“Well…” I debate whether to tell them the truth, that I’m dealing with it from not just the boys but the girls, but they look so relieved at whatever my face seems to have confirmed for them that I let it go. That things between us haven’t been quite as dishonest as I thought is enough for now, and I’m determined to focus on the positive tonight. “The win certainly helped. But also, remember when you told me to go get some? I may have done that, too.”

The squealing noises that erupt from my monitor force me to cover my ears, but I can’t help laughing. “God, Sage, take it down.”

“Okay, but tell us everything.” There’s a crinkling sound and I realize Sage is literally digging into a bag of popcorn, probably sprinkled with the spiced powdered cheese she calls her “proprietary blend.” I can practically smell the garlic and crushed bacon bits from here. “Who is she?”

“Is this the cheerleader?” Morgan demands. “What happened to the boyfriend?”

“The boyfriend is apparently not a real boyfriend. It’s a fake-dating arrangement, and she actually likes girls, and by girls I mean me. She came over after that victory party the other night and we, uh, hung out for a while.”

I expect more squealing from Sage, but both she and Morgan look way too serious for my liking. “Is she still pretending to date this guy?” Morgan asks.

Sage adds, “And does the guy know about you?”

“And how do you know she’s actually telling the truth about the relationship being fake? I mean, what’s in it for him?”

“He’s trying to keep his parents off his back, so…” I trail off as I realize how ridiculous this sounds. More and more, I’m thinking my instinct from the parking lot—that Miguel is hiding just as much as Amber—is correct.

I certainly hope it is, anyway, because if she was just straight-up lying, this is bad.

“Anyway, she and I aren’t anything official,” I finish, before this conversation veers into sexuality-speculating territory. “We’re just having fun.”

“Oh okay,” Morgan says slowly. “Well, I’m glad it’s fun. We just don’t want you to get hurt. Remember—”