His Shortcake

Chapter 8

Tamara Ramirez

I've resigned myself to my fate. Fighting the contract would be futile, and there's nothing I can do without embarrassing our family name in the business world. Deflated and bored, I slumped in my chair, waiting for the twins to arrive. I had just finished my last class for the day and was dying for some fun. Apollo and Artemis always have something up their sleeves—they're what I call the ultimate party people.

"Apollo!" Artemis's loud, angry voice made my head snap toward the door. The dark brown haired beauty was red with anger as she stomped after her twin. Apollo, however, looked relatively calm. "I can't believe you did that!"

Apollo shrugged as he sat across from me. "I don't like her." He turned to me, brushing his hair back with his hand. "Hey, future Mrs. Franco."

I rolled my eyes. It seems like the media's speculation is no longer just speculation. Last night's dinner confirmed the "relationship" between Dustyn and me. Someone from the restaurant staff, I assume, snapped a picture of us holding hands under the table.

"Shut up. It's not like I had a choice."

"Apollo, don't change the subject, you asshole," Artemis grumbled, dropping her bag on the table.

"Hey, Mara." She greeted me with a wide smile, which vanished when she looked at Apollo again.

"What did he do this time?" I asked, curious about why she was so angry.

"He called Clarissa a good lay! In the middle of the damn hallway!" She emphasized her point with outstretched hands, eyes wide with disbelief.

I laughed at her disgusted face. She glared at me. "Oh, you think that's funny?"

I nodded and turned to Apollo. "And I can't believe you slept with that walking contraption."

Apollo raised his hands in mock surrender. "I did not sleep with that... woman."

"Then?"

"Some of the football team members were talking about it in Calculus," he said, his tone dismissive, as if discussing yesterday's weather.

"Gee, Apollo. I thought you slept with her," I said, holding back laughter.

Apollo glared, disgust evident on his face. "I know I sleep around, but that woman has had more bedmates than I ever did."

"That's not a reason to embarrass her!" Artemis snapped.

Apollo just shrugged and went back to scrolling on his phone. I sighed and looked at Artemis with pity. When Apollo is done with a conversation, he won't be persuaded to explain further.

"Art, just buy yourself a coffee."

"I hate you both!" she grumbled but headed to the counter to order, her footsteps heavy with frustration.

"So, there's a party on Friday. You wanna go?" Apollo asked, mischief twinkling in his eyes. The way he's looking at me says he already knows my answer. He just prefers not to ask while Art is around, knowing she might sway my decision.

"Whose party?" I asked, nodding.

"It's a frat party. It's going to be wild, T." He was practically bouncing with anticipation.

"Let me guess, booze and sex?"

"Lots of sex," he said, winking playfully.

"You're such a horny bastard, Apollo."

"Just in demand."

"Stop. You're making me want to hurl."

Apollo laughed at my obvious dislike of his "ways." "So, that's a yes?"