Page 16 of My Twin Sister's Ex

She looked relieved. “I’m glad you feel that way. I want to win the competition. I hope you’re going into this prepared to work hard.”

“You’re expecting us to win?” I sputtered.

“I wouldn’t say I’m expecting it, but it sure would look nice on my theater resume.”

“What’s a theater resume?” I asked.

“It’s basically what it sounds like. You put your theater experience together in one spot so you can hand it to directors with your headshot when you audition.”

“You’re taking this really seriously,” I said.

“I’m hoping to get into Duke’s musical theater program. It’s highly competitive.”

I just wanted to graduate. College wasn’t even on my radar. I planned on learning everything I could from Uncle Ryan and maybe opening my own repair shop one day. I didn’t need college for that.

“Look, I was hoping we could keep this whole partnership thing on the down-low,” Jessilyn said, dropping her voice.

“How are we supposed to do that? We’ll be performing in front of the entire school.”

“But we don’t have to announce it to Jackilyn. At least not right away. I don’t want her interfering with our practices, trying to sabotage things.”

“You think she would do that?” I asked.

“I wouldn’t put it past her. She’s not going to like us pretending to be in love. She’s still hung up on the fact that you aren’t destroyed that she dumped you.”

“I picked up on that,” I said.

“The last thing we’re going to need is her going ballistic, throwing some huge fit.”

“So, what do you suggest?” I asked.

“We hold our practices at a park, somewhere where Jackilyn won’t see us.”

“That’s fine with me.” The less drama involved, the better. Well, the dramatic, angry ex-girlfriend kind of drama, at least.

I released a sigh of relief. Jessilyn was being a lot cooler about this than I’d expected. And for that, I was immensely grateful.

I heard shouts from across the lawn. Kellen and a couple of his buddies were standing with Colby Jennings, one of the freshman kids known for being a science nerd.

“What’s going on over there?” Jessilyn asked.

“It looks like Kellen is being his usual self.”

Kellen pushed Colby, and he landed in the mud. He opened his sandwich bag and dropped his sandwich on the ground, smashing it beneath his boot.

I couldn’t stand by and watch a smaller kid getting picked on like that by someone twice his size. I got up and started heading in their direction.

“Where are you going, Bennett?” Jessilyn asked.

“I’m taking care of something. You don’t need to follow me.”

But she stayed on my heels anyway. I just hoped she didn’t end up getting herself hurt. “You should stay back,” I warned her.

“I know Colby. He’s a good kid. Our moms are friends,” Jessilyn said.

“Yeah, I know him too,” I said over my shoulder. “His parents are loyal customers at my uncle’s auto shop.” Walking up to Kellen, I asked, “What’s the deal?” I rolled my shoulders and stood so I reached my full height.

“Mind your own business, Andrews.”

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