His eyebrows lift in confusion. “S-s-she c-c-came here with C-c-cole.”

After placing his drink down, Tommy points to Liam’s twin, who sure enough is not dancing with his date. “Cole’s been hanging out with Hayley for the last ten minutes.” He gestures to a brunette who’s sniffling by the bleachers. “Needless to say, Heather doesn’t look happy about it.”

That’s because two out of three Covington brothers are jackasses.

Liam’s frown deepens. “S-s-so why d-d-don’t you danc-c-ce with her?”

Tommy winces. “Can I tell you a secret?”

I grind my molars. I know Tommy well enough to sense when he’s up to no good.

He looks around the gymnasium, like whatever he’s about to say is groundbreaking information. “You see, I’m into Heather…but you know how I am. Always screwing everything up and saying the wrong things.” He swipes his drink off the table and takes a lengthy sip. “I was hoping maybe you could do me a solid and dance with her for a bit.” Smiling slyly, he motions to himself. “Put in a good word for your boy.”

Liam looks at me. “B-b-but w-w-what about Dylan?”

Tommy rolls his eyes. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep your little date occupied.”

Like hell, he will.

Liam’s eyes dart between me and a visibly hurt Heather across the gym, and I can sense his internal struggle.

Liam’s too kind for his own good. The thought of a girl crying on the sidelines because his twin brother is a jerk doesn’t sit well with him.

Heck, it’s the reason he’s here with me tonight instead of someone he’s actually interested in.

“You should go,” I tell Liam. “She’s obviously upset, and if anyone can cheer her up, it’s you.”

“Are you s-s-sure?”

“Positive. Don’t sweat it.”

He blows out a breath. “Ok-k-kay. I’ll be bac-c-ck s-s-soon.”

Leaning down, I kiss his cheek and whisper, “Don’t ever change, Liam Covington. The world needs more awesome people like you.”

He blushes. “T-t-than—”

“Come on, man,” Tommy interjects. “Ronnie Higgins looks like he’s about to ask her to dance and if he does, I’m toast.”

“Don’t w-w-worry. I’m on it-t-t.”

“You’re an asshole,” I tell Tommy after Liam leaves.

He places his hand over his heart, feigning offense. “And here I thought I was doing something nice for that poor girl.”

I motion to Liam, who’s rummaging through his pockets for a tissue to hand Heather. “Liam’s the one doing something nice. You’re just manipulating him.”

He shifts his stance so we’re standing next to each other. “What makes you say that?”

“You don’t like Heather Gibson.”

He waggles his eyebrows. “I might.” His voice drops to a whisper. “Would that make you jealous?”

“Being jealous would imply I like you.” I muster my best dirty look. “I don’t.”

His breath whistles between his teeth. “Damn, I forgot. My last name isn’t Covington.”

“Don’t be like that.”

“Like what?”

“The reason I don’t like you has nothing to do with Jace. I don’t like you because you’re mean.”

“Not to you.” His gaze zeros in on Liam, who’s now dancing with Heather. “Or him. Not since you told me to stop.”

He’s unbelievable. “That’s not how it works. I appreciate you being nice to Liam, but you shouldn’t do it because you like me. You should do it because you like him.”

He winks. “Sorry, but he’s not really my type.”

I roll my eyes and he playfully knocks his shoulder against mine. “Relax. For once, my intentions are good. Liam’s my boy, so I’m going out of my way to play matchmaker and set him up with Heather.”

He obviously hasn’t thought this through. “How do you expect that to happen when you sent Liam over there to put in a good word for you?”

His arms open wide. “All part of the plan. No matter what Liam says about me, Heather will be too focused on the guy who actually cared enough to see if she was okay.” He grins. “No girl can resist a white knight. Ten bucks says they name their first kid after me.”

I can’t help but laugh. No matter how frustrating he can be, Tommy has a certain charm that sucks you in.

“You’re insane.” I give him a sincere smile. “It’s sweet of you to do that for Liam. I hope this little diabolical plan of yours works out.”

He deserves something good.

Something passes in his gaze. “Dance with me.”

“No.”

His voice lowers. “You know you want to.”

“Then why would I turn you down?”

He leans in so close his breath tickles my ear. “Because you still haven’t figured out your prince charming has already found his Cinderella.”

My heart rises in my throat when he tilts his head and I follow his line of sight.

Jace is slow-dancing with Britney. His hands are on her waist and her head is on his shoulder. They’re so beautiful and perfect together, they should be on the cover of a magazine.

“You and I are a lot alike, you know.”

A scoff pushes through my lips. “How so?”

“We don’t have everything handed to us on a gold platter like your prince does. We have to fight like hell for everything we want.”

It’s clear he has no idea who Jace really is. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He shoots me an incredulous glare. “What makes you so—”

“Because he’s my best friend,” I snap. “I know everything about him. Like how much it sucks that his mom died and how her death forced him to grow up way before he was ready to. Or how he would literally do anything for his siblings because they’re the most important people in the world to him. Jace isn’t some spoiled rich kid with an attitude problem. He’s the guy who makes dinner, helps Bianca and Cole with their homework, goes with Liam to his speech therapy appointments so he’s not alone, and somehow still finds time to hang out with me and listen to my—”

He snorts. “Sounds like he’s Cinderella.”

Revulsion, anger, contempt—it all surges through me like a tsunami. “You’re pathetic, Tommy.” It’s not enough, I want to hit him where it really hurts, because right now, I’m hurting. “A pathetic and jealous loser. It’s why you bully everyone all the time.” I get close to his face. “No matter how much Jace likes Britney—even if he marries her and they have a million babies—I’d still never be with someone as insecure and pitiful as you are.”

With that, I storm out of the gymnasium.

I’m passing the lockers when I hear footsteps behind me.

“Dylan, wait,” Tommy calls out.

Rounding the corner, I continue down the empty, semi-lit hallway. I’ll apologize for blowing up later, I just need some air so I can get a grip.

“I just want to be alone.”

He clamps a hand on my arm. “I’m sorry.”