Chapter 14

CHAPTER 14

DOM

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 8 A.M.

Xander leaves me with my breakfast and thoughts, and I sigh in relief. I hate disappointing my brother. Both versions of him. But he's right. We need to focus on winning this thing. After breakfast, I walk around checking out our competition.

We still have an hour until the next challenge. Nerves crawl up my spine. Maybe I should try some of Xander's meditation techniques. I've never needed them before, but then again, I've never experienced the craziness of this weekend. I shake out my hands, resisting the urge to bite my thumb. I've got this. I'm not letting my brother down.

I turn the corner past the big display about the competition and stop. My nervous energy comes flying back. Xander. He's staring off. What is he thinking about? The competition? Most likely. He turns and spots me, frowning as he stands straighter. Is it weird that I can't tell which version of him this is? His dark eyes are moody, and with a scowl on his face and no hint of warmth, I just can't be sure.

As he steps toward me, his eyes flick down to my hands. Weird. "Dom?" Also, weird. Who else would I be? "Can we talk?"

Really? He had plenty of time to talk at breakfast, but he ignored me. But I'm trying to be good. I swallow the emotion in my throat. "I'm sorry about before."

He rushes over, his eyes warming. "Sorry? You have nothing to be sorry for. This is my fuck up."

"Cage?" I ask and then huff out a laugh.

"Come on," he says, taking my hand and pulling me through the crowds of people until we're in a small, enclosed area with vending machines tucked into the corner. It gives us a modicum of privacy. He runs his hands through his hair, messing it up, and then ties it back. "This is all my fault. I shouldn't have…"

"Kissed your brother?"

His eyes widened. Right. We're not saying that part aloud. "No. It's not because…that should be the reason, but you don't feel like my brother. I shouldn't have kissed you because of Ren. But that's over now. I broke up with him."

"Or he broke up with you?"

"I'd say it was mutual, but he's given me opportunities to explain something I can't explain. I mean honestly, he didn't make much sense. It seemed to be more about Erik than you."

Erik. Right. The guy Xander is obsessed with. But I can't even focus on that right now. "So you broke up with him? Why?"

"Because I can't stop thinking about you." He lowers his voice. "About kissing you. And, God forbid, wanting so much more."

My heart thunders. I want that too, but right now, there are more important things. "We need to focus on the competition. On today?—"

"You don't think I'm worried about that? I'm the whole reason we're here. Winning is everything."

" I know ."

"I'm sorry. I appreciate everything you've done. But this prize money is going to change my life."

His words don't make sense. When did he start caring about the prize money? "It's only ten thousand dollars." Xander and I grew up with money. It has never been an issue. Never been something we really thought about. Does that make us privileged? Yeah. So why is he worried about it now?

"Only ten thousand, he says. Ha." His voice is fond as he takes my hands and pulls me closer. "I agree we need to focus on the competition. But right now, I need you. Can I kiss you?"

The answer should be no. Definitely not. How did I get to this point? Lusting over my brother? And then he gives me a playful smile. One I've never seen on Xander's face. Not the Xander I've known all my life. My resistance melts away like butter in a hot skillet. I nod, unable to say the words aloud.

The words feel wrong. But Cage feels right. His hands cup my face, and he leans down and brushes a sweet kiss on my lips. If one kiss is all I'm getting for now, then I need more. I push forward, locking our mouths together, and the sound of surprise and need he makes goes right to my dick. His fingers wrap in my hair as he kisses me hard, taking what he wants. That he wants me feels like a gift. My hands settle on his broad chest as I get lost in the feel of him. The taste of him. His mouth on mine. I never want this to end.

"What in the holy fuck?"

We break apart and Paxton is staring at us. Staring at me, his eyes wide with shock and…hurt? He shakes his head like he can't believe his eyes. I need to say something, but I can't catch my breath. And then he turns and stomps off.

Fuck. Cage is pale as his gaze shifts from the hallway to me.

"I'll go after him. Keep him from saying anything." Would he tell our mother?

"Do you want me to go?—"

"No." I hold up my hand to stop him. "I can do this." I have to be the one to do this. Mostly because I don't know which Xander would be talking to Paxton, and that is all kinds of fucked up. I squeeze Cage's hand and race after Paxton.

I catch a glimpse of his blue shirt by the Dunklin County Gives Back display. I run to catch up, barely missing the tall, thin judge. Today, she has a giant sunflower on her hat.

"Paxton, wait." I grab his arm, and he whips around with a furious look in his eyes.

"What? Are you going to tell me I didn't see what I saw? That you weren't kissing your brother? Jesus, I can't believe I'm even saying those words."

I take a step back at the fury in his voice and check around me. Did anyone else hear him? No one is paying us any attention. Then I notice the judge. She's talking to a tall man in a lavender suit, but her eyes dart to me and back. Shit. I lower my voice. "I just want to explain."

He folds his arms across his chest, his expression tight. His eyes are cold and hard. "Go ahead, Tor. Explain why you've been flirting with me every chance you get."

"What? That's not…" What is he talking about? I've never flirted with Paxton. And why is he now calling me Tor? There was a brief time when we were teens—yes, he's been around that long—and he teased us by calling us by our middle names. But that was a while ago.

"I shouldn't even be surprised. Go ahead, explain."

And that's where I get stuck because I have no explanation. Cage doesn't feel like my brother. It's like he's someone else entirely. Maybe he's been cloned. But I can't say any of that to Paxton.

"Just what I thought." He turns to leave, and I panic.

"Please don't tell Mom."

He stiffens and faces me again, his eyes flashing with anger. "Is that what you're worried about? That I'll tell your mommy you made out with your brother?" He steps closer, and I back up. "Your mother has enough going on right now," he says, his voice cold. "This would devastate her." He jabs a finger in my chest. "Focus on winning this competition, not on fucking your brother."