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After everyone had been bandaged up, Mr Holland, Cole, Frosty and Gavin shoved Ethan into the back of a car and drove offsomewhere They planned to release hione, Ethan was the only one left to take care of his sister, Isabelle I hoped the girl recovered, I really did Just not at our expense

Despite our ragged condition, the rest of us ended up congregating in Mr Ankh’s ga Some darts Anima wasn’t out for the count, we knew that, but the entire coht, and ere flooded with the intoxicating taste of victory

Reeve and Kat heard the commotion and hurried down the stairs They looked for Frosty and Bronx, and when they didn’t see them, raced to me and H-bombed me with a thousand questions about what had happened I explained as best I could, and they relaxed

"You should have seen our girl, the Ali-nator," Justin said, co his ar like it"

I smiled at him "You weren’t so bad yourself"

"Probably the second best out there," he said with a nod

"Please Your skills aren’t even close to ainst Trina’s back as she lined up a shot at the pool table, and she didn’t seeinner compared to me," Justin said

Lucas flipped hi into the table

"Concentrate on the game, Rina," Collins commanded "Seriously, my mom plays better than you And she’s blind!"

"Maybe Trina’s just that poor of a player," Justin said as if sticking up for her "Ever think of that?"

Trina blew hiroup was so relaxed around Justin now He’d proved hi to doaze continually darted to the entrance "The second Bronx gets here, I’ to talk We haven’t discussed anything that’s happened, haven’t dared broach the subject of a future together We’ve just hung out without fighting--which is a first for us, yes, but it’s not enough"

"Good for you," Kat said "If he doesn’t tell you everything you want to hear, I’ll have Frosty beat him up"

"But" Reeve shifted from one bare foot to the other "What if he doesn’t wantan excuse to stay away froet silly ideas like this," I said to Kat

"Well, do you want rin "He wants you," I said to Reeve "There’s no question about that Iout to meet Ethan Wait You were there, you just didn’t knoere He freaked out Like, hard-core"

"Really?" she asked hopefully

"Really"

"Ali-Kat Bell," Kat said, putting her hands on her hips "You caught Reeve sneaking out and you never thought to share the information with me?"

"Or me," Mr Ankh said froht up a tray of snacks Ali, why don’t you and Kat go eat and give me a few y and headed to the table, Kat at my side

I smacked into Veronica

We both ricocheted a few steps back "Sorry," I mumbled

"Yeah," she replied Neither of us moved away

Kat hadn’t noticed the interruption and rooted around the tray Mr Ankh had brought

"I’m not sure what Cole sees in you," Veronica said softly

Cole and I hadn’tofficial yet, but he was committed to me I could tell her to stay away froirl If I couldn’t trust hi around, I shouldn’t be with hi he likes" I tried to step around her, but she moved with me "Do you really want to do this here, now, and ruin everyone’s night?"

"You’re right," she said, and I could tell she was fighting tears "I’ve finally accepted that’s not going to change I guess I’m sorry I made a play for him"

Iwasn’t sure how to respond Gee, thanks see anyway"

Was this a trick? This had to be a trick? "Why do you say that?"

"Other than his massive obsession with you?" she said, and ued with him I’ve always acquiesced But youyou beat hi for irl had no idea what she was

"Well, I hope you find what you do want," I said, and that was about as gracious as I couldthe circumstances

She closed her eyes for a moment When she refocused, her vulnerability was replaced by anger "Just don’t hurt him, or I’ll do more than make another play for hione

Her ace? What was her ace?

Why did I even care? He’d tattooed my name on his chest He was mine, period