Nick gave her a reassuring look. “I’ll tell her.”

His phone chimed while he was shoveling a bite of meat loaf into his mouth. Nick reached for it.

But then Gabriel said, “Who’s Adam? And why is he asking if he’s going to see you tonight?”

Nick choked on his food.

Stupid. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

His heart beat so quickly that he could swear all the blood rushed away from his head just to keep up with it. For a horrifying moment he wondered if he’d pass out from panic.

He needed to say something. He needed to say something now before they started guessing.

They were all staring at him. Because they suspected something?

No, moron, because you’re choking on meat loaf.

Did Gabriel sound suspicious? Why would he be suspicious? What did he think?

“Quinn’s dance partner,” Nick said quickly, wheezing a little. He needed to calm down, but his brain wouldn’t let him stop talking. “He’s auditioning for a scholarship, and she’s helping him.”

“Why is he asking if he’ll see you?”

“I don’t know.” Nick shoved the phone in his pocket. “I guess he’s wondering if Quinn has a ride.”

That was probably sufficient, but he couldn’t look at any of them, couldn’t meet their eyes to see if they’d already guessed his secrets. They hadn’t, right? Or had they? He was going to need to look up.

If he’d been telling the truth, it would have felt like enough, and he wouldn’t have felt compelled to keep going. But he was lying through his teeth, and he needed to make sure there was no question of his non-relationship with Adam.

“He’s gay,” he heard himself saying. “Quinn said he has a crush on me. She thought it would be funny to give him my cell number.”

What the fuck was wrong with him? Did he really say that?

“That’s not funny,” said Layne. She looked vaguely disgusted.

“It’s not like that,” said Nick quickly. His shirt felt like it was sticking to the back of his neck. “He knows I’m not. It’s like—it’s a joke now.”

God, he needed to shut up.

“It’s creepy,” said Gabriel.

Nick froze. “Creepy?”

“A dude hitting on you? Yes. Creepy.”

Suddenly he wanted to punch his twin.

Do not pick a fight over this.

Do not.

Do. Not.

“He’s not hitting on me,” Nick said tightly. “He just asked if I’d be there tonight.”

“No, he asked if he’d see you, which is creepy.”

“Knock it off,” said Becca. “He’s Quinn’s friend. Nick’s trying to defend him, and you’re being a royal—”

Chris wrapped an arm around her neck and put his hand over her mouth. “I love you, but please don’t pick a fight I’m going to have to finish.”