Page 38 of My Twin Sister's Ex

“I have to go.” I stepped past her toward the driver’s side of my car.

“You know Mom and Dad will never let you date him,” she called out.

I looked over at her. “Were you planning to tell them?”

“Don’t you think I’d better? I would be a bad daughter to keep something like that from them.”

So this was her retaliation? She was going to turn Mom and Dad against me? It wouldn’t be hard to do. They relied on me to make all the responsible decisions. They’d given up on Jackilyn making good choices long ago.

“I meant what I said when I told you I didn’t think Bennett was over me. Be careful with him, Jessilyn. You’re playing with fire, and you might get burned.”

“I think I know what I’m doing.” Did I? Maybe Jackilyn was right, and Bennett was still hung up on her. “Just because I finally have a boyfriend, you’re trying to destroy everything for me. It’s like you can’t handle the fact that I’m with someone.”

“This isn’t a game, Jessilyn. I know you’ve never had a boyfriend before, and it can be flattering when a guy gives you attention. Trust me, I know. But Bennett isn’t the guy for you. He’s had a rough past.”

“I know it’s not a game.”

“Fine,” Jackilyn’s mouth turned downward into a displeased expression. “Don’t listen to me, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

I climbed into my car without looking back at her. I had to get out of there before I said something I would regret later. Turning our parents against me was a low blow. She had the power to make them think Bennett was a bad guy. She could tell them all kinds of stories about what he’d been like when they’d dated. I couldn’t imagine that she’d have anything negative to say that was true. She’d probably broken up with him because she’d been bored with how well he’d treated her.

I drove home, dreading the moment I’d have to face my parents. I hated disappointing them. Maybe Jacki would get distracted with her friends at dinner and forget about telling Mom and Dad that I was dating Bennett. A girl could hope, right?

I pulled into the driveway and sighed. Just when things were going well, something had to come along to ruin my perfect night. I felt like I’d waited a long time for a boyfriend. I’d spent a lot of years watching Jacki date and have attention showered on her from various guys. It was my turn to have a guy, and I didn’t want her ruining it.

It wasn’t fair that she got to have multiple boyfriends, and I’d always been alone. I deserved a guy too. I knew I didn’t need a guy. I had the strong, independent woman thing down. But I wanted a guy. What was so wrong with that?

I went into the house, hoping to avoid my parents in case Jackilyn had called them. I could see my parents sitting in front of the tv together watching their favorite show. Maybe I could sneak past them to my room, and they wouldn’t hear me. I’d just make a beeline.

I slipped inside the front door and quietly clicked it shut behind me. I slipped off my shoes and crept across the wood floor of the foyer in my socks. I just had to make it to the hallway without them turning their heads to notice that I was there.

I stepped out carefully, and a floorboard creaked beneath my foot. I froze. My dad turned and saw me standing there.

“Jessilyn, you’re home.”

“Hey, Dad.”

“Did you have a fun night?”

“Yep.” I’d assumed Jackilyn would have called them by now, but they didn’t seem to know anything. “I’m going to head up to my room.”

“Okay, sweetie,” Mom said.

I blew out a puff of air as relief washed over me. I went up to my room and texted Bennett.

Me:My parents don’t seem to know anything yet.

Bennett:Good. Maybe it will stay that way.

Me: I doubt it. Jackilyn is pretty upset.

Bennett:Maybe there’s something we can do to get her to calm down.

Me:Like what?

Bennett:Maybe you can apologize to her or something.

That was a good idea. I decided to text her.

---