A sound from inside the house—Sophie crying—makes mewince.
“Don’t go anywhere.” I take a step back. “I need to get Sophie, but don’tleave.”
He shifts into thecar.
“Tyler. Damn it,Tyler!”
The taillights fade down the driveway, and my hands clench intofists.
I didn’t hate Tyler three months ago after he called menothing.
Now, I remember how hot and cold he’sbeen.
How he won’t let me fight my own battles because he can’t stand the thought of me losingthem.
How he makes me feel like I’m part of something bigger thanmyself.
I hate him for all thosethings.
I’m also falling in love withTyler.
And I hate him for that most ofall.
16
“Pass me that bottle.”
I hand Carly the booze in the car. She leans over me, shoving her chest in myface.
“I can’t believe you bailed on Kellan,” one of the minionssays.
“Can’t you?” Carly coos, eyeing me. “I’m glad you came to your senses. I don’t know why you’ve been hanging around that trashlately.”
Every breath takes effort. “It’s easy. I live at herhouse.”
It was one thing to pretend Annie was nothing when I held her at a distance, when the person I said it to didn’t know her and never would. Now, I’m saying it to her worstenemy.
I hate thelies.
I hate that I’m here with Carly, but it was the onlyoption.
Every second the limo glides through the silent night, I remind myself why I’m doingthis.
“It’s about you needing to havecontrol.”
No way. It’s for her. If she thinks I’d be here if this wasn’t the only way to save her ass, she’snuts.
Prom’s being held at a museum. The limo pulls up outside, and I shift out first. I force myself to hold out a hand, and Carly takes it, smiling. “Aren’t you a gentleman? I hope you’re not a gentleman allnight.”
Bile rises in my throat as she steps closer and runs a hand up my chest under myjacket.
“Come on, you guys!” someone calls from ahead ofus.
“I’ll be right there,” I tell Carly, nodding toward thedoors.
She pouts but starts after herfriends.
I check myphone.