“I don’t have rituals, I have routines.” Routines that made me win races and today that routine was wrecked by a wannabe Heath Hall. If I ever found out who he was, I’d have some words for him.

Two

Sarah’s street was lined with cars when we pulled up after the meet. “I thought you meant this was a party for just the swim team,” I said, peeling the ice packs off my shoulders, the numbness not completely hiding the ache.

“That’s what I thought she meant. I guess a few more people showed up.”

I dumped the ice into the gutter and left the empty bags on the passenger-side floor. I didn’t go to a lot . . . okay, any . . . real parties. I hadn’t even changed. I was still in my suit and sweats. Amelia looked adorable next to me, makeup and all. I self-consciously tugged at my still-damp hair and tried to smooth it into place.

We walked through Sarah’s house and into the backyard, where the majority of people were. Sarah lived in a neighborhood built around a man-made lake. In the middle of that lake, a large island, complete with lamps and picnic tables, had drawn everyone’s attention. Or at least that’s what several people were pointing at—the island. They chanted something I couldn’t quite make out. Someone’s name. I scanned the island but didn’t see anything out of the ordinary.

“What’s going on?” I asked as we came to a girl at the back of the crowd.

She gave me a double take, surprised to see me here or surprised my hair was wet; it could’ve been either. “They’re trying to make him swim out there,” she answered.

“Why?” This wasn’t a swimming kind of lake. It was full of fish and who knew what the neighborhood kids threw in. It wasn’t very deep: a lake people used paddleboats on and took engagement pictures in front of. It wasn’t practical. It was for looks. Plus, that island was at least six pool lengths away.

“They dared him.”

“Who?”

“I’m not sure. I just got here.”

“What does he win if he does it?”

Amelia elbowed me. “Don’t even think about it.”

“I’m already in my swim stuff.”

“Hadley wants to do it!” the girl we’d been talking to screamed.

I rolled my eyes. I hadn’t said anything of the sort. But soon the whole party was chanting my name and my heart started beating to the rhythm.

“You haven’t even heard what the prize is,” Amelia reminded me. She must’ve seen how my eyes lit up at the possibility of a challenge. And it would be a challenge. My shoulders were already shot.