Aaron was waiting on one of the beanbag chairs with a controller in his hand. Judging by the indent in the other chair and the still images on the TV, Nicky's phone call had interrupted their game. Kevin had a newspaper spread on his desk as he checked last night's scores around the nation. Andrew was sitting on the desk closest to the window. He'd taken the screen off months ago so he could smoke indoors.

"Oh, Neil!" Andrew wiggled his cigarette at Neil in greeting. "Hello."

"Can we talk?" Neil asked.

"Today's not a good day," Andrew said. "Try again tomorrow."

"I wouldn't crash your birthday party if it wasn't important."

Andrew grinned. "Sarcasm from Neil? Your repertoire of talents is ever-expanding."

"Two minutes," Neil said.

"So persistent."

Neil waited for Andrew to make up his mind. Andrew hummed around his cigarette as he thought. It took him almost a full minute before curiosity won out over his sheer need to be difficult. Andrew flicked his cigarette out the window, yanked the window closed, and hopped off his desk. Neil followed Andrew into the cousins' bedroom and tugged the door closed behind them. Andrew only continued a couple feet into the room before turning to face Neil.

"Tick tock," Andrew said. "You have my attention; now keep my interest."

"Nicky's mother called."

"Oops, time's up."

Neil put his arm out when Andrew stepped forward, but there was no way he could stop Andrew if Andrew really wanted to leave. Neil had seen how much Andrew pressed when the team did weights at the gym. More importantly than that, he'd seen Andrew practically pick Nicky up by his throat and move him when riled. The gesture was just a show. Andrew knew it, but he rocked to a stop anyway.

"Nicky's mother invited him home for Thanksgiving," Neil said.

"He said yes," Andrew said, not really a question. "Oh, Nicky, an optimist until the day he dies. You'd think he would know better by now, but he'll go and come back boo-hoo-hoo." Andrew mimed scrubbing away tears. "Their love has a price tag he can't pay. He won't give Erik up for them."

"They're not after Erik this time," Neil said. "They're bartering for you. Nicky can't go unless he brings you and Aaron with him."

"Problem solved." Andrew's smile was bright. "Denied. Maybe Abby will cook us a turkey instead. She did last year. She's a decent cook but can't bake to save her life. We'll have to bring a frozen pie again."

Neil refused to be distracted. "Why won't you go?"

"Why would I? Luther and I aren't friends."

"Last I checked, we're not your friends either," Neil said. "You still put up with us, so why won't you tolerate Luther? Nicky assumes it has to do with the way you met, but Luther's the one who got you out of juvie and back home with your mother, isn't he?"