The show was a joke. We were in stitches as we walked to Mario's car. He'd been cracking jokes about the music during the performance. Some guy had come out of the woodwork, set up a show with a band that ended up not showing, and he had two hours to kill, so he serenaded us for a little bit, then did some comedy. Mario ended up being funnier. It was the best night yet.

Our drive back was just as wonderful as the rest of the night. He told me funny stories about his family. I told him stories I'd dreamed up about woodland creatures when I was little. It was all something to keep me entertained as a child. Larry had started it when he told me about our mom, the stories she told us.

That was when Mario grew quiet. "I'm sorry to hear she left," he said quietly when we were a minute or two outside of Boulder.

I shrugged. "It happened a long time ago. I have two younger brothers, but I haven't seen them since I was about six. They're two and four years younger than me."

"Wow." We were silent for a minute. Boulder grew around us, blossoming as we hit downtown. "I didn't know . . . What are their names?"

I smiled a little. "Russel and Mike." They had a small Boston Terrier. Mom put up a basketball goal in their driveway for them. Mike loves basketball. Of course, I didn't tell Mario all of this. I wanted those things to be for me. Sharing them felt like it might be too much too soon.

He reached over and tentatively touched my hand. I let him wrap his fingers around mine and felt him give them a squeeze. "I wish you could see them again."

"Makes two of us. But Mom hasn't let anyone come see her except Dad. She's never come here."

"So you haven't seen her since you were six?"

"No, I have. We've video chatted with her, sent pictures back and forth. I have a recent picture of my brothers in my room. Larry didn't want it. He knows more about things because he's older, but I don't want to ask him about it."

"Why not?"

I shrugged. "It makes him sad. I love Larry and hate it when he's not happy." I smiled a little. "I know it sounds weird to some people, but I do love my brother. Very much. He was my world growing up."

Mario squeezed the hand he was still holding. Huh. I hadn't even noticed. "It's not weird to me. I love my family, too. It's big, but I wouldn't have it any other way." We drove on in silence. My house seemed to appear in front of us. I'd lost track of where we were and how long we'd been driving. He put the car in Park. "Well, let me go meet your dad. Maybe then he'll be convinced I'm not an ax murderer." I had to return the grin he gave me. He hesitated, then dropped my hand before scrambling out.

Funny. I'd forgotten again that he'd been holding it.

We were met on the porch by Larry. He didn't look pleased, but he wasn't the one that counted. Mario nodded at him. Larry stared him down before turning and shouting into the house, "They're here!" He turned to me and whispered, "You're in so much trouble."

I swallowed as I saw Dad round the corner. Larry backed away and Dad took his spot in the doorway. "Good – you made it back in one piece. Go up to your room." I squeezed by him. "I assume you're the young man who took my girl to Denver."

"Yes, I am." I could hear the uncertainty in Mario's voice.

I couldn't decide if it was a good thing or not that I wouldn't see what Dad was going to do to Mario. Surely, he wouldn't be too hard on him. About the time I reached the top of the stairs, Dad was speaking in hushed tones. There was no way for me to know what was being said. I turned to look, and Mario's face was pretty much blank, but he was nodding a lot. I took that as a good sign.

I forced the thought about him meeting my dad out of my head. It wasn't like that, and besides, wasn't that only something you do when you're serious? Yet I wasn't able to shake the feeling that what was happening downstairs was something big I should have been a part of.

Larry followed me up the stairs and to my door. He grabbed my arm before I could go in. "You should have let him know sooner."

"Mario didn't tell me until tonight. He surprised me." I pulled away from Larry.

"Then things don't look good for Mario." He glanced over his shoulder. Dad's steps were heading our way. Larry looked back at me. "I'm heading to bed." He walked away right as Dad got to us. When all he did was point at my room, I knew I was in big trouble.

I walked inside and he followed, shutting the door behind us. "I'm sorry it was such-"

He held up his hand. "I don't want excuses. Now, why you felt like you had to keep him a secret I won't understand."

"But I didn't!"

He held up his hand. "You never mentioned him, so that's what I'm inclined to believe. Until tonight, he was never mentioned in this house."

"To your knowledge. Larry and I discussed him. They're friends, even."

Dad sighed. "Okay. To my knowledge, he was a stranger to this house. Why would you even agree to go with him to Denver so late at night?"

"Well, I trust him, for one. Like he said, we're good friends. We knew each other when we were both in elementary. He's a good person, and he's loving."

Dad raised an eyebrow. "Why did you hide him?"

"He's been here before! It's been a few weeks, but I've brought him here."

He sighed and pinched his nose. "Daisy, honey, I don't know what to say to you or your behavior. It's unlike you."

I fought to keep my mouth shut. Nothing I had to say would make things better for me.

"That being the case, Millie and I agree that I should go easy on you this time. So instead of making you quit your job and then grounding you for a month, you're being grounded for a week. Next time he wants to take you somewhere late at night, I need to know ahead of time, not at the last minute, like you did to me tonight. And next time, you're going to take Larry or Susan or George with you." He stood, kissed me on the head, and left.

The moment he was gone, I texted Mario: I'm sorry about Dad – what did he say to you?

He didn't answer, like I knew he wouldn't. He was likely still driving. I went to brush my teeth and I got back to find a reply: It's fine :) he just told me to let you know ahead of time when I do that stuff, but I can understand where he's coming from. I didn't think, I just did. I'm sorry.

I grinned at my phone. "Oh, Mario." I tapped out a reply as I got ready for bed. I had fun, so I'm glad you did.

He sent back a row of smiley faces. I thought that was the perfect note to end the night on, so I got in bed and turned off the lights.

Since Dad and Aunt Millie weren't around on the weekends, being grounded meant I had to spend Saturday with Larry instead of my friends. Which meant I was spending the day with him, Jimmy, and Maria. So, in the end, I couldn't really complain. Well, not until I found him in the bathroom putting on aftershave while I stood in the doorway, trying to get him to hurry up because the Lopez twins were parked in our driveway.

"Dude, chill," he told me, holding out his hands as if calming a beast.

I crossed my arms and gave a frustrated sigh. "Larry!"

He glared at me over his shoulder, looking ready to throw the bottle of aftershave at me. "Get off my case!" He stared at himself in the mirror and did a once-over. "Okay, let's go." I blocked his way, my hands flying up to cover my mouth. "Get out of my way! You're the one telling me to hurry up!" He eyed me suspiciously.

I giggled as I realized. "Are you going on a date?"

He reddened. "No."

"Are you sure?"

He sighed and pushed me. "Let's go already." I laughed at him the whole way down the stairs. At the front door he stopped and glared at me. I tried to hold the laughter in. "Don't embarrass me," was all he said before heading out.

I followed him. "Why would I do that?" He sped up. We slid into the backseat of Jimmy's car – which was really Mario's car, I think, or maybe it really was Jimmy's and Mario just used it when he took me places. I wasn't sure of the particulars, but I just remembered Mario using it.

Larry kept glancing at me with a look that told me he was trying to gauge how much I was paying attention to him. I didn't look back at him, instead watching from the corner of my eye. He seemed to relax as Jimmy pulled out of the drive.

"Hey, guys," Maria said in her full, deep-but-feminine voice. She sounded beautiful, and when you saw her, she was even more gorgeous. Her glossy hair fell in waves halfway down her back. At the moment, she was putting on red lipstick that was the perfect shade for her tanned skin. I watched as she kept glancing at Larry. I couldn't blame her – I mean, I'd be staring at a guy I barely knew wearing a whole bottle of aftershave, too.

"Hey," Larry said back, a little too eager.

She smiled a little as she closed the tube. Jimmy rolled his eyes. "So, what's Mario up to this morning without me?" I asked.

Jimmy and Maria exchanged a glance. "He's with George this morning," Maria answered.

I nodded. "Okay. I thought they might hang out."

"They've been getting along swimmingly," Jimmy said and then laughed. Hard. He slapped the wheel. Maria smacked his arm and sighed, rolling her eyes. He wiped away tears no one else could see. Larry smiled but didn't laugh. I was just confused.

Maria glanced at Larry and then turned so she could see me. "Mario's scared of water."

I raised my eyebrows, surprised. "Really?"

She nodded. "He probably wouldn't tell you, and don't tell him I did." She glanced at Jimmy. "Say he did."

He shot her a look. "Hey! Don't get me in trouble with Mar!" She just laughed. "She's evil, Larry. You don't want to get mixed up with that, trust me."

Larry eyed her. "I have a hard time believing she could be evil." He winked at her. I was pretty sure I saw her blush in the side mirror. Watching my brother flirt was not my idea of fun. If anything, it made me sick.

We went to the mall and I ended up wandering around with Jimmy. We lost Maria and my brother a few minutes after getting there. About twenty minutes of silent walking after that, Jimmy turned to me. "Remind me to get Larry's secret to getting a girlfriend," he said.

I grinned at him. In all honesty, he should be getting Mario's. "I think his is to get a girl to himself and then shower her with compliments and silly lines until she gives."

Jimmy laughed at that. "You know, I don't think that would work on you." I shrugged and we walked into a shoe store. He glanced around. "Not my scene, but somewhere to go, I suppose." He crossed his arms and leaned on a shelf. "Please don't spend the rest of the day in here like my sisters."

I glanced around. "Actually, I don't really care for shoe shopping. I have all the shoes I need."

He tipped his head back. "Finally. A girl I can shop with." He looked at me, grinning. "I think you'll be good for Mario."

I cocked my head. "Why do you say that?"

Jimmy shrugged. "You're a lot like him. From what I've heard, you also help him see the world just a little differently. You also like trying new things. He's never been to that place in Denver you went to. It was something someone heard about and he immediately thought of you. I drove him there."

He seemed like he'd been a hundred times. "Really?" Jimmy nodded. I glanced around. "Well, I guess we can go somewhere else."

"Good." He walked briskly out of the place. When I caught up to him, he said, "I think you and Mario would be great together." He gave me a sideways glance.

I frowned. "Jimmy, you do know I have a date with George Downs in two weeks, right? Mario and I aren't going out, and he hasn't asked me out."

He frowned. "I didn't know about the date with George, but I knew the last part. Why are you going out with George?"

"He asked first."

Jimmy led me to a bench and we sat facing each other. "That's not a reason. That's a fact."

I sighed. "George and I found out we liked each other last school year. He's planned this whole night for us, and so I'm basically committed to it. To him."

Jimmy was silent. The silence went on so long I began to worry he was mad. "I can see how you can think that. You know, I didn't hear in there that you still like him. Do you?" That was the million-dollar question for me. I paused to think, and Jimmy pointed at me. "I take that as a no."

I glared at him. "For all you know I was going to say yes."

He shook his head. "It's not something you should need to think about. When you really care, you just know." I looked at my lap. He did make a good point. "Daisy, can I ask you a personal question?"

I shrugged. "You already have, so I don't see why not."

He sighed. "If you don't like George like that anymore, why not just tell him?"

I didn't know how to answer him. How could I explain that when I was with Mario I felt so strong for him that I could barely breathe? How could I tell him George was one of the most important people in my life?

How do you tell someone that you're willing to hurt their brother because you don't want to hurt someone else?

"I made a choice," I said finally. "I always live up to my word. George planned a date, I said I would go, and so I'm going. End of the matter."

Jimmy watched me as I looked up and held his gaze. "One date."

"I promised at least that much."

He watched me another moment and nodded. "Okay." He slid down on the bench and closed his eyes. "Wonder where our lovely couple has gone off to?"

"No idea." I crossed my legs and looked around. A minute later I spotted sandy hair next to dark hair. I stood and immediately recognized Mario and George. They were heading in our direction, so I sat and crossed my legs again. It didn't take long before they were close. I waved my arm and they saw me. "Hi guys!"

They headed over. Mario eyed his brother, who'd opened one eye. "The one day you don't have your friends to hang out with, you get mixed up with bad company," Mario said accusingly. "I thought you knew better." George and I looked at each other, amused.

Jimmy closed his eye. "Just look at me. She's done worn me out. Have mercy."

Mario rolled his eyes. "What are you guys even doing here, anyway?"

"My brother is having quality time with your sister," I said. Mario raised one eyebrow. "They said they just wanted to hang out, but me and Jimmy know better."

"Disgusting," Jimmy intoned and I nudged him.

Mario made a face. "You're serious?" I nodded. He shrugged. "Well, it's about time she found a guy I like."

Jimmy sat up. "What about me? He's my friend, too!" Mario stuck his tongue out at him. Jimmy just rolled his eyes. I was beginning to realize this was as much his trademark as a grin was Mario's. "What if they break up? Think about that."

Mario glanced at me. "What if they get married?"

I frowned. "Please don't talk about that," I said. All three looked at me. I blushed and looked away. I wanted to pull my knees to my chest because they were staring at me, but I didn't.

"Okay," Mario said softly. "Well, George and I were heading to grab some food. Wanna come?"

I shook my head. "Nah. I'll stick with Jimmy." I smirked and looked at Mario. "Technically, we're not supposed to hang out for a week. Remember?"

He snickered but caught himself. "Right. How could I forget?" He turned to George. "Ready?"

George turned to me. "What are you talking about?"

"Mario and I went to Denver last night. It was a last-minute thing and Dad got upset." George's eyes narrowed. "Something came up and he couldn't take who he was going to take, so he took me." He just sighed and gave me one terse nod before walking away. Mario and Jimmy looked at each other and then Mario gave me a long look. I looked away, refusing to acknowledge it.

Jimmy sighed once they were gone. He began humming as he stood and started walking. I hurried to catch up to him. He led me into a bookstore that had just opened that week. We went to the non-fiction section, and he began browsing the books. "Help me find a book on how long I have to wait for someone's nose to grow after they've told a huge lie to their boyfriend."

I froze. "Jimmy," I said in a warning tone as I slowly turned to him.

He was frowning at me. For some reason, seeing that disapproving look on him was as bad as seeing my dad's last night. I felt like I should have been tearing up or something like that. "You shouldn't have lied to him."

I sighed. "You and Mario are always on my case about that. What is it with you two?"

Jimmy put a hand on my shoulder. His fingers dug in slightly. "We were raised that lying to someone is a sign of a coward. We don't expect everyone to live the way we do, but, of all people, I thought you'd do it." I almost expected him to tell me he was disappointed in me and to go to my room. "Think about it, okay? Why did you lie to him?"

"For Mario."

Jimmy pressed his lips together. "Are you sure it was for Mario, and not you?" He let that hang for a moment before pulling me into a hug I didn't refuse. A moment later he released me. "You remind me a lot of my little sisters." He smiled at me and resumed walking. I took a deep breath and followed. He'd made good points, and I would think about things, but he also made me feel good. How, I wasn't all that sure of. I just knew I couldn't help my smile. It was so easy to see him as my big brother.