6. Mixed Feelings

RYLIE

"So why'd you do it?" Blake asked as he pulled me into an empty classroom and closed the door behind him. "Were you really that desperate for everyone to know?"

"Not you too! You dragged me here. The least you could do is not speak in code," I groaned, massaging my temples as I paced back and forth.

"Don't play dumb. It could only have been you. You're the one who locked me in that damn closet in the first place."

I hesitated to respond, my heart rate rising as I processed his response. Closet? But I deleted the video and I was the only one who even watched it. I had to be the only one...

"Maybe this will jog your memory."

Blake thrust his phone into my phone and I started to shoot a dirty look his way but my attention was diverted by the video playing on Blake's phone. It was the same video the camera I'd planted had captured but specifically it was a clip of Blake grabbing my waist and kissing me on a loop. But that wasn't the worst part. Whoever had uploaded the video had also added the caption, "Check out who the captain got busy with during the big game on Friday. Maybe all that fighting was hiding something... #SecretGirlfriend". A jaunty romantic tune had also been edited, making the kiss seem even more passionate than it actually was.

"Oh my God! This can't be happening right now. This can't be happening!" I mumbled, stepping back from the phone and running my hand through my hair as I tried to make sense of what I'd just seen.

Suddenly everything made sense: the stares, the dirty looks from every girl in school, Olivia's demeanor... It all made sense. They all thought I was dating Blake. Oh. My. God.

"I'm guessing your reaction means you weren't behind this then."

"Oh, amazing deductive skills. Sherlock has nothing on you," I spat spitefully, rolling my eyes.

Blake rolled his eyes but seemed a lot less tense as he walked to a desk close to me and sat on it.

"So who do you think could've done this?"

"I don't know. I don't know. I got rid of the video. I don't know how—" Then it clicked. "Let me see that video again."

Blake handed me his phone and I watched the video again— well, I listened to it. I couldn't stand to watch that internal clip again. Anyway, the tune that'd been edited in sounded really familiar and I remembered why.

Over the weekend, Myles had discovered this new song which he'd taken to playing on repeat. It'd gotten on my nerves after a while but Myles refused to listen to anything else. Now it made sense.

Myles, that sneaky bastard.

"It's your brother, isn't it?" Blake said, his voice cutting into my thoughts.

I glanced to the side, fixing him with a quizzical expression. "How did you figure that out?"

"Well, he's the only person other than me who can put that murderous expression on your face."

"Hmm... Well, I hope you had a fun time getting to know him because I'm going to kill him." I pounded my fist into my palm as I talked, imagining I was pummeling Myles' face. I can't believe he set me up like this. Actually, scratch that. I could believe it. We were talking about my twin, my actual archenemy.

"What were you going to do with the footage anyway?"

"Huh?" I jumped like I'd been pricked by a needle and quickly averted my eyes.

Blake got up without warning, closed the gap between us and stared down at me, his blue eyes blazing. He wasn't touching me but apparently he didn't need to to have an effect on me. Against my will, my eyes flitted down to his lips and I found myself thinking back to that kiss, the one I was sure I was over but was now back front and center thanks to that clip. Fucking hell.

"You haven't answered my question, Rylie," Blake drawled. "You set up that camera, didn't you? Why? What were you gonna use it for?"

Flustered by how close he was and the images of the kiss playing in my head, I took a step back and tried to think of an answer to his question. "Uh, I was going to show it to the coach… and get you kicked off the team as payback for what you did with the spider," I mumbled, not meeting his gaze.

I expected Blake to start cussing me but he nodded like he'd been expecting to hear that.

"That was a good one. And I guess it sorta worked. Coach benched me for the next few games because he thought I was making out with a girl when I should've been playing."

"Oh..." Somehow hearing that didn't make me feel as good as it should've. Maybe it had to do something with the fact that his coach thought I was the girl who'd kept him from the game or maybe, I really did just feel bad even though I'd gotten payback. "You were really good though," I found myself saying. "Do you want me to talk to him and tell him the truth?" What was wrong with me?!?!

"Don't worry about it. For now, let's just focus on taking that video down. The last thing I need is for the girls at this school to think hurling insults at me is the best way to get into bed with me."

"That's right. Myles. Murder. Let's go." I stepped past him and marched to the door, thinking about all the ways I was going to make my brother regret the day he was born.

When I opened the door though, a few cheerleaders were walking past and stopped in their tracks when they saw both of us standing at the doorway. Five pairs of eyes instantly narrowed at me and I got the sense that I was in hot soup.

Thankfully, Blake stepped in, approaching them with a suave smile. Within minutes, they were all giggling and twirling their hair and it was as though I no longer mattered. Soon, they were on their way and the sun started to shine again.

"How do you do that...? There were five girls and you all had them eating out your hands at the same time..."

"Practice, I guess. Now your brother?"

"Of course," I said, still perplexed by what I'd witnessed.

Maybe being a manwhore wasn't all bad.

* * *

"What the heck is wrong with you, Myles? How could you do something like that to me?"

"Okay okay. Maybe I went just a little bit too far," he said cheekily.

"Just a little? You made me out to be his secret girlfriend!"

"Yeah, that. Sorry about that. I just had to get everyone's attention, no offense to you Blake."

"Whatever. Just get that video down," Blake said, looking bored.

"Sure, sure," Myles answered, turning around to retrieve his laptop from his locker.

"It's not that would make it go away though. What about people shared it or saved it to their phones? My God! Why did this have happen?" I muttered, running my hands through my hair.

"Look Rylie, relax. It's really not the end of the world. Besides, you should be happy. You're now one of the most popular chicks in school," Blake said leaning into his chair.

"Well excuse me, mister “Casanova” but not everyone wants to be popular. Besides have you seen the looks I've been getting? Trust me, this is not my idea of popularity."

"Whatever!" he sighed, bringing out his phone.

Myles came back soon after and I watched as he took the video down… but I realized even then that things would never remain the same again.

*Later That Day*

Ding-dong! the doorbell rang as I waited patiently for her to answer.

She did and I was quick to shove my leg in the doorway before she could close it again.

"What do you want, Rylie?" she asked, her voice soft.

"Olivia, we need to talk," I implored. "Why are you angry at me? If it's because of that video, I promise you it's not even remotely true."

"So you didn't kiss Blake?"

I hesitated. "Well, yes but—"

"Goodbye Rylie."

"Olivia, wait a minute. Yes I did kiss Blake but it was an accident. I was opening the door of the janitor's closet where he was when he suddenly rushed out and we ended up… kissing. I know it sounds like a load of crap but I promise you it's the truth."

"But what about the caption?"

"That was Myles. I planted a camera in the janitor's closet and it was able to capture the kiss so he copied the video and posted it online as a sort of payback."

"Really?"

"Really."

She sighed and said, "I believe you and I'm sorry."

"What for?"

"I'm sorry for overreacting. It's not like I like Blake or anything. I was just really hurt because I thought you'd been lying to me all this time."

"I would never do that to you, Livvie. Hug?" I asked, spreading my arms.

She smiled as she hugged me back.

"So…how was it?" She asked when we separated.

"How was what?"

"The kiss, silly. Is he as good as they say he is?"

I thought back to the kids and quickly shook my head before my face could give me away. I shrugged and answered, "It was okay. I've had better."

"Are you sure? That kiss looked really really — pardon my crudeness, but really hot."

"Well, looks can be deceiving," I muttered, wishing she'd drop it already.

"Did you like it enough to want to do it again?"

"Definitely not!" I said with more force than intended.

"Well, I guess I only I have your word for it." Olivia said as she sat down on a beanbag in her room. "You hungry?"

"Yeah. Let me guess, you made banana bread?"

"You guessed it. Gimme a sec." She said, heading in the direction of the kitchen.

While I waited, I couldn't help but think back to Olivia's question.

"Did you like it enough to want to do it again?" she'd asked and I'd definitely lied.

I hadn't had better. That was the best kiss of my life and I would definitely do it again if he offered. It was pathetic but it was the truth. Fuck. My. Life.