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were camping or fishing and it was never a big deal. All it is is hanging out.
    But today we’re seeing the people Brand’s always been freaked out about. His teammates. The ones who don’t know shit about him, but he pretends they do.
    “I’m sure it’s because they’re leaving tomorrow and he feels bad that they came all this way.” Nate catches my eye in the rearview mirror and I laugh.
    “Holy shit, I must be acting funny if you’re trying to make me feel better. You hate me.”
    “I don’t hate you, man. Not anymore. I’m not going to say I didn’t used to, but now . . .”
    I turn away, hoping he’ll shut up. What’s he going to say? But now I’m the one who’s into his brother? The one who’s following him around like a goddamned puppy dog or something?
    “It’s not a big deal,” I mumble. The conversation ends there.
    When we get there, Brandon’s mom is out in the garden. She tells us Joshua is asleep. I guess their dad is at work, which makes sense.
    “Brandon’s in the living room with his friends. It’s so good to see,” she tells Nate. “He’s acting like he’s back to his old self.”
    That’s not him.
    “I knew spending time with them would help. They’re talking to him about football, and I can see how excited he is to heal so he can work toward getting on the field again.”
    Because he can lie about who he is there.
    Then she looks at me, with eyes just like Brandon. “And you of course. It’s so good for Brandon to have friends here for him.”
    “Thanks.” I cross my arms. “I needed to get away for a couple days anyway.”
    “We’re going to head in now, Mom.” Nate tells her.
    The three of us go back toward the house. The urge to stay out here is strong, but I push through it. We’ll hang out and Brandon will play his game and then when they leave, it’ll be normal again.
    As soon as Nate opens the door, I hear one of them laughing at something. Brandon’s house is huge, the sound almost echoing. We turn into the oversized living room, where everything is perfectly in its place. Brandon’s sitting in a chair. Even from here, I can see how tense he is, but who the hell knows if it’s because of them or me.
    Two guys are sitting on the couch, one on each end, and another in a chair “ ’Sup?” Two of them say at the same time.
    Nate and Charlie both tell them hi. I’m sure they’ve met the guys before. Charlie says they all fly out to games often.
    “This is Alec,” Brandon tells the guys. “He’s Charlotte’s best friend. We used to spend our summers in his hometown. Alec, this is Dev, Theo, and Donny. Dev’s our quarterback. Theo’s our kicker—”
    “Best fucking kicker in college football.”
    Brandon and Donny laugh at Theo’s interruption.
    “You’re so fucking gay. What you do wouldn’t matter if my ass wasn’t out there blocking for you.” Donny, the beefy one, shoves him.
    Brandon’s eyes burn into me even though I’m not looking at him. Charlie freezes as Theo and Donny talk crap to each other and I pretend I don’t want to slam my fist into all their faces. Maybe even Brandon’s too. Not because his friends are assholes because everyone I know throws the word “gay” around like it’s nothing but I can’t even be his friend anymore? I’m Charlie’s friend—oh and we used to vacation where he lives. What the hell is that?
    Finally the guys stop and Donny stands and holds out his hand. “What’s up, man? What did he say your name is again?”
    “Alec.”
    Theo and Dev say hi too before Donny asks, “You play ball?”
    I shrug. “Not really.” It’s a lie. I’ve always loved football. After meeting Brandon I used to secretly wonder if I could play somewhere one day too, but I don’t so I know that “no” is the answer they’re expecting.
    “Alec was really good when we were in high school. He could have played in college if he wanted to.” Charlie smiles at me like she just did me this huge-ass favor. I know