Twins For My Bestie’s Brother (Billionaire Daddies)

2. Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Jackson

I unclip my bike helmet and run a hand through my hair. God, I’m sweaty.

This is a bad idea. Adrenaline told me to do it, to come here and finally rip off the bandage after all these years. I wasn’t considering how sweaty I’d be, or how I might smell after my ride. I just knew I had to do it now or I’d lose my nerve.

I place my helmet on my bike handles and shake out my shoulders. The worst that can happen is she says no. That’s all. It’s not life or death. Not really.

After a fucking lifetime of wanting Lily Bolton, though, I can’t say I really believe it’s not life or death. If she says no, I think it might kill me.

I glance up at the sign for Bolton’s, the old red and white lettering with flaking paint.

“Fuck me,” I mutter and scrape my hand through my beard. That’s sweaty too.

If I back out now, though, I’ll never do it. There have been exactly three times I’ve had the impulse to cross the line and ask Lily out. The first was my junior prom, right before I found out that she was dating Will Scorttello. I worked up the nerve and asked Kayla if she’d be mad if I went for her friend, and then she dropped the bomb. That just about killed me then and there.

The second was when I was on a business trip to Seattle a few years ago, and I thought maybe showing up out of the blue could convince her that she should leave Will and give me a chance, a romantic gesture that only works in the movies.

The third was today in the middle of my bike ride. It’s the first time I’ve had the impulse since Lily moved back to Cider Bay. I didn’t want to rush, didn’t want to be the rebound. Now, six months on since her breakup, I’m starting to think it’s time. Or else I might lose my chance.

I moved back to Cider Bay a year and a half ago for a reason. I’m ready to settle down. Well, the real reason was Kayla. She wouldn’t move up to Toronto where I’d set up most of my business ventures. Now that all of them are self-sustaining, I don’t need to be there anymore. Instead, I can focus on virtual means of income. And . . . relax. Enjoy the life I’ve set up for myself and my sister.

It seemed as good a time as any to come back to Cider Bay.

I’ve been waiting for inspiration to strike, to give me that cosmic push to ask Lily out. And today, mid-three-hour bike ride, sweat slicking my entire body, I got that cosmic push. I’m not a feelings type of person. Intuition when it comes to things outside my business is not common for me.

Which means I have to follow this gut feeling.

Dammit.

The one thing I have going for me is I’m wearing my skintight cycling jersey and shorts which show off my frame. That’s a point in my favor, hopefully.

I roll my shoulders back, lift my head high, and head inside. No going back now.

I pull open the door and force myself to smile, though my heart is threatening to combust in my chest. However, not even half a step into the store, and I’m frozen in place.

I expected Lily to be alone behind the counter, her curly hair probably shadowing her face as she draws in her sketchbook, her muscles subtly flexing making her tattoos dance.

Instead, she’s accompanied by my sister. And my high school girlfriend, if you can even call Tia Worthing that.

The universe really knows how to knee you in the balls.

All three women are staring at me, albeit with different expressions. Kayla smiles manically, her eyes trying to say something to me that I don’t understand. Tia’s face is almost blank if not for her downturned, gaping mouth. And Lily’s eyes are so wide, I’m afraid they might fall out of her head.

“Um, have I interrupted something?” I ask, ready to retract my half-step, hop on my bike, and ride off into the distance forever out of embarrassment.

Tia clenches her fists at her sides. “You’re dating Lily Bolton ?”

I shake my head. Did I hear that right? Dating ? Present tense? I look to Lily. “Hi, Tia. Good to see you.”

Tia screws up her forehead, squiggly lines appearing in impossible patterns. “Is this some kind of joke?”

Lily covers her eyes with her hand. “Oh, my God.”

Kayla nods at me from behind Tia and mouths, “Yes. You are.”

I don’t know what the fuck is going on, but clearly, it’s my sister’s doing. “No, not a joke. I’m . . . dating Lily.”

Tia’s head dips forward, disbelief painting her face. Meanwhile Lily peeks over the hand she’s been hiding behind in shock.

I walk further into the store. “Was just . . . stopping by to say hi.”

Kayla nods at me, her maniacal smile not fading.

She’s got a lot of explaining to do, but for now, I’m not going to cross her or Lily when it comes to Tia Worthing.

“How long has this been going on?” Tia asks, anger infusing her voice.

I shrug. “Oh, gosh, well . . . ”

Lily finally lifts her eyes to mine, a forest of hazel. “Just a couple . . . ”

“Months?” I offer.

“A couple of months!” Lily says, throwing her hands up. “Yep. Jackson and me. A couple of months.”

Kayla beams. “You know, it was bound to happen. With Jackson looking to settle down—”

I give my sister a look. Shut up.

“And with Lily and Will breaking up.”

Kayla!

“Plus, you know, they’ve known each other since they were kids. Friends to lovers. Cute, right?”

My first thought is I’m going to kill her. My second thought is a question. Is this her sort of strange roundabout approval?

Tia purses her lips into a smile that looks more like a snake. “Yes. Cute.”

Other than our history, I’m not sure why she’s so embittered. Tia was already married by the time I moved back. Maybe she felt she missed her chance. Not that there was ever another chance to be had.

Lily suddenly jerks out from behind the counter toward me. “Hi, babe. Thanks for stopping by.”

“Anytime,” I say, though my voice is rough and unsure.

When Lily gets to me, she reaches for my hand.

“I’m sweaty,” I warn.

“Oh, I know,” she says, shoving herself against my side and pulling my arm around her waist. “You know, I don’t care about that.”

I feel faint.

“Anyway . . . ” Lily loops her arms around me. “Yeah, Jackson is my new boyfriend.”

Tia blinks a few times. “Then I think it only makes sense you two come to the reunion together. What a great way to show off what a happy couple you are.”

“Oh, I don’t know about—” Lily begins.

However, Kayla interrupts, loud and in charge, “They’d love to! What a great way for everyone to find out!”

“Everyone? Ha, I don’t know if we need everyone to—” I start.

“Nonsense!” Tia’s voice is almost a growl, and her smile is wolfish as if perhaps she’d like to tear me apart limb from limb with her teeth. Reminds me of the night I broke up with her. Thought I’d be nursing her tears and instead spent the next few months making sure my windows were locked. “You two should come. In fact, I’ll waive your ticket fees. I’m sure everyone would love to see you two together.”

I glance down at Lily. “Up to you . . . honey.”

Lily’s expression hardens for a moment. “I mean, only if you’re comfortable with it, darling .”

This is not how I wanted this to go down. Not at all. Somehow, this is worse than rejection because it’s pretend. Because I still don’t know what the truth is. Dammit, Kayla.

Well, if we’re laying it on thick. “You know, I only want to do what makes you happy.” Which is not a lie. Just something I’ve never gotten the opportunity to tell her. Or do for her.

Lily plants her hand on my chest and squeezes herself against me. I’m suddenly very worried about my skintight cycling clothes and the blood rushing downstairs. “We’ll be there, Tia.”

I swear Tia’s eye twitches. “ Great . I’ll put you down for two tickets then.” She starts toward us, heading for the door. “Can’t wait to see everyone’s faces when they realize Lily Bolton has snagged Jackson Roy. Some might say when pigs fly, but . . . ” Tia grins. “See you Saturday.”

None of us speak.

Tia lays a hand on my arm, the one not holding Lily. “Good to see you, Jackson.”

My mouth grows hot. “You too, Tia.”

“Hope to see more of you soon.”

All three of us are silent as Tia exits Bolton’s, the door chiming after her.

Lily drops her arms from me. “God, you’d think she’s forgotten she’s married the way she talks to you.”

“That’s Tia,” I say in a low voice.

Lily and I look at each other for a moment. Man, she looks gorgeous today. I wasn’t even able to take it in after I was ambushed. Her dark brown curls are wild and free, her arms are bare thanks to a tight tank top clinging to her torso, and those jeans—

Lily turns suddenly. “Kayla . . . ”

Kayla folds her hands in front of her chest. “Before you get angry . . . ”

“There is no before I’m angry. I’m already furious,” Lily says, stalking closer to my sister.

I follow close behind Lily. “What the hell was that all about?”

“Jackson, Tia came in here and was throwing Lily’s breakup in her face and claiming that’s why she didn’t want to go to the reunion, so I stepped in and said she had a boyfriend. You just happened to ride up right at that point. I mean, I was desperate!” Kayla squeaks.

Lily throws her hands up. “And what are we supposed to do when we fake a relationship in front of everyone and then have to ‘break up’? Did you think about that?!”

“Not really, but—”

“Jesus, Kay,” I say, rubbing my eyes. “This is the definition of a harebrained scheme.”

“I panicked, okay? Tia Worthing was being so cruel as per usual, and I couldn’t stand it after everything Lily has . . . ”

“Kayla, I’m fine,” Lily says, though the vigor has dissipated in her voice. “Who cares what Tia Worthing thinks anyway?”

Kayla puts her hands on her hips. “Tia Worthing doesn’t get to walk around Cider Bay like this is still high school. She thinks she can, but she doesn’t have any lockers to stuff anyone in.” Kayla glares at me. “Or brothers to date.”

I scratch the back of my neck. “Listen, I’ve apologized before for all that.” In truth, dating Tia was . . . spite. Lily had, unknowingly, broken my heart. And I wanted to do something to hurt her. I was a teen boy, not very smart, and definitely not being fair. Instead, I upset my sister more than anything by dating the mean girl of Cider Bay High.

“Well, you can apologize even more by taking Lily to her reunion,” Kayla says with a chipper smile.

“You don’t have to do that, Jackson,” Lily says.

I chew on the inside of my cheek. I’d do it for her. Even though it might hurt to play a pretend version of the thing I really want.

Kayla scoffs. “Come on! You two just played along without batting an eye! It looked so natural.”

My heart skips a beat. Did it really look natural ?

“Besides, Tia and all her goons are going to expect it now,” Kayla says. “It’s not something you can just get out of now that she knows.”

Lily folds her arms over her chest. “And whose fault is that?”

Kayla’s eyes widen. “Look, why do we need to assign fault , huh?”

Lily sputters in frustration, then turns to face me. “Seriously, Jackson. You don’t have to do this. It’s a ridiculous farce.”

“Of course, he’ll do it,” Kayla intercedes. “You wouldn’t leave my best friend high and dry, would you? Besides, you didn’t go to your reunion last year.”

“Business trip,” I retort.

“You’re not going this year,” Lily says to Kayla.

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.