I told you about ‘the hug’ we did on Zach. Guess who’s back in the fart house?

—Bren

From: Tazsters

To: Bren

Subject: Re: Hey

Are you serious??? I didn’t know.

And fart house — lol!

Also, I know that his name isn’t Zach. Thanks for letting me feel like a dumbass for weeks.

The Best Twin

Chapter Twenty-Seven

BREN

“Hey.”

I was sitting on the perch in my room, overlooking the backyard. Turning, Cross was coming in, the music from downstairs blaring louder. It muted as he closed the door, coming toward me. He flipped on the fan for extra sound, and suddenly we were in our private sanctuary. The party sounds were still there, but much quieter now as he moved behind me, sliding in. Lifting his legs, he put me between them and folded me back against his chest.

I leaned all the way back, almost feeling lazy now.

Rolling my head, I went back to watching outside.

Jordan and Zellman had the bonfire going, each with a girl on their laps. There were a bunch of others sitting with them, drinking, laughing, and flirting. A lot of flirting.

A part of me was perplexed, because not four hours ago we’d shared words with Cross’ brother. Zellman punched him, and Blaise was now one of the guys sitting at the bonfire, Aspen on his lap. She was folded in, her head against his chest, and I was pretty sure she’d fallen asleep an hour into the party. Blaise hadn’t moved an inch, stroking her back almost the entire time.

I just shook my head, watching Zellman now laughing at something Blaise said.

I commented, “How the fuck did that happen?”

Cross’ arm tightened around me. I felt his laugh behind me. “At this rate, who the hell knows.”

We couldn’t stand the guy this summer, then we were reluctantly inviting him over. Words had been shared multiple times. Zellman hit him. And he was down there, sharing a beer, and making not only Zellman, but Jordan, laugh.

“And who are the guys?”

Cross sighed into my ear. “Jordan said he and Aspen ran into them when they were coming back. They’re on Blaise’s soccer team. I’m pretty sure that’s who Blaise wants to be Zeke’s friends, not the frat assholes he hangs with now.”

I moved my head, tipping it so I could see him. “He told you that?”

Cross shrugged. “Not in so many words, but I know he either wants Harper out of the frat house or he wants Zeke out.”

Huh.

That was it.

Just, huh. I had no other thoughts or feelings, just always perplexed when it came to Cross’ brother, mixed with mild to severe irritation.

“Your brother’s like a skin rash. He won’t go away. Then he’ll go away, and we’ll be like, ‘where’d he go?’”