Chapter Three Summary and Analysis

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

The chapter opens with Nate stopped at a red light on Clarendon Street, noticing that the digital billboard that has displayed the same energy-drink ad for as long as he can remember has changed. The new ad reads, “Time for a New Game, Bayview,” in red letters on a white background. Nate finds the message cryptic and mildly annoying, but he doesn’t dwell on it as he heads to his second job at the Bayview Country Club.

On his way in, he checks his phone and sees a text from Bronwyn, who is home from Yale for the summer. She has sent a picture of herself with Nate’s bearded dragon, Stan, sitting on a rock in her garden. Nate is relieved that Bronwyn chose an internship in San Diego rather than closer to him, and he reflects on how much he wants to become the kind of person she deserves. He thinks about his two jobs, his cheap shared house, and his determination to build a better future.

In the parking lot, Nate spots a glossy flyer on the bulletin board with the same “Time for a New Game, Bayview” message. He pulls it off, turns it over, and finds nothing on the back. He wonders if it’s a marketing stunt or something more sinister—perhaps a reference to the Truth or Dare game that killed Brandon Weber. He remembers how copycat versions of Simon’s gossip app kept appearing after Simon’s death, and he wonders if someone with money is trying to stir up trouble.

Vanessa Merriman, a former classmate and friend of Addy’s until she sided with Jake during their breakup, approaches Nate. She flirts with him, makes a joke about his scars from the bomb explosion in March, and tries to grab the flyer, but Nate throws it in the trash. She follows him inside, talking about her trip to Ibiza, and orders a gin and tonic. Nate refuses to serve her because she’s underage, offering soda water instead.

Gavin, the bartender, asks Nate to cover for him because he’s running late to meet someone. Nate agrees, even though he’s not technically supposed to pour drinks. While Gavin leaves, Vanessa continues to sulk. Then Jake Riordan’s mother, Ms. Riordan, arrives and orders a glass of chardonnay. Nate notes that she has always been kind to him, even apologizing for what Jake did. She tips generously.

Ms. Riordan receives a phone call and becomes emotional. Vanessa asks if Jake is getting a new trial, but Ms. Riordan reveals something even bigger: Jake is coming home. Nate is stunned and horrified. He thinks about how Jake framed him and sent him to juvenile detention, and he feels the injustice of Jake getting a second chance. He wants to leave and warn Addy, knowing she will be devastated.

Key Events

Nate sees a mysterious billboard and later a matching flyer with the message “Time for a New Game, Bayview.”
Bronwyn texts Nate a picture of herself with his bearded dragon, Stan, and they exchange playful messages.
Vanessa Merriman approaches Nate in the parking lot, comments on his scars from the bomb explosion, and tries to take the flyer.
Nate refuses to serve Vanessa alcohol because she is underage.
Gavin asks Nate to cover his shift and leaves.
Ms. Riordan arrives, orders wine, and receives a phone call that brings her to tears.
Vanessa guesses that Jake is getting a new trial, but Ms. Riordan reveals that Jake is coming home.
Nate is deeply disturbed by the news and thinks about warning Addy.

Character Development

Nate is the focal point of this chapter, and his internal thoughts reveal a lot about his growth and lingering wounds. He is working two jobs and living in a crowded house to save money, driven by his desire to become someone worthy of Bronwyn. His relationship with Bronwyn is a source of stability and hope; he trusts her completely and appreciates that she chose an internship in San Diego rather than sacrificing opportunities to be near him.

Nate’s physical and emotional scars are central. The bomb explosion in March left him with permanent scars on his arm, and Vanessa’s casual comment about them reminds him of the trauma he endured. He also carries the deeper scar of being framed by Jake Riordan and sent to juvenile detention, which he calls the lowest point of his life. His reaction to Ms. Riordan’s news—a gut-twisting sense of injustice—shows that he hasn’t fully moved past that experience, even as he tries to build a better future.

Nate’s interactions with others also reveal his character. He is dismissive of Vanessa’s flirting and refuses to serve her alcohol, showing his integrity. He is respectful toward Ms. Riordan, despite her connection to Jake, because she has been kind to him. He even helps his father, who is trying to stay sober, by texting him where his keys might be. Nate is trying to be a better person, but the news of Jake’s return threatens to pull him back into anger and resentment.

Vanessa Merriman is portrayed as shallow and self-absorbed, still clinging to her high-school persona. She flirts with Nate, makes insensitive comments about his scars, and talks endlessly about her trip to Ibiza. Her reaction to Ms. Riordan’s news—hopeful and eager—shows that she still supports Jake, which puts her at odds with Nate and Addy.

Ms. Riordan is shown as a sympathetic figure, despite being Jake’s mother. Nate notes that she apologized for Jake’s actions and has been kind to him. Her emotional reaction to the phone call reveals her deep love for her son and her relief that he is coming home, even though that news is devastating to Nate and others.

Themes, Symbols, and Motifs

Mysterious Advertising Campaign: The billboard and flyer with “Time for a New Game, Bayview” introduce a sense of unease and foreshadowing. Nate immediately connects it to the Truth or Dare game that killed Brandon Weber, suggesting that the past is not buried. The campaign’s ambiguity creates suspense and hints at a larger plot.

Class Divide and Economic Inequality: Nate’s job at the country club highlights the gap between the wealthy members and the working-class staff. He serves drinks to “Bayview’s McMansion crowd” while struggling to make ends meet. The bulletin board full of services rich people can’t do themselves underscores this divide.

Justice System Failures: Nate’s anger at Jake’s release reflects his belief that the justice system has failed him. He was sent to juvenile detention for a crime he didn’t commit, while Jake, who framed him, is getting a second chance. This theme of unequal justice is central to Nate’s character arc.

Lasting Trauma and Scars: Nate’s physical scars from the bomb are a constant reminder of the violence he survived. His emotional scars from being framed and imprisoned are even deeper. The chapter shows how trauma lingers and shapes a person’s worldview.

Copycat Culture and Legacy of Past Crimes: Nate’s thoughts about copycat apps and the possibility that the billboard is a reference to Brandon’s death tie into the broader theme of how past crimes echo into the present. The town of Bayview is still haunted by Simon’s death and the events that followed.

Privilege and Entitlement: Vanessa’s behavior and the country-club setting illustrate the entitlement of the wealthy. Vanessa expects to be served despite being underage, and the Riordans continue to frequent the club despite their son’s crimes.

Friendship and Support Network: Nate’s text exchange with Bronwyn and his thoughts about the Bayview Crew group chat show the importance of his support system. He is determined to be worthy of Bronwyn, and he knows he can count on his friends.

Self-Improvement and Personal Growth: Nate is actively working to improve his life—holding two jobs, going to school, and saving money. He is also trying to support his father’s sobriety. This theme contrasts with the stagnation of characters like Vanessa and the Riordans.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter serves as a turning point in the novel. It introduces the mysterious advertising campaign that will likely drive the plot, and it delivers a major revelation: Jake Riordan is coming home. This news threatens to upend the fragile peace Nate and his friends have found. The chapter deepens Nate’s character, showing his resilience and his unresolved anger, and it sets up conflict between the past and the present. It also establishes the social dynamics of Bayview, where class and privilege still dictate who gets second chances.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Nate react so strongly to the news that Jake is coming home?

Nate’s reaction stems from his traumatic experience of being framed by Jake and sent to juvenile detention. He sees Jake’s release as another example of the justice system favoring the privileged, while he was punished for a crime he didn’t commit. The news also makes him worry about Addy, who will be devastated, and it threatens to reopen old wounds.

What does the “Time for a New Game, Bayview” campaign symbolize at this point in the story?

The campaign appears to be a mysterious and possibly ominous reference to the past, specifically the Truth or Dare game that killed Brandon Weber. Nate’s immediate connection to that tragedy suggests that the town’s history is not forgotten and that someone may be trying to stir up old conflicts. The ambiguity of the message creates suspense and foreshadows future events.

How does Nate’s relationship with Bronwyn influence his actions and mindset in this chapter?

Bronwyn is a stabilizing force in Nate’s life. Her text message lifts his mood, and his thoughts about her motivate his hard work and self-improvement. He wants to become the person she deserves, which drives his determination to save money and build a better future. Her presence also contrasts with the negativity of characters like Vanessa, reinforcing Nate’s commitment to a healthier path.