“It isn’t true, is it?” he asked.
“Summer and I aren’t sleeping together,” I said.
His face slackened with relief. I tried not to take that too hard.After all, I’d already known he wouldn’t consider me suitable for her.
“We did kiss, though,” I added reluctantly.
He tensed again. “Excuse me?”
Zane had straightened and was sipping his drink while watching us as if we were the evening’s entertainment. I guess we’d at least distracted him from moping about Blair.
I shifted from one foot to the other, fully expecting Liam to hit me at any second. “Summer and I are seeing each other.”
Liam’s breath hissed out between his teeth. “Why would you do that behind my back?”
“Because he’s an asshole, obviously,” James said.
“Fuck off,” we snapped at the same time.
He backed away, but his smug expression stayed locked in place. He’d succeeded in what he’d come here to do. He’d created a rift between Liam and me.
“You know how she used to feel about you.” Liam shook his head, disgusted. “I didn’t think you were the kind of guy to take advantage of her crush like that.”
“I’m not.” I thrust one of the beers at Liam. “No one is taking advantage of anyone. We both care for each other, and we’re serious about our relationship. We planned to break the news tomorrow.”
He didn’t look convinced, and he didn’t take the drink.“You can’t tell me that you just woke up one day and were suddenly crazy about her after all this time. I don’t know what’s up with you lately, but don’t involve my little sister in your crisis.”
Summer appeared beside me, a glass of wine in her hand and a groove between her eyebrows. “What’s going on? Is everything okay?”
Liam’s jaw clenched as he slowly turned to her. “I’ve just learned that you’re dating Asher.”
Her mouth fell open, but she clapped it shut quickly. “I am.” Her mossy eyes caught mine. “I didn’t think we were telling him until tomorrow.”
I winced. “Someone else beat us to it.”
“Oh.” Her teeth scraped over her lower lip, and she studied Liam as if trying to tell how pissed off he was. I could tell her the answer to that.
Very.
Liam pushed his stool back and jerkily got to his feet. “I need to get out of here.”
“Wait,” Summer said, reaching for him but stopping short. “Let’s talk this out.”
“I can’t.” His voice was strained. “I can’t think clearly with you in front of me.”
He pushed between two big guys nearby and disappeared into the crowd.
“Damn,” I muttered.
We’d lost him.
42
SUMMER
“So…” Zane dragged the word out, loud enough to be heard over the voices around us. “You two are together.”
“We are,” Asher said, taking my hand.