Maddie tossed back her second scotch and tapped the bar top for another. She knew Greer would keep ‘em coming without making much of a fuss. They’d played a drinking game one night while they sat up and talked. Unlike her, she’d poured her heart out to the wolf. Her troubles with Mack. Her forbidden desires for Van. God, what a night. Every time she said either of their names, they took a shot.

She almost drank him under the table. If only she hadn’t gotten cocky and slammed two doubles that last round. He’d had to carry her giggling ass to her room.

Thank god for shifter strength.

She studied Van next to her. He vibrated with a tension that bordered on defensive. Now that the shock of him showing up had worn off, thank you scotch, she thought she might be able to concentrate on his sudden appearance.

“So, what gives, Van? Why are you here?”

Van’s dirty blond eyebrow rose in one smooth motion. A secretive smile graced those lips she’d had fantasies of tasting. Every girl wanted to know how similar the twins were. She’d already kissed one…repeatedly. There was no reason she shouldn’t be able to find out about the other one.

Damn it, stop that. That voice in the back of her head was bad news.

He knocked back his second drink as well, eyes fixated on her. The glass hit the bar top with a thunk. “Like I said, I came for you.” His words dipped low, making the fine hairs on her body stand on end. Fuck, she’d missed that voice.

She swallowed hard to push down the emotions welling up in her throat. “I’m not getting back together with Mack.”

A small snarl lifted his upper lip. She could hear the faint rumble of his lion. Movement in the glass-backed bar caught her attention. A couple of people turned their way. Greer waved at them to mind their own business.

“And, I don’t want you to,” he said. An edge to the words had her jolting in surprise.

She thought Van had been just as convinced, as she was, that Mack was her mate. “You don’t?”

“No.” The golden depths in his eyes flashed before he seemed to search her face for something. He let out a long breath and scrubbed his fingers through his hair. “Did you ever wonder why he never claimed you?”

She shrugged and looked away. More than once, but it sounded a bit desperate to her. Admitting it to Mack’s brother, well, it was a bit humiliating. He’d seen everything that went on between her and his twin. He knew Mack had a wandering eye, even though he’d never acted on it.

A strong finger on the side of her face had her turning her head toward him again. “He wasn’t the one for you, Maddie.” Her name on his lips sent the butterflies inside tumbling end over end. A wealth of emotion she couldn’t name came through, jarring her. Her breathing picked up, and she could hear her heartbeat echoing loudly in her ears.

Maddie quickly pulled herself together and rolled her eyes, like she was sure he expected her to. “Then why did I feel the pull?”

“Maybe because you were with the wrong twin.”

“What?” Her eyes rounded, and she knew her mouth hung open. “You weren’t interested in me,” she insisted.

“That’s where you’re wrong, and where I made my mistake.”

Greer slid another shot in front of her, this time a double. She slammed it and set it down, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. Getting drunk might not be the brightest idea, but it would definitely help her get through whatever was going on. Already her head was buzzing, but she wasn’t too sure it was from the alcohol.

“Explain yourself.”

Van picked up her hand and rubbed soothing circles into her palm. It was a trick he knew was a way to distract her when he was about to tell her something she didn’t like. He’d learned it in high school when he first broke the news to her that everyone thought she was a slut and was just messing with the two boys. “Mack and I both felt it. We both wanted you.”

She jerked on her hand, but he didn’t let go. “Then why didn’t you say anything?”

“Because we agreed to let you be the one to decide.”

“Brilliant plan…if I knew you were into me as well. Never in my wildest dreams did I figure you liked me in any way other than friendship.”

Van snorted. “I more than like you.”

Her eyes flared unintentionally at what that might mean. “Could have fooled me.” She tapped the bar top and waited for another drink. When it didn’t appear, she looked to see where Greer was.

He was in front of them. Leaning on the bar, hands propping up his big, dumb head.

“Another drink, please.”

Greer stood and wiped down the area he’d been lounging on. “Nope. This is the part where you need to be aware of what’s going on.”

“And I think this is the part where I need to get stupid drunk,” she sassed back.

He tsked and shook his head. “Doll face, you need to listen to the man.”

“You seriously believe he’s my mate?”

Greer shrugged. “I don’t know about that, but I’m going to guess that a man wouldn’t chase down a girl his brother used to date just for the hell of it. I’m sure there’s some bro code he’s breaking by even contemplating being with you. The least you can do is hear him out and be mostly sober while doing it.”

Maddie resisted the urge to stick her tongue out at him. She hopped off her stool, and took some money out of her bag. She tossed it down and grabbed Van’s hand.

“Let’s go somewhere else to talk about this. I’m thinking a crowded bar isn’t the best place for my ensuing freak out.”