Page 20 of The Rookie

“I’m not here to be part of your show,” I mutter, taking a spot on the opposite team, next to Jake.

“You better bring it,” Griffin says, winking as he serves the ball.

The game starts fast and chaotic, with laughter and cheers echoing across the beach. Jake, who turns out to be surprisingly good, sets me up for a solid spike in the third volley.

“Nice, Avery!” he says, clapping me on the back.

I glance across the net at Griffin, who looks impressed despite himself.

“What’s the matter, Knox?” I call out, smirking. “Losing your edge?”

“Not a chance,” he fires back, his grin sharpening.

The game picks up intensity, the teams going back and forth with quick volleys and near saves. Jake nudges me after one particularly close rally.

“Okay, I’ll admit it,” he says, gesturing toward Griffin, who’s now calling plays with his teammates. “That man is a Greek god. Have youseenhis abs? Like, seriously, how is that even real?”

“Trust me, I’ve noticed,” I mutter, setting up for the next serve.

Jake snickers. “You know, I think he has a crush on you.”

“What?” I nearly miss the ball.

“Oh, come on,” Jake says, raising an eyebrow. “The tension is unreal. It’s like watching a telenovela with beach volleyball.”

“More like a hate crush,” I reply, smacking the ball over the net. “I think he just enjoys torturing me. And I have a boyfriend.”

Jake hums thoughtfully. “That doesn’t meanhedoesn’t have a crush. Ever heard of forbidden fruit? I mean,Ihave a crush on him, too. He just doesn’t play for my team…if you know what I mean.”

“Focus, Jake,” I mutter as the ball comes back our way.

The final point comes down to a tight rally, and I end it with a well-placed spike past Griffin’s block.

My team erupts in cheers, and Jake high-fives me. “You’re a badass,” he says.

Across the net, Griffin jogs over, shaking his head. “Alright, I’ll admit it,” he says. “You’ve got skills.”

“Better than yours,” I reply, brushing sand off my hands.

He steps closer, his grin softening. For a moment, I think he’s going to say something serious.

“Married couple energy, much?” Jake calls out, snapping the moment in half.

I feel my cheeks heat as Griffin’s grin snaps back into place. “Don’t give her ideas,” he says, winking at me before jogging back to his team.

I roll my eyes and head back to my lounge chair, pretending my pulse isn’t racing.

The fire crackles and pops, sending warm orange sparks into the cool evening air. We’re gathered in a loose circle on the sand, the flames casting flickering shadows over the group. The sky is an inky blue, the stars starting to peek out above the horizon.

It’s beautiful—peaceful, even. And I’d probably be enjoying it if Griffin Knox weren’t sitting directly across from me, smirking like he’s just won some unspoken competition.

Dr. Peterson stands near the fire, her hands clasped in front of her. “I hope everyone enjoyed today,” she says, her voice bright and chipper. “Because starting tomorrow, the fun takes a backseat to learning!”

There’s a collective groan from the group, and she laughs. “I’m serious! Classes at the Spanish Language Institute in town begin promptly at 8 a.m. I expect everyone to be there on time and ready to focus.”

“Define ‘on time,’” Griffin pipes up, his grin widening when a few classmates laugh. “I was thinking we could all go out to the club tonight for a little salsa, if you know what I mean.”

“On time,” Dr. Peterson replies sharply, “means you’re in your seat before the clock strikes eight. Got it, Mr. Knox?”

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