Xander laughs. The sound grates on my nerves. “At first, it seemed ridiculous. I thought she was joking. But then she tried to cover it up so fast that I began to think, Is it true? Could Alistair really be stupid enough to pretend to date his tutor?”

“Hey,” I cut in, gritting my teeth. “Don’t call him stupid.”

Ace shakes his head slowly. “This isn’t your fight, Karina.”

I bite my lip, wishing it was. I hate seeing Xander demean Ace like this.

“Oh, enough,” Xander says, rolling his eyes. “You can stop the act. I know you’re not dating.”

“You’re so fucking annoying,” Ace says, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Go then. Run off and tell Dad how I’m a fraud. I’m sure he’ll love that.”

“Honestly, Alistair.” Xander sighs deeply, leaning his elbow against the table. “Don’t you get tired of disappointing Dad? He just wants you to succeed.”

I have a strong urge to kick Xander down a flight of stairs. If Ace hadn’t specifically told me to stay out of it, I think I would’ve told Xander to fuck off. It makes sense why Ace is reluctant to talk to our classmates if his own brother is such an ass.

“And what do you want, Alexander?” Ace smiles coldly. “To make me look bad so you can look good? Your superiority complex is pathetic.”

A sense of pride fills me as I watch Ace casually take out a lollipop and unwrap it.

“I don’t have a superiority complex,” Xander says, raising one eyebrow. “I worry about you, Alistair. If Dad and I don’t keep you in line, what’s going to happen to you? Ever since Mom and Dad’s divorce, you’ve had no drive, no motivation. I only want the best for you.”

I gape at Xander. He speaks as if he hasn’t sabotaged Ace repeatedly, as if he hasn’t spread rumors about him, as if he hasn’t consistently thrown Ace under the bus.

Ace has the most drive and motivation of anyone I’ve ever met. He spends hours practicing piano, sought a tutor when he was doing poorly, and is active in almost every aspect of his life. He knows what he wants and goes after it.

And yet his brother unabashedly calls him lazy and apathetic, without even making the effort to learn what kind of person Ace truly is.

Ace is silent as he pops the lollipop in his mouth. Tell him, I want to urge, but I also know why he won’t. Ace’s choices have nothing to do with Xander or his father.

“Talk to me, Alistair.” Xander reaches across the table, but Ace leans away. “You’re being childish.”

“And you’re trying to gaslight me,” Ace says evenly.