Page 46 of Scarlett and the Fake Boyfriend (Scarlett #2)

I smiled and leaned forward to see Sophie squeal. She ran over and smiled as the principal put a tiara on her head.

“Sorry,” Axel said.

“Don’t be. I’m happy for her.” I was. I didn’t even feel the least bit sad.

And Gigi’s shocked face was the cherry on top.

Besides, I was pretty sure Sophie needed this more than I did.

And who was I kidding? I really hadn’t stood a chance at winning.

Sophie was always meant to be our homecoming queen.

“And homecoming king is...”

My heart stopped beating. I was happy for Sophie. Truly. But I’d been so lost in the moment, I’d forgotten that it wasn’t over. Oh please let the king be Billy O’Reilly.

“...Axel Stevens!” the principal said into the mic.

I knew my smile faltered when the principal called Axel’s name.

Sophie and Axel were homecoming queen and king.

Because of course they were. They were the most popular.

And everyone knew Axel and Soph were going to the dance together.

People probably assumed they were actually dating.

So it just made sense to vote for them as a couple.

“Fuck,” Axel said. He looked down at me.

“You won,” I said and forced a smile on my face. “Congrats.”

He didn’t respond.

“Go get your crown,” I said and dropped his hand.

“Scarlett...”

“Don’t you dare leave your queen waiting.” I pushed him toward the principal and Sophie.

Axel sighed and walked over to get his crown.

He didn’t look happy as the principal put the crown on his head. But as soon as Sophie tackled him in a hug he smiled. He put his arm around her and pulled her in close for the photos a member of the yearbook committee was snapping.

I felt ridiculous. I should have known the two of them would win. It was obvious. So why did it hurt so much? I felt tears welling in the corners of my eyes. God. I was not about to cry in the middle of the football field. I blinked fast trying to force the tears away.

Axel placed a kiss on Sophie’s temple as the camera flashed.

My chest ached. Like someone was stomping on my heart and grinding the remains into the turf. I knew Sophie didn’t like Axel that way. But I also thought I hadn’t liked Jacob that way a few weeks ago. And the two of them looked so perfect together.

Jacob walked over to me. “You okay?” he asked.

I looked up at him. Axel’s words were stuck in my head. He was worried about wasting time. But I had no idea why he was worried about it. I was the one wasting time. On him.

I didn’t want to waste any more. And wasting time on Axel was making me waste time with Jacob.

Sophie was right. If I didn’t tell Jacob how I really felt, it would lead to another spin the bottle situation.

And I was pretty sure I’d just die if that happened.

A heart could only break so many times before it stopped beating.

“I wish it had been us!” I yelled over the cheers of the crowd.

Jacob shrugged. “Who cares about a dumb crown? I’m the winner here. Because you’re coming with me to homecoming.”

I smiled up at him as I kept blinking fast.

He grabbed the front of my jacket and pulled me closer. “Don’t you dare cry, Scarlett.”

“I’m not.”

His eyes searched mine. “I hate how much he hurts you.”

I shook my head. “He doesn’t.” But Jacob being so sweet was making me crack. “Distract me.”

He stuck his tongue out at me and I laughed.

“You’re ridiculous,” I said.

“What, were you expecting something else?” he asked.

“You’re my boyfriend. Shouldn’t you be kissing me?”

“So demanding, love,” he said. But he leaned down and kissed me.

I melted into him. I’d wanted a sign. And maybe this was it. Axel and Sophie had won. But I didn’t feel like a loser. How could I when Jacob was kissing me?

He pulled back and I saw the flash of a camera .

Sophie ran over to us, pulling Axel along with her. “We won!”

Seeing her smiling so brightly made me smile too. I really was happy for her.

“I’m so so sorry,” Sophie whispered into my ear as she hugged me.

“Don’t be,” I quickly said. I wasn’t upset with her in the slightest. “I’m so happy that you won.”

“Better than a Triple G,” she said.

“Exactly.”

“And I needed this. Just look at how jealous Mr. Halifax looks. I think he might finally cave tonight.”

I looked over to where she was pointing at Mr. Halifax. He had his arms crossed over his chest and a frown on his face. But I couldn’t tell if he was looking at Sophie with her crown. Or looking at me.

“Everyone get together for a picture,” the guy from the yearbook committee said and gestured toward Sophie and Axel.

The rest of the guys walked over. And the Triple Gs reluctantly followed suit. Gigi looked as upset as Mr. Halifax did. And luckily the Triple Gs stayed on the side of the picture so I could easily cut them out of it later.

Jacob laughed as Sophie jumped on his back to pose for another picture.

Axel put his arm around my shoulders as the photographer kept snapping pictures. I looked up at Axel and then back over at Jacob.

Jacob put out his hand and I grabbed it.

This felt like a picture I’d frame and put on my nightstand. I just wasn’t sure which guy I’d be staring at in it. The one with his arm around my shoulders. Or the one holding my hand.

I knew I needed to make a choice. Tonight. As soon as I unmasked my kiss thief. I looked up at Jacob again.

What if I really had been wrong? What if it had been him all along? All I knew for sure was that I was done wasting time.