Page 13 of The Beta Test

A whistle sounds behind me. “Did you just come out of the oven? Cuz you’re hot.”

I turn around and see Dan Wheeler from the hockey team—my morning swim-class rehab project of the week. He recently sustained a minor ankle sprain during hockey practice, so he’s an ideal candidate for joining the class during his recovery. Dan is objectively cute—blonde hair, green eyes, freckles, tall. He’s nothing compared to Braden though, of course.

“Does that line actually work for you?”

He gives me a dopey grin. “I’ve got more where that came from.” He leans in a little closer, and I’m almost positive I can smell alcohol on his breath. “What’s your name, gorgeous?”

“Are you serious?”

His brows crush together in confusion. “Yes?”

“Wow, and here I thought we were becoming friends.”

Dan runs a hand through his golden hair while his smile wobbles uncertainly. I can see the calculation running through his mind, trying to determine if he still has a chance to salvage this conversation. I’d feel bad for him, but the fact that he doesn’t seem to recognize me at all is blowing my mind.

An arm folds around my shoulders and tugs me into a side hug. I look up and see Jake’s happy face, and he jerks his chin towards the gifts still sitting on the counter next to me. “Is one of those for me, Avery?” He pauses a second and glances at Dan. “Hey, Dan.”

Dan’s eyes light up with realization. “You’re the swim chick? Whoa. You look so different without that… hat? Thing you wear.”

“It’s a swim cap,” I state flatly.

He nods. “Right, right. Who even knew we had a pool in the basement at school? Craziest thing I’ve ever seen.”

Dan looks at both of us, like he’s shared a funny joke and expects us to laugh along. Jake simply pats him on the shoulder then turns his attention back to me.

After a quick, uncoordinated pass through his hair, Dan mutters, “Yeahhh, I’m going back outside.”

I sip my soda, watching him disappear through the open sliding door. Then I grab the gift bag and hand it to Jake. “Happy Birthday.”

Jake’s dimples pop and his blue eyes twinkle with delight. “Wow, a gift from Avery James. I can’t wait to see what you got me.”

My stomach clenches with a mini swoop of anxiety but I push it away. It’s definitely not the best gift I’ve ever given, but it’s the thought that counts, right?

Jake unwraps his arm from around me to take the bag, his infectious grin still present as he lifts the tissue paper to find the gift buried underneath. He pulls out the two items and looks at them, his smile wavering slightly.

“It’s… a pencil⁠—”

“The highest rated mechanical pencil, according to The New York Times. And who doesn’t need another pencil?”

“—and a keychain.”

“—since you’re old enough to drive now! And it’s a hockey puck with your favorite team on it.”

Jake carefully places the gifts back in the bag and looks at me.

My internal insecurity about the gift is screaming at me, and I can’t help but ask, “Do you like it?”

He sets the bag on the counter behind him, out of the way. “How could I not? It’s from you.”

I pick up my soda and we step out the sliding door together. Twinkle lights crisscross the trellis overhead, and someone has put colored covers on the underwater pool lights, giving the water a reddish glow. I’ve always loved when they do that; it makes night swimming feel magical. Unfortunately, no swimsuit for me tonight, which is a tad ironic given my daily swim routine.

We wander out to the patio and Jenna finally comes into view. She’s at a table surrounded by a swarm of volleyball girls and her arm is latched onto a tall guy next to her. He looks familiar, but I can’t quite place him.

I tilt my chin towards Jenna’s table. “Who’s that guy with Jenna?”

Jake’s pleasant expression melts. “That’s my assistant coach, Steve.”

“No.” My mouth drops in shock. “They look… um, cozy?”