“I haven't gotten in a fight yet this year!Despite everything, that made her smile. "It's September."He waved a hand. "Details.”

“I shouldn’t have hit him.” She flexed her fingers. “My hand still hurts.”Chris smiled. “Oh, no, I loved that part.”

“So let me get this straight.”... “He threw the note at Tommy and then told him to fuck off? Or do I have it backwards?”“I’m detecting some sarcasm.”“And then got himself sent the principal’s office because he was ready to defend your honor?”“Quinn.”“Her friend waved a hand. “No, I think you might be on to something. This is clearly an elaborate plot to screw with you. He asks you out, he defends you from that meathead—what next?” Quinn’s eyes flashed wide in mock surprise. “Crap, Bex, do you think he will do something truly horrible like buy you flowers?”

“Gabriel. Number three?" That killed the smile. "Yeah. My twin brother. He says he doesn't care if I go away to school, but I know he does.""Identical twin?""Yeah.""Niiiiice."Nick cut him another look, and Adam smiled. "Sorry.”

“Becky," he said. "Get in the car.""Becca," she corrected automatically. Her voice was breathy, her hands still clenched in fists."For god's sake-" His eyes slid left. "Just get in the car.”

“Becca remembered something Chris had said earlier. "Wait, I thought you would be benched all year if you got in another fight."Gabriel laughed. "You're sweet. I'm not worried.""You're not?""Nah. Don't you remember? They all think I'm Nick.”

“So, Chris," he said. "You couldn't make a smaller cut?"Nick's eyes were closed, but he smiled."Chris asked me to bite him first."Gabriel gave him a disguested look."You are one sick bastard.""I was desperate." Chris smiled, too, but then he dropped it. "Desperate people do crazy things.”