“Thanks.” Gage’s cheeks warmed and he returned her smile.
Their friends, including Derrick, Luke, and Sloan, had encircled them, watching their exchange like a tennis match.
Sloan asked, “So, are you two going to—”
Mazy shoved her shoulder against Sloan’s and shook her head.
“Fine. Whatever.” Sloan shrugged. “Is anyone going to eat?”
Snapping out of his trance with Iris’s unique violet eyes, Gage said, “Yeah. I have some news to share.”
“Besides what’s currently going on in your pants?” Sloan said, laughing.
Gage narrowed his eyes at Sloan as both Derrick and Luke stifled a chuckle. Mazy and Evie rolled their eyes.
Sloan laughed some more. “What? It was funny.”
Gage shook his head and looked back at Iris, whose eyes were directed at the front of his pants. What the hell! Thankfully, the only thing active was Sloan’s dirty mind.
Evie pulled Iris and her gaze away toward a table before it got any more awkward. “Come on, let’s put our stuff down and get something to eat.”
Before the rest followed, Adam said, “Hey, Sloan, she still takes everything literally. Have some sensitivity.”
Sloan wrinkled up her nose and bit her bottom lip. “Sorry, I guess?”
Luke draped an arm over her shoulder. “It’s okay, Sloan. You keep telling things like you see em’.”
After everyone sat down at a table with food, Gage filled them in on Ashwater’s newest addition to the teacher pool.
Adam tapped his hand on the table nervously.
Evie reached for him. “Adam, calm down. It’s okay. I’m not scared.”
“It’s not okay,” Adam replied. “What he did to you at Bio-Core…”
Evie inhaled sharply and squeezed his hand, her gaze darting back and forth as if working out something in her mind.
As Gage watched the exchange between Adam and Evie, he sensed that there was something else going on between the two of them. He’d always been perceptive where people’s nature and motivations were concerned, and right now, his spidey sense was telling him Evie was frightened but not about Mr. Garcia.
“Evie,” Gage started. “Are you sure you’re okay with this?”
She looked between Adam and him. “I’m fine. I promise. He’s not going to try anything here. I’m more worried about Adam.”
Gage thought it was odd that she would be so worried about Adam. He didn’t have his internal weaponry anymore, so he wasn’t a threat in that way. Still, she seemed genuinely concerned. He directed his attention to Adam. “Are you going to be able to keep your cool?”
Adam took a deep breath. “I’m fine. But if he touches one hair on her head…”
“Can we drop this please?” Evie poked her fork around her stir-fry.
The others followed suit. Iris smiled. She leaned over and whispered, “Do not worry. If Garcia touches Evie’s hair, I will break his hand.”
Gage slowly turned his head toward her. Was she serious?
Iris focused back on her lunch, spearing a carrot with a fork and depositing it in her satisfied mouth. She nodded in affirmation.
He looked back down at his burger. His stomach twitched, turning over. He’d lost his appetite.
6
Co-op
Iris
Iris was sitting in the backseat of Mac Grayson’s parked police car with Evie. Mr. Grayson turned around in his seat and arched an eyebrow. She liked Evie’s father. He was protective of his family, and that was something Iris could relate to. She’d been looking over her shoulder ever since her new friends had brought her to Ashwater. If Steel or anyone else from Bio-Core tried to hurt any of them, she’d be right there to stop them in their tracks.
“You two need a ride home later?” he asked.
Evie shook her head. “No, we’ll grab a ride from Mazy or Gage.”
Gage. Even the sound of his name sent tiny little sparks running along the circuitry in her CPU. Iris looked down at her new outfit—skinny jeans, cropped heather-gray cable-knit sweater, and black ballerina flats made from the softest leather she’d ever felt. She ran her fingers over the smooth, tight stitches of her jeans and smiled. So soft…like his eyes.
Evie nudged her and nodded toward the door. “Come on.”
“Thank you for driving us, Mr. Grayson,” Iris said, opening the door.
“Sure thing, kid. Evie, not too late, okay?” he said as she scooted across the seat and out of the car.
“Got it.” Once outside, Evie turned and smiled up at Iris, who was at least six inches taller than her. “You ready?”
Evie was talking about DP. Iris was a quick learner, and, while she didn’t dislike the idea of dancing, she wasn’t excited to play. Besides, not all androids were made alike. “I guess. Adam will be offended if I don’t.”
“You’re probably right.”
The girls walked inside of Jack’s arcade. Daisy and Jack were back at the snack bar, and Adam was behind the front counter, leaning over the glass countertop, reading a comic book. When Adam looked up at Evie, the music playing on the jukebox changed to “I Melt With You” by Modern English. A smile spread across his lips that Evie matched. Iris glanced between the two, fascinated by their obvious deep affection for one another.
“Hey,” Evie said to Adam.
He strode over to her and enveloped her smaller frame in his arms, resting his head atop hers. “Hey, babe.”
Iris shifted side to side, feeling like an intruder on their private moment. She knew from research what a third wheel was.
As if realizing her discomfort, Adam released Evie and glanced at her. “How are you?”
“I’m well.” She fidgeted with her hands.
“Ready for DP?”
“Yes. I’m prepared for your game.” Iris shrugged. That was why she was here, wasn’t it?
Evie giggled.
“Don’t sound so excited.” Adam rolled his eyes.
Was being excited a requirement? She didn’t want to let Adam down. Although, she likely would since she had no experience dancing. Before she could reply, the front door opened again. Derrick, Luke, Sloan, and Mazy filed in, followed by Gage. Gage was wearing jeans and a light blue T-shirt with an unbuttoned white oxford. His hair was perfect. When their eyes met, her breath caught, and her stomach flipped a few times. She massaged her middle to still the flutters.
“Hey guys,” Evie said.
The others said hello, and Gage, breaking eye contact with Iris, nodded. He had the most inviting smile. She wondered what his lips felt like. A kiss from her past slunk up from the recesses of her memory bank, filling her with dread. She grimaced and dismissed it.
They headed to the DP room at the back of the arcade.
Sloan linked arms with Iris. “Hey, sexy. You’re looking hot.”
Hot? Her temperature was perfect. Iris glanced away and searched for the context of her meaning. Finding what she needed, she turned back to Sloan. “Thank you.”
“No problem. Just wasn’t sure if anyone else had told you yet.” She nodded toward Gage, who was walking in front of them.
No, he had not. She knew from Evie that Sloan said things that were inappropriate from time to time but could also be extremely perceptive in some situations. She hoped that this was one of those occasions. She did want to be appealing to Gage.
As the group entered the cavernous room housing DP, Adam headed straight for the control console. “Derrick, did you work on the song?”
“Yep.” One of the dark-haired twins, a hair shorter than his brother, joined Adam at the console and handed him a drive.
“Okay, Iris, you ready?” Adam tapped a few times on the console and glanced up.
Iris stepped forward onto the lit-up floor to a pair of footprints. An avatar appeared on the large screens around the room. Adam had installed more displays so that a player could see where they were supposed to move from all angles. She followed the avatar’s demonstr
ation movements. Simple enough.
“Okay, let’s pair up. Evie, you’re with me.” Adam turned toward the game floor.
“You and me.” Mazy grabbed Luke’s hand.
Derrick raised his eyebrows at Sloan, who nodded slowly.
“I guess you and me?” Gage smiled and took the pair of footprints next to Iris.
“Yes.” Iris’s heart pounded. She was already nervous about dancing. Now she was going to be dancing with Gage.
“Okay, so this is our first try at co-op. I’m still working out all the kinks, but I think I’ve got it in a good place.” Adam nodded down at Evie. “It’s set to easy too.”
“Oh, I see. Just for me, huh?” Evie crossed her arms, her bottom lip jutting out. She waved her hand toward Iris. “But this is her first time.”
Adam shrugged. “Evie, she’s like me. She can handle it.”
“Whatever. I’m not a great dancer. Did everyone hear that?” Evie threw her hands up. “I’m. Not. A. Great. Dancer.”
Sloan giggled.
“It’s okay. You’re great at other things.” Adam smiled with pouty lips.
“Yeah, like ignoring my boyfriend when he acts like an ass.” Evie shook her head and faced the screen. “Let’s just do this.”
Iris glanced at Gage, who was focused on the screen. Was he as nervous as she was to dance together?
The title, “The Way You Make Me Feel,” by Michael Jackson streamed across the screen as a techno beat started. Iris watched her avatar move in sync with and toward Gage’s. She mirrored it, watching the floor to see where their next moves were. Her steps were highlighted in purple while his were blue. Slowly at first, they found their steps together. Once she found the pattern, she peered up at him.
“You’re doing great,” he said.
“Thanks.”
The steps changed, and they moved in a different direction, finding new footing and rhythm. She smiled at him as they continued their dance, the others melting away.
“Get ready to jump. We’re almost at freestyle,” he said.
Iris looked up at the screen waiting for their bar to finish filling. Once it did, they looked at each other and jumped. The next thing she knew, his hand was on her waist and her hand in his.
For a split second, time stood still. This was the closest she’d been to him, and the heat from his body warmed her skin. She breathed in his scent—sandalwood and soap.
She followed his lead, her heart pounding along with the beat. He pulled her tightly against his chest, spinning and moving her around the dancefloor. She exhaled and smiled—he was a good dancer.
Their bar depleted, and they went back to their spots, continuing to dance in unison to the song.
He beamed down at her. “I can’t believe this is your first time. You’re really good.”
“It’s easier than I thought it would be.” She moved effortlessly now that she had down the pattern.
The song came to an end, and they looked up at the screen for their scores.
“No way. We came in first.” Gage hollered and clapped, the sound reverberating off the rafters overhead.
Adam and Evie came in second, followed by Derrick and Sloan, and then Luke and Mazy. The others talked about their respective positions, including Evie, who was all smiles.
Gage raised his hand up for a high-five.
Iris’s heart felt like it could burst from her chest. She aimed, connecting her palm with his. His expression changed as she made impact with a loud crack, thrusting his hand and upper body backward.
“Yeow!” He staggered, grasping his inflicted hand.
She covered the gasp erupting from her mouth, her eyes wide. Too hard! “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“It’s okay. Just a bit too hard.” Gage rubbed his hand, looking at the floor.
She followed suit, staring at her adorable ballet flats. Her cheeks warmed, her CPU awhirl with chastising messages. Stupid. Reckless. Thoughtless.
“Hey, uh, it’s okay.” His hazel eyes looked kind.
She wanted to touch him again.
The side of his mouth turned up, and a dimple appeared. “You know, you have the prettiest eyes.”
“So do you.”
He opened his mouth to say something else, but the others joined them, snapping them out of their trance.
“Not bad for your first time,” Derrick said to Iris.
“Thanks. I did some research.” She glanced at Gage. “It was more fun than I thought it would be.”
“Wanna go again?” Gage asked.
Her chest tingled with anticipation. Did she want to be in his arms again? It was probably the easiest computation she’d ever made. “Yes, please.”
7
Game Day
Gage
The basketball soared through the air straight toward Gage’s chest. He caught it and jumped, releasing the ball from his fingertips.
Swoosh. All net.
He wiped the sweat from his forehead with his forearm and nodded at Luke, who had passed him the ball.
Coach Winston blew his whistle. “All right, save something for game time.”
Gage jogged over to the bleachers and grabbed his water bottle. He was ready for the game this evening, but a little extra practice never hurt. Luke and their teammates joined him. They had fifteen spots on the team but only twelve players this year. The starters were all good. Rob Valson was a hair taller than Gage and their starting center. Joe Samson, a junior, was their shooting guard—he took Mike Ganty’s place when he rolled his ankle at the start of the season. Joe was actually better than Mike. Luke was the starting point guard, and Nick Cantor was the small forward. Gage had a versatile shooting range and played power forward. So far, they were undefeated, and he wanted to keep it that way.
“I think we’re in good shape for tonight.” Luke raked his hand through his damp hair.
“Yeah. Let’s hope we maintain.” Rob wiped his forehead with a towel. “They’re undefeated too.”
“But we’ve got the best forward in the county.” Jake nodded toward Gage.
Gage grinned and clutched Jake’s outreached hand in a bro shake.
“I don’t know, guys. My cousin goes to Highmore. He sounded pretty confident that we’d lose.” Joe scratched at his neck—he was the nervous type, always skeptical.
“Well, I guess we’ll find out tonight when we play them,” Gage said. “Come on, you guys stink.”
After a quick shower, Gage emerged from the locker room. The cheerleaders were in uniform and had taken over the court to practice their cheers and dance routines in the gym. Shannon Wells was the captain. They’d messed around a few times but decided to just be friends. Their families were close because she lived down the road from him. Also, she was an only child like him. The thought rolled around his head uncomfortably. He wasn’t an only child any more, was he? He watched the girls as Luke joined him.
“Shannon’s so hot. I don’t get why you two never got serious,” Luke said, joining him.
The girls finished their routine, and Shannon waved at them.
Gage smiled and waved back.
She turned and said something to the rest of the squad and headed over to them. “Hey guys.”
“Hey,” Gage said.
Luke smiled. “Sup’?”
“You guys ready for tonight?” She twirled her long brown ponytail, her large, blue eyes sparkling.
“Yep, we’ll be ready.” Luke glanced over Shannon’s shoulder, his face lighting up.
Gage followed his line of sight. Celia Black, the cheerleading coach, was waving at Luke. She’d graduated a handful of years ago from Ashwater but stayed close to home.
“Hey, I’ll catch you guys later.” Without a glance toward Gage or Shannon, Luke walked over to Celia.
Celia hugged him and left her hand on his arm after the embrace ended. Gage sighed. He knew Luke had feelings for her, and he was eighteen, after all. He just hoped it wasn’t a one-sided deal.
“Hey,” Shannon murmured, touching his arm to get attention. Her eyes traveled his length. “You’ve looked amazing this season.”
“Uh, thanks.” His face warmed as he cleared his throat. He didn’t think she was talking about his skills with a basketball.
She smiled brightly up at him. Then something caught her eye just past him, and she waved. “Adam, over here!” Her hand still in the air, she whispered to Gage, “The new girl is so creepy.”
Gage turned. Iris stood at the other end of the gym with Adam, her almond-shaped eyes intent on his. His mind drifted back to playing DP. She was totally normal, nice even, and then she almost broke his hand! She was the prettiest girl he’d ever seen and…the freakin’ scariest.
Adam nodded back. Iris, who glanced between Gage and Shannon, raised her hand at a snail’s pace. Gage pursed his lips, trying not to laugh. At least she’s trying. Adam, noticing Iris’s odd behavior, grabbed her hand and pulled it back down.
“You see what I mean? There’s something weird about her,” Shannon said.
Gage turned back to Shannon, his hackles raised. He’d been feeling protective of Iris from the start. She’d had a shitty life at Bio-Core, and it was his family’s company. “Don’t be so hard on her. She’s new.”
Shannon who peered up at him. “So quick to defend. Sounds to me like someone’s got a crush.”
“I don’t crush.” Gage crossed his arms.
“Sure. I won’t tell.” Shannon grinned and squeezed his arm.
Iris
If Iris were powered by steam, it would be pouring out of her ears. She didn’t like the way the girl with the short skirt was touching Gage. Her jaw clenched, and her hands balled into fists.
“Hey, are you all right?” Adam whispered from her side.
“Who is that girl with Gage?”
“That’s Shannon. She’s captain of the cheerleaders.”
“Her clothing breaks the school’s dress code.” Iris narrowed her eyes as Shannon smiled at Gage again.
Perfection Page 4