Page 20 of You Started It

“Fine.” I shrug half-heartedly and continue organizing my belongings, fighting my smile and reminding myself to stay cool.

“Hashtag Jax?” he says, scratching at his jaw.

“Sorry?” I ask as I shut my locker.

“You and that new kid have a hashtag.”

“Yeah, so? I seem to remember seeing a #bolivia post from all the way back in July.”

Ben clears his throat and swallows. “I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”

“I went on your girlfriend’s VSCO account. Right there, for the world to see, was a photo of the two of you, your arm around her shoulders—#bolivia, and it was dated July 28.”

Ben rakes his fingers through his hair and raises his shoulders. “That’s just what the camp kids called us. We were counselors for the same age group so we did a lot of activities together. Her girls with my boys. They’re the ones who came up with the hashtag,” he rambles.

“And the reason for your arm around her shoulders?”

“We were just posing for a picture, Jamie. You’re blowing this up into something it’s not.”

“What do you expect me to think when you return home from camp, break up with me, and then I see you out with Olivia the next night? How am I not supposed to think something happened between you two over the summer?”

“I never crossed any physical lines with Olivia. Not until after we broke up.”

“We,” I say, moving a finger between my chest and Ben’s, “didn’t break up. You dumped me. Which makes it very hard for me to believe anything that comes out of your mouth.”

“Jamie, come on.” He sighs, and I’m annoyed. I’m no longer excited that he’s standing in front of me. That he’s made the effort to come and speak to me. Like I should be grateful. Because I’m not.

“Come on, what?”

He leans in and says in a quiet but stern tone, “You don’t expect me to believe you’re dating this Axel guy, do you?”

“I don’t care what you believe,” I reply, and in this moment, I actually buy what I’m saying.

“I spent a few minutes on his Insta. He’s not your type. It’s almost laughable.” He lowers his head. “You can drop the lie,” he says. “I didn’t tell my mom or dad about seeing you guys together.”

“Do you even hear yourself? How condescending you sound?”

Ben squares his shoulders. “I’m not being condescending. I’m being honest. This is how I always sound. He’s just…not right for you.”

“And you get to decide that?”

“Idoknow you better than anyone else. You hate dancing, you hate social media, and you hate when guys are obsessed with their hair.”

I cross my arms over my chest. “You used to know me better than anyone else. But I’ve changed.”

“In four days?” Ben raises a brow and one side of his mouth goes up with it.

“You were away all summer.”

“Are you saying you cheated on me?”

“No.” I shake my head. “I didn’t. Iwouldn’t.”

This entire interaction is going south. Fast. I have to stop letting my anger get in the way of the big-picture goal. Get Ben back. But how am I supposed to do that when it’s still so new and there are so many unanswered questions? Do I want to be with Ben? Yes. Am I angry with Ben? Yes. Both things can be true. I just need to learn how to play it cooler like…

“James,” Axel calls from behind.

I turn around and relief flows through me. “Axel.”

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