Page 31 of The Beta Test

“I know. And there’s some girl named Tricia commenting on all of his Instagram posts and apparently hanging out with him all the time.”

“Freaking Trish.”

Unexpectedly, a laugh bursts out of me. “Yeah! Trish can go kick rocks.”

Jake pulls his phone from his pocket and slides his socked foot closer to mine. He positions one of our open books across both our laps and lowers his phone to take a pic. The book is in focus and our cozily positioned legs look overly friendly in the background. He flashes me a mischievous look as he pulls up Instagram and creates a post with hashtags like #calculus #cashews and #mygirl. He makes a point to tag me in the post.

“‘My girl’? Really, Jake? What are we trying to accomplish here?”

Jake publishes the post and smiles. “That might force a text or two out of Braden. He probably loves the idea of you pining away for him at home while he does whatever he wants on the other side of the country. This lets him know you’re not sitting around waiting for him.”

My eyebrows draw together. I love Braden. I know I do. If he called me tomorrow and apologized and started communicating with me again, I’d be over the moon. As long as he could explain this entire Tricia situation satisfactorily.

“Well, I’m not ‘waiting’ exactly, but I love him, Jake. I’ve loved him since I was ten.”

Jake sighs. “Believe me, I know. I’ve had a front row seat. But I also know you’re an independent spirit who doesn’t need validation from a boyfriend to feel confident, right?”

“Of course not!” The very thought! Marie Curie loved her husband, but her life didn’t end when he died. I’d like to think I’d be the same.

“Well, we’re just letting him know that. We’re sitting here studying; there’s nothing romantic happening. But⁠—“

“Jake! The very thought⁠—“

He places a finger over my mouth and continues talking. The guy can be infuriating sometimes!

“But,” he over-enunciates, “maybe we’re reminding him what he’s missing. That’s all.”

Jake removes his finger from my mouth and we stare at one another. His expression is one of challenge—daring me to question his motives. Or maybe challenging me to dump Braden? I’m confused, but I know he has a point somewhere. I have to admit, my life has become a lot more confusing this year. For years it was steady: Braden and I attached at the hip, spending time at the Taylors’, my mom and dad being a (mostly) normal couple and living in the same house. Now everything is changing, but I can’t say this new closeness with Jake is a bad thing. He’s actually been one of the best parts of my senior year so far.

“Ok,” I say. What can it hurt?

Jake smiles approvingly. “Great. I’m guessing you will get a text from him within 12 hours.”

He picks up the bag of M&Ms and offers them to me, which I gladly accept.

“And if he doesn’t?”

“Then we’ll get more creative.”

It sounds both fun and dangerous. What have I gotten myself into?

Chapter Thirteen

Braden only takes two hours to send me a text after Jake posted the picture.

I scroll through last night’s thread with Braden while I wait for swim class to start. The locker room is still mostly empty, so there’s a sense of privacy in the dim early morning light with only half the overhead lights on—it’s a perfect time to relish this little victory.

Braden: Hey, baby. Sorry I’ve been so busy. How are you? I miss you.

Me: I miss you too. I bet you’re rockin’ college though! I wouldn’t miss you so much if you answered my calls…

Braden: I know. I’m sorry. Can we schedule a time tomorrow? Maybe 8pm your time?

Me: That works for me.

Braden: Looking forward to it *heart emoji*

Braden: How’s school going?