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mouth full of turkey and canned cranberry sauce, but Hector was
smiling.
    Bridget knew exactly what he was thinking. “Getting sent to Catholic school because your parents think it’ll beat the gay out of you doesn’t count as getting grounded.”
    “Please,” Hector said. “That’s the ultimate grounding.”
    Peter cleared his throat. “Um, Bridge, why did you get grounded this time?”
    “Duh,” Hector said. “She had a hot date with Matt Quinn.”
    Peter’s eyes grew wide. “But you said . . .” His lower lip trembled.
    “Dude, no, she didn’t,” Brad interrupted. “I was at Riordan Prep for a scrimmage yesterday and Quinn was practicing with the varsity team.”
    Hector’s jaw dropped. “YOU STOOD HIM UP?”
    Bridget threw up her hands. “There was no date!”
    Hector ignored her and pointed at Brad. “Maybe he was trying to throw you off by pretending to practice.”
    Brad smiled and played along. “She could have been in his truck the whole time . . .”
    “In his truck?” Poor Peter. Now they were just torturing him.
    “. . . taking a break from sucking face!” Hector finished. “That’s totally what happened.”
    Brad and Hector fist bumped while Bridget shook her head. “You guys need therapy, you know that?”
    She felt Peter stiffen. “Bridget, were you really with Matt—”
    “Hey, Kim,” Brad said, tactfully changing the subject. “What did you mean about the history paper?”
    Bridget could have kissed him.
    “Huh?” Peter asked.
    “You said not to worry about the history paper.”
    Peter grudgingly turned his attention from the Archbishop Riordan Prep varsity baseball team and Matt Quinn. “Right. Mr. Singh took a leave of absence. We have a new history teacher.”
    “What?” Bridget said. “From Monday to Tuesday he needs a sabbatical?”
    “Yanno,” Hector said. “You’d think he’d have the decency not to assign that hot mess of a paper if he was going to bail on us.”
    Brad shrugged. “Oh, well. At least I don’t have to explain why I’m not turning it in.” He gathered up his tray and nodded at Peter. “We still on for tutoring tonight?”
    “Yeah,” Peter said. “But if it’s after practice, you’ll have to come to my house. My mom won’t drive in the dark.”
    Hector bit his lip so hard trying to suppress a laugh, he practically drew blood.
    “No, worries, dude.” Brad stood up. “For help with algebra, I’ll take it.”
    “I’m sure Peter can help you pass algebra this time,” Hector said. Bridget caught a faint tinge of pink in his cheeks. Hector might have been able to hide his crush on Brad from everyone else on the planet, but not from her.
    “Let’s hope,” Brad said with a grin. “Catch you guys later.”
    “Bye, Brad,” Hector said with a wistful sigh as Brad’s tall, lanky form sauntered away and disappeared into the lunchroom crowd.
    “Why does he hang out with us again?” Bridget asked.
    “Other than the fact that Peter keeps him from flunking math?”
    “Yeah.”
    “Probably your hag factor.”
    Oh, yes, Hector’s favorite topic of conversation: Brad’s closeted gayness. Of course Hector was the only one who actually thought Brad was gay. Not that it stopped him.
    “It’s the only reason I can think of to explain hottie Brad hanging out with us social lepers,” Hector continued.
    “Hottie Brad?” Bridget teased. “I thought you told me he wasn’t your type?”
    Hector flushed. “Yeah. He’s, um, totally not.”
    Bridget realized she’d hit a little close to home. Time to change the subject.
    “So who’s the gaysian of the week?”
    Hector glanced up at her from beneath his heavy fringe of eyelashes and grinned. “Ah, there was a gorgeous barista at the Grind this weekend. I think I’m in love.”
    “You’re always in love,” Peter said.
    Hector smirked. “So are you.”
    Bridget picked up her bag and tray before the subject of Matt Quinn could be resurrected. “Come on, Hector. Don’t want to be