Chapter 2

My carefully planned promposal felt like a pile of ash.

The hurt was sharp, then a cold fury replaced it.

They wanted entertainment?

I' d give them a show they wouldn' t forget.

Headlights swept across the green. A sleek sports car, not Ethan' s usual SUV.

Caleb.

He got out, looking around, feigning surprise.

He was identical to Ethan, same handsome face, same build, but there was a wildness in his eyes Ethan never had.

He spotted me.

"Summer? Wow, what' s all this?"

He sounded just like Ethan. Practiced.

The ghost channel was still live, I knew it. Ethan was watching.

I took a breath.

Showtime.

"Oh, Ethan," I began, then paused, as if correcting myself. "I mean, Caleb."

He looked genuinely confused. Good.

"Caleb, I… I know this looks like it' s for Ethan."

I let my voice tremble a little.

"But it' s not. It' s for you."

The shock on his face was real. I saw it flicker.

On the ghost channel, I imagined the comments section freezing, then exploding.

"What the actual F?"

"Is she serious?"

Ethan must be losing his mind.

"Me?" Caleb managed, his voice a little rougher than Ethan' s.

"Yes," I said, stepping closer. "I know everyone thinks Ethan is the one, the golden boy. But I see you, Caleb."

I needed a story, fast.

"Remember that art gallery opening? Off-campus, a few months ago? The one with the really challenging modern sculptures?"

He frowned, trying to place it. He probably crashed a dozen parties like that.

"You were there," I pressed on, "You probably didn't see me. You made this comment, about conformity, about how everyone was just… sheep. It was so rebellious, so real. It stuck with me."

I invented it on the spot, but it sounded like something the "black sheep" Prescott might say.

"I was too shy to say anything then. I… I thought getting close to Ethan might be a way to get to know you. The real Prescott twin. The one who isn' t afraid to be different."

I looked up at him, trying to project sincerity, a secret admiration.

Caleb stared at me, his earlier practiced charm gone, replaced by something else. Intrigue?

The prank was already off the rails.

And I was driving.