Two Kisses, One Christmas

Tension Under the Mistletoe

Chapter 3

The rest of the night feels like a blur, and by the time I get home, I’m still replaying every moment in my head — Neo’s grin, Derek’s serious gaze, and Mila’s knowing smirks. I sink onto my bed, staring up at the ceiling.

“Why me?” I whisper to no one in particular.

The Blackwood twins are untouchable. They’re the guys who exist in a different world — popular, powerful, and way out of my league. I’ve spent most of high school under the radar, and now, suddenly, I’m caught between them.

I’m not naive. I know guys like Neo see girls as a game, a challenge to be conquered. But Derek? He’s different. He feels different. I don’t know if that’s better or worse.

My phone buzzes on the nightstand, jolting me from my thoughts. I reach for it, heart pounding for no reason. It’s a text from Mila.

Mila: You good? Or are you still thinking about your two bodyguards?

I roll my eyes and type back.

Me: I’m fine. Stop being dramatic.

Her reply comes instantly.

Mila: Girl, it’s not dramatic if it’s TRUE. You’re living every romance novel cliché right now, and I’m living for it.

I toss my phone aside, groaning. I’m not living in a romance novel. This is real life, and in real life, guys like Derek and Neo don’t fight over girls like me.

At least, that’s what I tell myself.

---

The next morning, I wake up feeling like I barely slept. The cold air seeps in through the cracks of my window, and I wrap myself tighter in my blanket. Christmas break is supposed to be relaxing, but I feel like I’m walking on thin ice.

When I finally drag myself out of bed, my mom is in the kitchen humming along to Christmas music, the smell of pancakes filling the air. She smiles when she sees me.

“Morning, sleepyhead,” she says, flipping a pancake. “Late night?”

“Something like that,” I mumble, rubbing my eyes.

“You’re lucky you’re on break,” she says, glancing at me over her shoulder. “But don’t think you’re off the hook for helping me decorate later.”

“Yeah, yeah,” I reply, grabbing an apple from the counter.

I’m halfway through my breakfast when there’s a knock at the door. Mom wipes her hands on a dish towel and glances at me. “Can you get that?”

“Sure,” I mutter, heading toward the door. I’m expecting a package delivery or maybe one of Mom’s friends dropping by. What I don’t expect is to open the door and see them.

Derek and Neo Blackwood.

Neo’s leaning casually against the porch railing, hands stuffed in his jacket pockets, his trademark grin firmly in place. Derek stands beside him, looking far too serious for a guy standing on my front porch.

“What... what are you guys doing here?” I ask, my heart doing a weird flip in my chest.

Neo tilts his head, his grin growing wider. “You gonna invite us in, or are we supposed to freeze out here?”

I glance over my shoulder, suddenly very aware that I’m still wearing sweatpants and a hoodie. “Uh, now’s not really a good time.”

“Relax, Vic,” Neo says, brushing past me like he owns the place. “We’re not staying long.”

Derek follows, quieter but no less commanding. His eyes scan the house like he’s taking in every detail. I shut the door behind them, still trying to figure out how this is my life right now.

“Seriously, what are you two doing here?” I cross my arms, trying to sound more annoyed than flustered.

“Came to check on you,” Derek says simply, his eyes meeting mine. “You left the party pretty quickly last night.”

“Yeah, I left because someone decided to turn me into the center of a soap opera,” I snap, glaring at Neo.

Neo raises his hands like he’s innocent. “Hey, don’t blame me. You’re the one who’s too fun to mess with.”

“Mess with someone else, Neo,” I say, feeling my patience wear thin. “I’m not in the mood.”

His grin falters just a little, but he hides it with a shrug. “Alright, alright. No need to get all feisty.” He nudges Derek with his elbow. “See? I told you she’s got fire.”

“Don’t push her,” Derek warns, giving Neo a hard look.

They stare at each other for a moment, some silent conversation passing between them. It’s unnerving how they can do that — communicate without speaking. I’ve seen them do it on the hockey rink too, like they have a secret language only they understand.

“Okay, enough with the twin mind games,” I say, stepping between them. “Why are you really here?”

Derek shifts his weight, glancing at me like he’s trying to decide how much to tell me. “Neo’s got a habit of getting himself into trouble,” he says, his eyes narrowing at his brother. “And sometimes, he drags other people into it.”

Neo raises an eyebrow. “You make me sound like a criminal, bro.”

“You act like one,” Derek shoots back.

I watch them, my confusion growing. “Okay, I have no idea what you two are talking about, but I’m not interested in being part of whatever scheme you’ve got going.”

Neo’s grin returns, sly and confident. “It’s not a scheme, sweetheart. It’s more of a... misunderstanding.”

I glare at him. “Don’t call me sweetheart.”

He chuckles, but Derek’s not laughing. He steps forward, his eyes locking on mine with that same intensity from last night. “We’re not here to mess with you, Victoria. I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

My heart stutters, and I hate how much that simple statement affects me. His voice is calm, steady, and for some reason, I believe him.

“I’m fine,” I mutter, looking away. “I don’t need babysitters.”

“Never said you did,” Derek replies softly.

Silence settles over us, thick and uncomfortable. I glance between the two of them, feeling like I’m caught in some kind of invisible tug-of-war. Neo’s gaze is sharp, mischievous, like he’s waiting for me to slip up. Derek’s is steady, unwavering, like he’s silently telling me he’ll wait as long as it takes.

“Alright,” Neo says suddenly, breaking the tension. “We’ll head out.” He flashes me a grin as he walks toward the door. “But don’t think you’re rid of us, Vic. We’re not that easy to shake.”

He winks, then opens the door and steps outside, the cold air rushing in behind him. Derek follows but stops just before stepping through. He turns, his gray eyes holding mine for a moment longer than necessary.

“If you ever need me,” he says quietly, “I’m one call away.”

My chest tightens, and I don’t know why. I give him a nod, not trusting my voice to work. He steps out, pulling the door shut behind him.

For a long time, I just stand there, staring at the door. My thoughts are all over the place. Neo’s words, Derek’s eyes, the way they seem to orbit around me like I’m the center of something I didn’t ask for.

I hear my mom’s voice behind me. “Those boys... they’re trouble, you know.”

I glance over my shoulder. “Yeah, I know.”

She gives me a knowing look, one eyebrow raised. “But sometimes, trouble’s the most exciting part of life.”

I snort, shaking my head. “Not for me, it’s not.”

But as I walk back to my room, I realize that might not be true anymore. Because as much as I want to stay away from the Blackwood twins, something tells me they’re not going to let me.

Not now. Not ever.