Tell You Once Tell You Twice Novels & Stories

Author’s Note Hello, dear readers, I want to apologize to all of you who have reached this point and are reading without fully understanding what’s happening. After spending time rereading the book, I realized there were many repeated pieces of information and that the story wasn’t moving forward—it kept circling the same situations.

I can feel the warmth of him like a second layer of air. For a second, I imagine leaning forward. Just once to see if it still feels the same. The thought hits me fully formed and dangerous: Maybe one last time would fix it. Maybe if I let it happen again, properly, deliberately, then it would lose its power. Maybe it would turn into something ordinary instead of this sharp, humming thing under my skin. Like popping a blister instead of walking on it. The idea scares me because it does not sound like a bad idea at all.

“I didn't quite...” “I said,” I repeat, slamming my heeled foot on his again. “Don't just say shit like that so easily!” I didn't know what game Trent was trying to play, but I wasn't going to be a victim to his charms again. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

I know he's joking but that doesn't stop me from rolling my eyes at him. But also, "I'm pretty sure I only told you once about this." He hasn't been around for me to 'not stop about this' like he's saying. I'm also certain that I mentioned it in passing, it wasn't like we properly talked about it. So that means, "You listened." I say to him with a smile. He goes around acting like he doesn't care but I know he does. More than one would think. "It's no big deal Ms Oliphant." He says shrugging it off. It is but I don't mention another word of it.

I will never be twice the loser. Never.

It's been three days since Nathan’s prank. He has been trying to talk to me, but I am completely ignoring him. I was stupid enough to fall for one of his pranks, I'm not going to fall for another one. As the saying goes, fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. He has contributed to aggravating my trust issues.

"What would you advise, then? We have been talking to each other for over a few months. You've never hesitated to provide me with your excellent advice." She shrugged to herself. "You sound young. You shouldn't give up all the fish in the sea for one failed catch." The minute the words left her mouth, she realized she had made a blunder. What if the person suspected she wasn't herself, because she had mentioned her assumption based on his voice over the phone? Fortunately, the person failed to capture her error, and then he continued, "Since you say that I shouldn't give up all the fish in the sea, would you be willing to be my fish?"

“I told you to be with it at all times.” His voice shifts lower, sharper, cutting. “And you left it behind. Twice.”

Almost. "Did you hear what I said or do you need to be told everything twice?" I don't know what comes over me but I screw my lips together before deciding to spit at his feet.

It feels like I’m doing the same shit I’ve been doing before, except on an actual person, not a bag. He remains silent, watching me for a few moments, not saying anything. He looks like he’s contemplating some big decision, then lets out a big breath. “We’re only gonna do this once-“ “Yes!” I jump, grinning ear to ear. “Come on, get your ass up.” “Once, just so you see that what you’re trying to do is absolutely ridiculous, and then you will never ask me to do this again.” “Yeah, yeah, alright.”