Page 30 of The Brothers Next Door

Chapter 13

Layla

“What’s the 4-1-1 on that hot cop you were with last week?” Misty asked as I sat down beside her on the navy plush sofa. We were about to sit through a Fantasia party with some of our former sorority sisters—apparently this was a monthly thing. I suspected it had more to do with the socialization than it did the dire need for dildos and pocket pussies.

“Good. I had a strange development.” I wasn’t even sure how to tell her the plan. We hadn’t gone on another date or even seen them for that matter, as a duo or trio, since my lunch with Darrin, although I’d had communication with both brothers via texts and brief phone calls. Sometimes I thought I spent more time texting back and forth with the brothers during the day then I did working.

Speaking of texts, my phone buzzed, signalling another incoming message. My heart fluttered as I looked at the face of the phone. But the warm and fuzzy feeling quickly subsided when I saw who the message was from—Craig.

I gritted my teeth as I glared at the phone. Why wouldn’t he just give it up? I was getting daily messages from him and it was annoying as hell. Every time I received a message from him my mood would instantly grow cold. The man was dead to me.

Craig: Please, Layla. Give me a chance to explain…

“Layla?”

“Huh?” I looked up blankly at Misty. It appeared she was waiting on an answer to something. I’d completely forgotten the question.

She took a sip from her wine cooler, waiting. I wasn’t sure how to respond. Finally, she asked, “Which was?”

“He has a twin brother.”

“Ohhh.” She sat up straight and leaned towards me. “Sexy. Maybe we could double date. Is he single?”

“He is. Sort of.”

She raised a perfectly waxed brow at me.

I chewed at my lower lip as I looked around us, seeing if anyone was paying attention to our conversation. “They both live in my building. One next to me and the other a few floors down.”

“And? You’re holding out on me. Was there some sort of mix-up?” She laughed, her hands clapping together. “Wouldn’t that be crazy.”

“It’s not as insane as you may think.”

Her eyes widened and she leaned in a bit further, intent on getting the juicy details. It reminded me of our college days hanging out in our dorm room discussing the juicy details of our dates while sharing a bottle of cheap wine.

I proceeded to tell her the story, as she listened in intently, with a wide smile on her lips. She was always a sucker for great gossip and would always insist she be the first one to get the details of all my dates through college.

“No shit. You lucky bitch,” she squealed, gaining the attention of several of the ladies around us.

“Oh my God, Misty, calm down.”

“How are you guys planning on dealing with…” She made the crass gesture of sticking her index finger through the ‘O’ formed from her thumb and index finger of the other hand.

“We’ll figure it out.” I cut her off, slapping her hands down to her lap, seeing the lady who was supposed to be hosting the Fantasia sex party making her way into the living room with a case of her products. I didn’t want my sex life to be put on display for the entire room. I’d lost contact with the vast majority of the women in my sorority and the last thing I wanted was rumours of my situation getting around.

“But…”

“Misty.” I gave her a warning.

“Layla, it’s been a long time! You look amazing! What have you been doing with yourself?” I turned to my left to see a woman with brilliant green eyes and long, curly red hair. Cynthia Nickols if I remembered correctly. I was never overly close to her. Back when I knew her she was the sorority gossip. If a secret got to her, then it would no longer be a secret. She was more effective then putting out an ad in the school newspaper or blasting it over a bullhorn in the middle of the school court yard.

Before I could answer, I was rescued by the hostess. “Welcome ladies, I’m so glad to see we have such a great turnout tonight. I’ve got lots of fun items to share with you tonight, along with some new additions to the collection.”

Misty leaned in to me, her mouth less than half an inch from my ear, and whispered, “With two of them you’d better stock up, you’re going to be a busy girl.”

“Shh,” I hissed at her, scanning the room to see if anyone heard. They didn’t appear to, all ears were on the hostess, but nonetheless…

She didn’t seem to take offense. “We need to talk more after this.”

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