Angel had given Sarah the keys to his car in case she and Sofia wanted to sit in it while they waited for him after the game. Sarah had the door open and the radio on. She motioned to Sofia to come over, and she did right away. “What?”

“You’re making me nervous,” Sarah whispered, trying not to sound like a nag.

“Why?”

“You don’t think Angel is gonna be mad if he sees you hanging out with all these guys?”

“That’s Alex,” Sofia smiled. “Angel’s not so bad. He won’t be thrilled, but he wouldn’t do anything unless the guys are being stupid and they’re not. They’re really nice.”

Within seconds, Sarah regretted having called Sofia over to her. The guy who seemed most interested in Sofia followed her, while everyone else followed him. Now they were all standing around Angel’s car, five guys and four girls. Although none of them were nearly as intimidating as Angel and his friends, with two of them being short and chunky, and another looking like he was too young to be with them. Sarah knew Angel still wouldn’t be happy about it.

The one interested in Sofia, was the taller, better looking of the bunch. Sarah noticed Valerie was a little miffed about it. Sarah looked up and saw a group of guys walking toward them. It was dark and they were still pretty far but Sarah could tell it was Angel, Eric, and Romero just by the way they walked.

When they got close enough, Sarah made eye contact with Angel. He glanced at her then at the group of people standing around his car. Sarah was the only one standing away from everyone, he raised an eyebrow, but smirked.

She knew he couldn’t possibly think she’d be dumb enough to stand around his car flirting, but was still nervous for Sofia. She was off toward the front end of his car talking to the guy who had been hitting on her all night.

Romero made the first comment. “What is this, a f**king party?”

Sarah saw Eric speed up when he saw Sofia talking to that guy. “What are you doing over there, Sof?”

Angel hadn’t noticed Sofia until Eric said it and turned to them with a frown. The other guys stepped away immediately to let them get by.

Angel walked straight to Sarah and kissed her. “What’s going on?” His voice was hushed. “Who are these crumbs?”

Sarah turned toward the group. “I don’t know them. They’re just some guys the girls were talking to at the game.”

“The girls?”

She smiled and hugged him hard. “Yes, the girls.”

“Who’s that with Sofi?”

“I dunno.” She shrugged. “But they all seem nice enough. She said you wouldn’t be mad.”

Angel frowned looking over at the boy Sofia smiling. “Yeah, well, her ass better get in the car before I do mind.”

Sarah didn’t have to hear it twice, she turned in Sofia’s direction. She was going to tell her they were leaving but Eric was already there. She couldn’t hear what Eric said but whatever it was it made the guy she was talking to angry.

“Who are you?” the guy asked, with an attitude.

“Who the f**k are you?” Eric barked back.

Sofia jumped in between them, and in a second Angel and Romero were there. At first holding Eric back, then having to be held back themselves, when they saw the other guys headed toward Eric.

The girls tried holding them back. Monica helped Sofia with Eric, who was the most adamant. The poor guy tried not to, but still looked terrified. The guy’s friends managed to get him away before he got hurt.

Sarah struggled with Angel pleading with him, “Stop it, Angel. He was just talking to her, for God’s sake.”

When the guys were finally far enough away, Sofia let go of Eric, disgusted and walked to Angel’s car. She climbed in the back seat and slammed the door.

Angel’s head spun around and he was about to say something to Sofia.

“Let’s go,” Sarah said.

“She slammed my door.” He looked at Sarah exasperated.

“Let’s just go, please.”

Angel and Sarah walked back to the car. Romero and Eric followed.

Once in the car, Angel turned and glared at Sofia. “What’s the matter with you?”

“What’s the matter with you?” Sofia shot back.

Sarah sunk in the passenger seat. Eric stuck his head in Sarah’s window. “Who was that, Sof?”

“Nobody,” She crossed her arms in front of her.

Romero stuck his head in Angel’s window. “What happened?”

Sofia's exhaled loudly sounding more like a groan.

“What’s that about?” Angel asked.

“How many brothers do I have anyway?”

Angel was about to say something, when Sofia put her hand over her face and shuttered. “Sofi?”

“Is she crying?” Eric stuck his head in further.

“She’s crying?” Romero asked.

“Alright!” Sarah sat up. “That’s it. All of you out.” She pushed Eric’s head out the window and shoved Angel to get him out of the car. His head clunked as it hit Romero’s.

“Ouw!” Romero yelped.

“Well, move your ass,” Angel said.

Angel got out and they all walked away grudgingly. Valerie and Monica were still there and they joined them.

Sarah turned around to face Sofia. “Are you okay?”

Sofia shook her head, her hand still over her face. Sarah reached over and rubbed her knee. Sofia’s big chest rose high as she inhaled and fell as she exhaled slowly. “They mean well.” Sarah offered.