"Real fighting with real consequences." Hog held up his hands. Taped knuckles, blood seeping through. "See?"
"That's from Tuesday. You dropped Bouchard."
"Three inches on me, but I'm meaner." Hog's grin was sharp. "Want me to prove it?"
"Liam," Sloane said. "Kitchen. Now."
The house smelled like garlic bread and a young boy's permanent hockey funk. When Hog hung his jacket next to mine, they looked right together. Sloane saw me notice and raised an eyebrow.
Mae tugged my sleeve. "I got a ninety-two on my math test. Highest score."
"That's great, bug."
"Is he staying for dinner?"
"Yeah."
She chewed her lip. Studied Hog like he was a math problem she couldn't solve. "Okay."
At the dinner table, the chair groaned when Hog sat. He froze halfway down, waiting for structural failure. When it held, he settled carefully. His knees hit the table.
Mae had claimed the farthest seat. Still watching and still deciding.
Sloane brought plenty of food—penne, bread, salad with kale, and my casserole. "You made my favorite," she said.
Liam was relentless. "When you fight, are you actually trying to hurt them?"
"Yeah. Enough to stop them, but not enough to get a suspension." Hog loaded his plate. "It's math. Pain versus penalty minutes."
"That's complicated."
"Most things are."
Mae relaxed slightly as she asked a question. "What kind of scarves do you make?"
"All kinds. Just finished one with a Storm logo. Lightning bolt took three tries to get right."
"That's cool." Less wary now. Still cautious.
The conversation limped forward. Liam shared details about the volcano he made at school. Hog answered questions but kept glancing at his phone. When it buzzed, he flinched.
"You need to check that?" Sloane asked.
"It's only the team."
"Must be nice. Having a team."
She passed him the salad. He took a spoonful without complaint.
"This is really good," Hog said. "All of it."
Sloane gave him the counselor look despite the marker stains and the three-days-awake posture. "You're a terrible liar."
"Excuse me?"
"The kale. You hate it."
"I didn't—"
