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it’s time to get back into the pool, and she swishes past the new guys in this look-at-me-not-looking-at-you way. Then I’m not so sure.
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    It gets worse when practice is over and she grabs me by the wrist. “Come on.” She’s practically pulling me over toward the new guys.
    I slide from her grip. “I’m not going to help you make an ass out of yourself.”
    â€œVan wants us to be nice.” The last word comes out exaggeratedly from the side of her mouth. “Besides, don’t you at least want to find out where they go?”
    And I do. I do want to know. Because I haven’t talked to anyone on a real team yet, and I need to find out what it’s like. What my chances are.
    â€œJust don’t be gross.”
    But of course she is, right away: hand on hip, boobs out.
    â€œSo, what’s up?”
    â€œWell, hey there,” the hot one says.
    The pale one sticks out his hand. “Hi, I’m Troy.”
    We shake, officially meeting him, then Linus and Gavin, who’s got beads of water rolling off his muscles like he’s a waxed car.
    â€œYou got a last name, Gavin?” Grier wants to know.
    â€œWhy? You gonna Google stalk me?”
    She flushes.
    â€œCheck out your times is all,” I cover, though I’m not sure why. “See what you’re made of.”
    He looks at me, curious. “Last name’s Scott.”
    â€œTwo last names?” Grier teases.
    â€œWhy? Who’re you?”
    â€œI’m Grier.”
    â€œI know a guy named Grier.”
    I slide my eyes away from him. That was funny.
    â€œSo, where do y’all go?” she wants to know next.
    Troy and Linus have looks on their faces, the kind dork guys get when they know they’ve already lost out to the better-looking guy in the room, but still have to play along. UT, UF, they tell us. Gavin says, looking straight at me, “Auburn.”
    I try not to show I’m impressed. Auburn’s not on my list, but it’s mainly because their team is too good. I want to get in somewhere that needs my help, a team bad enough to give me a full ride without making me work too hard once I’m there. Still, what it took to get in there, and what it’s like on the inside, would be valuable to know.
    â€œSo, what’re you doing here, then?” Grier’s practically batting her eyes.
    Troy explains he has a job at his father’s engineering company, installing electrical systems for schools. Linus is just here kicking around for the summer at his parents’ place. Gavin tells us there’s an internship. None of it sounds very interesting.
    â€œYeah, but—” Grier’s toes are curling. I want to shove her. “Why us?”
    â€œGotta stay in shape, right?” Gavin says. And I swear, it’slike his muscles flex a little when he says it. Even Linus looks as if he wants to roll his eyes. “Besides,” he goes on, “this is the only club in town with a coach who’s medaled.”
    And it’s true. I didn’t care that Van had swum in the Olympics when I first joined—I just wanted someone who was going to push me so hard my brain turned to mush and my body took over. But him having those credentials helps me a lot too.
    â€œWell, we’ll see if you can keep up,” I say, giving a quick we’re-done-with-this smile to all of them. I tap Grier on the arm. She may want to chat all afternoon, but I’ve got Louis waiting for me. Besides, this is getting obvious, and therefore lame, which Grier should know, since prior to now she’s the one who’s taught me exactly how not to behave around guys.
    â€œWho’re you again?” Gavin says to me.
    â€œOh, this is Brynn,” Grier answers, like I’m not worth paying attention to. Like I’m not the best swimmer on the team. Or her best friend.
    â€œWell, nice meeting you, Brynn.