RAMSAY.

I was at my locker a week after I’d last texted Scout when Gem bounced up to me. Literally bounced up to me. Her cheeks were flushed. Her hands were holding on to her bag’s straps, and her hair was in pigtails. I had a total flashback to myself when I was six and got my first stuffed animal instead of a doll. I’d been so excited. Gem huffed out, almost out of breath, “I figured out how you can make it up to me.”

I frowned, shutting my locker. “Make what up to you?”

“You going to Scout’s fight without me.”

“Gem,” I started because that wasn’t my fault. She waved a hand in the air. “I get it. They said you were going for food, but you could’ve called when you got there. My cousin fights too. I know people who go to those fights. I could’ve got a ride.” I opened my mouth, feeling like I needed to defend myself. She kept on, “Anyway, you can totally make it up to me by . . . .” She pretended to do a drum roll, complete with sounds, and then she said, “By joining the Homecoming committee with me!” She finished with her hands doing a ta-da motion, sparkle fingers in the air, and her legs kicked out so her body formed an X. “How exciting is that?”

It was the end of the day. I had plans to find Clint and make him take me for snacks. I was in desperate need for some sugar.

“What?” I gutted out.

“Awesome!” She perked up, linking her elbow with mine, and she dragged me with her.

We went past Clint, who was standing with some other guys, and he started laughing at me. Past Alex and Trenton, who were heading out for the after-school dinner before practice. They paused, saw me, frowned, and then started laughing.

I harrumphed, a sarcastic comment on the tip of my tongue, but I didn’t get the chance. Gem was moving too fast.

And also past Scout and Cohen, who had locked not-happy gazes on me. I gulped, but rethought that and glared instead. He was the enemy. Not Cohen because he was only being a ride or die, but also Cohen because I was a ride or die too.

She got me to the cafeteria before my wits got back to me, and I was starting to put the brakes on right as she whisked us in and announced, “Ramsay and I will help, Mrs. Charlotte.” Gem was back to beaming at the teacher who had a clipboard. She took one look at us, and said, “Lovely. Thank you, Gem and Ramsay.”

“I—” But she was already writing our names down and then I got the growl out, “What?”

Mrs. Charlotte smiled and motioned to the side. “Kira, welcome these two girls to the committee and help them get situated?”

The girl who turned to me had her hair in braids, and she was wearing black leggings and a pink sweater that hugged her whole frame. Two more girls joined her, both in similar clothing except instead of a pink sweater, one wore a vintage-looking green T-shirt with white letters on the front. It was tied in a knot over her stomach, and her hair was sleek, swept back so it almost looked like something from The Matrix.

“Hi. I’m Kira.” The first girl gave a wave and a friendly smile. “I know who you are. We’re friends with your cousins.” She indicated the other two. “This is Ciara and Leanne.” Both waved. I had no idea who was who.

Kira focused on Gem. “And you’re Theresa’s cousin.” Gem started to answer. Kira cut her off, her eyes growing more chilly. “I wasn’t asking. I know who you are. We’re not friends with Theresa, so is this going to be a problem?”

Gem’s mouth snapped shut, and she wavered back on her feet. I frowned, stepping forward. “I don’t know the history—”

Kira swung my way. “You’re right. You don’t, and no offense, but I don’t want to start by being enemies with you. The history you need to know is that her cousin and us don’t get along, at all.” She looked back to Gem, thawing a little. “I have no problem with you helping, as long as it’s genuine. If you’re here to start a problem, then we can’t have you helping us.”

A door shut behind us, and I glanced back to see Scout standing there. His hard stare landed on me before he went to the vending machines.

Okay. I couldn’t do anything about that situation, so I focused back on Kira. Before Gem could say anything, I got in there. “Listen.”

Her face locked down. I didn’t care. “She dragged me in here and got our names written down before I could even say yes to this. I’ve met her cousin once, and it was super brief, so you’re right. I don’t know the history, but I don’t need to because I know Gem. She obviously wants to be here. I’ve done this at my old school and getting good volunteers is hard. My advice is, don’t be stupid and scare away two new volunteers. If you knew Gem, you’d never be saying any of that shit.”

There you go. I waded in, not sticking to being under the radar which was my first plan of action. I sighed because I couldn’t do anything about it now. I knew who Kira and her friends were. They were the popular girls. I knew who I was—the Maroney triplets’ cousin, but I was also a loyal friend. And Gem was my friend. I’d be loyal to her no matter what bridge I had to burn down for that to happen. Which, again, was so stupid of me, but here I was, being stupid.

Kira drew in a sharp breath, and her chest puffed out, and I was ready for a blast from her.

“They’re cool, Huerl.”

Kira and her friends both snapped around to where Scout was standing, a water in his hand.

Her entire demeanor changed after that. “If you vouch for them, then . . .” She looked back, reassessing me. “Right now, we need help going to stores and seeing what they’d be willing to donate. You can go with Ciara, if you’re up for that?”

The other girl wearing a pink sweater stepped forward.

“What about me?” Gem asked.

The green T-shirt girl said, “You can help me with some lists we need to do.”

“Awesome,” Gem whispered, her eyes big and shining at me. Gem wanted to do this, and I got it then. I got why, too, because she wanted to be popular. Though, no disrespect to her because so many wanted the same thing. But a part of me crumbled inside because I didn’t want that. I wanted the opposite.

Kira moved in closer, dropping her voice. “I’m not trying to start anything. I really meant that. Just. Gem’s cousin and I have been fighting for so long, you know? But also, that’s super cool that Scout waded in for you. He doesn’t do that, ever.”

She seemed more friendly, so I nodded. “Yeah. That’s cool, but Gem is a sweetheart.”

“I know.” She also seemed genuine. “Hey, uh. Instead of going with Ciara, you can go with me? I need to run some errands, and there’s one store that loves your cousins. I think we could get a bigger donation if you’re with me.”

At this point, I was just going where I would cause the least amount of trouble, so I nodded. She smiled widely at me. “So lit! Okay. Give me ten minutes, and let’s meet by the main office. I need to run to my locker, and if I come back in here, I’ll never be able to leave again.” She headed off, and I looked, but Scout was gone.

He’d vouched for me.

I pulled my phone out and texted.

Me: Why did you do that?

His answer came twenty minutes later when I was in Kira’s very expensive-looking Mercedes-Benz SUV after we’d stopped for lattes.

The Dick: Didn’t do shit.

Right.

But he had.

SCOUT

That was surprising.” 

Cohen and I were heading out to grab something to eat. “Shut it.” I knew I was going to get shit. Williams already texted me a thank you. We didn’t need to talk anymore about it. It was a momentary lapse in judgment. To be honest, I didn’t know why the fuck I vouched for her. “I did it for Alex.” 

“Right.” Cohen was laughing under his breath, right before his phone buzzed. “Shit.” 

“What?” 

“Amalia.” He was reading his screen. “She’s saying she’s having a bad day. Could do with a pick-me-up.” He glanced my way. “What do you think?” 

“Tell her we’re on our way to pick her up.” He sent off the text, then we were heading out to my truck.  When we picked her up, she didn’t run from their aunt’s place. She walked with her bag half dragging behind her. Cohen and I shared a look. Despite all the shit happening in her life, Amalia didn’t let it show how it got to her. She was infectious, usually all smiles. Happy. That normal spark from her was gone, and I wanted to wring a guy’s neck not for the first time. My hands tightened around the steering wheel right before she got in the back seat. 

“Heya, bug.” 

She gave me a small smile, and a little giggle slipped out as she got in. She tossed her bag to the other seat and closed the door. 

Cohen turned his head to watch her. “You going to say hi?” 

“Hi guys.” It was a mumble from her. She crossed her arms over her chest and slid down in the seat. Her face looked out the window.  Cohen and I shared another look.  She had a situation going on with a guy she liked and thought she was dating, but he was, in fact, a prick and a predator. We knew what was going on, or what had gone on, but if we talked too much about it, both Cohen and I started having murderous thoughts. Amalia tended to get even more upset when that happened, so for her mental well-being, it was the topic we didn’t cover. 

“We were thinking pizza and arcade?” Cohen spoke. 

She groaned. “Uh. Cringe. Carby’s and a trip to Arts n Cats!”  She wanted to go to her favorite crafting store in Pine River. 

“Amalia,” Cohen started. 

“Come on. Thirty minutes. Not even.”  I hated that damn store, but Cohen was already giving in. I saw it as he gave me a pleading look, and I grunted. “Fifteen fucking minutes and we’re doing the drive-thru at Carby’s.”  Cohen chuckled. 

“Suh-weet! Thank you, Scout.” 

Cohen got a burger and fries, Amalia got her chicken strips and coleslaw, and I ordered a salad with chicken. The store’s manager handed me the food with a wide smile. “It’s on us, Mr. R—” 

“I can fucking pay.” I tossed him a twenty, hoping that covered it, and sped off.  Cohen was grinning, looking through the bag. “They never make you pay, and you always act all pissed about it. You’re a local celebrity with your fighting. Just deal with it. More of that shit is going to happen the further you progress in your career.” 

I had stiffened, so I forced my hands to peel from the steering wheel. “Right.” 

“How are you going to eat your salad?”  I was pulling out of the lot and headed for the craft place. “I can eat while you two go in and buy crafts.” 

“What? No fair. You gotta come in too.” Amalia’s little hand lifted over the seat, taking her tenders. “I like going in there, but it’s more fun to see how annoyed you get with Mrs. Meomeuooux.” 

Jesus. That name. Only Amalia knew how to say it. It sounded like a mix-up of meow and Sioux. 

“I’ll eat my salad. You go and get whatever new stamp you need.” 

“But—” 

“We went to Carby’s for you, Mals. Scout and I wanted pizza. Give this to him, huh?” Cohen gave her a wink. “Besides, you know Mr. Raiden here can’t handle how a grown middle-aged woman has a crush on him.”  I rolled my eyes. “It’s the fucking cats. She’s got like nineteen in there. It’s weird.”  Amalia was back to giggling, which helped ease some of the tension. “It’s only six cats.” 

“And twelve kittens,” Cohen added. “I’m with Scout. It’s weird. She’s a cat hoarder.” 

“She’s a craft hoarder!” Amalia exclaimed. “And it’s amazing. I’m going to open up my own Etsy store and sell enough where I can actually get a store.” 

“Right. Mom and Dad will love that.” 

She only laughed. “You just wait and see. I’ve got plans. Big plans for the future.”  That was a relief to hear. I offered, “How about we hit up a movie after the store?”  Cohen’s eyes snapped to me. He knew I was offering to postpone training for the day. 

Amalia’s eyes widened in the rearview mirror. “Ooh! Can we do the river screen? Uncle Angel bought that new paddleboat.” She was scrambling higher up in her seat, her feet curling under her. “We can pack a cooler and put that on a tube next to us. Let’s do it!”  As we were putting the boat in the river, and after Amalia had already gone back for the cooler in the truck, Cohen asked under his breath, “Do you even know what movie they have on this screen?” Pine River’s movie theater had six screens inside and one outside that faced the river. They had an area roped off where people could lounge in paddle boats, canoes, kayaks, or in tubes when it was warm enough. “Also, we could’ve just used one of their boats.”

I half-laughed and half-grunted. “Not a damn clue, but Amalia wanted this one.” 

He laughed before she came back, and we were paddling out. 

We were of the same mind. It didn’t matter, as long as Amalia was happy and distracted from everything else. That was all that mattered.