Page 2 of Wicked Witch

“Haven’t been a virgin since high school, honey, but as for coming here it’s been awhile. What do you suggest for anappetizer?” I say with a grin, then reach for the shot and down it like a champ.

This isn’t my first time with whiskey either. Jack and I are good ole friends.

Halee giggles and looks over to the bar where a man in tight leather pants and mesh top is assisting some women. After a moment and composing herself, she gives me her full attention again.

“Oh, well, I’d have to say the garlic parmesan truffle fries or the witchin’ chicken bites.”

Astor grabs a menu, and Halee tells us she'll give us a moment and then come back to take our order. I grab the beer list and browse it, trying not to let the flashbacks in. We used to hang out here for hours after classes.

“Check, one, two,” someone says into the microphone, and I turn to see who’s speaking. A spotlight shines on Wynter Nefari, the girl I once loved that passed me up for my asshole ex-best friend.

“Welcome to our open mic night at Brews & Books. I see a few regulars in the crowd, but for the people who are new to us tonight, this is where we open up the stage for popstar and rockstar hopefuls. We also allow karaoke an hour before last call and drinks will be half off.”

“Damn, she’s changed,” Astor mumbles, and I nod. Don’t get me wrong, Wyn is still gorgeous beyond belief, but her green eyes no longer sparkle. They seem dull and lifeless, and the smile that she always had on her lips is now a purse or scowl.

I turn my back as she exits the stage and grab the menu, lifting it to hide the side of my face. “You do realize we’re twins right?” Astor mumbles, and I sigh.

Thankfully we aren’t spotted and soon Halee is back to take our order. A guy with a banjo gets on the stage and I cringe after the first few minutes of his performance.

Astor’s green eyes are gleaming as he bites his bottom lip, trying not to laugh.

“Fuck, maybe we should get the food to go,” I grunt, and he chuckles, shaking his head.

“This is the longest I’ve seen you in weeks, so no. You are going to sit here and have a meal with your favorite brother, then drink some beers and sign up for karaoke with me.”

My eyes widen. “The fuck I am!” I blurt, and he sighs.

“Yes, Arsen, you are. It’s time to move on. It’s been a year since…”

“Don’t say her name!” I hiss and he waves his hand in the air.

“This is my exact point. That witch shouldn’t even be mentioned. She was cancer, and I’m glad you finally saw her for the poison she was and got rid of her lying, scamming ass.”

My phone rings, breaking up the heated tension between us. I can’t believe he brought Annabelle up. Grabbing my phone, I don’t bother seeing who’s calling and answer it.

“Is it just me or am I currently staring at the back of your beautiful head?”my best friend Rus says, and I turn around, searching the crowd for him. My eyebrows raise when his blue hair shines below the bar lights. He waves and I hang up the call.

“Well look at what the cat dragged in,” he says moving in and giving us a fist bump before pulling out the only other chair at our table.

“What brings you out tonight?” Astor asks him and he turns, giving him a wink.

“Well the ambiance of course,” he retorts and steals my beer, finishing it off, and raising his hand in the air to get our waitresses’ attention.

“What the fuck,” I growl and he laughs, leaning over and pinching my cheek.

“Don’t be a Grumpy Gus, Sin. I needed something, I was beyond parched. I’ll get you a new one.”

“Hi, what can I get ya?” Halee asks Rus, and he gives her his winning smile.

“Well, aren’t you just a delicious peach? A round for the table, darlin’ and some shots of your best,” he says and she bites her bottom lip, looking him up and down. I’m straight and even I know that Rus is hot.

Blue hair with purple eyes, that he swears aren’t contacts, tan from being in the sun all day long, and built like some linebacker due to his construction business.

But all of that aside he’s also got one of the biggest hearts and he’s my best friend, aside from my twin that is. I mean we shared a womb, that makes us inseparable.

Flopping back into my seat, I settle in for a long night of booze, good food and horrible singing. God help us.

CIRRUS