Page 58 of If You Dare

She stops jumping and whines. The carnival worker reaches for the stuffed duck and hands it to Chloe. “You can take the duck as long as the four of you get far away from me.”

Chloe beams, not giving a single shit about the insult.

“We gotta get you playing beer pong,” Luke tells me before wrapping an arm around Chloe’s waist. “Are you happy you got your duck?”

“It’s Violet’s duck. She won it. But yes.” She beams. “Ducks are my favorite animal.”

“Ducks aren’t anybody’s favorite animal,” Wes says.

“Well, they’re mine.” She sticks her tongue out at him. “They make gliding across the water look effortless, but beneath the surface, they’re paddling frantically. That’s how I feel on the ice. I spent years falling and bleeding to get where I am, but when I’m back on the ice, every bruise and scar is worth it. I don’t want to be anywhere else. They’re at home in the water, and I’m at home on the ice.”

She does make it look effortless. Every time I watch Chloe skate, I’m mesmerized. She dances across the slippery surface like it’s second nature.

“That’s how I feel about writing,” I tell her.

She smiles at me. Maybe that’s one of the reasons why we’re such great friends. We understand each other’s drive, our relentless pursuit of our passions.

“You should let me read one of your stories sometime.” Wes smiles at me.

“Just kiss already,” Chloe calls to us, rolling her eyes. I freeze, even though I know she’s joking. Until she flashes a devilish smile. “I dare you.”

Shock and dread seize me.

What the hell is she doing? Why is she pushing me and Wes together when she keeps claiming she doesn’t want us dating? Of course I want to kiss him—I want to do a lot more than that with him—but I don’t want it to happen in front of an audience.

I dare a glance at Wes, the smile vanished from his face.

But I haven’t backed down from a dare yet.

He wanted to kiss me that day at the beach. He said the winner gets to come tonight. He wants me. I know he does.

I take a step toward him, and his eyes widen before he retreats. The word that comes out of his mouth stops me in my tracks. “No.”

Mortification washes over me at the rejection. Thepublicrejection, right in front of Chloe and Luke.

How could I have read Wes so wrong? I completely misinterpreted his signals. My cheeks flame, and Chloe’s eyes widen for a second—just long enough to give away the horror at my humiliation—before she grabs Luke’s hand and announces, “Let’s go! I need funnel cake.”

I follow Chloe and Luke around the carnival in silence, forcing a smile whenever Chloe attempts to include me in the conversation. Staying as far from Wes as I can get.

I’ve known from the beginning that he would never go for a girl like me. I was stupid to think him flirting with me was anything more than a fun way for him to pass the time. He’s never actually been interested in me; he’s just been humoring his sister and being friendly. Nothing more.

The carnival is closing in fifteen minutes, and I’m counting down the seconds until I can escape.

“Let’s go on the Ferris wheel before they shut it down!” Chloe calls.

“Heights freak me out. You guys go.” I wave them on, grateful for a chance to be alone.

“No way.” Chloe shakes her head. “You’re coming with us.”

“If I get that high in the air, my heart will explode—”

“I dare you!” she shouts, laughing and running for the Ferris wheel. Full of a light that can never be snuffed out.

Her joy makes me smile, even with the sour turn this night has taken.

The four of us wait in line, and when Chloe and Luke climb into the pod, she shuts the door behind them.

Leaving me alone with Wes.

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