Page 39 of My Twin Sister's Ex

Me:Jacki, I’m sorry about how things went down with Bennett tonight. I never meant to hurt you.

I could tell she’d read the message, but she didn’t respond. I changed into my pajamas and brushed my teeth. When I got back to my room, I still hadn’t gotten a response from her. I sent a message to Bennett.

Me:I texted Jackilyn an apology, but she hasn’t responded. I know she saw the message.

Bennett:Just give her some time. Maybe she’ll come around.

I held on to that hope as my head hit my pillow, and my eyes slid closed.

* * *

Iwoke up the next morning to the smell of bacon and pancakes. My tummy grumbled in protest. I threw back my purple bedspread and padded to the hallway. I could hear someone rummaging around in the kitchen and the tv on in the family room. Mom loved to cook and watch tv at the same time.

“Hey, Mom,” I said, coming into the kitchen. She had her blonde hair pulled back into a messy bun with a few tendrils loose around her face. I turned the corner to see Dad emptying the dishwasher. “Morning, Dad.”

He turned to look at me. “Morning, Jessilyn.”

Mom took the remote and clicked off the tv. “Come have a seat.”

I sat at the kitchen table.

“Jackilyn came home pretty upset last night,” Mom said.

Uh-oh. I gulped. “What was she upset about?”

“She said she was concerned about you because you were dating Bennett.”

I furrowed my brow. “Concerned?” Didn’t they mean angry and jealous?

“She said he’s not a good guy. That was why she ended things with him.”

“Did she give you any examples of what he’s done wrong?”

“She said he’s been suspended twice, and that he’s gotten into multiple fights at school. We don’t think that’s the kind of guy you should be dating.”

“Bennett likes to stand up for people who are getting picked on. He’s gotten blamed for a lot of the fights he’s been involved in.”

Dad frowned. “Jackilyn didn’t mention that part.”

“Of course not! She wanted to poison you guys against him because she’s jealous that I’m with him now.”

“How long has this been going on?” My dad wasn’t smiling. I knew he hadn’t liked it when Jackilyn was dating him. It had to be much worse for him now.

“We got together last night.”

“I see.” Dad sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

“Why are you dating him?” Mom wasn’t smiling either. It looked like I didn’t have an ally in either of my parents this morning.

“I’m dating him because I want to.” I wasn’t going to let them talk me out of dating Bennett. “He makes me happy.”

“We want what’s best for you, Jessilyn,” Dad said. “We don’t want to see you get your heart broken with the wrong guy.”

“The wrong guy? Bennett’s a great guy.” I knew who I wanted to spend my time with right now. I didn’t need anyone to make that decision for me. “You didn’t stop Jackilyn from dating him. Why stop me?”

“We knew he was a little rough around the edges back then, but we didn’t know everything that Jackilyn told us last night. That was new information.”

“But she most likely gave you a skewed version of the truth, and now I’m getting punished for it.”

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