Page 7 of Twins For My Bestie's Brother

Kayla echoes me, albeit with her nose in the air and a smug smile on her lips. “Business trip.”

I look between Kayla and Lily. Of course, I wouldn’t leave Kayla’s best friend high and dry. But it’s not just because she’s my little sister’s best friend.

It’s because it’s Lily. “If you want me to, I will,” I say. The ball is in her court. I’m at her disposal.

Lily taps her index finger on her arm, the one with Saturn tattooed on the lowest knuckle. A smirk appears on her face. “I did love that stupid look on her face.”

“Is that a yes?” I prompt.

She rolls her eyes. “Yeah. Sure. I guess. God, this is so dumb.”

“You won’t regret it,” Kayla adds.

“You better hope I don’t,” Lily mutters. She circles the counter and posts up by the register again. “Anyway, Jackson, what do you need?”

I’m still not sure which way is up and which is down. “Sorry?”

“You weren’t stopping by just to say hi, were you?” she asks.

Oh right. The reason I’m here. Wasn’t just to say hi. Nope. But the moment has most certainly passed. Not to mention I’m definitely not going to be asking Lily out in front of Kayla. “Bengay,” I say plainly. “For my back.”

“Back wall by the pharmacy,” Lily says without a look in my direction.

I do my walk of shame to the back of the drugstore, overhearing Kayla and Lily squabbling over the situation Kayla’s gotten us into. I get my Bengay, pay for it, and head back home on my bike, cursing my so-called intuition.

Chapter 3

Lily

After work, Dad and I walk home. It’s only a few blocks. The house and the store have been in the family for a century, and they both look it. They need new windows, coats of paint, and fresh hardwood floors. But Dad insists on doing everything himself which means things rarely get fully done. I would insist on him hiring people, but I can’t even afford to help with repairs, so I keep my mouth shut.

When we head inside, I smell dinner on the stove. Sauteed garlic and spices infuse the air.

“We’re home!” I call out as I shrug off my bag.

The door to the kitchen immediately swings open, and Mom stands there, agog. “You’re dating Jackson Roy?”

I stop. What the fuck is going on today? “What?”

“You are?” Dad asks, gray brows shooting up.

“I’m—wait a second—“ I take off my shoes and go toward my mom. “How did you know that?”

She takes the lead, heading back into the kitchen. “Everyone’s talking about it. I heard it from Paulette King who heard it from Dr. Dixon who apparently talked to Mrs. Worthing and—“

Dammit, Tia. “Okay, I have to explain.”

“Is that why he stopped by today?” Dad asks, having come into the kitchen after me.

I flip around. “You heard that?”

“I’m counting pills back there, but I’m not deaf,” he replies, undoing the cuffs of his plaid button-down. “Nowwhatyou were talking about, I couldn’t say, but—“

I lean up against the counter, letting my head drop back. “This is so stupid. Oh, my God.”

“I think it’s nice,” Mom says, a serene smile on her lips. “I mean, you two have known each other your whole lives; it only makes sense.”

“Wearen’tdating,” I say. “It’s complicated.”

---