Page 81 of The Beta Test

Dad purses his lips, then blows out a breath. “If you say so. But for the record, I would totally ‘ship’ you two. Am I using that word right?”

I whack him lightly on the arm. “Stop trying to be cool.”

He laughs and then changes the topic to ice cream flavors, which Hunter pounces on immediately. They go back and forth debating the merits of combining flavors versus savoring an individual flavor.

Street lights blur past the window as I tune them out. We pass Jenna and Jake’s house on our way to our favorite ice cream shop, and I can’t help but imagine Jake arriving home, then maybe flopping on the couch in their den. Or maybe he goes up to his room and works on some school work. Or maybe goes to bed because he’s tired and has hockey practice tomorrow. Or maybe he’s sent me a text, but I can’t check it because my phone is in the back of the truck.

His eyes tonight… they watched me, my every movement. He seemed fully invested in me. I’m pretty sure Jake couldn’t care less about our school swim team. Admittedly, swimming doesn’t have the same ‘team spirit’ atmosphere as a hockey game, so I can’t blame him too much.

We pull into a spot in front of the ice cream shop, the sound of the truck being put into park jarring me. Hunter’s chatter comes to an abrupt stop when he hops out and shuts the door. My hand pauses on the seatbelt when I realize… I can't stop thinking about him. About Jake. Is it because he was there tonight, or because I have feelings for him?

Chapter Thirty

January

55378: Avery, this is Analiese.

80085 [Me]: I know.

55378: Right. Well, I just wanted to say… I feel like there’s a bit of tension with the swim team captain thing. What if we divide and conquer? If you want to manage the JV team issues and I’ll take varsity, that’s fine with me.

80085 [Me]: Why do you get varsity?

55378: Fine, you can have varsity.

80085 [Me]: I didn’t say I wanted varsity.

55378: OMG. Just pick one. I don’t want to step on each other’s toes all the time.

80085 [Me]: You’re right. Sorry. I’ll stick with JV.

Jenna: Why does Jake have a bedazzled shirt with your name on it?

Me: Long story…

Jenna: You know I’m not going to let this slide, right? You better just come over. Like, now.

Me: Is Jake home?

Jenna: That’s for me to know and you to find out.

Me: Real mature, Jenna.

Me: But seriously, is he?

Jenna: Get over here!

Me: Fine, be there in 10.

Unknown number: You know if you wanted to hang out, you could just ask. No need to stalk me in my home.

Me: Sorry, who is this?

Unknown number: …

Me: …

Unknown number: Jake.