Daniel grinned. “Not bad. So, you enjoying the party?”
“You mean, sharing the greatness that is you and your magic foot? Yes, I am, thanks.”
Daniel took a bow, and Evan laughed. “The game was hard. I still can’t believe we won.”
“By your teammate’s last-minute goal. Nice assist, by the way.”
“You going to tell me everything I did wrong?”
“Not tonight. Tonight you celebrate. Tomorrow…tomorrow I need a favor.”
“Sure, what?”
“I think it’s time I took Kenzie to meet my mom.”
“Yeah?” Daniel didn’t look upset about that. Which made Evan realize the kid had adapted to having him around. A good thing.
“Yeah. I told her all about you guys. She thinks Lila and Rachel are funny. And that maybe Lila has serial-killer tendencies we should all be aware of.”
“Dude, that’s a given.” Daniel laughed. “But she’s pretty gone over Hector. I can’t believe he lets her talk to him like that.”
“Lets her?”
They watched Lila put her hands on her hips and taunt Hector, who took it for a solid minute. Once he’d tossed his beanbag, he dragged Lila close and shut her up with a kiss.
The crowd around them went wild, and Lila, though embarrassed, wore a goofy grin.
“He’s the man. But with those muscles, it’s easy to see.” Daniel gave Evan a less-than-impressed once-over. And Evan had to admit no one did scorn quite like a thirteen-year-old.
“I know you did not just mock my manliness.” Evan flexed to impress, but Daniel yawned.
“Whatever, stick man.”
“Oh? Let’s see your guns.”
Daniel did a few poses, none of which showed him to be anything but a skinny kid. He finished, looking proud of himself.
And Evan laughed out loud. “Oh man, I feel like I’m looking at myself eighteen years ago.”
“So you’re all I have to look forward to?” Daniel’s dismissive stare made Evan laugh even harder.
“You are so like your sister. Obnoxious yet oddly charming.”
“You think Kenzie’s obnoxious?” Daniel blinked. “And I’m charming?”
“Well, she thinks she’s better than me at math, sometimes. And I have to remind her I’m the accountant.”
Daniel cocked his head, looking puzzled.
“What?”
He glanced around him then asked, “But if you insult her, doesn’t that make her not want to like you? I mean, if I liked a girl, I’d probably compliment her a lot. Or maybe, I don’t know, pretend I liked stuff she liked. Or something.”
“Ah. I see.” The boy had a crush on someone. “Well, the thing with girls is—”
“Yes? What is the thing with girls?” Kenzie asked from behind him.
Evan and Daniel jumped, not having heard her approach.
