“No offence, but you look like you’re going to puke,” Law says.
“Yeah, I’m just thinking about how they’re going to eat me alive tomorrow.”
“Lead with the verb joke.”
“Sure, because joking about sex won’t get me fired or anything.”
Reed: I want to kiss your brother. I guess if you and I had spoken instead of hooked up, I would’ve found out you have a twin brother who’s a teacher. Small world, right? Anyway, he gave me some pointers and I had a much better second day at work. Wanted to tell him thanks, when I realised I don’t have his number. Hope this is okay, because I know he lives with you. I’m not a crazy stalker, I swear.
I’m not a crazy stalker? Who says things like that? Right—crazy stalkerish people.
Anders: I dunno. Only crazy people think my brother is wisdomous and shit.
Reed: He speaks! Err … texts.
Anders: Uh, yeah. Sorry for ghosting on you. I know you’re new in town, but now you have Law, right?
Reed: I think I need aloe for that burn.
Anders: I mean because you guys have more in common.
Reed: Shame he’s the straight brother.
Anders: Sorry.
Reed: Don’t be sorry. It’s cool. I’m not your type, and you don’t want a repeat. Even if it’s no strings …
Anders: Tempting, but it’s not a good idea.
Reed: Fair enough. Worth a try. Pass my thanks on to Law for me.
Anders: Will do.
Maybe I should try Grindr or one of those dating apps to meet possible hook-ups. I don’t want to date, but ever since Anders, I’ve never been hornier in my life. Turns out, he was the cure for my post-breakup lack of libido. Don’t know if I’m quite that desperate for a hook-up app, though.
Not yet.
6
Lawson
I’m going to come clean. That’s the plan as I enter Reed’s building and head up to the second floor. I’ll lay it all out there and tell him everything:
I was the one he hooked up with.
It’s me he’s been texting.
I’m not straight. I’m bi.
I want no strings attached sex with him while I figure this whole thing out.
I am not my brother and never have been …
But then he’s going to ask why, and the only response I’ll have is because of reasons I can’t say. Fuck. This isn’t going to work. He’ll want to know why I was the one who turned up for their date and not Anders. I won’t betray my brother like that.
Oh, so pretending to be him is okay, but telling someone Anders was almost killed is crossing a line?
“Shit,” I hiss under my breath and lean against Reed’s doorjamb.
Damn, hardwood floors and long corridors make noise travel. Before I know it, and before I have time to retreat, Reed’s door flies open.
There he stands, wearing a lime-green polo shirt and jeans, looking hot enough to fuck, and my mouth decides it’s not time to cooperate.
Tell him.
Reed steps forward and yanks me into his apartment, closing the door with a slam. Fisting my shirt, he pulls me against him. For a small window, I think he knows it’s me and not Anders. It’s as if all the things I need to say are understood without me having to open my mouth. Wishful thinking, obviously, because when he closes his mouth over mine, I’m no longer able to tell him anything. And when he murmurs, “Thank fuck, you changed your mind,” I know my delusion isn’t real. He still thinks I’m Anders, and I’m going to let him continue to think it.
I’ve never understood people who cheat on a partner until now. While this isn’t cheating, it is wrong, and I thought my conscience would be yelling at me to stop. Never have I been able to turn off that side of my brain, but as Reed’s tongue pushes into my mouth, there’s nothing but him and me and the promise of everything I’ve wanted for as long as I can remember.
With women, I’ve always been the dominant one—the one in control—but right now, I’m ready to throw every ounce of restraint out the window. Reed can take it all.
“I want you to fuck me,” he says against my lips.
The command has my balls tightening. “O-okay.” I sound unsure—too unsure.
Reed pulls back. “You down for that? I mean, I could go either way if you prefer … I’m an equal opportunist.” He winks.
I grab his hips and bring him against me, determined not to let this opportunity pass me by because of nerves. “I want to fuck you, but you have to do something for me.”
“What’s that?” Reed smirks.
“I need you to tell me exactly what you like.”
He leans in, his smile never wavering, and whispers, “Everything.”
“Get specific. Tell me what you want me to do. And use your teacher voice.”
“You have a teacher fantasy?” Reed’s eyes glimmer.
“If I do?” I don’t really, but this could be a fun way to learn a few tricks. And if Reed finds it weird that Anders has a teacher fetish when his twin brother is one, he doesn’t say anything. Thankfully.