Page 11 of Break Point

“Pretty convincing, huh?”

I tilt my phone to Jaden, and her eyes drop to my screen. Her lips form the faintest smile, but I ignore my urge to push too hard, instead letting her take us in without my running commentary. Finally, her gaze flits to mine.

“You can tell your sister I agree. I like this one.”

“Yeah? So, you approve?” I want to be totally clear on this. Zero assumptions.

Jaden nods.

“And you don’t have to quit. It’s nice you’re doing this for your sister. I guess I can handle a few months of being your fake app date or whatever.” She blinks, and I think she’s forcibly trying to keep herself from rolling her eyes.

“Go on. I know you want to,” I say, mimicking the expression I’m sure she’s dying to make.

She gives in with an exaggerated roll of the eyes as she breathes out, “Thank you!”

I fire off a message to my sister, and she answers with a confetti emoji.

“I guess I’ll see you the next time Amelia texts, then?” I don’t really have anywhere to be for the next few hours, but I think I’ve pushed my welcome with Jaden far enough for now, and I’m sure she’s anxious to get home or to practice or wherever so she can change out of her wet clothes. I take a step or two backward while she does the same.

“Sounds like a plan. Oh, and hey . . . what’s the name of this app going to be anyway? I forgot to ask your sister. It just said app in the contract.”

Oh shit. I didn’t want to be the one telling her this.

“Uh . . . Score, I think. Like a play on sports. Since it’s for athletes.”

And for scoring. As in hooking up. She’s totally going to punch me.

Her mouth hangs open a hint, but I keep my grin in place, pretending there’s absolutely nothing suggestive behind the branding.

“A play on having sex, you mean,” she says.

Turns out, Jaden Johnson would be fine at my father’s dinner table. Bluntness like that cuts right to the point. I sigh and drop my chin to my chest as my hands sink back into my pockets.

“Yeah, I guess it works both ways.”

She huffs a laugh before spinning on her heels and walking away.

“We are not having sex, Bryson!” she shouts with a finger in the air.

“Wouldn’t dream of it!” I holler in return.

The biggest lie I’ve ever told.

Chapter 5

Jaden

I don’t know why I thought my parents would understand this app deal. The only reason their restaurant has any social media at all is that I set it up for them when I was home last Christmas. Last time I checked, the only posts were the ones I did of their menus and the pic of my dad’s famous jelly burger. My little brother, Beck, should probably just take it over for them at this point. He’s twelve and pretty much lives on his tablet.

“Your dad doesn’t understand why you’re worrying about dating apps. But you know him—he never wants his princess to date. I’m proud of you for putting yourself out there.”

I flop down to sit on the edge of my mattress and blow up at the loose hairs falling over my eyes. I start to push them back but let my hand linger over my face. My fingertips push into the corners of my eyes as I laugh silently.

“I’m not really on a dating app, Mom. I’m like a spokesperson. That’s what I’ve been telling you. It’s basically a modeling gig.”

“Well, you’re very beautiful. I always thought you should be a model.” Her confident tone is flattering, even if it’s the kind of thing a mom has to say about her daughter.

“Thank you. The important thing is that my tuition is handled. They’re going to pay me monthly,” I explain as I switch my phone to speaker so I can pull my damp shoes from my feet. I still can’t believe Bryson dropped me in the fountain.