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"Texas boy taking another run at you?" Daniel said as Rafe veered away and continued on.
"It'll pass."
"Want me to talk to him?"
I gave him a look. If there's one problem with having the toughest guy at school as my best friend, this is it. Daniel has a protective streak a mile wide. Sometimes, when a summer guy is bugging me, it'd be great to have Daniel barrel in and handle it. But what does that say about me? Nothing I want to say.
"You want us to take care of the guy?" Corey said in a gangster voice as he walked over with Nicole. "We could do that. Lots of places to hide a body around here. Deep caves, deep ravines, deep lakes--" He stopped short, then smacked me between the shoulder blades. "So, how's the almost birthday girl? Getting ready for her big party? Sweet sixteen and never been--"
Daniel cut him off with a sputtering laugh. "Believe me, Maya's definitely been kissed."
Corey gave a devilish grin. "Oh, I wasn't going to say kissed."
Nicole blushed furiously, and I laughed.
Across the playground, Rafe had been waylaid by Hayley Morris, another member of our swim team and singing group. Like Serena and Nicole, she was petite and blond--we used to joke that this was a requirement for joining. Hayley was not a friend. She was, however, Rafe's number one admirer. She was also the first of his not-quite conquests and the only one who hadn't taken the hint when he moved on.
She'd planted herself in front of him. He eased back more politely than I would have expected, just shifting until she was out of his personal space. She got right back into it. He moved back. She moved forward. It was an oddly formal little dance, and I was watching it when Daniel said, "Maya?"
"Hmm?"
"Ready to go?"
"Anytime you are."
"Can I get a lift to the community center?" Nicole asked. "I want to squeeze in some swim practice before Ms. Martin comes by for my singing lesson."
Corey frowned. "That's a lot of practice, Nic. Are you sure you'll have time to do your homework?"
"Of course. I do homework right after--" She caught his expression and blushed as she realized he was teasing her.
"At least she does her homework," I said.
Daniel turned to Nicole. "Sure, I'll give you a lift. You ready, Maya?"
"Doesn't look like Maya needs a ride today," Corey said.
I followed his gaze to see my dad barreling down on me, scowling in a way that really didn't suit him at all.
Daniel mouthed, "Call me," and headed for his truck, Nicole trailing.
"In the car," Dad said, pointing to the Jeep at the curb. "Now."
"What did I--?"
"I said now, Maya."
He strode off, leaving me tagging along like I was five, every kid still in the school yard watching. Mom was in the passenger seat. She rolled down the window, smiling, then saw my expression.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"No idea," I said. "He won't tell me."
She moved the seat forward for me to squeeze in the back. "Rick, what--?"
She laughed, then I saw Dad's grin as he slid into the driver's seat.
"Payback for this morning," he said. "You embarrass me; I embarrass you."
