Chapter 10

10

FINN

“ G ood evening, Finn. I’m glad you could make it.” Professor Philips shakes my hand as we walk through the entrance of the Whittaker Country Club. Christmas music blasts through the speakers, and the entire place is decorated in style. His eyes flit between the twins, and he hesitates only briefly before extending his hand to introduce himself.

“This is my favorite teacher,” I say, but my smile freezes when I catch Bran’s hostile look.

“Is he now?” Castor’s eyes darken as he gives Professor Philips a slow once-over, holding his hand until his eyes reach his face. He smirks. “And does your favorite teacher have a name?”

“Professor Philips. Adam Philips,” he quickly adds. His eyes appear large behind his round glasses. “And you are?”

“They are friends of mine,” I quickly answer.

“ Boyfriends ,” Castor snarls. When he finally lets go of my teacher’s hand, I don’t miss how Professor Philips quickly tucks it back into his pocket.

“Boyfriends? Both?” Professor Philips looks shocked, gaze darting between them. “And you are identical twins?”

“Clever man,” Castor deadpans.

“Prince…” I chime, to which they both bark out in laughter.

“Prince?” Professor Philips blinks.

Holding the professor’s gaze, Castor leans in and murmurs into my ear. “You’re confusing your teacher with your pet names for us.”

My cheeks flame at that.

“Shall we hit the bar?” Bran asks.

That makes Professor Philips pipe up, and he gestures over his shoulder with a new smile. “You should. There are two areas. One has a cocktail bar and a fireplace, and the other has a bar that serves alcohol-free drinks. There’s also a heated outdoor space.”

“One guess where we’ll be heading?” Castor leans in and straightens Professor Philips’s jacket, sliding a fifty-dollar bill in his breast pocket.

The man lets out a nervous chuckle. “The cocktail bar?”

“You are a clever man.” Castor pats his shoulder as we pass by. “Thanks for the explanation.”

When we’re out of earshot, I stop and bristle. “What did you do that for? He’s my teacher, and I like him.”

“Exactly. I thought I’d give him a tip. Because he’s such a nice guy.”

“A tip? What for?”

“Well…” Castor shrugs, but his lips tick up. “Pick your reason. For being nice? For staying the fuck away from you? For being a teacher?”

“And we all know how little they earn,” Bran adds, grinning when he catches my glare.

“That’s not fair,” I mutter. “My salary won’t be any higher than his, and that’s only if I find a decent PhD program.”

“That’s not true, and you know it,” Bran grabs my hand and slides his thumb over mine. “You’re with us now, and we are worth millions.”

“And that’s supposed to make me feel comfortable?”

“Speaking of…” Castor turns his face to watch both of us. “I hope that lace you’re wearing is comfortable.”

“Uhm, yeah, it is,” I stammer. Baby blue lace underwear hugs my ass. I still can’t believe how much I like it.

“Good.” Castor lifts my hand and sucks in a finger. “Because I can’t wait to tear it off…with my teeth.”

“Fuck…” Bran moans. “I vote for a quick fuck. Now .”

“No.” Castor’s teeth flash when he grins. “Tonight’s Finn’s night.”

“Don’t worry, I’m not much of a party animal.” I square my shoulders, inwardly preparing myself for my little reunion with my study partners after last night.

We’ve barely left the corridor when something catches my attention. “Look!” I stare inside a room with a stunning view of Lake Whittaker. The place is empty except for a huge Christmas tree, its colours flickering reverently.

“Were we not heading for the cocktail bar?” Bran raises a surprised eyebrow.

“Yes, but—look at how those lights make the shadows against the walls dance.” I walk inside, gazing around. “We read this paper from a psychologist who discusses the effect of light on our mental state. Colours can excite our brain and make us feel agitated, or on the contrary, they can relax us.” I turn their way but see that Castor has left the room. “Do you see that?” I ask Bran instead.

He shakes his head. “I don’t. I mean, yes, I see what you see. But I don’t think I feel what you see.”

“That’s okay,” I smile. “I will draw it for you. If you’d like me to.”

“Sweetheart, you don’t even have to ask. You, entirely lost in your drawings…” He grabs me by the ass and hauls me closer. “That’s exactly what grabbed our attention in the first place.”

“Really? Why?” I chuckle nervously. “I’m just a boring guy. I have lived most of my life in a trailer with my grandma. I’m not—” I cut myself off, not ready to face the consequences of them throwing me out of their life. “Have you ever been to a country club before?” I ask instead.

“Our family owns a few country clubs. So yeah.” He dips his gaze to catch my eyes. “What is it you really want to know, flower?”

“Do you think—” I swallow. “Never mind.”

His gaze narrows. “Do I think what?”

I look around. “I didn’t bring my stuff, but maybe tomorrow…do you think I could come back and draw this? The tree is spectacular.”

Bran cocks his head. “Are you seriously asking me if you can come back here to draw the tree?” He chuckles. “Baby, you can do whatever the fuck you want. If you love this tree so much, we can bring it back to our place and put it inside our living room.”

“But it’s too big,” I stammer.

“Hmm, you might be right.” Bran looks back at the tree and then shrugs.“We can always put it in the garden.”

The door bursts open, and in comes Castor, who has three large cocktails. “What are you guys doing in there? The party is out there.”

“Finn wants the tree,” Bran says.

“No, I didn’t say that. I wondered if I could come back here and draw the tree.” I glare at Bran. “You’re twisting my words.”

Castor sucks at the straw and looks between us. “Okay.”

“Okay, what?” I ask.

He shrugs. “Okay, to whatever you want. When you’ve decided, let us know, and we’ll get it for you. Come on now, this is your night.”

I stomp behind them as they make their way out. I don’t know why I’m behaving like a spoiled child. Perhaps because they can easily swagger around like they own the place, they probably do. They just walk in and out like it’s nothing, and before I know it, they will have barged right out of my life as well.

Dread fills my gut as the sound of music invades my ears.

Jingle Bell Rock.

More Christmas trees are decorated in the hall and the different rooms, but none are as magical as the one I saw before. People are dotted around, talking and laughing—happy.

My feet feel heavy with every step, and my throat locks up. This is the normal Finn—the weirdo—the shy boy no one notices. Even in the trailer park where I used to live with my grandma, I didn’t have any friends—just neighbors who dutifully greeted me.

They will find out. And then they will leave you.

“Finn!” Lea tugs on my shoulder and gives me a hesitant smile as I turn around. Like me, she’s carrying a colourful cocktail. Next to her stands Jess, who gives me a bored wave. “I’m so glad to see you here. How are you?”

“I’m good.” My cheeks ache from the forced smile.

“So you got out safely?” Lea asks.

“I did. I lost you down there.”

“I know!” She nods enthusiastically. “You were just…poof! Gone!”

“So were you,” I say lamely. “I couldn’t find you, so I went back upstairs.”

“So did I!” She exclaims. Liar . I think of her retreating self through the camera after being released from the isolation room. “No footsteps upstairs, right?”

I shake my head. “No.”

“And did you see anything outside?”

“Nope. You?” I think of Jess and David and the way she helped him from falling to his death.

Her smile is forced when she shakes her head and nudges Jess. “Nothing. Even got home before eleven.”

Jess’s eyes flash with something close to fear. “So, when will you finish that paper, Doc? It needs to be turned in after Christmas break.”

“Absolutely.” I groan inwardly at my pathetic obedience. “I will start working on it soon.”

“Thanks.” Lea squeezes my hand. “Well, if you need any help?—”

“Don’t come looking for us because we’ll be away on vacation. Or have you forgotten New Year’s in New York City?” Jess asks.

Lea flushes. “Of course not. But you know…” She looks my way, a soft smile on her lips as she takes my hand in hers. She looks guilty.

She could have left me to rot in there, and she fucking knows it. Because Finn Anderson was declared a loser by one of the football gods, that’s enough for her to keep it quiet. Who would want to end up on David’s bad side?

A foreign sensation of anger bubbles up, and I yank my hand back.

“Well, enjoy your vacation.”

“Thank you.” Her eyes widen at the same time that I feel a pinch on my ass, and she gazes right beside me to one of the twins. “Oh, hello. And you are?”

“Fernando.”

“Fernando. What a beautiful name.” I try not to cringe, but jealousy rages through me, sharp and intense, when I see Lea’s smile turn seductive.

A bitter taste floods my mouth.

“I’m Lea.” She flips her hair onto one shoulder, exposing a smooth, uncovered shoulder.

“And I’m Jess.” Jess leans in to offer her cheek, and though I can’t see Bran, I catch her disappointment as she pulls back.

“I know,” Bran says, sounding smug. I know all about you.” His hand lands around my throat, and as I gasp, he pulls me against his chest, plucking the empty drink from my hand. “Let me go and get you another cocktail,” he says.

“Are you together?” Lea’s eyes bulge. “Finn?”

Jess chuckles. “Babe, of course they’re not. Look at our Finn here, then look at Fernando .” She calls his name like he’s some kind of Saint.

I clear my throat. “He, uhm…he’s a friend of mine.”

“A friend.” Jess’s eyes follow Bran as he walks away. “Well, perhaps you can introduce me properly to your friend one day.”

“Sure,” I grind my teeth, looking around. “Levi and David aren’t here tonight?”

“They’re at the bar, drinking,” Jess says.

“David was pretty spooked out after last night when?—”

“Lea,” Jess hisses. “We don’t talk about that.”

“Well, it was a terrifying experience,” I admit. The first part of the night was. The second part was…confusing. And hot. Incredibly hot.

I look around, offering polite smiles to eyes that land on mine. Psychology students and teachers have come out to thank the sponsors for their donations and celebrate Christmas together. By the opened terrace doors, with the lake in the background, stands Castor. He is speaking to a man I don’t recognize as one of our teachers. That means he’s got to be one of the rich people present. Wealth finds wealth, I suppose.

He tips his head back and lets out a boisterous laugh at something the other man says. Then his gaze finds mine. My heart thumps as I stare back. He’s so gorgeous I can’t properly breathe.

I could stare at my twins every single second of the day. And night.

But then Jess’s words draw me right back to the conversation. “David believes the asylum wasn’t empty.”

I turn back reluctantly.

“Well, we all heard those footsteps,” Lea hums.

“Those were from the guys,” I tell Jess. “Or…not?”

She slowly shakes her head. ‘They say it wasn’t them.”

“But, did they see anyone?”

“It was pitch dark, dummy.”

“They had flashlights,” Lea ushers.

Jess sighs. “Well, they didn’t see anything.”

I startle when Bran holds a cocktail in front of me, my face growing hot as the girls chuckle.

“He’s always like that,” Jess chuckles, and my embarrassment grows.

“Like what?” Bran’s hand lowers to my hip and circles the smooth, moss-green garments.

“Awkward.” Her eyes zoom in on where Bran’s hand lies. “Where did you say you guys met?”

“I didn’t.” Bran uses his free hand to tip the bottom of my glass up and toward my mouth. “But since you’re curious, we met in town.”

I take a sip, skin heating at the display of dominance.

Good boy , I can practically hear him purr when Bran ruffles my hair and kisses the tip of my ear. My insides tingle as Lea’s mouth falls open.

“I thought you said you weren’t together?”

“Is that what you told them?” Bran murmurs in my ear.

My throat feels too dry to form actual words.

“Well…” Jess bats her eyelashes. “If ever you feel lonely...”

“Jess!” Lea pats Jess’s upper arm. “You have a boyfriend. Speaking off…” She points her chin toward the bar. “Let’s go and keep an eye on them before they get too drunk.”

“Can’t let that happen,” Bran says dryly.

“Well, I hope I’ll see you around, Fernando ,” Jess drawls as she lets Lea drag her away.

“I hope to see you around as well, sweetheart,” Bran murmurs. “Very soon.” His eyes have a cruel glimmer when they land on me. He smiles a cocky grin. Curling a hand around my throat, he tightens his grip until I can’t breathe. His eyes flash when he cocks his head. “And you, my flower, you seem to be confused. What are we exactly?”

I wheeze, face tightening with the need to breathe.

He squeezes tighter, and I splutter as I try to grab a hold of his fist.

“Say it,” he hisses.

“B-boyfriends,” I gasp.

“That’s right. Boyfriends. Say it again.”

“Boyfriends.”

“Such a precious word.” His grip loosens, and I inhale sharply, needing the oxygen. Bran smiles at me. “Because you are ours, and ours only.” His fingertips graze the tender flesh, and I shiver. “Now, let’s dance, shall we?”