Page 2 of Life After You

My head throbs, the kind that comes from whiskey, not desire. The hangover drives nails into my skull, relentless. I rub my temples, trying to ignore her touch. I don’t want her. Not this morning. All I can taste is stale liquor and a hint of rose perfume. I offer a weak, apologetic smile, searching for her name, but it slips through my grasp, just like my lost dream.

“What’s wrong?” Her voice cuts though the haze, sugary sweet but laced with irritation.

What’s wrong? Everything.

I shift away, lifting her off me and onto the other side of the bed. Her smudged makeup hints at the night we shared, but whatever connection we had is already forgotten. As I rise, another hand, another touch, slides up my arm. Too many limbs. My head pounds, my stomach clenches.

What the actual fuck?

Another red head, her twin, identical in every way—grins at me from the other side of the bed.

Jesus.

I stare at them, my brain scrambling for answers that won’t come. The room tilts slightly as realization slams into me like a freight train. I had twins last night. And I don’t even remember.

They giggle, cooing at me like I’m some prize they’ve won. Their baby talk grates on my nerves. I scratch the itch, and now,I’m left with nothing but regret. Or is it shame? Whatever it is, I don’t have the patience for it.

“I apologize, ladies, but I have no time for this.” I bolt out of the room, completely naked and half blind from the sunlight streaming through the windows.

“Dude, put some fucking clothes on!”

Sam’s voice came from the kitchen, where he sits with a glass of his usual green sludge. He shields his eyes dramatically. “The last thing I need is your junk ruining my cereal.”

“Quiet, baldy. What the fuck did I get into last night.” I mutter, heading back to the bedroom. Sam snorts, shoveling another spoonful of Captain Crunch into his mouth.

The twins protest as I flip on the light and grab my jeans from the floor.

“What the fuck, Logey.” One of them snaps. I barely suppress a groan.

“Listen, girls. Last night was…fun. But I have important things on my mind.”

“You promised we could go on tour with you!” Twin A accuses.

“Yeah, that’s why—” Twin B starts before pausing.

“It’s why we did, you know what.” Twin A finishes.

Sam snorts into his cereal. “Logey… you fucked sisters?” His voice is full of amusement. “Wait, hang on girls. We have to vote on roadies tagging along.”

“Sam, do not tease them, we do not have time.”

“Tease? I see real potential hereLogey.”

“Do. Not. Call me that.”

“Sorry, girlies. Maybe next time.” Sam winks.

Their smiles vanish, replaced by sharp, indignant stares.

“What? You’re just gonna kick us out?” One of them spits, her voice venomous.

¡Dios Mio!I can’t even tell which one’s speaking.

“Yes Señora. I’ll call you both a taxi,” I reach for a sock, bending down too fast, sending a wave of nausea through me. My head pounds harder. Sam watches, smirking as I grab a bottle of water and press it to my forehead for relief. I eye my phone on the counter, a flicker of hope stirring, but when I check the notifications, there’s nothing from the one person I ache to hear from.

Mac.

I can’t stop thinking about her.

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