Erin showed Trevor how to turn on the music.

He chose a rock station. "Hey, guys, LISTEN! It's my Uncle Jack's band!"

The group went silent, listening to the rock singer's clear, vibrant voice as an electric guitar blasted in the background.

"We'll all be there NEXT WEEKEND!" Trevor said, clapping his hands. "Man, I CAN'T wait!"

Charles stuffed a hot dog into his mouth. "Dude, I wanna go," he said.

Trevor was thumbing through his phone. "You want in, man? I can get you tickets," Trevor said.

Charles swallowed his hot dog. "Nah, I'm just messing with you. I can't go. I have a hot date."

Sara tried to ignore Ella's smug expression. She watched as Ella slinked over to Bentley and wrapped her arms around his waist.

Bentley, startled, nearly dropped a hamburger onto the ground as he maneuvered them off the grill to a plate.

Charles lifted an eyebrow beside them. "Uh...you two? You're a...a thing?" He looked at Ella in disbelief.

Ella gave Charles an evil smile. "We are." She kissed Bentley hard on the cheek, as if to prove the point. She turned and headed back to her chair to sit near Sara.

Charles, seemingly dumbfounded, stared from Bentley, to Ella, and then to Sara. His mind seemed to be working overtime. Finally, he shook his head.

Sara got up from her chair, feeling awkward under Charles's gaze, and tried to sneak back into the house.

"Wait, mom and dad said you aren't allowed in there yet," Charles said, hurrying over to her. He grabbed her arm and spun her around to face him.

"Okay, OKAY!" Sara said. She kept her eyes on the ground, not wanting to meet her brother's annoyed face.

Charles leaned towards her, whispering in her ear. "Are Ella and Bentley really a couple?" He scratched his head, thinking.

Sara shrugged. "Yeah, I guess so."

Charles dropped his hand to his side. "No way. Bentley doesn't seem that into Ella. I mean, until she hugged him, I would never have known."

Sara glared at him. "He's not that into her. I heard Bentley sees other girls. No, he's not in a serious relationship with Ella. If that's what you're asking me."

Charles's face spread into the widest grin Sara had ever seen on him.

"Do NOT tell her I told you that!" Sara muttered. "I swear, Charles. I will--"

"--Jeez, Buttercup. Didn't mean to rile you up." Charles patted her cheek with his hand. "I just couldn't believe Bentley could like Ella that much. I mean...it's impossible. Look at the way he stares at you." Charles jerked his head to the side, indicating she follow his gaze.

"What?" Sara whispered back. Her eyes flicked to where the boy with the beautiful name stood over the grill. He was helping Patrick unwrap more burgers. And, at that exact moment, his eyes locked onto Sara's.

She inhaled her breath, feeling lightheaded.

"See..." Charles snickered beside her. "I've been watching him closely. The guy is totally into you."

Sara forced herself to drop her eyes to her shoes. "No, he's just a nice guy," she said, twiddling her thumbs.

"Listen, Buttercup," Charles said. "Guys are A-holes. They're selfish creeps. Wherever a guy's eyes are, that's what is most important to him. And that guy looks at you almost every minute." Charles poked her in the side. "Why don't you go over there and talk to him?"

Sara shook her head. "No. He's with Ella. Even if their relationship isn't serious, I can't do that to her."

Charles rolled his eyes. "Fine. Let me ask you something. Has Bentley kissed you?"

Sara's cheeks burned red, clearly giving herself away.

"Oh? That's interesting," Charles said, laughing.

"This conversation is OVER!" Sara hissed. She shoved past him to go back to her lounge chair to hide.