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“Yeah but it’s always the crazy ones that are good in bed,” RJ said.

Adonis laughed. He turned his head to look over his shoulder at the Triple Gs retreating.

He’d told them off. But then he’d apologized for putting his arm around my shoulders, didn’t deny that they’d be good in bed, and then he’d watched them go.

So yeah, he’d told them off today. But maybe he wouldn’t tomorrow. Especially with a drink in his hand at the party tomorrow night.

***

Jacob’s house was always chaos. Which was why he probably hadn’t offered to do the project there right away. But I liked the noise. It was easier to drown out my annoying thoughts when kids were screaming.

The three of us were sitting at the kitchen island with Chloe, Jacob’s younger sister. She had her math homework sprawled everywhere and was clearly struggling. So I was helping her as Adonis and Jacob worked on our coding assignment.

“So how is school going, besides for math?” I asked.

Chloe laughed. “Good. But I can’t wait to go to high school.”

Yeah, I’d remembered that feeling. Chloe was in middle school. Next year she’d get her wish. But high school wasn’t all it was cut out to be. It was full of heartache and bitter memories.

“I loved middle school,” I said. “Do you think you’re going with anyone to the 8th grade formal?” That was my first real dance. It had been everything. Except for the part near the end of the night when Scarlett was crying in the bathroom because Axel had spent most of the night dancing with someone else.

Chloe shrugged. “I’m just going to go with Nova and whoever her date is.”

“What? Has no one asked you yet?” Chloe was young, but you could already tell she was going to be stunning when she was older. She looked just like her mom. Her long blonde hair had these effortless waves. And it really popped against her tan skin. She was always outside running around. But instead of having a football in her hand like her older brother, she just seemed to enjoy the movement and the wind in her hair. She had been on the varsity track team at her school every year of middle school even though that was usually just for 8th graders.

“No, I’ve been asked to the dance a few times,” she said.

“Holding out for someone in particular?” I waggled my eyebrows at her.

She laughed. “Yes. I mean, no. Not really. The guy I like thinks I’m invisible.”

I laughed. “Impossible.”

“Well, I think he might be dating someone else anyway. So...yeah.”

“I’m sure he’ll wake up eventually,” I said. Even Mr. Halifax had. I swallowed hard. “But until then, let’s try to focus on this acute angle.” I could feel Adonis’ eyes on me. But I focused on Chloe’s homework instead.

“Are you kids staying for dinner?” Uncle Matt asked as he walked into the kitchen.

“If that’s alright,” Adonis said. “We’re not quite finished yet.”

“Or do you just want more cupcakes?” Uncle Matt said and eyed the empty plate in front of Adonis.

He laughed. “Caught me. These are delicious.”

“They’re the best,” Uncle Matt said as he stared into the living room where Aunt Brooklyn was playing with the kids. I was pretty sure he was talking about her and not the cupcakes. He turned back to Adonis. “Do you need to call your parents to let them know?”

“Nah,” Adonis said. “My dad is out of town on some business trip I think.”

He thought?

“And your mother?” Uncle Matt said.

Adonis shrugged. “I have no idea. I haven’t seen her since I was six.”

I pressed my lips together. Well, that was terrible.

“Oh.” Uncle Matt frowned. “I’m sorry.”