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greasy crumbs off his thumb. “But they’ve known each other longer.”
    “I met the Ramirez twins”—Bryn motioned to Veta and Sean—“my first day at Santa Cruz High.”
    “Quit calling us twins. It confuses people,” Veta said.
    Bryn rolled his eyes. “Whatever. They were in the same grade, so that’s what everyone called them. Anyway, when I first met Veta, she was beating some poor schmuck over the head with her skateboard. She claimed she was defending Sean.”
    “I was!”
    “Sean was the epitome of skinny geek,” Bryn continued. “What were you, like, a hundred pounds?”
    Sean turned and folded his arms, the muscles in his forearms tensing. He wasn’t ripped like Bryn, but “skinny geek” certainly didn’t fit him anymore. “At least I didn’t have a mullet.”
    “Whatever. It wasn’t a mullet.”
    “Yes, it was!” Veta giggled, her eyes shifting to me. “Where are you from?”
    “Over the hill. Near Redwood City.”
    “Woodside, to be more specific,” Sean added, giving Veta a significant look.
    “Right, but not many people have heard of it. I guess Sean is special.”
    “I’ve never heard of it,” Felix said.
    “Our heinous aunt and spoiled brat cousin live there.” Veta wrinkled her nose. “Are your parents taking care of your rent? That’s good news for Bryn. Teddy could never keep a job.”
    “I—”
    “How anyone pays rent isn’t my business. As long as they pay,” Bryn said.
    I smiled and nodded, hoping my eyes weren’t showing the shit-storm occurring in my brain. I ached to tell them I wasn’t some spoiled brat, but the more money they thought I had, the better.
    “Is Dave still here?” Veta asked. When Bryn shook his head, she continued. “Good. Raise your hand if you think he blew monkey balls.” Her hand shot up, along with Felix’s. I decided to follow suit.
    Sean brushed past me and put away a colander. “I thought you were worse.”
    I wanted to shove a moldy spoon in his mouth. Or something equally disgusting. Maybe Felix’s sandwich.
    “How about we not discuss this in front of Jasmine?” Bryn asked.
    I checked the time on my cell. 7:31. At least motels were open late. “It’s fine. I can leave.”
    “No, you’re welcome to hang out,” Bryn said. “But we’re not making our decision tonight, despite whatever Veta told you.”
    Veta wrapped her arm around me, making my entire body stiffen. “Come on, guys. You can’t say no to these eyes. She’s like a stray kitten.”
    I pulled away from her, my face on fire.
    “So take her back to Mom’s and give her tuna like you do the rest of them,” Sean said.
    Veta’s mouth fell open. “No way. I’ve been feeding them that spinach lasagna crap you made for Mom’s birthday.”
    I let a grin slip, taking a little too much pleasure in the wide-eyed look Sean gave his sister.
    “Check that out,” Veta said. “She smiled.”
    I stood a bit taller and shrugged. “It’s been known to happen.”
    “She’s always like this,” Bryn said, nodding at Veta. “Don’t let it scare you too much.”
    “I’m fine.”
    “Okay, I’m out.” Felix crammed the rest of his grilled cheese into his mouth. Before even swallowing, he threw his arms around me in a bear hug. “It was really cool meeting you.”
    My arms froze in place. In the nearly eighteen years with my dad, I could think of one time he hugged me: the day after Mom left. And Jason and I weren’t exactly the huggy types. “Thanks. You too.” I backed out of his embrace.
    “Pop a mint before you get there, Felix. You don’t want Samantha smelling your cheese breath,” Veta said.
    The tips of Felix’s ears turned red as he left the kitchen. “Like I even have to worry about that.”
    “Just make your move already,” Bryn called after him. “You’ll still be a virgin at thirty if you don’t step it up.”
    “Thanks for announcing that!” Felix said before shutting the front door behind him.
    Sean chucked a Gatorade lid at