by Hazel Parker
In that frozen second between a standoff and the fighting, I saw Evan’s eyes flicker from me to Ethan before his fists swung. Someone pulled me back by the neckline and the wild flying of fists missed me by an inch. It was not cold, calculating men circling each other, fighting with clarity and a battle of wits as much as it was a battle of strength. This was brutal, feral. A battle of egos. Arms swung, and as fast as it started, it ended moments later immediately after a loud voice yelled out.
“Boys!”
They both froze, as if they were marionettes held by the man with blue eyes and salt and pepper hair, though there was more salt than pepper.
“Have you no manners?!” he roared before turning to me. “Young lady, I am so sorry about this. Jer, take this woman home. You two, in the office.” He glared at them like an angry father.
Both of them hesitated and Evan looked to me with questions in his eyes. Maybe he was debating saying something. Ethan looked to his brother tentatively, as if watching out for another punch.
“Now!”
Ethan wiped the corner of his mouth, smudging the blood on his lip, while Evan pressed his palm to the crown of his head, checking for his own leakage. They both walked side by side to the back without so much as a backward glance to me.
“Hello, miss.” After just hearing the other man bark orders for someone to take me home, I jumped at the voice beside me. “I’m so sorry about all that. If you follow me, I’ll take you home,” he said with a kind smile.
He didn’t wait for me to respond. With soft prodding at my elbow, I followed him out the door. “I suspect you’ve ridden before?” he asked politely handing me a helmet. I could only nod. “My name is Jerry. You can just point me in the right direction or yell your address into my ear.”
So I climbed onto the back of motorcycle with a complete stranger for the second time that night. Jerry drove nothing like Ethan. I couldn’t be sure if he was driving slowly and carefully for my benefit, or just because he didn’t know me well enough to be himself. Either way, the ride was so peaceful I almost forget to tell him where to go. My mind kept going back to the two men I left behind. What would happen? I’ve never been between two men like that before. I know every girl dreams of men fighting over her, but not me, and especially not brothers. I would have never have gone with Ethan if I knew he wasn’t Evan. At least I think I wouldn’t. I mean, they’re almost the same person. Almost. They had the same face but that was about it. Between Ethan’s hot head and even hotter sexuality, and Evan’s mysterious brooding and intense compassion, I was at a crossroads. I liked them both. Truthfully, together, they were a sexy Pandora box of sin I shouldn’t touch. But I wanted to. Badly.
That night, I didn’t know whether either one would want to talk to me again. I sighed heavily as Jerry pulled up to my small apartment building. He held the bike steady as I swung my leg over.
“Thank you,” I said, unbuckling the helmet and smoothing down my hair. Between the fierce wind with Ethan and the hat hair of this helmet, my hair looked nothing like what I’d curled it into before I left the house.
“It’s no problem,” he said smiling widely.
I looked at Jerry, really looked at him. In the light of the streetlamp, he looked like a perfect golden boy. He could have easily passed for a more rugged Ken doll from his the shiny brown hair on his head, though cropped short, to his wide unexpecting smile and gentleman-like ways. He was just as attractive as Ethan and Evan and more suited for someone like me—broken and in need of someone I knew wouldn’t hurt me. Yet, my body did nothing in response to him. He could have stripped right now and, while I would have appreciated the peep show, nothing would have happened in my pants.
I must have stood there like an idiot for a moment, zoned out and thinking about the unfairness of fatal attraction, because Jerry was off his bike and leaning down to look into my eyes.
“Are you sure you’re alright?” he said, looking every bit concerned.
Man, do I really know how to pick ‘em.
I sighed, “Yes. Thank you. Goodnight, Jerry.”
I turned, walking towards my door when I noticed a shadow behind me. I turned and Jerry smiled sheepishly, “I’d feel more comfortable if I saw you to your door.”
Like I said. A real gentleman.
I smiled back to let him know I wouldn’t fly off the handles or go crazy on him. “I appreciate that.”
The walk was short but the air grew tense.
“Um. If you don’t mind me asking,” he said rubbing his neck nervously.
I knew what he was going to ask. Maybe not the exact words, but if it had anything to do with the twins, then I didn’t want to hear it. He could save those questions for never. Evan, Ethan, and I were none of his business. Gratefully, I stepped to my door and unlocked it. “I do mind. Goodnight, Jerry.”
“Goodnight.”
Evan
Mother. Fucker!
Ethan may have the same build as me, but I swear he’s got a harder face or something. I shook my fists out and looked at the damage done. They’d definitely bruise tomorrow. We sat side by side in the office I’d evacuated only hours before and, although it was more mine than Gus’, it felt like I was sitting in the principal’s office.
“Talk.” Gus said.
“I met Kaylen-”
“Not to me,” he huffed, “to each other.”
I turned with difficulty to stare at my brother’s face. He held a small bag of ice to his lip. I held one to my nose. It was hard to see myself. After 28 years, I’d come to learn my brother and know how to coexist. We weren’t as close as we could have been—as we once were. Our father’s death, in some ways, was the catalyst to us growing apart instead of growing closer, but no matter what, we were always there for each other.
“I didn’t know she was your girl.”
“I didn’t mean to hit you,” I said.
“So your fists just slipped?” Ethan asked, smirking.
“Yup. Sure did. Couldn’t be helped,” I shrugged.
Ethan barked out a laugh and held out his hand for a pound. I eagerly bumped my fists against before gingerly pulling back. That hurt.
“Look, man. Bros before hoes. Swear I thought she was just an MC groupie. I didn’t know she was actually looking for you.”
I tried not to flinch at the idea that Kaylen could be anyone’s groupie.
“It’s nothing, man. Blood is thicker than water. I met Kaylen a few days ago I wanted to say, and since we kissed I wanted to see if things could go further. But I didn’t; it was none of his business. I couldn’t remember the last time I spoke to my brother about a girl. “I shouldn’t have hit you.”
“But you did. I’m wondering if I can hold this over your head for later. A future favor.”
“You wish,” I said, leaning over to bump his shoulder. “You owe me one. You’re the one flirting with women who have already chosen.”
“How do you know I’m not the chosen one? Just because she met you first?”
“Yes. Dammit.”
He shrugged and smirked. “Well, now we’ll never know, will we?”
I heard the challenge in his voice and considered it. Gus must have felt the shift in the air. He stepped in like a father and said, “You are adults. You better start acting like it. This Kaylen girl isn’t worth brawling on a Saturday night. I want you both to drop it.”
“Okay,” Ethan said with his hands up. “It’s dropped. I won’t so much as look her way. If I see her on fire in the street, I’ll walk the other way.”
Gus rolled his eyes. “There’s no need to be excessive. And you?” he said, looking at me.
I decided to take the quickest route out. I didn’t want any problems, but I did want Kaylen – and I planned to have her. “We only just met. I can drop her, no problem. It’s not like we were planning a wedding or anything. Brothers for life.”
“That’s right,” Gus said, nodding his head like he was satisfied with his work. “Now shake on it. Broth
ers for life.”
Neither one of us moved. “No need for all that,” Ethan pulled himself to his feet. “We’re brothers. Our word is good enough,” he said, walking out the door. “Now if you’ll excuse me, there’s a beer waiting with my name on it.”
I didn’t miss the fact that he’d refused to shake my hand, but I didn’t mind. It made it easier for me to not feel guilty about keeping my word when I texted Kaylen.
I followed my brother out and sat beside him on the stool. Together we drank beer and ate barbeque wings, pretending we hadn’t come to blows less than an hour earlier. Shirley told inappropriate jokes and we laughed along despite the swelling of faces and fists. Everything was as it should be, and we mingled with the rest of our brothers until it was time to shut down. Tired and aching from the scuffle, I road home. Once showered and in my bed, I did the one thing I’d planned to do the moment I left the office.
“I owe you a date. Tomorrow. Is 9 AM too early for you?”
Chapter Four
Kaylen
I should have been tired. I should have been exhausted, but after the exciting night I had, there was no way I could sleep. My body hummed with unspent heat. My fingers traced down my body as I undressed and settled in between my legs as I lay back on the bed. Seeing Ethan and Evan together, fighting for me, was hot. Imagining them together with me was even hotter.
I shouldn’t, I really shouldn’t be doing this. But I couldn’t help it, my fingers plunged deeply into my hot and aching member. I rubbed my swollen clit and reached into my bedroom drawer for the dildo I bought myself as a divorce gift and plunged it in and out of my wet entrance.
“Oh, Ethan,” I moaned. “Yes. Oh, fuck me.”
In real life, I couldn’t imagine I’d ever say that to either man in person. But this was a fantasy and inside my mind, I could be as bold as I want. I wouldn’t hear my ex-husband taunting or criticizing me for being too this or too that. I’d be wanton, confident, and all the woman they’d need. My pussy clamped down on the thick dildo and I imagined Evan on top of me. He smiled softly as he worked himself deep inside of me. Ethan was the kind of man to hit it hard and fast from behind. Evan’s eyes would take all of me in like he did when we snuck off into the on-call room. His eyes would explore every detail of my writhing body, laid bare underneath him as Ethan stood off to the side watching with that smirk that said he knew exactly what his brother was doing, his hard cock in his hand as he pumped himself in time to Evan’s ministrations.
I groaned out loud as I impaled myself hard. Deeper and deeper I pushed as my hips moved in frantic circles. One hand on the dildo and the other on my clit was enough to leave me gasping as I came again and again.
The phone vibrated against the wood of my nightstand.
Buzz Buzz.
It had buzzed too many times. I guessed that it was either a phone call or a really long text message.
Evan: I owe you a date. Tomorrow. Is 9 AM too early for you?
I responded quickly. Nope. Nine is fine. Here’s my address.
I opened the other message.
Ethan: I owe you two orgasms. Say yes and I’ll add the third as a bonus just for keeping you waiting.
My eyes widened. What were they playing at? Had I fallen asleep? Was this a dream? If this was a dream, I could say whatever I wanted, right? There was no way the two men who were fighting over me mere hours before were texting me for dates, right?
Kaylen: More like you owe me a date first. How often does a girl get fought over the first time you introduce her to your family?
Ethan: Fine. Monday? When did you get off work?
Kaylen: After five.
Ethan: Then I’ll see you then. I need your address.
My fingers shook as I typed it.
Ethan: Monday after five, a date and then maybe a night cap.
Kaylen: Maybe.
I flirted back, worrying about him one-upping me.
The clock read 1:30 AM. I had a date tomorrow, and I needed all the beauty rest I could get.
*****
When I woke up, I’d almost forgotten I had a date. Almost. My body naturally woke me at 7 AM, and after lounging around in a dreamlike state, the text, “See you in a bit,” startled me from my bed.
I moved like a tornado, rushing from the shower to my bedroom, fussing over the perfect outfit, shaving, doing my hair and makeup, and cleaning my apartment. I leaned against the counter, stuffing a banana and some oatmeal down my throat.
Nine o’clock rolled around and I took a deep breath to prepare myself for when I heard a knock at the door. He was on time.
“Good morning,” he smiled.
I tried not to wince at the bruise on his cheek. There was only one I could see, but I could imagine his side and chest held more. His fingers were stained purple as well. But that didn’t stop him from me tightly into his arms; I sighed contentedly. Something about him still felt comfortable.
“Good morning.”
He smelled good and I struggled to pull away from his warmth.
“Have you eaten?”
“Sure have.”
“Good. If you’re still hungry we can stop by Dunkin Donuts on the way, but it’s best if we get on the road.”
“Are we on a schedule?”
“Not at all,” he said, rubbing his hands on his jeans. “It’s just the earlier we get there, the less lines.”
“I see.”
“So, you ready?”
“Sure. But ready for what exactly?”
“The date of a lifetime, of course,” he smiled, waiting patiently as I closed and locked my door. “By the way, I like your apartment. The color suits you.”
My apartment was furnished with color. That was its only scheme. The couch was brown with three throw pillows, each a different color: pink, orange and purple. The low seat was brown as well, though the blanket on the back was green. The curtains were blue and the vase on the glass table was red.
“Thank you,” I blushed. I hadn’t given my interior design skills much thought, but after being freed from a house that lack any warmth or color, I wanted nothing more than to be surrounded by it.
“So, where are we going?”
“Well, I thought about some places I’ve never been and I figured that maybe,” he said, handing a helmet to me, “you’ve never been as well. I checked the weather forecast. No rain today, so as long as you’re okay with it, we’re going to drive away.”
“That sounds great,” I said, pulling on the thick protection.
“So,” he said, throwing a leg over and backing out of the parking area, “I’m taking you to the Grand Canyon. Ever been?” he looked over his shoulder, beckoning me to get on.
“No, actually,” I said, sliding into place behind him and wrapping my arms around his body.
“Good. Me neither.” I jumped as he revved the engine. “Hold on,” he called out as we propelled forward.
I didn’t think I could ever get used to the feeling of flying when you’re on a motorcycle. It was nothing like driving in a car. I felt freer and more exposed. With my body against Evan’s, I felt more in tune with him and the bike. We leaned together into a curve as he drove, and I’d never felt more trusting in my life. Unlike Ethan, Evan didn’t swerve in between cars or try to speed up when he saw yellow lights.
“You okay?” Evan yelled back at me.
I really was. I didn’t mind the wind and I liked how the sun felt on my skin. We drove a little over an hour before Evan finally pulled to a stop. My feet hit the solid ground with the grace of a newborn doe and I wobbled, feeling like the world was moving under my feet.
“It takes some getting used to,” he said softly as he held me up. After a few moments, he took my hand and pulled me forward. “It’s better if you walk it off,” he said, leading us to the park entrance.
He paid and once inside, he still held my hand. “I hope this is worth it,” he said pulling me through the crowd and towards the metal guard rails.
�
��Wow,” I whispered.
Rocks lined the earth as far as my eye could see. Ten thousand feet below were fissures of sand and rock in all shapes, sizes, and color, forming something marvelous and beautiful. Ribbon-like fissures lined the gorge with their wind-carved texture, and not far off, a waterfall tumbled, white in the desert light. The water lay upon the canyon floor, passing over minerals and stones—a deep, meandering river fed by a myriad of tributaries. Trees and saplings lined the sides, a company of green for the winding aquamarine, leading toward a lush valley that blossomed into an earthy vibe.
The wind howled and my hair stood on edge as I was pushed forward, the only thing keeping me from falling was a guardrail and the heated warmth of the man beside me.
“It’s beautiful,” I said, pulling my eyes from it to look to Evan.
“There’s definitely nothing like it,” he said, staring into my eyes. “Let’s see some more.”
Together, we moved along the rails, further down from the crowded entrance, and looked on. The rugged canyon boasted clinging bushes and vines in some places, barren rock in others. If you squinted, you could see springs bubbling on amber gold colored rocks. A river cut through in the distance like a thin silver serpent, flanked by sandstone.
“This is amazing. I can’t believe I’ve never seen this before.”
“It’s amazing what we don’t know is in our own backyard,” he said.
“I agree.”
We stayed for an hour, looking over the rocks and taking pictures. Only when Evan heard my stomach growl loudly did we leave.
“Where to now?” I asked, putting my helmet on.
“You’ll see,” he said as the engine started.
I found myself less worried as we rolled downhill.
We drove onto a hidden dirt road and through low hanging trees. Evan drove slower, driving more carefully on the dirt so I didn’t have to yell for him to hear me. “This isn’t the part where you kill me is it?”
He chuckled and shook his head no. “Absolutely not.”