“So,” Devon said. His lashes brushed her cheek and his words warmed her ear. One of his hands curled around her hip. “I guess someone is trying to take me out.”

By the time they walked back to Lia’s house, Lia’s blush was mostly replaced by frostbite. Devon kept her close, though, insisting they share his pocket warmer again. Lia couldn’t complain. She couldn’t say much of anything without stuttering.

“So Gem’s picking us up?” Devon asked.

Lia nodded.

Devon ran a hand through his dark hair. “Do you want to meet at the same time tomorrow? I can bring breakfast again.”

“You don’t have to,” Lia said.

“I want to. We can try to get Peter and maybe whoever is after me.”

Lia nodded and waved to Gem, who had just pulled up. “Deal.”

When they got to school, Devon hopped out of the car and took off for orchestra. Gem turned to Lia.

“May is amazing,” Gem said, a hitch in their breath.

Lia laughed. “But most importantly, can she bench-press you?”

“She hasn’t yet, but she definitely could.” Gem collapsed over the steering wheel. “She was so nice, too. She waited to make sure I knew how to do everything and brought me water. She even had snacks.”

“Cute,” Lia said. “I’m glad.”

There was a glow in Gem’s cheeks. “How was your breakfast date?”

“It wasn’t a date,” Lia said. “I think we can get Peter Wednesday morning if we’re careful. We have to delay someone. Let the air out of their tires, maybe?”

“Nope,” Gem said. “Bad plan. Can’t we just block the road instead?”

Lia snapped her fingers. “Way better. I’ll text the others.”

“Speaking of,” Gem said, and pointed to Ben stalking toward the car. “What’s up with him?”

“No clue,” Lia said, and unlocked the doors. “Ben?”

“I’m out!” He threw his backpack into the backseat and slammed his whole body inside as if the car were a bed, not a giant box made of metal and sharp plastic. He held up one hand. “Katie Rogers got me last night. Shot my hand from twenty feet away, that beast.”

He lay down face-first on the seat. Lia reached back and yanked Ben all the way into the car, and Gem shut the door. Ben at least helped a bit, not going totally limp. Lia patted the back of his knee.

“How’d she get you?” Lia asked.

“Luck,” he mumbled into the cushions. “I got locked out of the house, and she got me while I was hopping the fence to get the extra key.”

“I know what might cheer you up,” Gem said. “You want to hear how we’re going to avenge you and get Peter?”

“Hell yes.” Ben sat up, eyes wide and red hair sticking up in every direction. “I can’t help, but I can make sure none of y’all are alone till we win.”

“Peter gets there a little early for his bird-watching thing, just a little after the main guy. Gem will block that guy in their driveway and delay him by five to ten minutes,” Lia said. She looked at Gem and waited for them to nod. “We can take him out when he arrives alone and his leader isn’t there.”