Page 37 of Ruthless Serenade

I nervously gulp down the remaining wine in my glass and stumble into bed, my mind filled with frustration, worries, and what-ifs. As I sink into the mattress, my previous anger turns into sadness and my tears finally begin to spill down my cheeks.

If only Sharon had a father.

Everything would be different then.

But the fact remains: she doesn’t have a father. I’m alone in this. And I really don’t know what to do.

Chapter Fourteen

Maron

Timofey drives his fist into my gut and watches as I double over, wheezing like a flat tire.

"This round’s yours,bratok," I tell my brother after our brutal boxing session. This time I lost, and it’s been a while since that happened.

I slump down on the bench in the gym, gulping down my sports drink. Timofey sits down next to me, a grin plastered on his face despite his heavy breathing.

"That was good, Maron. I don’t often get to beat the shit out of you like that," he says, still riding the high of his victory.

"Yeah, whatever," I mutter, wiping my sweaty forehead with the towel around my neck. "Enjoy it while it lasts,pidurok. I’m not going easy on you next time."

Doing an intense workout session at the gym earlier today and pushing myself to my limits was not enough. I was still bursting with energy, and I needed an outlet for my sexual frustration. So, I called Timofey to see if he wanted to spar, and he did. Maybe next time, I shouldn’t exhaust myself before facing my brother in the ring. Especially if I want to kick his ass.

But I needed this. Ever since I saw Mindy at New York High and then at Walmart, she’s been constantly on my mind. I don’t know where to channel all my pent-up energy. Even now,as I sit here, I’m thinking about her. Her beautiful features, full lips, those perky, heaving breasts, and her round ass.

I quietly sit next to Timofey, lost in thought. The gym buzzes around us, the clanking of weights and whir of treadmills filling the air.

Finally, it’s my brother who breaks the silence. "So, what’s really got you all wound up lately, bro? You’ve been hitting the gym like you’re training to survive the apocalypse."

I hesitate, weighing whether to unload the shit that’s been eating at me. But Timofey knows me and he knows something’s going on. Him and Pavel are the two people closest to me. My brother waits patiently, his expression curious yet concerned.

Fuck it.

I take a deep breath, bracing myself to spill everything. "Eva showed up at my place a few days ago. Threw a fit worthy of a toddler because I won’t take her back."

"Whoa, hold up. You and Eva split? When did that happen?"

"A while ago," I murmur, not even trying to hide the annoyance in my voice. "Her clinginess was suffocating. And don’t even get me started on Rachel, her fucking twin sister. She couldn’t shut up about her. Rachel this, Rachel that - I swear my eye starts twitching just hearing the name." I fix Timofey with a serious look. "Listen up, Timo. Here’s some brotherly wisdom for you: never fuck a woman who has a twin."

Timofey grins, clearly amused. "Noted. I’ll add it to my pickup routine. ‘Hey baby, before we go any further: Got a twin sister? No? Great, let’s hit the sheets. Yes? Been nice knowing ya.’"

"Just trying to save you from the headache,bratok." I smirk. "Anyway, here’s the kicker: Eva says she’s pregnant."

"Shit," Timofey says, his eyes widening to comical proportions. "You’re going to be a dad? Changing nappies and making friends with other parents at the playground?"

"Shut the fuck up, Timo," I snap. "Eva’s just being a manipulative bitch." I shake my head. "I told her I want proof and a DNA test."

"Is that it?" Tim narrows his eyes. "Why do I feel like that’s not all of it? I can smell another bombshell coming."

"You psychic now?" I fire back.

"Just fluent in Maron-ese. And right now, your face is screaming, 'I’ve got more shit to unload on my poor brother.' Come on man, spill before I get bored and leave."

"Alright, fine." I throw up my hand in defense. "I saw Mindy the other day. At fucking Walmart, of all places."

Timofey’s eyebrows shoot up. "Mindy? The hot singer from New York High? The one you were crazy about?"

"Yeah," I grunt, taking another swig of my drink.

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