“With who?” My dad’s voice issuspicious.
“Carly.”
No.
No, that’simpossible.
“No takeout for you, then.” Dad turns to me. “Can you watch Sophie while I pick upfood?”
“Um, sure,” Imanage.
Once the door closes after him, I whirl on Tyler. “You’re not going to prom withCarly.”
Tyler heads for the hallway, giving himself a critical once-over in the hallmirror.
Jealousy is a tidal wave ripping through my body as I bound afterhim.
Tyler ignores me, adjusting the cuffs of his black jacket. “I’m getting your letterback.”
My jaw hits the floor, both at the fact that he’s so calm and that he somehow decided this without me. “That’s insane. You really think she’ll give you the letter in exchange for being on yourarm?”
I move behind him so he can see me in the mirror,too.
“I get that you’re prince of the school, but she won’t buy this. She knows you hateher.”
“She doesn’t know I hate her.” His gaze locks with mine. “Which, for once, I’m gratefulfor.”
“So, what, you’re going to pretend you actually like her?” Horror sets in as I realize the truth. “How are you going to do that? Dance with her? Kiss her? Fuckher?”
Each possibility is worse than the last. Each word slices meraw.
This feels wrong. The deepest wrong I’ve everknown.
It’s not only because I’m jealous—it’s because I know how much he loathes her. The fact that he’s actually considering letting her touch him, pretending he likesit—
“I have a plan.” I round to stand between him and the mirror, and he lifts a brow. “I’ll meet her tomorrow,” I rush on. “Talk to her, find something else shewants.”
“As much as fucking with you? Not likely. You threaten everything she is. You have everything shewants.”
“No, I don’t,” I saysoftly.
If you walk out that door, Idon’t.
Tyler’s composure slips at whatever he’s seeing in my eyes. His handsome face fills with regret. “It’s my fault she’s been so into you. The way I cut her and Kellan down in public set heroff.”
I grab his arms. “Tyler, I’m telling you I can take care of this. You don’t get to decide what’s right for me or what’s fair. If you go, in some ways, you’re no better thanher.”
He shakes off my grip, eyes flashing with anger. “That’sbullshit.”
“Is it? If you go with her, it isn’t just about my letter. It’s about you needing to have control overeverything.”
Tyler pushes past me, pulling on the door handle. When he speaks, his voice is flat. “A bunch of us are meeting atCarly’s.”
I’m about to argue when the sound of a car purring up the driveway interruptsus.
I follow him outside, but it’s not my dad. It’sworse.
“A limo,” Iblurt.