Sara and Kelsey exchange a smirk, and I realize that either Crystal’s a very good actress, or she has no idea that the team is planning to throw the game tonight. But Sara and Kelsey do, and judging by the way Virany’s biting her lip, she does too. And now I wonder if I’m giving Cara too much credit by thinking her absence has more to do with Jesus than Jack.

I scrutinize the rest of the team, trying to figure out who’s in on it and who isn’t. Either Kelsey was lying and knows exactly where Cara is and what she’s up to, or she wasn’t, but she thinks she knows. Kelsey doesn’t want anyone looking for her, and Ella does. And I know Kelsey’s in on it, which means Ella isn’t.

Nia is too dedicated to Crystal to be part of any plot that doesn’t include her. The same is probably true for the rest of the seniors. But other than Ella—sweet, unassuming Ella—everyone else seems seriously suspect.

Which means about half the squad has been plotting and consciously leaving me out of it.

But it also means half the squad hasn’t. And maybe there’s something I can do with that.

“Kelsey, you’re a member of Cara’s church, right?”

“Yeah, why?”

I turn to Crystal. “I bet that’s where Cara is. Praying on the game. You know how spiritual she is, and how much pride she has in the team. I’m sure she just lost track of time asking God to watch out for the Gators and deliver us a win in front of the alumni. Maybe Kelsey could go check there, since she’s familiar with the building and everything.”

I have no doubt Kelsey’s scowling at the back of my head; I’m pretty sure I can feel my hair singeing. But I keep a sweet smile on my face when I turn around. “You wouldn’t mind, would you? Cara obviously wouldn’t want to miss tonight’s game, and I’m sure everyone would feel better knowing where she is for sure.” She opens her mouth, and I cut off what she’s going to say before she can even try it. “I’d go myself, but I wouldn’t want anyone to have to cover for me for any more of the day, seeing as I already missed the morning. Which I am so, so sorry about,” I add to Crystal, plus Nia, Diana, and Zoe for good measure. “Maybe Sara can go with you, since she doesn’t have to practice with a new flyer.” That still leaves Virany, Claire, and Ella here, but I can deal with that.

“Okay, fine,” Crystal says with a wave of her hand, too involved in her own plotting process.