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He nod was stiff "Yeah, just not as much as I’d hoped His name is Ethan Hahanosed with leuke to do about hileamed in his eyes "Besides have a little chat with him?"

I knew that look The chat would involve fists rather than words "Are you sure you want to do that? He sounds like a pretty decent guy, and Blood Lines around his house isn’t that uncommon And I kind of understood Reeve’s point today, about not being able to do the back-and-forth with you anyo"

He peered at , "Do you really think you’re in a good enough place to be throwing out advice? No, don’t bother with a response We both know the answer So why don’t I live my life, and you live yours?" With that, he stomped away

Great I doubted I could have messed that up more

A chirp from my phone I pulled the device from na and garlic bread I also asked Ankh if we could use his private balcony, and he said yes I’ve got everything set and ready, so come out here as soon as you’re able

My heart twisted Oh, no She didn’t know She--

Another text came in a second later I’ Well, no worries We’ll do it another night

Tears welled inmy favorite meal She’d probably decorated Mr Ankh’s balcony with twinkling Christest fan of the dark That was hoonderful she was And I’d canceled on her For this

I was a terrible person

I moved back into the corner and called her "Nana, I aht it would be just the two of us, and I’d be able to find out what’s wrong with hi with all the slayers"

"Ali," she said on a sigh "It’s okay I understand"

"I’ll h "We’ll have leftovers tomorrow, and we can talk then"

"Yes I would love that"

We disconnected

"Hey," a voice said from behind me

Gavin Every muscle in my body stiffened as I turned and faced him I made sure to stare at ot a date with a very hot chick to to do the unthinkable and break it For you"

Uh, what? "Don’t do that And I thought you were mad at me for what I did to Veronica"

"I was never e of eht we’d covered that fact about me So, about our date--"

I shook oing out"

"Look at me and say that Maybe then I’ll believe you"

I responded auto No vision

My shoulders sagged with relief, but Gavin frowned

Cole stalked out of the locker roo everyone’s attention Conversations ceased

His gaze snagged on me--no vision--skidded to Gavin and hardened He cli and scanned the now silent, expectant crowd He looked like he’d gotten in a fight since I’d last seen hi out in spikes, and his clothing ripped

I quashed ht, everyone," he called "Listen up We have a new member on our team You elcome him with open arms, and you will keep your fists--and weapons--to yourself"

Murmurs of astonishment surfaced

A new member? Someone ant to hurt?

The locker-room door opened, and out stepped Justin Silverstone

Gasps of shock replaced the uarded "Before you judge, hear me out I made a mistake when I left, and I know it, and I’randfatherher home I had no part in that, you have er at Cole "He betrayed us once, and it cost us Boots and Ducky, and now you’re going to give hiet right now," Cole said, and I heard the rigidity in his voice

Boots and Ducky Cole bore their nahtened his shoulders "I’m back, and I’ll do whatever it takes to prove my intentions are honorable"

"This is stupid," Lucas snapped "I’ with hih narrowed lids "You will or you’re off the team"