I nodded. “Pretty sure.”

“I don’t think so. I’ll talk to Uncle James…” she started gagging. “Sorry. Reflex from yesterday when I accidentally talked about all the things I wanted to do to our hot new teacher.” She gagged again. “I wonder if I’ll ever be able to talk to him again without wanting to puke.”

“You did say some really gross stuff.”

She gagged again. “Stop it.”

“I’m only kidding with you. You didn’t know it was him.”

“Exactly. All those things I said were for someone not related to me.” She dry heaved.

I laughed. “Or maybe there’s a new Phase Incest?”

She grabbed her stomach like she was legit going to throw up. “I’m not gonna be able to face your dad ever again.”

“You’re fine,” I said and rubbed her back. “Breathe. You gotta get over this. Because you have to see him last period.”

“I’ll ditch.”

“You can’t avoid him forever.”

She took a deep breath. “You’re right. Might as well get it over with and see him tonight.”

“Tonight? What about class?”

“No. I’m not doing that. I’m going to the guidance counselor and switching classes.”

“Wait, can I come with you?” Switching out of my dad’s class was a brilliant idea.

“Miss Hunter,” someone said.

No, not just someone. I knew exactly who said my name in that disdainful way. I turned to see Mr. Hill staring at me.

“Cutting it close today, I see,” he said. “Better get to class. Both of you.”

“Yes, Mr. Hill.”

He gave me a curt nod before walking into his classroom.

I breathed a sigh of relief. But it was short lived because the bell rang. Shit.

Sophie looped her arm through mine and we ran to first period.

***

I expected Axel to talk to me when I sat down across from him at lunch. But he was preoccupied with something on his phone.

Axel, you held my hand.

In front of everyone.

I’m wearing your varsity jacket.

Look at me.

But his eyes were glued to his screen.

“Bad news,” Sophie said as she sat down next to me. “Apparently I can’t get out of our coding class because I specifically requested it. And our guidance counselor didn’t seem to understand the fact that I 100% wouldn’t have requested it if I knew my uncle was teaching it. Isn’t there some kind of rule about that? It could totally lead to favoritism.”

“My dad wouldn’t do that,” I said. “And it’s going to be fine.” I’d had some time to calm down from this morning. Changing classes would have been a terrible idea. “I for one am happy you’re not switching out. It’s our only class with the four of us all together.”