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Scarlett pressed her lips together as she thought it over. “You don’t know if that’s a date. It could be anything. Like the name of a plumber or something. He can’t exactly get plumbing issues fixed during the day because he’s here.”

I scrunched up my face. “What kind of plumbing emergencies do you think he has?”

She laughed. “Or a heater repairman. Or a painter. Or the time his dinner delivery is supposed to arrive. It could be anything, Soph.

“True.” But her words didn’t make my heart stop racing. “Or it’s Nicole Collins, that slut.”

“Who is Nicole Collins?”

I shrugged. “The first name I thought of with those initials.”

“Well at least pick a worse name. Like...Nancy Cox.”

I laughed. “She sounds hideous.”

“Right? Come on, it’s definitely just a plumbing emergency.”

“I don’t think he has whatever kind of problem you think he does.”

She laughed. “Well, he is 27. I don’t know what kind of back door problems 27-year-olds have.”

“None.”

“Maybe.”

I spotted Axel walking toward us. “Axel!”

“What’s up?” he asked, barely looking at me before he planted a kiss on Scarlett’s lips.

I didn’t have time for cuteness right now. “I need you to go into Mr. Halifax’s classroom and ask if he has time tonight at 7 o’clock to give you some math help.”

Axel laughed. “No.”

“What? Why not?”

“Because I don’t need math help. And everyone knows all the guys on the team are staying home tonight before the big game. And also...7 o’clock? No one is here that late at night, Soph.”

“She’s worried Mr. Halifax has a date tonight,” Scarlett said. “Please just ask?” She batted her eyelashes at him.

I knew Axel wouldn’t be able to refuse her. And I didn’t have long to wait. Axel almost caved immediately.

He sighed. “Okay. But this is really weird. He’s probably going to think I’m hitting on him.”

“Get in there, tiger.” I pushed him toward Mr. Halifax’s door.

Axel shook his head and walked in.

I bit the inside of my lip as we waited. “Screw Nancy Cox and her hideous face.”

“Deep breaths, Soph,” Scarlett said.

“But what if he does have a girlfriend? And what if she’s beautiful? And his age? And smart and funny? And her name is something beautiful like...” my voice trailed off. “What if it’s Nova?!”

Scarlett looked very confused. “Our cousin?”

“Yes! Nova Caldwell! That little whore.”

“Nova is 12.”