Chapter 3My Forbidden Diary Prank Backfired Perfectly

Beckett didn't just leave the room; he practically teleported out of there.

For a guy who’s six-three, he moved with the frantic, uncoordinated grace of a panicked rabbit. He didn't even notice me standing in the hallway as he bolted past.

He slammed into the bathroom, turned the faucet on full blast, and started splashing ice-cold water onto his face. When the splashing stopped, I strolled over and leaned against the doorframe.

"Everything okay, Beck?"

The silence from inside was deafening.

After a long pause, his voice came out strained and shaky. "Fine. Everything’s fine."

"Okay," I said airily. "I’m going back to my room then."

"Wait!"

The door flew open. Beck stood there, water dripping from his chin, looking at me with an expression so complex it could have been a modern art piece.

"Sloane... have you, uh... been seeing anyone lately? Like, is there someone you’re into?"

I feigned total confusion. "Not really. I’m buried in my internship. Why would I have time for a boyfriend?"

Beck went dead silent. He searched my face for what felt like an eternity, trying to see if I was lying. When he decided I was telling the truth, he let out a breath so heavy it sounded like a balloon deflating. He probably convinced himself the "brother" in the diary was some K-pop idol or a fictional character.

I hid a smirk. "Anyway, I’m going to go read."

I turned around and "accidentally" let a book slip out of my bag and onto the floor. The title was printed in bold, unmistakable letters: The Step-Brother’s Secret.

I heard Beck’s breath hitch. Then, I saw him literally press his fingers to the bridge of his nose as if trying to keep his brain from exploding.