Page 55 of My Twin Sister's Ex

“I might need a little more chocolate before I’ll be ready for that.”

Reese laughed and handed me the individually wrapped brownie from her lunch box.

I grinned at her and took the brownie. “I’m not sure this is going to cover it.”

“I know it’s not the best quality, but chocolate is chocolate.”

I inspected the package. “It does look a little smashed.”

“I think my little brother sat on the package.”

“Gross!” I threw the brownie back at her.

Reese laughed and caught the snack cake before sobering up. “Suppose that Jackilyn really did catch him by surprise and laid one on him. Do you still feel like he’s at fault?”

“That depends,” I said.

“On what?”

“On whether he wanted her to kiss him.” I ripped open the bag of M&Ms and poured some into my hand before dropping them in my mouth.

“Do you think he wanted her to kiss him?”

I chewed and swallowed my snack. “That’s the part I’m not sure about.”

“I see. That’s pretty tough.”

“That’s what has been tearing me up inside. What if I get back together with him, and he’s constantly checking out Jackilyn when I’m not around?”

“You’re going to have to learn to trust him.”

“I’ve had Jackilyn as a twin my entire life. Trust isn’t exactly the easiest thing for me.”

“I get that. But Bennett and Jackilyn are two very different people. Just because she’s untrustworthy doesn’t mean he is too,” Reese said.

“I know that. At least my head does. It’s a little harder to convince my heart of that.” I popped another M&M in my mouth.

“You have to decide if it’s worth it to take a risk on Bennett. He’s either a scumbag who has a secret crush on your twin, or he’s a great guy who got caught in a compromising situation.”

Was it worth it? I was so afraid of getting my heart broken. What if he did it again? I wasn’t sure I could handle that much rejection, and I didn’t think Jackilyn would stop trying to hit on him. Would he be strong enough to resist?

I wanted to trust Bennett. I was starting to have feelings for him. What we’d had was really great. I just wasn’t sure if it was enough.

* * *

Itook a seat on a park bench. Bennett and I agreed that it was probably still best for us to meet at the park for our practice. It kept Jackilyn out of the picture.

I’d gotten there early. I was too nervous to arrive late like I usually did. Bennett showed up about five minutes after me.

“You got here before me?” His tone was light.

I hadn’t been expecting that.

He looked good in jeans and a black t-shirt that stretched tightly across his chest. I wanted to pull him in my arms, but I couldn’t let myself. There was too much unresolved between us.

“I do know how to show up early from time to time.”

So many unspoken words stretched between us.

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