The Art of Taking Chances Read online

He opened his mouth.

  “Please don’t hate me,” I added quickly.

  “I’m not Jesse.”

  I frowned, majorly taken aback. “What do you mean? Of course you are.”

  He shook his head. “No, seriously, I’m not.”

  “I don’t understand. You’re Jesse Maldonado. I know you’re him!”

  He shook his head again before taking a sip of his coffee and setting it back down.

  Totally confused at this point, I narrowed my eyes on him. Nope, he was Jesse all right. I would bet a million dollars––if I actually had a million dollars––that he was Jesse Maldonado.

  Why was he lying, though? Then it dawned on me.

  “You don’t have to worry about the press,” I assured him, leaning in. “I didn’t tell anyone you’re here, and I don’t plan to.”

  He stared at me squarely. “I’m not worried about the press, because I’m not Jesse Maldonado.”

  “Why do you keep saying that?” I was getting a tad frustrated now.

  “‘Cause it’s the truth!” he insisted. “My name’s Jason.”

  It was physically impossible. He had the same hair, same eyes and his smile was all Jesse Maldonado.

  “You’re not convinced, are you?”

  “Nope.”

  I could sense a slight hesitation before he spoke again. “There is a reason why Jesse Maldonado and I look…a little alike.”

  I arched a brow. “A little? If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were––” I gasped. “Are you twins?” I saw the look on his face, confirming my guess. “Holy mother of macaroons, you are twins!”

  Jason burst out laughing. “Did you just say ‘holy mother of macaroons’?”

  “How come he’s never mentioned you though? From what I know, Jesse’s an only child.”

  He hesitated again. “That’s because he doesn’t know about me.”

  “What?”

  “It’s a long story.”

  I gestured at the empty café. “Trust me, I’ve got a lot of time to spare.”

  Jason glanced down briefly and then up at me. “You’re not going to let this go, are you?”

  I shook my head unrelentingly.

  “Fine, you win”—he glanced at my nametag and smiled—“Sadie.”

  Holding my breath, I waited eagerly for him to begin.

  “Jesse and I didn’t grow up together. We were separated at birth, and I was given up for adoption to amazing parents.” He paused, looking out the window. “They died a couple of months ago in a car accident.”

  My lips parted. “I’m so sorry about that.”

  “Yeah.” Jason gave me a tight smile, but insurmountable sadness dimmed his eyes. After a brief silence, he continued, “A few months before they died, my mom told me everything. She said she’d found my biological parents and that I had an identical twin.”

  He chuckled lightly. “I didn’t even know he was a famous teen pop singer until I saw him on a billboard on my way from the airport. And I also didn’t know that I’d be accosted by his fans.” He playfully tilted his head at me.

  I scoffed. “You make it sound like I mauled you to the ground! And you can’t tell me I’m the only one who’s mistaken you for him. You’re literally identical!”

  Jason laughed. “Yeah, I’m starting to think that’s not a good thing.”

  I noticed something just then, and I couldn’t believe I hadn’t seen it earlier. “You know, now that I think about it, you do have a bit of an accent. One thing’s for sure, you’re not from around here, Jesse. I mean, Jason.” I groaned. “I’m so confused!”

  “You’re right, I’m not. I’m from Canada.”

  Heather came over to us. I was honestly surprised she hadn’t rushed over here sooner.

  She stared at Jason for the longest time, glancing between her phone screen and him. Jason shot me a confused look, but I was just as oblivious as he was as to what could possibly be going on in that head of hers.

  “Sadie, it’s not him,” Heather finally announced.

  “I already know that.”

  She shrugged nonchalantly, and then pulled out a seat from another table, placed it next to mine, and sat down. Even as she did, she kept staring at Jason with curious eyes.

  “You got everything but the hair,” she said to him. “It’s way off. The real Jesse’s at an album signing as we speak.”

  Jason frowned. “What’s wrong with my hair?”

  I rolled my eyes at Heather, and then turned to Jason. “Don’t pay any attention to her. So do your biological parents live here in L.A.?”

  He nodded, leaning forward. “That’s actually all I really know about them. I wasn’t able to find out anything else.”

  “And Jesse?” I asked hopefully.

  Jason shook his head. “I’m sure if I was able to contact him, though, he probably wouldn’t believe me.” He scoffed. “I doubt I’m the first person to claim to be his long-lost twin.”

  I had to agree with him there. Some people would say or do anything just to get close to a celebrity. I probably wouldn’t have believed Jason’s story if I hadn’t actually mistaken him for Jesse Maldonado myself.

  Heather jumped out of her seat. “Wait! You’re Jesse Maldonado’s twin?”

  You’re kinda late to the party, I wanted to say. How had she not figured that out by now?

  “OMG!” she yelled, hurriedly tapping away at her phone again. “I so need to tweet about this!”

  “No!” I grabbed her phone and held it out of her reach. “My gosh, do you have to tweet about everything?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Duh.”

  “Well, consider this the first time you don’t,” I said. “Look, no one else knows about this. Not even Jesse.” I turned to Jason as the proverbial light bulb switched on atop of my head. “But tonight’s going to change that.”

  Jason’s brows furrowed. “What’s happening tonight?”

  My lips curved into a huge smile. “You, my new friend, are going to meet your brother for the first time. Face-to-face.”

  Brooke leaned back, observing her handiwork. Finally satisfied, she smiled. “All done!” she announced, placing the big fluffy brush on the dresser.

  I gazed into the mirror, frowning when I barely recognized my reflection. My sister had gone way overboard with the makeup, as per usual, although to be fair, I hadn’t done anything to stop her.

  The minute I got home, Brooke had all but dragged me into our shared bedroom, insisting she do my makeup for the Jesse Maldonado concert tonight. Any other day, it would’ve been a total no-no, but today I didn’t object.

  In a way, I secretly hoped it would take away the twinge of guilt that had settled in my insides ever since I left the café. But now that I had to leave for the concert soon, I only felt worse because there really was no perfect way to break it to her.

  She might have been eleven months older than me, but at times she acted like she was eleven years old, especially when things didn’t go her way. Tonight would not be an exception.

  Brooke looked at me then and smiled, probably at what she’d called the “work of art” on my face. Seemingly pleased, she skipped over to her bed and pulled out two tops among the pile of clothes strewn across it. “So, which one do you like better?”

  The one on her right was neon pink, embellished with sequins. The other one, tie-dyed, had beautiful bold colors. Both were nice, but how could I tell Brooke she couldn’t wear any of them to the concert? Well, at least this concert.

  “Uh…”

  “I’m really leaning towards this one though”—she raised the pink shirt a little higher—“’cause then I could put in neon highlights, and that would be so cool, right?”

  I started to speak, but she continued, “On second thought, this one would totally go with that lime-green purse––”

  “You can’t come with me to the concert,” I rushed out in one breath, screwing my eyes shut.

  There. I said it. I just had to rip the
Band-Aid off.

  It didn’t make it hurt any less though.

  Peeking through one eyelid, I saw her reaction, and just as I’d imagined, she was not taking this well.

  She stood momentarily frozen, her mouth hanging to the floor. Her lower lip started to tremble, and she let out a loud groan.

  “But why not?” she cried, throwing the clothes on the bed.

  “I’m so sorry, Brooke. It’s kinda complicated.”

  “Well I suggest you un-complicate it!”

  Okay, now she was angry.

  I contemplated telling her the truth. I mean, Brooke would understand I needed the other ticket so Jason could finally meet Jesse. However, there was also a pretty good chance she wouldn’t believe me when I told her Jesse Maldonado had an identical twin.

  I stood up from the chair by the dresser and paced the room nervously. “Okay, so you’re probably not going to believe me, but I met this guy––”

  Brooke sprung over to me. “OMG! You have a boyfriend!”

  “Huh?”

  She pulled me into an unexpected hug, and I was left totally confused. When she released her hold of me, she said, “I thought this day would never come. No offense, but for a moment, I kinda thought you’d be alone forever.”

  I shot her a look, to which she smiled unapologetically and dragged me over to her bed. “I want to know all about him. Tell me everything. Don’t leave anything out.” She pointed warningly.

  I really wasn’t sure what to say to the expectant look on her face. But having her think I was going to the concert with my boyfriend didn’t seem like a bad idea.

  “Well, spill!”

  “He’s cute,” I offered, unsure.

  Brooke rolled her eyes. “Obviously. But I want to know more. Is he a surfer? Does he go to your school?” She then gasped dramatically, lowering her voice to a whisper, “Is he in college?”

  “No, no, and I don’t know,” I said, answering her questions one after the other.

  She made a dismissive sound. “Sounds boring.”

  “He isn’t,” I interjected quickly. “He’s nice and funny and so down to earth too. Oh, and his eyes are this beautiful aqua color like the ocean on a bright sunny day. His smile is just as amazing,” I said, gazing at my open palms. “But aside from all that, he’s really unlike anyone I’ve ever met before.”

  “Wow,” Brooke said, “you must like him a lot.”

  I frowned. “Why do you say that?”

  “Are you kidding? You were smiling the whole time you were talking about him. I would too, though. For some reason, he sounds a whole lot like Jesse Maldonado.”

  You have no idea.

  “But you know, I’m just happy to see you happy,” Brooke said, tucking a piece of curly brown hair behind her ear. “Ever since Mom left, I’ve never really seen you smile. It’s good to see that again.”

  She placed her hand on top of mine and gave it a light squeeze, and I smiled at her.

  “Just tell me if he ever hurts you, okay? I’ll gladly break his face,” she added the last part with a sardonic smile, which, coming from a certified black belt, was definitely something to worry about.

  We laughed. She was a great older sis.

  “So what are you going to do all by yourself?” I asked, feeling guilty again.

  “I don’t know. There’s a tub of ice cream in the freezer with my name on it.” She paused. “Seriously, I wrote my name on it. Don’t touch it.”

  “But then you’ll ruin your diet.”

  “Eh, I’ll start again on the morrow,” she said in a fake British accent and laughed. “Now go, or you’ll be late.”

  “I feel bad,” I admitted.

  “Don’t. I’ll just binge on Netflix.”

  “I hear there’s going to be a Channing Tatum marathon on TV.”

  Her eyes practically popped out of her head. “Holy guacamole!”

  She rushed out of our room. If there was anything Brooke loved more than Jesse Maldonado’s music, it was Channing Tatum movies.

  Clasping my hands, I looked skyward and hoped that I’d gotten the times right, and there actually was going to be a Channing Tatum marathon on tonight.

  When I got to the concert venue, Jason was already there. I saw him standing by a wall and waved at him to come over.

  “Why didn’t you get us a space in line?” I asked.

  He looked unsure. “I wasn’t really sure I could do that.”

  I frowned. “You’ve never been to a concert before?”

  He shook his head.

  “Well, it looks like we’re going to be on this queue for a while. Just enough time to fill you on everything there is to know.”

  Jason gave me a lopsided smile, and my heart did a little flip flop. What was happening to me? Brooke words came to my mind, then but I shook it away just as quickly.

  “No way!”

  I spun at the sound of the voice. Two girls stepped in front of us, well, Jason to be specific. They were in identical Jesse Maldonado merch, from their hats down to their shoes!

  “Has anyone told you, you look exactly like Jesse Maldonado?” The first girl said.

  “Yeah, exactly like him,” the second girl echoed.

  I looked at Jason and he had widened eyes that shouted “HELP!”

  I laughed nervously. “Um, you see, he’s uh—oh look, a flying duck!” I yelled, pointing toward the sky.

  “Where?” they both asked at the same time.

  With their attention diverted, I grabbed Jason’s hand and we skedaddled out of there until we were in line and out of sight.

  Jason and I couldn’t stop laughing at the looks on those girls’ faces.

  “That was close,” Jason said.

  I nodded. “Yeah. Then again, this is a Jesse concert. His fans are bound to recognize you.” I pulled off my baseball cap and gave it to him. “Here, use this. It might not work, but it’s worth a shot.”

  He winked at me. “Thanks.”

  I sighed. How was everything about him so cute?

  By the time we got in, the arena was packed, and we had to hold hands to get through the huge crowd. As we shuffled down a row, the lights suddenly dimmed around us and the stage lit up. Stumbling through the dark, we managed to find our seats just in time.

  As soon as Jesse came onstage, the whole crowd went into a frenzy, and I unabashedly chanted his name along with everyone else.

  Jesse’s vocals reverberated throughout the arena as he performed his opening song. Singing along, I danced to the music. I wanted to imprint this on my mind forever.

  I was having such a great time that it wasn’t until much later on I noticed Jason standing practically motionless by my side. I stopped short, watching his gaze fixated on the stage.

  There was something enthralling about the way he observed his brother perform. He followed every move Jesse made as if he knew it before it happened. Seeing Jesse up there must have felt like he was seeing himself onstage too.

  Loud screams emanated from everyone around me, pulling my attention away from Jason. The loud uproar continued as Jesse began singing his latest hit, Cutie Pie. It was a personal favorite, he said, and I became immediately addicted as he sang.

  At intervals, I glanced at Jason, wondering about the thoughts that could be whirling through his mind.

  As if the night could get any better, as soon as the concert ended, we were being escorted backstage to meet Jesse Maldonado himself! I was still on a high after the mind-blowing concert.

  “Did you hear Jesse’s voice?” I gushed. ”His music gives me life!”

  “It was okay, I guess.”

  My head swiveled around at the monotone sound of Jason’s voice. “‘Okay’? Just ‘okay’?”

  Jason shrugged. “I guess pop music isn’t really my jam.”

  “So, what is your jam?”

  “I don’t know, really.” He looked ahead thoughtfully. “I’m into a lot of folk and country music.”

  I never would have
pictured him as a country music fan. It also kinda surprised me that although Jason and Jesse were identical twins they had different tastes.

  I didn’t have long to ponder on it, though, as we approached security.

  They checked our passes, and I started getting really nervous.

  I drew in a deep breath. Keep it together, Sadie!

  Before walking through, I turned to Jason, and he looked worse than I did.

  “Are you nervous?” I asked.

  “No.” The beads of perspiration on his forehead told me the opposite.

  “It’ll be fine. You can do this,” I said, but it was more to myself than to him.

  Two

  I really wasn’t sure what to expect, but it surprised me how chill everything was backstage. A few stagehands passed us by as they brought in equipment from the main stage. I took it all in, soaking in the atmosphere and all that it meant.

  I couldn’t believe I was breathing in the same air Jesse Maldonado had breathed! Through my peripheral, I spotted someone by the snack bar, and my heart lurched. Screaming internally, I ran over to him before I could stop myself.

  “Hi, Jesse!”

  He turned at the sound of my voice, and once he did, I almost fainted with sheer happiness.

  “Hey.” Jesse’s lips lifted into a heart-stopping smile.

  Seriously, my heart stopped!

  I sighed wistfully. “Will you marry me?”

  He laughed, and the sound was even better than all his songs combined.

  “I can give you a hug,” he offered.

  The moment he wrapped his arms around me, I literally died. Oh. My. God. Jesse Maldonado was hugging me! How was this even real?

  It felt like I was having an out-of-body experience—not that I’d ever had an out-of-body experience, but surely if I ever did, it would feel like this!

  When he released his hold on me, I actually cried. If I wasn’t worried that I’d smell like a hobo, I would never take a shower again. Ever. All I wanted was Jesse Maldonado’s scent on me forever.

  Somewhere through my daze, I remembered Jason and the reason why I came here.

  Jesse’s words cut through my thoughts. “Do you want me to sign something of yours or take a selfie?”