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“Yeah, I guess I am,” Sara declared, then stormed off.

I turned to my brother. “That girl is intense.”

“But she’s not alone in her opinion,” he replied. “There are others here who don’t see our new lives as freedom from the old competition to be Chosen. To them, it’s just a continuation of the same stupid thing.” Annoyance flashed in his eyes as they locked on to something behind me. “Speaking of stupid…”

I followed his gesture to the four Victory kids, lounging on a picnic blanket, basking in the summer sun.

“Well, apparentlytheydon’t subscribe to Sara’s philosophy. They’re all on different teams, but they’re still hanging out together,” I noted.

“I think it’s less abouthanging outthan it is aboutcolluding,” Dante muttered as the Victory kids jumped up and headed our way.

“Hey, teammate,” Rhett drawled, draping his arm over Dante’s shoulder. “What are you up to?”

Dante moved away from him. “Nothing that concerns you.”

“Now, I don’t really believe that. Do you guys?” Rhett looked at his friends.

“I think the Winters twins are up to no good. And I think it’s all Savannah’s fault. Again,” Zoe chimed in, giving me a withering look.

“She’s definitely a bad influence,” Rhett agreed. “Best not associate with her at all, Dante. She’ll only drag you down.”

“Leave her alone,” Bronte told him as she came to stand by my side.

“You and your negative energy aren’t wanted here,” Kylie added, waving her hand in front of her face, like something really stank.

Asher was there too. “So take a hike, dude.”

Rhett laughed. “Don’t be ridiculous. Just because the General let you get away with going along with her crazy shenanigans?—”

“Don’t mess with Savannah,” Dutch said, to my great surprise.

Rhett looked surprised too. “Wait, so you’re withhernow?”

Dutch shrugged. “It’s nothing personal, man. She’s my teammate. If she loses, I lose points too.”

“Right, I get it. Tough break there, bro.” Rhett patted Dutch on the back. “Meet up with you at the track later?”

“You bet,” Dutch replied as classical music began playing through the Hex’s speakers.

The two boys locked forearms for a firm handshake, then everyone dispersed to find their teammates.

But I didn’t have to go anywhere. My teammates were right here. “Thanks for having my back, guys,” I told them.

“Of course,” Kylie replied, her blue eyes twinkling. “Team Gold Getters has to stick together, right?”

“Team Gold Getters?” Dutch’s jaw tightened. “I thought we’d agreed our team name is ‘the Warriors’.”

“No, you wanted to be the Warriors, but you were outvoted,” said Bronte. “So now we’re Team Gold Getters.”

Dutch frowned. “This is what happens when we get stuck on a team with a bunch of girls.” He glanced at Asher. “Right?”

“Actually, dude, I like Team Gold Getters.” And with that said, Asher slipped on the sparkly gold friendship bracelet Bronte had just handed him.

Dutch’s frown deepened.

“Come on, you don’t want to be left out, do you?” Bronte waved a pretty bracelet in front of his face.

And, to my surprise, Dutch let her put it on him. Begrudgingly.