"Kevin is. So is your brother, apparently." Neil wasn't surprised when Andrew didn't acknowledge either accusation. He pressed on. "What about Renee?"

"What about her?"

"She's not interesting?"
"She's useful."

"That's it?"
"You expected a different answer?"

"Maybe," Neil said, and hesitated when Roland finally showed up. Roland stayed only long enough to get their tray before leaving again. Neil looked back at Andrew and wondered at the cool smile on Andrew's face. He was being mocked, but he wasn't quite sure why yet. "Most everyone is waiting for something to happen with you two. Even Nicky thinks it's inevitable. But Renee promised Allison nothing would come of it. Allison said as much to Seth. Why?"

"Does it matter?"

Neil gave an uncomfortable shrug. "Yes? No? It should be—it is—irrelevant, but…" He hesitated, but Andrew said nothing, unwilling to make this easy on him. Neil shouldn't be surprised by Andrew's attitude, but he was annoyed regardless. "I'm just trying to understand."

"Sometimes you're interesting enough to keep around. Other times you're so astoundingly stupid I can barely stand the sight of you."

Neil scowled at him. "Forget it. I'll ask Renee."

"You'll have to stop avoiding her first."

Neil didn't waste his time answering that. Roland returned their tray a couple minutes later and they headed back to the table. Renee's soda was finished, but she was keeping Kevin company until their return. As soon as Andrew sat, she looked to Neil.

"Are you not coming?"

"No," Neil said.

She nodded and left to find the others. Andrew and Kevin had the chairs, so Neil stood between them in silence. He watched them drink a few more rounds, then went alone to the railing overlooking the dance floor. The metal bars were sticky with sweat or spilled liquor, but he folded his arms across them and looked out at the jumping mass below.

It'd be hard to spot his teammates on a good day. With the lights flashing overhead and everyone in costumes it was impossible. That smear of red might be Renee's Red Riding Hood cloak and the silver that kept sparking like a sequin was probably Nicky's space cadet uniform, but there was no way to be sure. He had to trust that they were all there, safe and having fun. He was content to watch and imagine.

Lonely, too, but there was nothing he could do about that.

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER TEN