Double Take

S.E

Chapter One

Emery

“There she is. Our woman, dwelling finally!” I hear him lengthy earlier than I see him—everybody on this so-slow-it-might-be-moving-backward escalator taller than me, blocking my view—however I’d acknowledge Cole Keller’s voice anyplace. I do know it in addition to I do my very own.

He bulldozes his method by the gang effortlessly, prepared and ready to elevate me proper off my toes, wanting them descending the ultimate, shifting step. His large arms of metal wrap me up within the acquainted consolation that I missed much more than I anticipated, and he spins us round like no person’s watching.

Not that I care if they’re… I’d do something, anyplace, with Cole.

“Lady, you’ve obtained no concept how good it’s to have you ever again.” He brings us to a cease, kissing my brow as he units me to the ground, gently gripping my shoulders. He offers me a once-over, twice, ensuring for himself that I’m, in actual fact, dwelling—protected and sound. “Week was method too lengthy, Em. Felt like without end.”

Guilt jabs onerous at my insides, however I paint a smile on the surface, working a peaceful, caring hand down his arm. “I missed you too, a lot. Each of you…” my voice fades as I go searching, developing empty.

“Couldn’t discover a parking spot,” he laughs knowingly and takes my hand. “He’s on the market driving round in circles, most likely cussin’ up a blue streak by now. We greatest get your baggage, and our asses, on the market, earlier than he causes a scene.”

I snicker, picturing simply that, as he leads us towards baggage declare. Oh, Cabot… Not one to be informed what to do or outfitted with even an affordable quantity of endurance, I can simply see him deciding he’s made the final circle he’s going to and slamming the truck into park—anyplace he needs—flipping off safety as he comes storming in right here, screaming our names.

It’s a really actual chance; I’ve seen him do a lot worse… many occasions.

Cole’s actually not what anybody, who is aware of the definition, would name “gentle mannered” himself. He did simply half a big crowd as if non-existent, however his edges are a tiny bit smoother than his brother’s.

These are my guys, although… Cabot and Cole Keller. My perfect pals since junior excessive, similar twins—each tough, rogue, and irresistible—but totally different in a number of methods… simple to identify, in case your eyes are educated… like mine. And I wouldn’t change a single factor about both of them.

Cole grabs my suitcase off the carousel, not needing informed which it’s, and once more, finds my hand along with his free one and weaves our fingers collectively. And as at all times, the gesture brings with it an ache of battle—one half of my coronary heart beating sooner whereas the opposite stays numb and impartial—a reminder that it’s for the most effective he doesn’t really feel the identical kindred, carnal, simple perfection that I do Each. Single. Time. he touches me. And although painful to simply accept, ignore, always shove to the very again of my repeatedly battered, split-down-the-middle coronary heart, it’s, in actual fact, an absolutemust… as a result of Cabot dazzles andcripples me in the very same method.

Identically.

And there lies the issue.

I might by no means select between them, if it was an choice afforded me; which it’s not. I’ve been head over heels in love with each Keller twins since… properly, because the pivotal, life-changing epiphany of what being in love meant lastly hit me.Like a Mack truck. Adopted intently by the crushing realization that their love for me, whereas great and boundless, is of a special type. They consider me as slightly sister, a greatest buddy. And even once I’m alone with considered one of them, be it Cole or Cabot, they each, at all times, consult with me as “theirs”… simply reinforcing the truth that solely oneof them isn’t a chance.

“Hey, you.” Cole jiggles my hand. “Terrible quiet. Every little thing okay?”

“Yeah,” I blow out a deep breath, and with it, my futile ideas. “Simply worn out from all of the touring, I assume.”

“See? That’s why you shouldn’t go leaving us.” He grins, squeezing my hand as we stroll exterior.

And positive because the solar will rise, there he waits… each bit as coolly assured because the day I left… Cabot James Keller, leaning in opposition to the facet of his black Chevy pickup, parked within the clearly-marked yellow zone proper in entrance of the principle doorways. Together with his ball cap pulled down low and arms crossed over his barrel of a chest, he’s asight straight out of the most effective type of goals.

Déjà vu… double imaginative and prescient… the identical sizzle of pleasure when my eyes discovered Cole within the crowd zinging by me as soon as extra.

“Minnow,” Cabot sighs the nickname he’d given me many years in the past—refuse to bait your personal hook one freakin’ time and also you by no means stay it down—his reduction resonating. And for the split-second he units them free, I’m captivated by his horny smirk and the uncommon twinkle in his emerald eyes… till he tucks them away, remembering what he thinks he’s alleged to be—“the intense one.”

And right here we go…

He clears his throat, prepping to toss out some traditional “Cabot’s care and concern camouflaged in condescension” in a somber pitch, adjusting his expression to match. “Don’t see something pierced, tatted, or damaged on ya from right here; helluva lot higher than I used to be anticipating. Guess I oughta be grateful, huh? What occurred, anyone lastly discover sense sufficient to strap an ankle monitor on that buddy of yours? Gradual her sorry ass down some?”

In time-honored custom, that I’m subsequent to sure he enjoys as a lot as me, I don’t even flinch at his beat-a-dead-horse surliness, at all times greater than able to go head-to-head with Cabot Keller. “What, you don’t like Tracy? Why haven’t you ever talked about it earlier than?” I struggle again my smile, batting my eyelashes in mocking, harmless ignorance.

Cole snorts, ever-amused by our tug-of-war, as he masses up my suitcase. “I’ll be waitin’ within the truck, you understand, simply twiddling mydamn thumbs, each time y’all are completed.”

“Humorous,” Cabot growls at me, ignoring Cole. “That woman’s a free cannon, dangerous affect. Why you’d go go to her beats the hell outta me.”

“As a result of, she’s an outdated buddy. And, guess you haven’t been maintaining, however I surpassed the age of being influenced into doing something I don’t need to a number of birthdays in the past. Apart from, getting away from the identical ol’ factor each from time to time is refreshing; good for the soul. Talking of similar ol’, didn’t we have already got this actual dialog beforeI left?” I hitch up my brows in saucy problem and jut out a hip whereas ready for his counter.

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