Page 99 of The Good Girl's Guide to Being Bad

“Better than nice,” he said quickly. “Sadie, you look…damn.”

Damn was a lot better than nice especially when he said it like that, like he couldn’t quite find the words, and my spirits lifted. Heck, I almost floated out of my heels and to the ceiling. One compliment from Colton, and I was ready to take flight.

“I’ll admit it,” Kyle said. “I’m starting to feel more worried about losing the bet.”

“You should be,” Colton said. “Sadie’s been doing a great job on her list.”

“That’s not what I mean, Colt.” Kyle shook his head. “The way you look at Sadie, and the way she looks at you, even I would think there’s something going on. I’m sure an audience is going to eat that up.”

“That’s the point. Right, Sadie?”

“Yeah,” I swallowed. “We’re acting, and we’re just really good at doing it together.”

“Really?” Kyle said. “‘Cause I would’ve sworn it was more.”

“Well, it’s not,” Colton said.

“Will you excuse me?” I said suddenly needing to escape, desperate to get away before I did or said something stupid. “I need to check my makeup before we start.”

“Sure,” Kyle said. “Take your time.”

I made it to the bathroom on fairly steady feet, my mind rushing all around. I couldn’t do this anymore. I was lying to everyone, Betty, my best friend, the guy I’d fallen in love with. Worse, I was lying to myself if I thought it would all blow over, or I could just keep it in for the rest of my life. Something had to give. Even if I only confessed everything to Kyle, I thought, maybe it would make things a little better. Colton could go on and hookup with as many girls as he wanted. I shuddered, heart shriveling at the thought. He would forget me easily, but I would still pine for him long after this bet and my list were complete. I had to tell someone. I had to, or I’d never be able to face either one of the Bishop brothers again.

Colton had been right. I was brave.

Just not brave enough to tell him.

But who knows? I thought, trying to pump myself up. Maybe if I told Kyle, one day down the road—a long, looong way down—I would finally be able to confess my feelings to Colton and be done with this charade.

Pulling up all of my courage, I marched out of the bathroom and spotted the twins. They were taking a selfie in their contrasting tees. Their backs were to me, but I tugged on Kyle’s white shirt and said, “Come with me. I need to tell you something.” Without looking, I dragged him along behind me until we were in the dressing room away from everyone. Dropping Kyle’s sleeve, I put my hands on my hips, still facing away, thinking it would be easier to get it all out if I didn’t have to look him in the eye. As he started to say something, I held up a hand to cut him off. I needed to get this off my chest and fast.

“I think I’m falling for your brother,” I said in a rush.

He said nothing, so I went on.

“Actually, I know I am.” I started pacing. “Kyle, it was a total accident. I know you warned me not to fall for him, but I couldn’t help it. It all started when Colton stepped up to help with my list, and as we spent more time together and I really got to know him, it was impossible not to like him. Colton’s sarcastic and way too honest—but he’s also smart, funny, loyal and thoughtful. He’s like…one of the best guys I’ve ever known. Besides you, of course.”

Kyle still hadn’t said anything. I couldn’t read his silence, but I couldn’t seem to stop talking.

“And I know what you’re thinking,” I said. “Colton already told me I’m not his type. He thinks I’m uptight and prissy, all the things he’d never go for in a girl. But like I said, I couldn’t help it. It isn’t even how attractive he is or his confidence, although those are definite turn-ons.”

I waited to see if Kyle would gag or say something then, but he didn’t.

“I love Colton because he makes me feel like I could be anything. Do anything.” I paused, finally taking a moment to exhale. “He makes me feel beautiful and brave, exactly like the person I want to be. And when he kisses me, sometimes even when he looks at me, I feel it.” My hand drifted up to my chest. “Right here, in my heart.”

A beat passed.

“Please say something,” I begged. “You’re my best friend, Kyle. I know this will make it strange between us, but I just couldn’t keep it from you anymore. There’s nothing to worry about because I’ll probably never tell Colton anyway.”

“I think you just did.”

The voice that spoke definitely didn’t belong to my best friend, and as I spun around, my eyes widened. Colton stood there, piercings and all, hands in his pockets—and he was wearing Kyle’s white shirt.

“But I thought…” I stopped, voice disappearing as I took in the fact that Colton was here, not a figment of my imagination.

“That I was Kyle?” Colton shrugged. “We switched shirts. Kyle said he wanted a picture to see who looked better in each color, so we changed shirts while you were in the bathroom.”

My mind was reeling, still taking in the full ramifications of his being here. I’d never mistaken one twin for the other.Ever.Then the one time I did, it was the biggest, most colossal mistake of my life. If I’d looked at him or heard his voice, I definitely would’ve known, but like an idiot, I’d pulled him in here without checking.

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