Never listen to the no's

 "Oh, you're gonna get me in trouble," Ari winced hard, wondering what he'd gotten himself into when Jade invited Hoyt and Simone over.

"It's just dinner," she shrugged. After all, she was the one who made the meatloaf and all the fixings. All he had to do was just make sure the livingroom and bathroom was tidy. 

"Yeah, I know, but..but it's Hoyt with Mona's arch nemesis," he shook his head. 

"Well, maybe I miss Hoyt." 

"You do not." Ari rolled his eyes at that. 

"You were his friend. We can be friends with them, still," Jade twisted about as if she might be in a tizzy if he didn't act appropriately.

"I know," he sighed thinking of the blackout a few months back and how he'd gotten sick. It wasn't like Hoyt really did anything for him, but they'd felt like friends then. Hoyt was trying his best with Mona as Ari recalled.

"Besides, don't you know, Hoyt and Simone got married."

"What?" He squinted harder.

"I told you."

Ari had nothing to say to that. 

"Hoyt is on the outs with his mom, he needs us." 

She went to get the French bread, Italian-flavored oil, and pesto. He got out the bread knife and sliced it up. They were a team.

He hadn't thought about the fallout Hoyt would get from his own family after breaking up with Mona. Ari nursed his bottom lip. He guessed he could be Hoyt's friend. Besides, when Hoyt and Simone got there, he knew they were happy together, and it looked like it was meant to be.