The pain that squeezes my heart is one I haven’t felt in a long, long time. I try to suck in air so I can force the sting out, but the agony spreads inside me like a virus, catching me by the throat.

What Jace did goes so far beyond betrayal there isn’t a term for it.

He’s like a tyrant holding up a magnifying glass to the sun’s rays, and I’m the ant who’s struggling to survive while he watches me burn from the inside out.

I miss my mom. The thought is enough to bring me to my knees.

If she was here, she’d tell me what to do, how to get through this.

And if all else failed, she’d scoop me up in her arms and hold me while I cried.

To my sheer humiliation, a tear rolls down my cheek.

He catches it on his thumb, then brings it to his mouth. “Tastes good.”

It’s the last thing he says before he walks out, slamming the door behind him.

Chapter 17

Dylan

Past…

“Had a feeling you’d be hiding in here.”

Annoyance crawls up my spine at the sound of Tommy’s voice. He tried to tell me this would happen last Friday, but I didn’t believe him.

“Did you come here to gloat?”

He walks over to the music stands I’m organizing. “No. I figured you could use a friend. Since Jace is being such a shitty one.”

My heart gives a little painful thump at the mention of his name.

By third period it had gotten around that Jace and Britney were going to the dance together.

The fact that he sat with her during lunch was just icing on the fucked-up cake he’s shoving down my throat.

“Don’t look at me like that.” I avert my gaze. “I don’t want or need your pity.”

I’ve had more than enough of it today. When people aren’t whispering behind my back, they’re looking at me like I’m a lost puppy who can’t find her way back home.

Which, I suppose, isn’t far from the truth given nearly every aspect of my life has been turned upside down.

Tommy flips his pockets inside out. “Lucky for you, I’m all out.” A faint dimple peeks out of his right cheek. “I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“A little ironic, don’t you think?”

“What is?”

I level him with a look. “The school bully checking in to see how I’m holding up.”

He leans against a large filing cabinet and waggles his dark brows. “Haven’t you heard? I’m a changed man.”

Despite my skepticism, a small smile breaks free. “Hate to break it to you, but the verdict’s still out on that.”

Only time will tell if Tommy’s truly turned over a new leaf.

“Ahh. There it is.”

He’s lost me. “I don’t—”

“That smile.” He walks over to where I’m standing. “I’m glad the moron didn’t destroy my new favorite thing.”

“Jace isn’t a mor—”

“He is for choosing her over you.”

Can’t argue with that.

He takes another step, almost closing the distance between us. “He’s gonna regret it one day. Trust me.”

Silence falls over the cluttered closet. Only, it isn’t the awkward, annoying kind.

It’s the kind that makes me anxious.

There’s something strange brewing between us. It’s not quite the magnetic pull I have with Jace, but I’d be lying if I said Tommy’s presence didn’t affect me in some small and very unexpected way.

I barely manage to suppress a flinch when he cups my cheek. “What’s going on in that head of yours?”

I look down at the floor because looking into his penetrating almond eyes makes me feel off-kilter. “I’m not sure.”

His lips twitch. “Liar.” His expression turns serious. “If we’re gonna be friends…and stuff. We’re gonna have to be honest with each other.”

“What exactly does and stuff entail?”

If he’s expecting me to hook up with him because Jace broke my heart, he’s out of his damn mind.

“Whatever you want it to.”

“What if I just want to be friends?”

Goosebumps erupt over my flesh when he leans in and whispers, “Then we’ll just be friends.” His lips brush my temple. “For now.”

I take a step back. This—whatever he’s doing—is too much. I’m having trouble wrapping my head around him and his motives.

“What do you want, Tommy?”

“I thought we went over this already.”

“Yeah, but…” I don’t know how to finish that sentence without sounding stupid.

“But what?”

“I don’t understand w—”

“That’s because you’ve been too busy obsessing over Jace.” He shrugs. “You failed to notice who’s been crushing on you all these years.”

I’m taken back by his confession. “You’ve had a crush on me for years?”

His eyes flicker with amusement. “Give or take.”

This is definitely news to me. “I had no idea.”

“How could you? You’ve been glued to Jace’s side since fifth grade.”

He’s not wrong. “So, what exactly does this mean? What do you want?”

“I want whatever you want.”

“I have no idea what I want.”

That’s not quite true. I know exactly what, or rather, who I want, but he doesn’t want me.

His eyes search my face. “Are you going to the dance?”

“Um.” My mouth goes dry. “I’m not sure.”

I’d thought about it, but I don’t want to go alone. Especially now that Jace is going with her.

I nervously pick at my cuticles. “What about you?”

“I don’t know.” There’s a provoking note in his voice. “It depends.”

“On?”

He grins coyly. “Whether or not you’ll be there.”

“Is that your weird way of asking me to go with you?”

I’m shocked when I realize there’s a small part of me that wishes he would.

The way I see it, if Jace is going with my nemesis…I have every right to show up on the arm of his.

I can’t decode his expression. “No.”

Embarrassment heats my cheeks and I look down at the floor. I feel so stupid for assuming.

“Dylan.”

“Yeah?”

“I’m no one’s second choice. When I ask you out, it will be when I’m positive you’re no longer pining over some idiot who chose the wrong girl.”

With that, he takes off.

“I’m s-s-sorry.”

I’m surprised to see Liam when I walk out of the band room, but I’m even more surprised he’s apologizing to me.

“For what? You have nothing to be sorry for, Liam.”

I shoulder my backpack and start the journey to my locker.

He follows after me. “I’m s-s-sorry Jac-c-ce is a jerk. I heard w-w-what he did.” He looks so dejected; you’d think he was the one his brother hurt. “It’s n-n-not r-r-right. Brit-t-tney is a bitc-c-ch to you.”