I freeze when we get to the top of the hill. It is only a burned-out mansion, but it’s incredible. The edge of the cliff is covered with old sandstone and wood, arches that were something once, steps, and some walls. Just ruins. Neil was right about that. But through the arches is pouring the sun, and everything has a stunning orange patina.

The sound of lots of people floats downward from somewhere.

Neil gives me a slight smile. “I thought you’d like this, even if all my cousins are here. I should have probably asked if that’s OK with you before I brought you here.”

“Don’t worry about it. I like your cousins.”

Casually he drapes an arm around my shoulder. “Come on. There should be food. Music. If we stay after dark there’ll be a fire. It’s usually pretty chill when we get together up here. I promise. It won’t be awful.”

I laugh. It almost sounds like Neill is dreading this.

When he reaches the stone steps, his arm moves from my shoulder, and he takes my hand. Carefully this time, he guides me upward with him.

At the top step, I stop. Beyond the pillars are rolling green foothills, the city, the ocean, and the islands. But that’s not all I find. The dirty, speckled wood floor is set up for a lazy afternoon in the sun, and practically overfilled by people. It’s not just the cousins. It’s a couple’s thing, and instantly confusing why Neil brought me here.

I don’t have time to figure out that one. Mia Stanton’s eyes have locked on me. Her pretty face is awash with excitement. She starts hopping on her feet pointing at her brother Taylor and saying, “Pay up. Pay up. Pay up.”

Taylor shakes his head. Mia laughs. She looks at me. “I knew you were the girl Neil doesn’t talk about. I knew he would bring you today. I won the bet.”

Neil closes his eyes and shakes his head. “Fuck, Mia, can you be less tactful? I really want to know. Does it get worse than this?”

Mia shrugs, unaffected, and laughs again. “I won the bet. You brought a date. I deserve some gloating time.”

She focuses her trademark Stanton green eyes on me.

“He never brings anyone. Not since we started doing this in high school. Not one time. Neil is so weird about his girlfriends.”

“Why would I bring a date here? You guys are all such jerks,” Neil says, but in a good-humored way.

Mia laughs. Unruffled. Her eyes fix on me again. “Are you really Jackson Parker’s daughter?”

I smile, but it surprises me that Neil talked about me to his family. “Yep. That’s my dad.”

Mia’s eyes widen, sparkly. “The family practically shit a brick when they heard that one.” Then, she teases, “What the hell are you doing with, Neil?”

That earns Mia another aggravated grimace from her cousin.  “Is the whole day going to be like this, Mia? Just tell me now so we can leave,” Neil says.

“Why don’t you go away and get something for Chrissie to drink? You don’t have to hover over her like you’re protecting her from us.” Her gaze shifts back to me. “He thinks we’re obnoxious.”

“You are obnoxious,” Neil corrects. “Do you want something to drink, Chrissie?”

I notice more than a few beer cans and wine coolers around me. “Just a diet soda if you’ve got one.”

I stand with Mia as Neil ambles away. As soon as he’s out of earshot, her gaze grows curious, sparkly again. “Did you really have a thing with Alan Manzone?”

I blush. “We dated. Briefly.”

She laughs. “Dated, huh? Crap. How can you be so cool about everything?”

I change the subject, remembering something Mia said. “Haven’t you ever met any of Neil’s girlfriends? He must have had tons of them in high school. You should see how crazy the girls at Cal are over him.”

Mia’s eyes widen. She shakes her head. “It must be slim pickings at Cal if they’re crazy over a guy pushing a broom. Now I know I made the right decision choosing UCLA.” She laughs, then blushes. “Sorry. That was kind of a crummy thing to say to you. You’re dating Neil.”

Her gaze shifts to Neil as if making sure he’s safely out of distance not to hear.

“He had a long time thing all through high school. Never met her. Neil has just always been sort of off from the rest of us. In his music. In his own world.  Private about everything. I always just assumed she was part of the music thing. Other than Josh Moss, I never met any of the guys in Neil’s band. He didn’t bring them around the family either.  I figured he just didn’t want to get more shit. God, his dad gives him such shit about not going to college and the music thing.”

“Mr. Stanton shouldn’t give him shit. Neil is an incredible musician.”

Mia’s smile is beaming. “That’s what I think, too.” She shakes her head. “But the family. They think he’s being irresponsible and fucking around in his life.”

Mia takes my hand, pulling us towards the rest of them. “We’re going to be great friends. I just know it. Now I’ve someone to hang with when I’m in Berkeley.”

Seven hours later, I’m lounging on a blanket, the party is still raging, and I’m trying to follow Mia’s nonstop talking.

Neil sinks behind me. He startles me by pulling me between the V of his legs, easing me back against his chest, and surrounding me with his arms. He’s been very boyfriend-like today. Keeping me close to him.  Never leaving me for a moment by myself with his cousins. Touching me randomly. Making sure I always have what I need.

Why is he doing this? It feels odd. It’s almost like he wants his cousins to think we really are a couple.

A small fire flickers, pops, and dances from a portable fire pit, and it is dark on the mountain. The laughter, drinking, and music hasn’t stopped all day. The cousins definitely like to party. Some of them are drunk. Some of the cousins are a little high.

It surprises me Neil didn’t take a hit from the weed being passed around. He seems like a guy who would smoke weed. But no weed. No booze. There is still a lot I don’t know about Neil.

I smile at Tony as he crosses the wooden floor, hand out stretched with joint.

“Come on, Neil. You’re more fucking fun when you’re high.”

“Get that away from me,” Neil says brushing him off.

Tony laughs. “I get it.  I get it. Want to keep sharp tonight. I definitely would if I were you.”

He leans into Neil. I can hear him say something, but I can’t catch the words. Every muscle in Neil’s body hardens at once. I’m looking over my shoulder just as Neil gives his cousin a hard shove back.

“You’re fucking wasted, Tony. Get out of my face.”

Tony laughs and goes back to his girlfriend.

After about five minutes,   Neil’s face moves until his cheek is warm against my neck, his lips almost touching my ear. “Let’s get out of here,” he says in a low, angry voice.

I search his face. Shit, what happened here? Neil is keyed-up and fuming.

He doesn’t wait for my answer. He pulls his arms and body from me.  He springs to his feet.

“We’re going to head out,” he announces to no one in particular.

Mia, sitting on the other side of the blanket, sits up in alarm. “No. Don’t go. It’s still early.”

Neil holds out a hand for me. “We’re out of here,” Neil snaps in a harsh and angry way.

My eyes round, trying to figure out what changed everything. His rude manner with Mia makes no sense.

Without saying goodbye to the rest of them, Neil starts pulling me toward the stairs. I send quick waves here and there. Over my shoulder I see Mia hold up her hand, pinky and thumb, wiggling it by her ear. She mouths: Call me. I nod. Of all of Neil’s cousins, Mia is my favorite. She scribbled her number in black ink on my wrist four hours ago.

He starts tugging me faster along behind him. We’re on the path going back to the car. It’s dark. I can hardly see where I’m going, and it’s really hard to keep up with him.

I shake my hand from his and stop. “Slow down. I can’t walk that fast.”