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He smiled. “I know it’s a little soon to be meeting the parents, but I’m not opposed if that’s what you really want.”

“Stop it.”

“Stop what? By the way, we should probably both get off that dating app, huh? Give me your number so I can text you instead of sending you messages on there.”

What? No. I decided to ignore everything he’d just said except for the first thing. “Stop inviting yourself over to my house all the time. I’m having one-on-one time with my dad.”

“That’s very cute.”

It wasn’t cute. It was lame. But I didn’t really care what Adonis thought about me. “You said you were tired. You should go home and sleep.”

“Or I could sleep with you.”

Jacob cleared his throat.

Why wasn’t he pushing him down the bleachers? Clearing his throat whenever Adonis was being ridiculous wasn’t helping.

“I get why you’re beat,” Scarlett said, trying her best to change the topic. “You were all over the court.”

Adonis smiled at her. “Thanks, pumpkin.”

I couldn’t see Axel’s face. But I presumed he looked pissed about that smile and that nickname.

Scarlett laughed. “No one calls me that but my dad.”

“Well I’ve been called Daddy on many occasions.”

“Not to sound like Soph,” Axel said. “But stop it. Seriously, man.”

Adonis held up his hands. “I was only kidding. Well, not really. I have been called Daddy before.”

Liam laughed. “Haven’t we all?” The two of them high fived.

Ew. Who was calling Liam that? Natalivanka? She was like five years older than him. My little cousin was out of control.

“Well, anyway, you should both come out,” Jacob said. “Come on, Soph.” He bumped his arm against mine.

I looked up at him. “You’ll be fine without me. I hope you invited Girl #5.”

Jacob just laughed.

“Girl #5?” Adonis asked.

“I set him up with a bunch of girls at the last party...” my voice trailed off, remembering Mr. Halifax slamming my back against the wall. I thought about the note he’d left me that I’d unfolded and refolded so many times that it looked more like an old map.

Mr. Halifax had said I was amazing.

But I didn’t feel amazing right now.

I shook my head. I wasn’t even sure what I’d been talking about. “I’ve gotta go.” I abruptly stood up. “RJ, come on.”

“I’ll be right there,” he said.

I hurried down the bleachers. And I was glad when no one followed me. I just needed out of this school. Everywhere I turned reminded me of Mr. Halifax. How was I supposed to ever move on if he was everywhere?

I walked through the cold parking lot and climbed into the passenger’s seat of my car. I’d let RJ drive whenever he got here. I exhaled slowly and stared at the fog my breath made in the cold car.

My phone buzzed and I pulled it out. I’d gotten a text from an unknown number. I clicked on it.