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Sophie laughed. “The four of us wanted to get some fresh air. We’ll be back in a bit.”

“Okay, have fun,” Aunt Hails said.

Axel was staring at me. I quickly turned my head to drop his gaze. Just to see that Jacob was staring at me too. In a way I didn’t understand. It wasn’t pity like Uncle Matt. Jacob just looked...kind of sad.

Luckily Parker grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the room.

***

RJ flipped through the pages of Axel’s notebook. “This is so weird.”

“Do you know what it is?” I asked. “More of the numbers are crossed out this time.”

“It’s definitely a countdown,” RJ said.

“No shit,” Sophie said. “A countdown to what?”

RJ shrugged. “I have no idea. It’ll take me some time. Can I take this?”

“No you can’t take it,” I said. “I’m pretty sure he crosses off numbers every day. He’ll know that it’s missing.”

RJ pulled his phone out and started snapping the pictures that he needed. He tossed the notebook back in Axel’s desk drawer.

I turned it so that it was exactly how we’d found it. And then I stared at the drawer where Sophie had found the big box of condoms. I wondered if more were missing.

“What the hell is this?” RJ said.

I turned around. He was holding a frame. I looked at the picture of Mr. Nigel and Axel in it.

“This feels like a weird sex thing.”

I laughed. “They’re celebrating a win.”

“Why would he have this framed on his desk though?”

“It doesn’t exactly fit the rest of the décor in his room,” Sophie said. “Maybe Mr. Nigel gave it to him?”

“But why?” I asked

Parker walked into the room holding an armful of dresses. “You can pick what I wear,” she said to RJ.

“Wear whatever you want.”

“No, I want you to pick.”

“The green one,” RJ said.

“Why?”

“Because it’s on top.”

“No, you have to look.” She took turns holding up the different dresses.

“Fine, the blue one,” RJ said.

“Why?”

“Because it matches your eyes.”