I'd dealt with bullies before. It wasn't anything new. Back when I was still at a public school, they considered me a social outcast. People made fun of me because I wasn't like anyone else - and neither was Ruben.

We'd gotten into trouble a lot because we always went out on adventures. To this day, our bucket list was still glued against my wall back home and I was pleased to say that we completed many things on the list. I liked to think that people tyrannised us because they were jealous. Ruben and I never cared what other people thought.

Life was way too short to be moulding yourself to suit other people's criteria. We were weird, loud-mouthed and unapologetically us. It wasn't our fault that people envied our outlook on life. Mary taught me a tactic, one that I always followed. She told me that whenever someone was trying to put me down - I had to smile. Apparently, it was frightening to smile at someone who was trying to hurt you.

So that's exactly what I did. I turned to Ashley and sent her the most delightful grin I could marshal. She scowled, slanting into the office chair before returning her attention back to Coach Greg. The latter sat elevated behind his desk, fingers interlaced menacingly and navy eyes darting between Ashley and me.

We had to sit in his office for an hour whilst he spoke to his children outside. The silence was torturous, but I preferred it over listening to Ashley whine. Eventually, after the most excruciating hour of my life - Coach returned.

"I don't tolerate liars," he began in a steadfast tone. "Unfortunately, I cannot kick either of you off the team unnecessarily since we're so close to our first match. You're both talented and it'd be a tremendous loss if you're not on the field. But I cannot overlook the fact that both of you broke into a locked office and tried to steal valuable information. I need the truth."

A shudder worked down my spine. Each word trickled with admonition and I wondered how Ashley wasn't panicked herself. She merely sat there with a fatigued look. I cleared my throat, pleased that Coach was finally letting us explain ourselves when he signalled for me to articulate.

I cleared my throat. "It may seem that I broke into the office, but I assure you, Coach Greg, that I was only there to stop Ashley. I overheard her plans with Harper and-"

"Liar," Ashley grumbled, her eyes narrowing at me.

"Miss Danvers," Coach warned her, and she scoffed. He then gestured for me to recommence speaking.

Flinging Ashley a cursory glimpse, I discoursed. "I didn't know what she intended to steal, but I knew I had to stop her. I followed her to the office where I confronted her. She'd been rummaging through the things at Caleb's desk." Coach raised his brows in shock. "I tried to take the papers from her, but she shoved me aside. We got into an argument when Ashley got a message, one that I assume was from Harper, who warned her that Caleb was back. The lights were also out. When the lights went back on, Ashley knew she had to get out, so she tackled me before leaving the office and locking it behind her, trapping me."

"Your entire story is farfetched," Ashley rose, but I conversed above her.

"That's when I heard someone unlocking the door, so I hid in the metal cabinet until I knew it was safe to come out and explain myself." When I ceased speaking, there appeared to be a gleam of satisfaction in Coach Greg's eyes, but I wasn't sure whether or not I was dreaming it. "I know you had your doubts about me in the beginning, Sir, but I know how much this team means to your family and I would never try to sabotage it."

"There's no need to explain yourself," a low voice grumbled, and I recognised it instantly. I twisted in my seat, ready to thank Christian when I halted. That was not Christian. Caleb sauntered in, regarding his dad with a cool look as he dumped a stack of papers on the desk. "I went through these and it's our strategies and layouts for our first match."

Coach stood up, brawny arms crossed as he strode closer to Ashley. "If what my son and Miss Orlov are saying is true, what were you planning on doing with our strategies, Miss Danvers?" From the corner of my eye, I watched Ashley quiver, the first hint of fear she'd shown since we stepped into the office.

Caleb moved to stand next to my chair, and I gulped apprehensively. "We can't do anything drastic, Dad. It's too close to the game, so we're just gonna have to keep a closer eye on her. Charlie will freak out if she has to whip a new substitute into shape." Coach nodded, still glowering at Ashley, who glanced at Caleb with betrayal written on her face.

"Dismissed."

Both Ashley and I couldn't get out of the room fast enough. Caleb followed as we wandered into the corridor. The blonde girl whirled on her heel to scowl at the eldest James sibling. "You're an asshole," she spat, fists clenching and eyes narrowed to slits.

Caleb barely even reacted. "And you're a bitch who can't accept the fact that Chris doesn't want her." I placed a hand over my mouth whereas Ashley gasped. His tone was threatening. "I'm not stupid, Ashley. And you know what I'm also not? I'm not Chris."

"You-"

He cut her off. "I knew you were using me to try to replace him, make him jealous. Doesn't seem to work, huh?" He glanced in my direction with a smile.

Ashley crossed her arms, taking a second to glare at me before concentrating back on Caleb. "If you knew I wasn't really interested in you, then why'd you let me string you along?" She scarcely let him get a word in before she proceeded again. "Oh, I know why - because you're jealous of Chris. He's always been the better brother, hasn't he? You'd stoop as low as to be with an ex of his. That's pathetic."

Caleb was reserved for a few seconds, and I was sure that Ashley had won the dispute. Even she seemed to think so, because she smirked triumphantly. But Caleb's next words immediately washed it away. "I promise you, babe, it was me who was stringing you along. Had to monitor what you were doing somehow." He smirked. With furious tears pooling in her green eyes, Ashley stomped away, tossing another glower over her shoulder before vanishing completely.

Satisfaction formed in my chest, and I bit my lip to conceal a smile. She was finally getting a taste of her own medicine. I'd forgotten that I wasn't the only one standing in the corridor until Caleb touched my arm and I nearly leapt a foot in the air. He laughed uneasily, scratching the back of his neck. "I just wanted to say I'm-"

"There's no need," I informed him, a soothing smile on my face. He still looked a little hesitant, so I emphasised, "truly." He nodded, looking ready to leave, but I stopped him. "There's just one question I have to ask."

He shrugged. "Shoot."

"If you truly believe that Ashley's trying to sabotage the team, why did you defend her in the beginning?"

My inquiry must've hit home because he sighed, pulling on my arm as we fell into step with each other. I gazed at the side of his face, marking how identical he and Christian were. "I know who Ashley is." I blinked in confusion, so he resumed. "More importantly, I know who her mom is." My stomach plummeted as I recalled the conversation Christian and I had at the hospital. "Chris doesn't know that I know what happened with Barbara Danvers."

We stopped at the field, and I gawked at Caleb in trepidation. "I thought Christian hadn't told anyone about that. He said he kept it to himself."

Caleb blushed, looking embarrassed about what he was going to announce next. "I noticed that Chris was different after his therapy sessions with Barbara, and I got curious. One day when he was sick, I kinda went in his place without anyone knowing."

I grinned at that because it was such a twin thing to do. It was one reason I always wanted a twin - so we could swap places and cause havoc. "And you found out what Barbara was doing?"

He nodded. "But I knew Chris would kill me if I said anything, so I kept it to myself. However, I dropped hints to my dad that sending Chris to a therapist was a bad idea until eventually, Dad cancelled the sessions." He tugged anxiously at the edges of his blonde curls. "When Ashley joined the team, I was surprised. At first, I thought it was Barbara's way of trying to fuck with my brother's life again, so I was adamant about Ashley staying. I wanted to know what her motives were, and I needed her close by in order to figure it all out."

My heart soared at Caleb's words. He really did care for Christian but was terrible at communicating it. Rather, his love was revealed through his actions, actions which he kept concealed because he didn't want anyone to know he had a heart. He sounded exactly like Christian. The two were more alike than they thought.

"It was only about a week ago when I discovered that this had nothing to do with Barbara," he proceeded. "All Ashley wanted was Chris. But when she saw he was with you - she resorted to trying to sabotage him - thus the complaint her mom sent in." A tremulous exhale left him. "When that complaint got filed, I treated you with hostility and I'm sorry. It's just, my dad means everything to me-"

I placed a hand on his arm. "I understand, don't worry."

Caleb sent me an appreciative smile. "At some point, I got caught up in all of my jealousy that I forgot what I was supposed to be doing. I could never hate my brother, Eden, I really couldn't. And I feel like shit for letting my jealousy get this far. Thankfully, my conversation with him earlier snapped me back into reality. When we argued, it reminded me of all the stuff he'd been through and I felt like the worst human being on the planet."

"He's proud to be your brother," I whispered, thinking back to all those weeks ago in London when Christian first told me about his siblings. He spoke with so much admiration, and I hoped Caleb could hear the honesty in my words.

He looked down shyly. "I'm proud to be his brother too. And it's time for me to get back to my original plan. I know that Ashley's been feeding information to our rival team - The McLaughlin Women's Soccer Club."

"You're sure?" I queried curiously.

"Yes," he acknowledged my question with another nod. "I just have to catch her in the act. Unfortunately, today you got caught up in it and I can't pin the blame on either of you without proof. Charlie can't afford to lose two players without good reason. But if I manage to catch Ashley alone - then she's over."

Adrenaline rushed through me at the idea of an adventure. "Need any help?"

Caleb shook his head, and I pouted. "You're the last person who should get involved in this because Ashley would try to pin it on you. I mean, look what happened today." I was about to interject when he spoke suddenly. "Hey, that woman kinda looks like you."

I snapped my head around so fast that I heard my neck crack. Leaving the building with a disoriented look on her face was someone that I'd forgotten how much I missed. Her raven-black hair was slightly longer compared to the last time I saw her. She shielded her eyes from the sun as she glimpsed around before spotting me standing next to Caleb.

"Maryana," her name left my lips in a murmur and before I knew it, I broke out into a run. It felt like my legs couldn't transport me fast enough. I didn't know how much I missed my family until I caught Mary standing with a smile. When I was near enough, I sprang into her expecting arms. "Mary," I hummed again as she held me tight. "What are you doing here?"

Her eyes were watery as she pulled back to gawk at me. "Your boyfriend paid for my flight," she delivered in a haste, running her hands over my face and hair. "Look at you! You look the same, but I can tell you're different. I bloody knew this trip would be good for you!"

"You have no idea," I laughed, burrowing my face into her jumper. Mary smelt like home. If I closed my eyes, I could picture the Bed and Breakfast. I could hear Evie's mischievous laughter as Papa chased her around. I could hear Mum telling them to slow down or else they'd get hurt. I felt at home. "I missed you so much." It embarrassed me that there was a lump in my throat and I was seconds away from crying.

Mary pressed many kisses to my hair. "I missed you too. The family sends their love. We all couldn't come through because they sorted the last details for Uncle Olezka's Festival. You should see the number of restaurants he's got involved. It's going to be an immense success!"

That made me so happy to hear. "I'm just glad you're here."

"Your boyfriend insisted that I be here close to the time of your first match. How are you doing?" She spoke so rapidly that I had to giggle. "How's the food here? Is it better than Uncle Olezka's? By the way, Alex says hello. He wanted to come along, but he had to stay to help with the festival."

I let Mary ramble, twisting my head so I could relax my ear against her chest and listen to her heartbeat. Just a few feet away stood Caleb and Christian. They looked identical, and they both gazed at my sister and me with a weird look - as if they were wondering how two siblings could show affection.

Knowing which one was my boyfriend, I mouthed, "thank you."

Christian grinned, placing a hand over his chest and mouthing back, "I love you." I beamed before closing my eyes and relishing in my sister's embrace.