A Love Song for Liars (Rivals #1) - Piper Lawson Page 0,48

walk out that door, I don’t.

Tyler’s composure slips at whatever he’s seeing in my eyes. His handsome face fills with regret. “It’s my fault she’s been so into you. The way I cut her and Kellan down in public set her off.”

I grab his arms. “Tyler, I’m telling you I can take care of this. You don’t get to decide what’s right for me or what’s fair. If you go, in some ways, you’re no better than her.”

He shakes off my grip, eyes flashing with anger. “That’s bullshit.”

“Is it? If you go with her, it isn’t just about my letter. It’s about you needing to have control over everything.”

Tyler pushes past me, pulling on the door handle. When he speaks, his voice is flat. “A bunch of us are meeting at Carly’s.”

I’m about to argue when the sound of a car purring up the driveway interrupts us.

I follow him outside, but it’s not my dad. It’s worse.

“A limo,” I blurt.

A sound from inside the house—Sophie crying—makes me wince.

“Don’t go anywhere.” I take a step back. “I need to get Sophie, but don’t leave.”

He shifts into the car.

“Tyler. Damn it, Tyler!”

The taillights fade down the driveway, and my hands clench into fists.

I didn’t hate Tyler three months ago after he called me nothing.

Now, I remember how hot and cold he’s been.

How he won’t let me fight my own battles because he can’t stand the thought of me losing them.

How he makes me feel like I’m part of something bigger than myself.

I hate him for all those things.

I’m also falling in love with Tyler.

And I hate him for that most of all.

16

“Pass me that bottle.”

I hand Carly the booze in the car. She leans over me, shoving her chest in my face.

“I can’t believe you bailed on Kellan,” one of the minions says.

“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 trash lately.”

Every breath takes effort. “It’s easy. I live at her house.”

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 worst enemy.

I hate the lies.

I hate that I’m here with Carly, but it was the only option.

Every second the limo glides through the silent night, I remind myself why I’m doing this.

“It’s about you needing to have control.”

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’s nuts.

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 all night.”

Bile rises in my throat as she steps closer and runs a hand up my chest under my jacket.

“Come on, you guys!” someone calls from ahead of us.

“I’ll be right there,” I tell Carly, nodding toward the doors.

She pouts but starts after her friends.

I check my phone.

No missed calls from Annie.

Some part of me hoped she’d try to reach me. She’d been furious when I left, and all I wanted to do was grab her and kiss the hell out of her.

On impulse, I pull up the image of her in that dress.

She’s beautiful. Making a face at the camera, holding her hair up with one hand, the other on her hip. Every muscle in my body squeezes at once, my heart most of all.

I wanted to bring her. I wanted to ask her yesterday before I realized this was the only option to fix the problem I created.

Carly and I head inside, her hand tucked in my arm. I feel eyes on us everywhere.

“You realize it’s as good as done,” she murmurs near my ear.

I turn my head to avoid her lips. “What is?”

“Prom king and queen.” Carly blinks as if she’s surprised I’m not thinking about this.

The last thing I want to do is spend another second with her, and the more public it is, the more I’m reminded that everyone will think it’s real. At least I’m doing a good job of selling it.

“I’m going to make a lap,” Carly informs me.

My gaze locks on an incredulous face by the bar. “I need to see someone first.”

I don’t wait to hear her response as I cross to Brandon and Penelope.

Penelope looks murderous. “What the hell are you doing here?”

“Dude,” Brandon