been treating me like shit, and I think it’s because you and I are spending more time together. I think he might be jealous.”
“Of course he is. And he should be.”
I dropped my fork. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Just look at you, Bain. You’re the whole package. Talented, smart, rich, and hot. You’re perfect, and he knows he doesn’t have a chance as long as you’re around. His position has been challenged, and he knows I will choose you.”
“His position?”
Leo just stared at me, as if I ought to know what he meant.
“What position, Leo?”
He shrugged and wiped his mouth again even though he hadn’t eaten anything since the last time he’d done it. “His position as my favorite. And all that being a favorite entails.”
I couldn’t help showing my shock. “You and Drake?”
“It’s not what you think,” he said. “Drake and I have spent a lot of time together, and he’s very eager to please me in whatever way I will allow. From time to time, that has included things of a more personal nature.”
“You mean…”
“I’ve let him blow me a few times, no big deal. We’re not dating. Drake is simply willing to do anything to gain my favor.”
I covered my mouth with my hand and stared at him for a long moment before I was able to respond. “And he thinks I’m blowing you now.”
“Is that such a bad thing? I mean besides the fact that he may want to beat your ass.”
“Or push me down the stairs,” I said. “Let’s not forget what happened on our way out tonight. At the time I thought it was an accident, but now I’m not so sure.”
“Oh, come on.” Leo smiled. “That’s a bit farfetched, isn’t it? Drake may be jealous, but I don’t think he would do something so malicious. And besides, the timing was too spontaneous. He would have to be much more coordinated than he is to pull off a stunt like that.”
I wasn’t so sure, but I let it go. No sense arguing the point with Leo when he clearly didn’t even consider it an option, but I would certainly be looking at Drake with new eyes. Some of the things he’d said were striking me differently now and making more sense. He and I had been in a battle for Leo’s affections, and I hadn’t even realized it.
CHAPTER 12
(BAIN)
AFTER WE left the restaurant, I relaxed into the passenger seat of the BMW with my eyes closed, hoping to avoid conversation. When the car stopped and the engine went silent, I opened my eyes to discover that we were not at Otranto but rather a hotel called The Hilltop. It was fancy for the area, and the parking lot was practically empty compared to the Budget Inn across the street.
“What are we doing here?” I asked, alarmed.
Leo chuckled. “What do you think we’re doing here? I told you I intended to wake up with you in my bed.”
“But I didn’t say yes.”
“You didn’t say no, either,” he pointed out. “You asked how we would pull it off, and this is how. No one will see you taking the walk of shame from my room, because neither of us will be there.” He climbed out of the car.
I got out, unsure of what else to do. “Gavin will be waiting. He’ll be worried.”
“Text him and tell him you’re not coming home,” Leo said. It was an obvious solution, and yet I didn’t want to do it. I wanted to go back to our room and tell Gavin what an awkward date I’d had. I wanted to apologize for the awful things I’d said and tell him he’d been right.
And God help me I wanted to see him in those jeans again.
“Go on up to the hotel, Bain. I’ll get the suitcase.” Leo circled to the trunk and opened it. “There’s a little surprise in here for you, so don’t look.”
But I was already standing beside him, peering into the trunk as Leo removed the small black suitcase and set it on the pavement. Then he reached in and grabbed a fancy box that had been wedged in between a rolled-up tarp and a box of household cleaning supplies and black latex gloves.
I laughed. “Do you make extra money hiring yourself out as a maid?”
“Don’t tell anyone.” Leo shut the trunk and winked. “Actually, I’m something of a clean freak when it comes to my car. I’m borderline obsessive about it.”
“I hope you’re not planning on using that bleach on it. I may not know much about cars, but I’m pretty sure bleach would mess it up.”
He rolled his eyes. “I would never use some of those things on my car, but I keep all of my cleaning supplies in one place. Now come on, let’s get inside. When I booked this room, I didn’t imagine we’d be standing in the parking lot debating the appropriate use of bleach.”
I followed him inside and stood silently as he checked us in. Then the elevator took us to the second floor. Our room was nicely decorated, if a little outdated, with a blue floral sofa, a tiny kitchenette, and a king bed. One large window overlooked the parking lot.
“It’s not the Ritz, but it’s the best I could do,” Leo said. “Hope you like it.”
“It’s nice,” I said, feeling nothing but apprehension.
Leo push
ed the box he’d removed from the trunk into my hands. “Are you ready to open your present?”
“Ummm… sure.” I didn’t want to open anything. I wanted to go home. But I removed the lid from the box and discovered an expensive-looking bottle of wine and two glasses.
“I wanted to celebrate in style,” Leo said. “Do you like red wine?”
I nodded even though I fucking despised red wine.
“Good. I got a very nice bottle for us.” He set the bottle on the coffee table, poured two glasses, and handed me one.
I swirled the liquid around in the glass, remembering the mushroom tea from initiation night. “Are you sure this doesn’t have any mushrooms in it?”
Leo laughed. “You just watched me break the seal and pour the wine into our glasses. What do you think?”
I leaned back against the firm sofa cushion and took a swallow, trying to calm my nerves. Why was I being so jumpy? I told myself that Leo was trying to show me a good time and that I should appreciate it.
“Not bad,” I said, squelching the urge to gag and hoping it would taste better after a few swallows. “I don’t really know anything about wine, though. In a taste test of a cheap one versus and expensive one, I wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. My parents are the connoisseurs of all things cultured, but I’ve never really cared about that kind of stuff. Gavin, on the other hand, knows a lot about wine and fashion. He gets cranky if he doesn’t have the latest and greatest of everything. Designer this, designer that.”
“I wear designer clothes.” Leo downed his wine and set the glass on the coffee table, the click of glass on wood distracting in the silent room. I finished my own in several huge gulps and placed my glass next to his.
“I know you dress well, but for Gavin it’s different. It’s part of his identity. Everybody in school looked up to him, copied him, idolized him from afar. Fashion and film and his rock star attitude— that’s who his is. I know he comes off like an asshole who doesn’t give a shit about anyone but himself, but he’s really a good person. The best person I know.”
Leo frowned. “Could we leave your brother out of the conversation for one night? Even when he’s miles away, he’s still cockblocking me.”
I laughed, hoping I didn’t sound as nervous— or guilty— as I felt. “I was just trying to explain what makes him tick. Maybe if you understood him, you two would get along better.”
Leo slid closer and put a hand on my thigh. “I got a hotel room for us, Bain. Do you think I was planning on talking about your brother all night? I want to drink a little wine, get comfortable, and find out if you taste as good as you look.”
I didn’t mean to, but I leaned away from him. It didn’t go unnoticed. I could see it in the way Leo’s eyes hardened and his fingers gripped my thigh just a little tighter.
“I’m sorry,” I said. “It’s just that this is all new to me. I already told you I haven’t dated anyone, and we’ve already established that I’ve never done what you probably have in mind for tonight. I’m nervous, okay?”
“No need to be nervous. I’ll take good care of you.” He scooted closer and leaned in to kiss me. Just as his lips brushed mine, I jumped up from the sofa.
“I need to go call Gavin and tell him where I am. He was expecting me home after dinner, and he’ll be worried sick when I don’t show up.”
Leo sighed irritably. “Text him. Tell him you’re with me and that you won’t be coming home. He’s your brother, not your father.”
“I know that, but it’s a little rude to text. He’ll have questions, and I don’t want him to worry about me. He’ll be calling all night if I don’t talk to him and explain. Don’t worry, I’ll only be a few minutes.” I pulled my phone from my pocket and headed toward the bathroom.
“You have to go in there to talk?” Leo called from behind me, suspicion apparent in his voice.
I didn’t answer. When I got into the bathroom, I clicked the door shut behind me, turned the lock, and hit the shortcut on my phone to direct-dial Gavin. When he answered, I spoke in a low, frantic tone. “Help me. Leo brought me to a hotel room, and I’m not comfortable. What should I do?”
“What?” Gavin’s anger came across the phone. “Which hotel?”
“The Hilltop, right across from the Budget Inn. God, I was so stupid to agree to go out with him. Now he’s got wine, and he’s expecting me to… you know. I thought I could go through with it. I thought I was ready for sex, but I’m not. At least not with him.”
“Sit tight. I’m coming to get you. Just act like nothing is wrong, okay? But don’t let him near you.”
“I don’t know, am I being rude?” I whined. “I feel like I led him on, and now I’m in an awkward situation. Why did I agree to go out with him? You tried to talk me out of it, and I didn’t listen. Am I going to be the biggest asshole on the planet if I say no to him? Am I being irrational?”
“Stop it right now, Bain. You have nothing to feel bad about. Just listen and do exactly what I tell you to do. Tell that bastard you called and told me where you were. Tell him I didn’t seem happy about it, but don’t say anything more. Then when I get there, you need to act like you had no idea I was coming. Got that? Just text me the room number, and I’ll take care of everything.”
“Thanks, Gav. See you soon.” I hung up and texted him the room number. Then I took a deep breath and stepped out of the bathroom to face Leo and pretend I hadn’t just called my brother to rescue me like some scared little kid.
When I reached the sofa, Leo held out a fresh glass of wine to me. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah,” I said, sipping the wine and wincing at the bitterness that had gotten worse instead of better. “I mean, Gavin wasn’t happy about me staying out, but…” I trailed off, because those were the only details Gavin had given me about what I was supposed to say. I wasn’t going to stray from that.
“It’s none of his fucking business,” Leo said. “He needs to learn that you are an individual, and you deserve to have a life out of his shadow. I hate seeing him lord over you like he does, Bain. He thinks he’s the boss, and you’re supposed to do everything he tells you. He thinks you aren’t strong, but you are.”
It was uncanny how Leo had pulled words directly from actual conversations between Gavin and me. I wondered for a moment if he was psychic, or if he was just right. I did feel like everyone including Gavin viewed me as the weak one, and Gavin had just ordered me to do what he said. But I had asked for his help.
“Drink up,” Leo said. “I didn’t mean to go off. This is supposed to be a great night for both of us. Let’s not let Gavin spoil it for us.”
I nodded and took another sip of the wine, trying not to drink it as fast as the first glass. I didn’t want to get tipsy and let something happen. I knew I didn’t want to do anything with Leo, and the more time passed, the less I wanted to. I just wanted to go home, cuddle up with Gavin in one of our beds, and watch a movie.
CHAPTER 13
(GAVIN)
WHEN I arrived at the Hilltop Inn, I tore out of my car, not bothering to lock it, and ran into the hotel. Bypassing the front desk, I hopped on the elevator, and within sixty seconds I was banging on Leo’s room door. I heard shuffling from within the room, and then the door swung open.
“He’s in the bathroom,” Bain said, his words slurred. “What took you so long? I thought you were just going to leave me here.”
Leo came out of the bathroom like a bat out of hell, followed by the sound of the toilet flushing. “What the fuck is going on? Gavin, why are you here?” He ran a hand through his hair and crossed his arms over his chest, looking nervous and guilty as hell. “Bain, come over here.”
I grabbed Bain by the arm and stayed him. “He’s not going anywhere but with me. He’s not ready for this, and you’re not going to manipulate him into doing something he’s not comfortable with.”
“He wants to be here,” Leo said. “Don’t you want to be here, Bain? Remember what we talked about. You can
make your own decisions without his input. He’s only trying to control you.”
“Boys, stop fighting over me,” Bain said, his words a drunken blur of vowels and consonants. “Leo, thank you for the date, sir. But I’m sleepy now. I don’t think you’re going to find out if I look as good as I taste tonight. Gotta go to bed.” He leaned heavily against me and put his arms around my neck. “So sleepy, Gav.”
I encircled his waist with my arms and pulled him closer, glaring at Leo over Bain’s shoulder. “You thought you could get my brother drunk and take advantage of him? Thank goodness I had the sense to come over here and see what was up.”
Leo held his hands up. “Whoa. Slow down there, cowboy. Your brother did what he wanted to do. We had a nice dinner, and then I offered him some wine. It’s not my fault he can’t handle his alcohol. He was perfectly cool with everything up until now.”
I remembered Bain’s frantic words when he’d called me, and I couldn’t come up with any words to argue with Leo. It wasn’t worth it. He clearly thought Bain had welcomed his attentions, and to an extent he had. He’d apparently flirted with him, and he’d agreed to go out on the date in the first place, so there wasn’t much I could say. I just walked Bain out and slammed the door behind us. Bain wouldn’t let go of my neck, and I had to slow-dance him onto the elevator and through the lobby.
“Jesus, Bain,” I whispered against his ear. “How much have you had to drink?”
“Nothing.” He giggled. “Not that much.”
“Yeah, I can see that.”
I loaded Bain into the passenger seat and walked around to my side, but I pulled up short when something small and white caught my eye. It was tucked in right in front of the rear driver’s side tire. I bent down to inspect it, wondering if a fast food bag had blown over and gotten lodged, or if someone had stuck something under there to damage my tire when I tried to drive away. But when I reached out, it moved, and I realized it was a tiny kitten. It turned its head around to look up at me, its eyes glistening in the pale street light. It alarmed me that it didn’t try to run away, and my first thought was that it was sick.
