“Mhm.” I felt my cheeks grow hot thinking of how heated the kiss was.

“I totally knew today was going to be the best fresh start ever. I’m so much closer to seducing Mr. Halifax. And you’re seducing...wait, was it Jacob?”

“I have no idea. He pulled me into the dark custodial closet. He’s so sneaky.” Seriously, how could I not tell? Guilt twisted around in my stomach as we made our way outside and down the front steps of Empire High. It had to have been Jacob, right? It made sense for him to kiss me after our lunch date. But my mind was spinning.

“Did you get any more clues in the darkness?” Sophie asked.

“Yes. There was one thing. He wasn’t wearing a tie.”

“A lot of guys ditch their ties as soon as the last bell rings.”

True. “And he was wearing a hoodie.”

“And lots of guys switch into hoodies after class too. Especially guys that are waiting around for football practice to start.”

Yeah, I’d found out literally nothing. But that was fine, because I already had a perfect plan being set up by Liam and RJ. “Well, we’ll find out soon enough.”

“Right, Operation Kissing Booth!”

“No. No kissing booth necessary. Because we’re about to have full access to the men’s locker room.”

“I’m sorry...what?”

Chapter 24 – Highly Illegal

Wednesday

Sophie looked so excited as I caught her up on my plan to catch the mascot changing. She didn’t even seem that upset that it might negate the need for a kissing booth.

“So let me get this straight,” she said. “We’re going to be able to see every inch of the locker room?”

“Yes.”

She squealed. “How did you get RJ to agree to it?”

“I may have accidentally led RJ and Liam to believe I was being blackmailed. And needed to learn who the mascot was before Saturday.”

Sophie laughed. “Brilliant. Our brothers would never let anyone mess with us. Good mind trick.”

“I didn’t mean for it to be a mind trick. I told them about the texts from an unknown number and they jumped to the blackmailing conclusion themselves.”

“Either way, check your phone! Has RJ texted you the login info for the cameras yet?”

I glanced at my phone. “Not yet.”

“Gah, he’ll probably have to wait until after practice. We’ll wait it out together.” She climbed into her car.

I sat down in the passenger’s seat.

“Your place or mine?” she asked.

“Definitely yours. I’m finally free!” This really did feel like a fresh start. Being grounded was behind me. And I was about to get some much needed answers about my kiss thief.

Sophie laughed and pulled her car out of the parking lot. “Check your phone again. RJ might have been able to text you real quick.”