"Hello?" Cate answered her cell.

"Ms. Cassidy, this is Mrs. Brown from Westmonte," the school secretary said.

"Is everything OK?" Cate asked, concerned.

"I'm calling because Lux's father called to tell us she wouldn't be in class today, however you are the only one listed in Lux's records," Mrs. Brown explained.

"Wait a minute, Baze? Nate Basille?" Cate asked, confused.

Mrs. Brown glanced down at her notes. "Yes. Should we add him as a parent in Lux's records?"

Cate frowned. Lux was barely speaking to Baze. Why would he be calling her in? "Yes, Baze is her father."

As soon as Cate hung up, she went to Open Bar.

"Hey," Baze called out when she entered. He saw her expression and stopped dead in his tracks. "Is Lux OK?"

"Funny, that's what I wanted to ask you since the school called and said you called her in," Cate retorted.

Baze frowned, confused. He hadn't called Lux in. Suddenly he realized what must have happened. He remembered calling himself in and pretending to be his dad when he wanted to skip class in high school.

He hesitated. He knew he should tell Cate. But, Lux was already so mad at him. Maybe if he covered for her, she'd finally forgive him. And he could always talk to her about it later. "Yeah, she called me because you were at work. She wasn't feeling well."

"If you knew she was sick, why did you ask if she was OK?" Cate narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

"I thought maybe she'd gotten worse," Baze lied.

"Well, where is she?" Cate asked.

"Uh, your place," Baze fibbed.

"By herself?" Cate demanded.

Baze nodded.

"You're unbelievable! Who leaves their sick kid alone?" Cate said angrily.

Baze waited until Cate took off to jump in his Jeep. He wasn't sure where Lux was, but he figured she'd show up at Westmonte since Cate normally picked her up there.

Bug stopped his bike in front of Westmonte and Lux hopped off. "Tasha's right, you know," Bug said.

"What?" Lux asked, frowning.

"We never get to see you anymore," Bug replied, clearly frustrated.

"I know. I just…I don't know what to do," Lux said.

"Yeah, well, you better figure it out if you want to be together," Bug said threateningly.

"What are you saying? You don't want to be together?" Lux cried out.

"Not like this. Not if I only get to see you once a week," Bug replied harshly.

"Of course. I should've known if you ditched school, you'd be with this punk," Baze interrupted, pulling up next to them.

Bug took off, not in the mood to deal with Lux's new parents.

"Nice," Lux said sarcastically. "What are you even doing here?"

"Trying to save your butt," Baze retorted. "The school called Cate when I called you in. She stopped by my place."

Lux got in the Jeep. "How mad is she?"

"I covered for you, but I also said you were at home in bed. She's on her way now and we need to beat her there," Baze explained.

"You covered for me?" Lux asked, surprised.

"Don't look so surprised. I'm cool," Baze replied, insulted.

"You weren't cool when you ratted me out the night of Drink a Date," Lux retorted.

"What's not cool is me finding you and Bug in your room," Baze shot back.

"Here we go again." Lux rolled her eyes.

"I don't like that kid," Baze said.

"Join the club," Lux said dully.

"You think maybe if both Cate and I don't like him, there's a reason? It's not like Cate and I agree on much," Baze replied.

"Give me one good reason you guys don't like him," Lux challenged. "And being my boyfriend doesn't count. Crap!"

"What?" Baze asked.

Lux gestured toward Cate's house. Baze had been looking at Lux and hadn't even realized they'd pulled up as Cate was getting out of her car.

Cate had already noticed Lux sitting in the passenger seat and was headed toward the Jeep.

"What now?" Lux asked.

"We're busted," Baze admitted. "I'm sorry, Kiddo."

"Why isn't she in bed sick?" Cate demanded, hands on her hips.

Lux looked at Baze.

Baze made a face before admitting, "I lied."

"Why?" Cate asked angrily.

"It's just, she's been so mad at me. When you showed up at the bar and I realized what was going on, I thought maybe she'd forgive me if I covered for her," Baze explained.

"And what exactly is going on?" Cate demanded.

Baze looked down, not wanting to give Lux another reason to be mad at him.

When Baze said nothing, Cate turned to Lux.

"It's not Baze's fault," Lux said after a moment.

Baze looked up, surprised.

"I ditched school. Bug called in pretending to be Baze. Baze didn't know," Lux admitted.

Cate glared at Lux. "Lux, get in the house. I need to talk to Baze."

Lux obeyed reluctantly.