I glared at Tessa across the table. Not that I was trying to hide anything from my parents, but because it wasn’t even relevant. I shrugged. “It’s not a big deal. He’s pissed I didn’t see it coming and stop it.” I set my fork down. “I have to host an after-school thing now, three days a week. And maintain Wilmont’s website. So I’ll be late on those days.”

“That’s an odd form of punishment,” Dad said.

I glanced at Sean, knowing the hell I was about to catch.

“It’s called Code Club.” Tessa took my silence and filled it with the cringeworthy words.

Sean burst out laughing. “Oh, damn, brother. That is horrible.”

“What?” Mom’s eyes darted between the two of us. “You love hacking.”

I clenched my eyes shut. “Mom,” I groaned. “Yeah. It’s just that it’s an underground thing. Private, for the most part.”

“What about all those boot camps and competitions you enter?” she countered.

A small smile softened my embarrassment. Had to give it to Mom, and Dad, too—they were fully committed to our choices in life in terms of what we were passionate about. “Those are the exceptions. And tournaments are about challenges and topping other hackers and earning bragging rights. This club isn’t like that. Tan—Principal Tanner wants to cut into my personal time by forcing me to host it and do whatever he requires for his site.”

Mom glanced at Dad and shrugged, the point clearly lost on her.

“Did anyone show up?” Sean asked, the pity clear in his tone.

My heart did a hiccup. “Yeah,” I said.

He raised his brows, waiting for me to elaborate.

“Just one person,” I said.

“Who?”

“It’s not like you’d know her.”

Sean clanked his fork down. “Why are you dead set on hiding things from me?”

“Oh, I don’t know, maybe because you’re constantly cracking my stuff and messing with me.” Last month he’d replaced my entire music collection with Taylor Swift songs. I mean, “Blank Space” was catchy but damn. Those lyrics got in your head and never let you go.

“Sean!” Mom chided while Dad chuckled. She cut a glare to him.

“What?” Dad asked innocently. “It keeps him sharp.”

Tessa rolled her eyes, content to finish her food out of the spotlight.

“Exactly,” Sean said, motioning his full fork to Dad. “What he said. I make you a better hacker.”

“Spare me,” I said, trying not to laugh.

“Stop dodging,” he said. “Who showed up?”

A pixie-hacker who was suddenly single. I wetted my lips, unable to shake the sweet scent of whatever concoction she’d had on her skin earlier—something like vanilla and mint and lavender all in one.