But if he did, well…I guess I can see why she’d want to sneak around.

“I know,” she whispers, sadness flickering in her eyes.

It makes sense now why Sawyer said she’s been putting her own pain on the backburner to be there for Jace.

For me.

The girl has been dealing with a lot.

“Boy, I really screwed up, huh?”

A small smirk touches her lips. “Kind of.” She shrugs, that sadness returning again. “But Jace and I were bound to have it out about this sooner or later.”

I know she’s only saying that to make me feel better, but it doesn’t.

In fact, it only makes me feel worse…about everything.

Wondering how wrong I’ve been about other things, I can’t help but ask, “Why didn’t you turn Liam down when he asked you to go to the dance?”

I need to know if she intentionally used him to get back at Jace.

She exhales sharply. “Because I had no idea Liam liked me like that. He told me he wanted to go as friends and that’s honestly what I thought we were.”

I’m not sure I believe that. “You had to know he had a crush on you.”

She looks me in the eyes. “I didn’t. Liam was always nice and sweet to me, but I never thought it was anything more than Liam being Liam because he was like that with almost everyone.” Her eyes close. “Plus, my feelings for Jace were so intense…he’s all I could see.” She looks down. “He’s all I ever wanted to see.”

My heart hurts for Liam. He never stood a chance.

“Oh.”

“Bianca?”

“Yeah?”

“If I could change everything about that night, I would.” Her eyes fill with tears. “Most nights I lay awake wishing my dad made us move one night earlier because then everything would be different.” She wipes her tears with the back of her hand. “I love Jace, more than anything or anyone…but if I had to give him up so he could still have Liam…I would.” A choked sob escapes her. “I swear to God, I would.”

Now, I’m the one who’s crying.

I’ve had it so wrong for so long.

Liam’s death wasn’t her fault.

It was just a horrible twist of events that ended in a terrible tragedy.

And hearing her profess that she’d give up Jace if it meant we’d have Liam back…

It’s not something a bad person would say.

“I can see why Liam loved you.” I cut my gaze to her. “And why Jace does.”

She sniffles. “Thank you for finally hearing me out.”

“Dylan?”

“Yeah?”

Nerves flutter in my stomach because there’s always a chance she can tell me to go fuck myself and she’d have every right to at this point. “Can we be friends?”

She gives me a small smile. “I’d really like that.”

I take a sip of my water. “Well, now that we got that out of the way—”

The sound of the door opening cuts me off mid-sentence.

A second later Jace storms inside like a man on a mission.

Dylan’s eyes widen and she stands up. “What are—”

She doesn’t get a chance to finish that sentence because Jace kisses her like she’s the oxygen he needs to breathe.

Dylan looks downright dizzy when they break apart. “What—”

“I told you I’d burn the world to the ground before I ever lost you again and I fucking meant it.”

With that, he kisses her again.

Getting off the couch, I gesture toward the door. “I’m gonna go.”

They’re both so into their little lovefest, they ignore me.

Good.

Chapter 26

“I heard there’s a party at Jordan Romano’s house tomorrow night,” I inform Stone at lunch. “Maybe we can go.”

I know he doesn’t like to hang out with kids from our school—or anyone for that matter—but I’ve been attending Royal Manor High for almost a month now and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to socialize a little.

Making a face, Stone bites into a chicken tender. “Jordan Romano is an asshole.” He takes a lengthy sip of his sports drink. “So are his friends.”

I can’t hide the flicker of disappointment I feel. “Oh.”

“Trust me, Bourne, you won’t be missing anything. Just a bunch of losers getting drunk and high.” Concern mars his features. “Besides, sometimes the parties he throws get out of hand and I really don’t want you around that.”

I love that he’s trying to protect me, but I need to interact with other people besides him and my family.

“All the more reason you should come with me.” I bat my eyelashes, hoping he’ll cave. “This way you can be my bodyguard.”

“I’m not going, Bianca.” He pushes his lunch tray away. “You shouldn’t either.”

I get what he’s saying but I’m tired of watching movies in his bedroom all the time. “But I—”

Grabbing his backpack, he stands. “I have to go. I’m helping Mr. Reiss in the chemistry lab and he wants me there early.”

I look down at my tray of uneaten food. “Right.”

He slides two fingers under my chin, tipping my face to look at him. “Don’t be mad at me, Bourne. It’s only because I care about you.” Leaning down, he kisses my lips. “A lot.”

I know he does.

I assess my outfit in the mirror.

The black material is silky soft, and the super short length makes my legs look miles long. Also, the strappy heels I paired it with are to die for.

It’s still missing something though.

I rummage through my closet. Old Bianca’s clothes mostly aren’t my style, but even I have to admit she’s got some great pieces in here.

Like the deep purple crop jacket.

A smile stretches across my lips as I look in the mirror for a second time. The pop of color was exactly what I needed.

After applying some lip gloss and checking my phone to see where my Uber is, I grab my crutches and head downstairs.

“Where are you running off to?” Jace questions when he spots me.

Shit on a stick.

I chew my bottom lip, pondering what I should tell him.

“Mercedes and I…we’re going out to dinner.” I lick my lips nervously as I recall the time. “A late-night dinner.”

“Oh.”

Jace shuffles his feet like he wants to say something, but he’s hesitant for some reason.

Finally, he speaks. “Bianca?”

“Yeah.”

“We never really talked about it before, and maybe we should have.”

He’s losing me. “Talked about what?”

He blows out a breath. “I guess what I’m trying to say is, if you and this Mercedes chick are more than friends…I don’t want you to feel like you can’t bring her around.” His eyes cut to mine. “Gay, straight, bi…whatever you identify as. You’re my baby sister and I will always love and support you.”

Oh, geez.

His words are touching, but they only serve to make me hate myself for lying to him.