“I just can’t believe you saw it all. The way it is. It’s just been a thing I hid for so long. I mean, that was not normal.” I waved a hand at the Burathon residence. “You come from this. Normal. No dishwasher collection on the front lawn.” I choked out the last few words and closed one eye. Austin had seen my deepest fear: knowing how we lived.

“When I saw your place, all I had was concern for you. I can’t believe that karma put you in such a shit dorm setup as your first time away from home. You’re a great kid and deserve straight happiness.” He gave me a half-smile.

I tried not to let the blow that Austin called me a kid show.

“Meh. That’s debatable. Teddi is a superhero. The rest of us are just trying to catch up.” I moved the five behind my back, which in turn pushed my breasts in his direction.

“You know what’s interesting? The whole time I’ve known you, which is a very long time now, I'd have one hundred percent described you as being a sweetheart. A motivated, community-minded sweetheart. And that’s just for the sheer amount of times I saw you leaning over a plan for a Me Party with Teddi. You never let her go it alone. Her friends are a huge part of her productivity.”

I got that, I really did. But if there were no Teddi, I didn’t think I'd be nearly involved with charity. I mean, Teddi allowed us to participate on such a level that I could probably run my own charity now if I wanted to.

“Thanks. I just kind of want to curl up in a ball.” I pulled the five around and hugged it.

“We don’t do that. Not when we have each other.” He gently bopped me with his elbow.

I'd believe anything this man said right now. Topless and smiling at me in a very we-have-a-secret way.

“Okay. That sounds like the way to go.” I turned and faced the basketball game, feeling reassured that Austin didn’t see the worst I had to show and now hate me.

“Axel is very much going to run away again, isn’t he?” He took a step toward the game.

“Oh yeah. For sure. Probably tomorrow with as far as he got this time.” I rolled my eyes. I loved that dog, but he was work.

“Let me see what my lease says about dogs. Would that make your sister’s life easier?” He grabbed my hand and we moved faster, both with our feet and my pounding heart.