“I get it, you have a lot to deal with.” Concern lines his features as he tips my chin. “I’m not trying to add any more bullshit onto your plate. I’m content being your friend…for now.”

“Thank you. That’s…I could really use a friend.” I tilt my head. “I should probably go before my aunt gets worried and comes out here.”

She won’t. Not only is she laid back, I doubt she can even see us because the house sits on top of a giant hill. However, the longer I stay in this car, the worse I’ll feel about not being able to give him what he wants.

“Hey, Dylan?” he calls out when I start walking.

I spin around. “Yeah.”

“You have my number. If you need a ride, or someone to talk to—if you ever need anything. I’m here.”

I give him a sincere smile. “That means a lot.”

A muscle in his jaw jumps. “The next time Jace starts with you, you better tell me. I don’t want him making you feel like crap or filling your head up with lies because he can’t deal with his shit and he’s taking it out on you.”

It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him I’m perfectly capable of handling Jace on my own, but I really want to go inside so I can find Oakley and try to find some common ground with him.

“Sure thing,” I call over my shoulder before I start my ascent up the driveway.

I’m thankful when he starts the engine and I hear him drive off.

I’m passing Oakley’s car when furious, dark eyes slice right through me like a hot knife through butter.

“Jace. What are you—”

As if answering my question, Oakley rushes out the front door. There’s a beach towel slung over his shoulder and a pair of swimming trunks in his hand.

“Ready to—” He stops speaking when he spots me.

Of course Jace is here to see Oakley.

My stomach sours. Jace and Oakley are best friends now.

Jace’s eyes lock on something behind me, but he stays silent.

Oakley tracks his gaze and scowls. “What the fuck was Tommy DaSilva doing here?”

It’s all I can do not to roll my eyes. “Giving me a ride home. You know, like you were supposed to.”

He snorts. “Damn, I knew you were easy, but I didn’t think you were desperate.”

Anger races over my skin. “Excuse me.”

He takes a step forward. “That piece of shit is not welcome here. Ever.”

He has no right to tell me who I’m allowed to hang out with. Especially since he started the rumor that made me a leper.

“That piece of shit is my friend. Deal with it.”

He wags a finger in my face. “Christ, you got a lot of fucking nerve. You want to screw around with trash, do it somewhere else. If I ever catch him on my property again—”

“It’s not your property,” I remind him. “Last I checked; it’s your dad’s.” I glare at him. “You don’t own shit, bitch. Except maybe a few bags of weed so you can get high and forget what a loser you really are.”

Oakley tosses his head back and laughs. “I’m the loser. Baby girl, don’t get it twisted.” His voice drops to an icy whisper. “Rumor has it the coolest thing about you is that everyone thinks I stuck my dick in your snatch.”

It’s all I can do not to swing my fist into his nose. So much for trying to call a truce.

I mock gasp. “Oh my God, you poor thing.” I look at Jace who’s standing there as impassive as a statue. “You haven’t told him?”

My stare snaps back to my step-cousin. “I hate to break it to you, sweetie, but you’re only popular because of him.” Reaching over, I pat his shoulder. “How does it feel to know you’ll never be good enough to be more than someone’s puppet? Or that all the girls you screw…are not-so-secretly wishing you were someone else.”

I can tell it was a low blow by the way his voice drops. “Listen to me, you little twat waffle. Your place here isn’t a permanent one. All I have to do is snap my fingers.” To prove his point, he does. “And you and your aunt’s skanky asses will be out on the street.” He chest bumps me so hard I stumble back. “Fucking try me.”

“Let’s go,” Jace grunts. “Britney said the girls are already in the pool.” He clamps a hand on his shoulder, directing him to his car. “I bet Hayley’s wearing that little red bikini you like.”

Oakley grins like the Cheshire Cat. “I do freaking love that thing. Makes her tits look huge.”

Jace nods. “Yeah, man. Now quit fighting with her so we can go have some fun.” For a moment, I think Jace is doing me a solid, but then he says, “Hang out with girls who aren’t two-faced freeloaders.”

The frosty glare he gives me as they get into Oakley’s car and drive off could melt a glacier.

Chapter 15

Dylan

“Hey, you’re home. How was your first day?” my aunt asks as I’m hanging my blazer on the coat rack by the front door.

My face must give me away because she frowns. “Oh, my God. I’m the worst aunt ever. Please tell me you didn’t walk home. I was going to pick you up, but I figured Oakley would drive you. And then, when I got your text, I realized he didn’t…but then I got your second text and you said a friend of yours was giving you a ride, so I—”

“It’s fine, I’m not mad at you.”

It’s clear she doesn’t buy it because she guides me over to the couch in the living room. “Okay, start talking. Dinner is in the crockpot, which means I’ve got at least an hour and a half for girl talk.”

“There’s nothing to talk about. If you don’t mind, I’m gonna take a nap before dinner.”

If I crack and tell her everything happening at school, it will be like experiencing it all over again and I just want to forget for a few hours.

Worry flashes in her eyes. “But I really want to know how your day was.” Her face lights up. “Did you get the job?”

I nod. “Yeah. Wednesdays after school, and Saturdays six a.m. to eight p.m.”

She scrunches her face. “That Saturday is a killer for your social life, but I guess you can rest on Sundays.”

It takes everything in me not to laugh. “What social life?”

She waves a hand. “Don’t worry, a pretty, smart girl like you will have the boys swarming in no time. I bet they’ve already started.”

That’s the thing about my aunt Crystal. I love her, but she was never a social outcast. She was the head cheerleader and dated the most popular guy at school.

She was Britney.

Only a blonde and way less bitchy version.

She sits up straight. “Tell me about this friend who dropped you off. Do you know her from—”

“Him,” I correct. “And yeah. We’re kind of…old friends. I guess.”

Her eyes light up. “Does this boy have a name?”

“Tommy.” I look at the carpet. “He doesn’t go to RHA, though. He goes to the public high school on the other side of town.”

Her brows furrow. “Then how did—”