Two Kisses, One Christmas

Secrets and Lies

Chapter 2

The song ends, but neither Neo nor I make any move to break apart. I’m not sure what’s happening, but there’s this intense energy between us, thick like the air before a storm. I should pull away, I know that, but my feet feel frozen in place.

Neo’s hand rests on my waist, his thumb drawing small circles against my skin. His eyes are locked on mine, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “You’re a good dancer, Victoria. I didn’t expect that.”

I open my mouth to respond, but nothing comes out. He’s standing way too close, and my brain is too scrambled to form a coherent thought. All I can do is feel the heat radiating off his body, the slight pressure of his hand guiding me through the dance.

Before I can gather myself, I hear a voice behind me. “That’s enough, Neo.”

I spin around, surprised to see Derek standing there, arms crossed over his chest, his gray eyes narrowing slightly. He looks calm, as usual, but I can sense the underlying tension in the way his jaw tightens.

Neo chuckles softly, not fazed at all. “Relax, Derek. I’m just having a little fun.”

“I don’t think Victoria’s interested in being your plaything,” Derek responds, his voice low and controlled.

My heart sinks as I glance between the two brothers. It’s like I’m caught in the middle of something, something I don’t fully understand. Why are they so... different around me? Derek’s protective tone is clear, but Neo’s flirtatious grin doesn’t seem to care. I’m left feeling confused, exposed, and completely out of my depth.

“Is there a problem?” Mila’s voice cuts through the tension, and I’m relieved to see her walking toward us. She’s wearing a mischievous grin, but there’s a hint of concern in her eyes as she looks between the twins and me.

“No problem,” Neo says with a carefree shrug. “Just having a little dance with Victoria.”

Derek’s gaze flicks to Mila, then back to me, as if silently asking if I’m okay. I want to nod, to tell him I’m fine, but I’m not sure if I am.

“Well,” Mila says, raising an eyebrow, “I think that’s enough dancing for now. I’m taking Vic to get some fresh air.”

Before anyone can argue, she pulls me away, leading me toward the exit. I glance back, but both Derek and Neo are watching us, their expressions unreadable. The atmosphere feels heavy, like something’s about to break — but I have no idea what.

Mila doesn’t let go of my arm until we’re outside, the cold night air hitting my face like a splash of cold water. She pulls me into a nearby bench and sits beside me, wrapping her arms around herself for warmth. “Okay,” she says, her voice soft but insistent. “What the hell was that?”

I turn to look at her, feeling my heart still racing. “I don’t know, Mila. That was... intense.”

Mila raises an eyebrow. “Intense? That’s one way to describe it. Neo was practically on top of you. I swear, I thought he was going to kiss you right there.”

I glance down at my hands, nervously twisting them in my lap. “I don’t get it. Why are they acting like this around me?”

Mila’s face softens, and she places a hand on my shoulder. “You’re asking the wrong person, Vic. But I think... I think there’s more going on with the Blackwood twins than you know. Especially with Derek.”

My heart skips a beat. “Derek?” I repeat, the name feeling like a secret all of its own. “What do you mean?”

She looks at me with a knowing expression. “You’ve noticed it, right? The way he watches you? He’s not as indifferent as he pretends to be. He’s got feelings for you, Vic.”

I shake my head, trying to laugh it off. “No way. Derek Blackwood doesn’t like me. He’s... he’s perfect. He’s the kind of guy every girl wants, and I’m just... me.”

Mila frowns, her eyes serious. “You’re more than just ‘you,’ Vic. You’re real — and that’s what makes you different. That’s why Derek notices you. He sees past all the pretty faces and fake smiles.”

I stare at her, stunned. “But what about Neo? He’s the one who’s always flirting with me.”

Mila shrugs. “Neo? He’s a different story. He’s fun, he’s spontaneous, and he’s the kind of guy who makes everyone feel special... but he doesn’t exactly stick around. If you want someone who’ll stick, you’ve got to look at Derek.”

Before I can respond, I hear footsteps approaching, and I glance up to see Derek standing in the doorway, his posture stiff, but his gaze soft.

“Mila,” he says quietly, his voice betraying a hint of discomfort, “can I talk to Victoria for a moment?”

Mila raises her hands in mock surrender. “Fine, fine. I’ll leave you two lovebirds alone.” She winks at me before walking back into the building.

I want to say something, but the words stick in my throat. Derek stands there for a moment, his gaze intense, before he walks over and sits beside me on the bench, not too close, but close enough that I can feel his presence.

“I didn’t mean to make things weird back there,” he says, his voice low and careful. “I just didn’t like how... how close Neo was getting to you.”

I blink, trying to make sense of his words. “You... didn’t like it?”

Derek looks at me, his gray eyes searching mine. “I’ve known Neo my whole life. He’s not someone you can trust easily. He likes the thrill of the chase, and once he gets bored, he moves on. But you... you’re different. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

I feel a lump form in my throat. “Why do you care? We barely know each other.”

Derek exhales, rubbing the back of his neck. “Because I’ve been watching you, Victoria. You’re not like the others. You don’t pretend to be something you’re not. You’re real... and that’s rare.”

My heart races as his words sink in. He’s been watching me? Does he... does he like me? The thought is almost too much to process, but the way he’s looking at me now, with such sincerity in his eyes, makes it feel real.

“I don’t want you to think I’m trying to control who you spend time with,” Derek continues, his tone gentle. “Neo is... well, he’s Neo. But I trust you to make your own choices. I just want to make sure you know what you’re getting into.”

I’m not sure how to respond. A part of me wants to ask him what exactly he means by all of this, but another part of me is too afraid of hearing the answer. What if he doesn’t really mean it? What if this is just his way of protecting me out of some misplaced sense of responsibility?

“I’m just... not looking for any of this,” I say quietly, more to myself than to him. “I don’t need the drama. I don’t need a complicated love triangle or whatever this is.”

Derek’s expression softens, and he places a hand on my shoulder, his touch warm but steady. “I get it. But sometimes, the things we don’t want are the ones that end up mattering the most.”

I look up at him, searching his face for any sign of insincerity, but all I see is honesty. My heart stutters in my chest. Maybe... maybe there’s more to this than I thought.

“I don’t know what’s going on between you and Neo,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. “But I’m not ready for any of this. Not yet.”

Derek nods, his gaze never leaving mine. “I won’t push you, Victoria. I just want you to know that I’m here. If you need someone to talk to, I’m here.”

I swallow hard, the words hanging in the air between us. I don’t know what any of this means yet, but I know one thing for sure: everything is about to change. And I don’t know if I’m ready for it.

But then again, when it comes to the Blackwood brothers, I don’t think anyone is ever truly ready.