The Spinach Signal

Tyler leaned against the chain-link fence, baseball cap pulled low, watching the Dodgers practice like his life depended on it. Not because he gave a crap about baseball—honestly, he'd rather watch paint dry—but because pretending to be interested was the perfect cover for his real mission: spying.

His older sister Chloe had been acting weird. Cancelled plans. Secret texts. That glazed-over look people got when they were hiding something big. Tyler needed to know what was up, and if that meant lurking near the baseball field where she supposedly "met friends" every Tuesday, so be it. He was basically a private investigator at this point. A teenage James Bond with better hair and zero actual spy gear.

The problem was Austin.

Austin-with-the-perfect-smile and Austin-with-the-varsity-jacket and Austin-who-called Tyler's nickname embarrassing in front of everyone last week. Austin, who currently stood near the dugout looking suspiciously like he was waiting for someone.

Tyler's stomach twisted. Was Austin the reason Chloe was acting different? No way. That would be weird and complicated and basically every YA novel plot ever.

"Spinach," a voice said behind him.

Tyler jumped. "What?"

Chloe stood there, eyebrows raised, holding a container from that fancy smoothie place downtown. "It's spinach, mango, and literally some other green stuff. Want a sip?"

"Since when do you drink spinach juice?"

"Since I went vegan last week." She gestured toward the field. "Austin's here, huh?"

Tyler felt his face get hot. "I'm just watching baseball. Which I definitely care about. The sport. With the balls and bases and whatnot."

"Right." Chloe sat beside him, dangling her legs through the fence. "You know he's not the reason I've been weird."

Tyler's chest did that thing where it felt simultaneously lighter and heavier. "Then what is it?"

Chloe's phone buzzed. She read something, smiled—the genuine kind—and typed back fast. "I've been talking to this guy from the theater program. We're supposed to meet tomorrow and I'm nervous, okay? Is that what you wanted your spy mission to uncover?"

"Theater guy?" Tyler processed this. "Not Austin?"

"Not Austin. He's just here because he literally loves baseball more than breathing. Also, you should probably stop lurking. It's getting kind of weird."

Tyler groaned. "I hate everything."

"You hate that you're a bad spy."

"I'm an EXCELLENT spy."

Chloe laughed and pushed the smoothie toward him. "Whatever you say, 007. Just drink your spinach and let's go home before Austin notices you staring at him. Again."