Page 36 of Smudged Lines (Tattooed Hearts Duet 2)

Zane immediately began to shake his head in protest, his hands reaching out to pull his twin back. “No, I promise. I only got back last night. I went to the apartment—“

“And that’s when he tried to snuggle me like a bear.” I giggled, and my words had Slade relaxing before his face turned up again in question.

“If he’s notyourThane…”

I brushed off his question, not ready to talk about that yet. “Thanks for asking if I’m okay when I found a stranger in my bed, by the way,” I deflected.

Slade’s face shifted, and he scooted back in toward me, crowding me against Simon. “I’m sorry, Peach. Do you need me to kiss it and make it better?”

My tongue froze to the roof of my mouth, and I almost nodded my head in an exuberant yes.That would be great, thanks!I felt a bit like I had whiplash or was on a carnival ride that was spinning out of control.

Something in my expression must’ve shone through because he pulled back, patting my leg, and dropped his intense questioning. His relief was evident though at the fact his brother hadn’t been lying to him. It felt good I’d been able to give him that assurance, even if it meant the man I’dknownwas a liar.

“Mind if I join? Sorry if I didn’t wait long enough Lennox.”

“Uh, yeah, sure, man. I’m Simon.”

My best friend offered his hand to Zane and scooted closer to me so he could join us. It was a snug fit, but I wasn’t complaining. It was a hot guy booth buffet, and I wanted my fill.

“Hey, man, I’m Thane. It’s nice to officially meet you,” Zane greeted, offering his hand. Simon tilted his head in confusion at his statement.

“Officially?”

“Yeah, well…” Zane shrugged, looking toward me.

“He has to explain that too. Basically, does anybody want to play poker? Because our cards are growing on the table.” I laughed, my joke amusing me.

“Peach. Start. Talking.”

“Oh my goodness, Tatzilla,” I cooed, turning to him. “Can you stop with the growls? It’s not doing what you think it’s doing. If you want me to share anything, I’m gonna need you not to be zinging my hoo-hah in a public place. You’re making me tingle where the sun doesn’t mingle.”

He looked at me, not even blinking before he spoke. “I have no words, Peach.”

“Good.” I nodded in confirmation. “That’s great because now I have some to share.” Sitting up, I pulled out of Simon’s hold. “Okay, class in session, everyone!” I clapped, bringing their attention to me.

Zane chuckled at my exuberance, perhaps also feeling the effects of the slap-happy. Grinning at him, I found myself trapped for a second in his blue eyes. Shaking myself loose, I tried to start again.

“So like I said, I came home, fell on the bed, then arms wrapped around me. I shrieked, tumbled out and tried to escape. When the lights came on, I realized it was Zack.”

“Don’t forget the part where you tried to attack me with your magic wand.” We both broke out into hysterical laughter. The other two rolled their eyes, clearly not understanding the comical geniuses we were.

“Is that a name for your vagina, Peach? Wouldn’t that be a better name for a cock?” Slade finally asked, stopping our laughter. He raised an eyebrow at me in question, and I shook my head at him. Clearly, he was a Slytherin.

“Wait!” Simon exclaimed, turning to his left. “You’re the guy from the throwback party! I remember you now.”

“Yep, that would be me. Hence the official part, I saw you, but we never spoke.”

“Whatparty?” Slade grumbled, and I found myself reaching over without any qualms to squish his lips between my fingers.

“Nope. Just nope, ‘grouchy pants’ Slade. This is Lennox time. Me speakey. Okay?” He couldn’t respond since I held his lips, but I felt him try to smirk, his eyes saying everything, only heating me more. “Perfect, I’m glad we agree.” Smirking, I let go and turned back to continue, but Slade groaned before a question left his lips for his brother.

“Did you give her alcohol or drugs?” Zane burst out laughing at the question, clearly knowing I was just hilarious.

“This is just my natural cuteness, Mister! Now, seriously, quiet.” I waited, and when he mimed zipping his lips, I started again. “So I had a moment of glee at finding him, but then a moment of ‘why is Zack fromSaved by the Bellin my apartment?’ And he was like, ‘why is Kelly fromSaved by the Bellin my brother’s apartment?’ And that’s when I realized the whole brother, yada, yada thing. We talked, we shared some things, and I realized you were right, Slade, so here’s me saying it. You. Were. Right.”

I gave him a pointed stare. He didn’t respond, but his lips tilted up in a crooked smile, and I knew he was gloating on the inside. Narrowing my eyes, I gave him the customary, ‘I’m watching you’ movement before I faced the table.

“I’m not in the mind-space today to think about the fact that the Thane I’ve known for months is an imposter. I worked out some other things with your brother. Which, by the way, his name is now Zane. It’s easier to differentiate between the imposter Thane and real Thane because that’s a lot of Thanes to say. And since he was Zack to me first, and he’s Thane to you, viola Zane was born. Now, I just need to think of a name for you guys. Well, Babs gave me a name, S&S, so I need to figure out what it’s going to stand for because Simon and Slade is a mouthful,” I rushed out, laughing again. “Mouthful.” Schooling my features, I took a breath. “Okay, okay.”

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