Page 51 of Betting on the Brainiac

We file into the condo, Charlie behind Ruby, Madison behind Charlie. I reach out to touch her shoulder and hold her back here for a minute to explain about Friday, but I see Ruby’s shoulders slump slightly. Charlie puts an arm around her, and Madison does a couple of quick steps to catch up and check on her.

My confession can wait a few minutes.

The kitchen is as full of food as Ava promised, and I pluck a cold soda from the bucket of ice before I choose my snacks.

“Sausage and soysage coming up,” Joey says, veering toward the stove, where a skillet sits.

I put a brownie and some chips and salsa on my plate and follow the short hall to the living room, where everyone else is settling in. Josh and Sami take one side of the sofa, and Ava takes the other, obviously waiting for Joey to join her. Ruby has one armchair, and Charlie is already stacking a couple of throw pillows on the floor to settle in beside her. The other armchair is one of those big ones that’s almost a love seat but not quite. Madison has disappeared, but I assume it’s for her.

Before I can claim a spot of carpet, Madison appears.

“Time for dress code compliance.” She comes at me with handfuls of so much shine and color that I back up a few steps. “Stop right there.”

Charlie gives me a shove with his shoe to my butt, sending me a step back toward Madison.

“Socks,” Madison says, thrusting a pair toward me. “Striped socks.” Her phone buzzes, and she pulls it from her back pocket, frowns, and sends it to voicemail. She sets it on the arm of the big chair and shakes the socks at me. “Stripey ones.”

I take them. “And knee high.”

“Good fashion makes a statement,” she says.

I know when I’m beat, so I sit in the big chair while I kick off my Jordans.

“You’re wearing shorts,” Madison says.

I glance up at her as I pull on the first sock. “Yeah?”

“I thought you looked different today, but I just figured out why. You always wear jeans. And a hoodie.”

“It’s cold in the club,” I tell her. “I assumed y’all probably didn’t have industrial air conditioning in here, so I’d be good in shorts.”

“There’s something else, though.” She studies me as I pull on the second sock.

I avoid her eyes and try to look casual. If she notices my haircut, will it unravel everything else before I have a chance to ease her into it? Do I say something now? Make another joke? Ask to see her outside?

“Your haircut.”

I freeze, waiting.

“Looks good. This will make itgreat.” She hands me a shiny black headband.

“Headband starts with H,” I object.

“But S is for sequins. Wear it.”

It is, in fact, forty billion small sequins making it shine. I slip it on my head to the whistles and applause of her friends.

“Perfect,” Madison says.

“So glad.” I get up and look around for more throw pillows to stretch out on the floor. Otherwise, my option is leaning against the sofa with the two cuddling couples. Awkward and no thanks.

“Sit with Madison,” Ruby says. Her expression is an almost smile while her bright eyes take in everything around her.

I always get the sense with her that she sees all and knows all. Sheisa know-it-all but the kind you can’t help liking anyway.

“Floor’s good,” I say. “Just need a couple more pillows.”

“There should be more,” Charlie says, glancing toward the sofa with a frown. “Or I thought there were.”

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