Page 9 of Cupid's Curse

“Ah, trouble can be fun,” Roman quips, his eyes dancing with a hint of mischief. “Care for a drink to celebrate my rescue?”

At the mention of drinks and the festive atmosphere of the bar, I remember Kallen and the invitation from earlier, still lingering in my mind. But the thought of partying with him—while still tempting—fades slightly as I look at Roman, who seems genuinely eager to have a good time. Earth’s world doesn’t have to revolve around just one man after all.

“Sure, why not? Just don’t blame me when I show you how to really have fun on a holiday everyone hates,” I challenge. I'll meet you inside, though. I have to take a piss," I admit bluntly, causing him to laugh.

"Alright, I'll be right in. I have to make a call," he says, leaning against my bike.

I salute him as I walk to the door, anxiously pulling it open, secretly wishing Kallen is already here. Inside, the ambiance is electric. Couples are dancing, laughter bounces off the walls, and the air is thick with the scent of spilled beer and overwhelming perfume. I wave at the bartender, a familiar face that I’ve seen before, as I make my way past the bar toward the bathroom.

I smile to myself as I think of the night I met Kallen as I push open the bathroom door, memories of our wild night together still fresh in my mind. While doing my business, I shoot Kallen atext, letting him know that I'm here and that I'll be waiting at the bar. Of course, he replies instantly with an "Okay, see you soon."

I wash my hands when I'm done, touching up my hair and appearance as I glance in the mirror at my hot mess self. Gliding my chapstick on my lips, my phone startles me, vibrating in my pocket and making me jump. Also making my hand slip and my chapstick coat a layer up my cheek. Thank fuck it's clear and not lipstick or something. I wipe it off and pull out my phone, dreadfully answering a call from my lovely mother.

"Yeah?"

"Jesus, Skylar, could you sound anymore annoyed? And how rude to answer the phone that way," she gasps, and I roll my eyes at her, wishing she could see through the fucking phone.

"Sorry, mother. What can I assist you with this blissful evening?"

"Smartass," she snaps, again whispering to someone who's with her. "I'm just calling to remind you about dinner tomorrow night. I made reservations at the place you like on the water."

"Ma, it's fucking dead ass winter. Why the fuck would I want to eat on a fucking deck in the damn cold?" This time I snap, regretting agreeing to join her.

"We have a table indoors; relax. Are you still coming?"

"Yeah, I'll be there."

"Good, Kent is really excited to meet you," she says, her tone switching to cheerful in the blink of an eye.

"Yeah, okay, great. I'll see you guys tomorrow," I mutter, ending the call before she can blab about anything else.

I need a fucking drink.

Stepping out of the bathroom, I anxiously make my way through the crowd, just wanting to get to the bar. I don't see Roman, but I see Kallen, his back to me as his head turns to look at the crowd. I sneak up behind him and pinch his ass, makinghim jump. And then my arms wrap around his waist, and I rise on my toes to whisper in his ear.

"Nice ass, you wanna have a quickie out back?" I joke, laughing as he slowly turns around.

And then my jaw drops. Something isn't right.

Roman looks at me, his eyes wide in shock, but a mischievous grin plays along his lips. The shock of his dark hair against his tanned skin makes me hesitate. His eyes—the same intriguing twinkle that caught my attention earlier—now flash with appreciation and curiosity. But that isn't what's wrong. It's the fact that he looks exactly like—

"There you are," Kallen comes up from behind me, grabbing my hip and tugging me backwards so my ass fits against his groin like a puzzle piece.

I do a double take. My head going back and forth between Kallen and Roman, like I'm fucking seeing double... because I am.

"What the fuck is going on here?" I ask, my throat dry, my heart racing.

"I see you've met my twin brother," Kallen winks, nodding towards the stranger I picked up on the side of the road—his twin fucking brother.

"Ahh, so that's why you grabbed my ass and asked if I wanted to fuck," Roman jokes, laughing as Kallen gives me a confused look.

"In my defense, I had no idea that there were two of you," I admit, taking a seat before I collapse from the shock still slapping me across the face.

"Skylar, you naughty little thing. If you wanna go out back and fuck, I'm down," Kallen coos, looking at me the way he did last night that caused us to end up in the same bed, fucking like goddamn bunnies.

"It's not funny. I feel played." I hang my head, feeling the embarrassment creeping to my cheeks.

"Im just fucking with you," he apologizes, putting his large, tattooed hand on the small of my back. "So how did you two meet?"

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