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“I don’t love the idea of you tormenting your uncle,” my mom said.

“I do,” my dad said. “Do it, little me.”

RJ nodded.

My mom sighed. “You’re lucky the season is over tomorrow. Or you’d probably be suspended for a game with that nonsense.”

“Uncle James would never suspend me,” RJ said. “I’m his favorite.”

“Hey,” I said. “You are not.”

“Yes I am. Because I remind him of Dad.”

My dad laughed. “Not sure that’s always a good thing when it comes to my brother.”

RJ shrugged and started eating again.

But I was lost in thought. “So it’s obviously wrong to hit on a woman with a ring on her finger,” I said. “But what if it’s a guy and you don’t know if he’s technically single because he’s not wearing a ring?”

“Who on earth are you hitting on that’s old enough to be married?” my mom asked.

“Axel and Scarlett are engaged,” I said.

“So you’re hitting on Axel? Oh dear.”

I laughed. “No. I’m just asking.”

My dad cut in. “Easy. If a woman is only wearing an engagement ring, she’s fair game...”

“Robert Hunter,” my mom said.

“What? It’s true. She’s not officially off-limits until she has a wedding ring. So if a guy isn’t wearing a ring, he’s definitely fair game.”

My mom shook her head. “That is not true. Don’t listen to your father. He might be in a very committed relationship even if he isn’t married yet.”

“I think Dad’s right though, Mom,” RJ said. “An engagement ring is just for show. It’s a total flex.”

“Flex? What?” My mom shook her head. “Who raised you animals?” she said with a laugh. “An engagement is a promise of forever.”

“But a wedding band comes with a slip of paper,” my dad said.

I nodded. That all made sense to me. Not that Mr. Halifax was engaged. NC was a meeting, not a hot woman. And even if he was dating someone, dating was even less official than engaged. So he was definitely fair game.

I wasn’t even sure why I was thinking about it. Mr. Halifax was single. At least for a few more days.

“Sophie,” my mom said. “Please tell me you’re not hitting on an engaged man.”

“No, I’m hitting on my teacher.”

My dad laughed.

But my mom looked perplexed. “Tell me you’re joking.”

“Okay...I’m joking.”

“It’s more like she’s seducing our teacher,” RJ said. “She’s going to get him arrested.”

I laughed. “I am not.”