As we’re walking, we run into Xander, and all three of us stop to look at each other. My skin starts itching nervously as Xander’s gaze drops to our hands, still interlocked.

“Good morning, Karina,” Xander says, his gaze rising to meet mine. He’s calmer than he was Friday night.

I offer him a small smile. It feels stretched too thin on my face. “Good morning, Xander.”

“I see you’re still...dating my brother.”

I laugh nervously and look at Ace, who looks completely tuned out. But his grip on my hand is tighter than ever, making it clear he’s not as relaxed as he looks. “It seems so.”

Xander tilts his head. “Have you met our mom yet?”

“Mom’s in Italy,” Ace says darkly, his first words to his brother. “How would Karina have met her?”

Xander’s smile stretches wide. “Surely, you’ve introduced them through FaceTime or Skype. I can’t imagine Mom wouldn’t want to meet your first girlfriend.”

Ace’s grip tightens on my hand. “Worry less about my relationship and more about yourself.”

“I’m always going to worry about you, Alistair,” Xander says, reaching forward to pat Ace’s shoulder. “Isn’t that what big brothers do?”

“And big sisters,” I add, pulling the attention away from Ace before the two of them can engage in an all-out brawl in the middle of the stairway. “Speaking of which, I actually need to find my little brother. You don’t mind, do you?”

Xander considers me for a moment before he nods. “Of course. I was heading to class anyway. Unlike my brother, I prefer to arrive in a timely manner. I’ll see you around, Karina.” He inclines his head toward Ace. “Alistair.”

He disappears through the door, and I can’t help but mutter, “I sincerely hope not.”

Ace laughs under his breath, his grip loosening. “Come on.”

We continue up and up the stairs until we reach a locked dead end. There are no other students here, giving us a semblance of privacy.

“Before you kick me in the balls, I’d like to make a case for myself,” Ace says, sitting on one of the steps. “I swear I have a good explanation.”

I sigh and sit next to him. “Let’s hear it.”

Ace fiddles with the rings on his fingers, refusing to meet my gaze. It’s my first giveaway that this conversation is going to be more serious than I anticipated. “My family is...complicated. What you saw on Friday is only a small glimpse into what it’s like at our house. Do you want the SparkNotes version?”

“Please don’t tell me you use SparkNotes,” I say, mostly because I don’t know how else to respond.

Ace laughs lowly. “Of course that’s what you got out of that, Ahmed.”

I elbow Ace. “Just tell me.”