Of course, there’s no such luck, but most of the others aren’t there yet either; they had more people to coordinate, and more stops to make. I nudge Jack forward and greet the group that’s already seated—Lamar Burke, Matt Devlin, Zach Sawyer, Taylor Broussard, Ella and Virany Chow, and Claire Marlow—with big smiles as we slide in next to them. “Y’all are fast,” I say, grabbing menus for me and Jack even though I’ve been dreaming of waffles with whipped cream and strawberries since the bell rang this afternoon.

“Somebody was awake, fully dressed, and playing video games when Virany and I walked in,” says Ella, sticking her tongue out at Lamar. “Not exactly a super-fun surprise.”

“Midnight’s not that late! I don’t know why y’all are asleep then.” He takes an ice cube out of his glass and crunches it between his teeth. “Devlin was just faking it to get Taylor to see him sleeping naked.”

“He was not,” Ella squeals, and Matt grins.

“Man, stop ruining all my game.”

“What game, Devlin?” More guys and girls roll in, teasing and laughing, and when I see Miguel among them, I yank him into the seat next to me.

“Someone’s excited to see me,” he teases, kissing the top of my head. “Seems only right, since you sent other girls to pick me up.”

He knows full well why Cara and Kelsey had to get him instead of me, but Diana saves me the trouble of responding. “Y’all are too cute.” She looks like she’s gonna puke.

From across the table, I see Jack’s eyebrow shoot up, undoubtedly wondering why the hell I was flirting in my car if I’m already tied to the strapping young lad next to me. I’m not sure how to react to that, so I just tear my eyes away from her and focus on Diana.

“Your sincerity overwhelms me, D. And someday you, too, can get the biggest nerd on an athletic team, I’m sure.”

“Aw, mi amor.” Miguel swings an arm around my shoulders and squeezes tight. “Your pride in me and our magical romance means everything to me.”

I can’t help shifting my eyes back to Jack, but the look on her face is unreadable now. Everyone else jumps in on the teasing as usual—making fun of each other is our little “couple gag” and pretty much the only way we stay sane through the bullshit—and I’m happy to draw more of it if it means keeping heat off Jack. But I know she must think I’m playing one or both of them, and I wish I could tell her the truth.