Page 29 of Give You Up

“You always have a choice, B.”

He looks away, too proud to ask me to stay, though he never has a problem asking for anything else, including my time.

“I’d never abandon you, Dare.”

He gives me a sheepish grin, knowing full well I understand him in a way no one else does, including Midnight, and vice versa.

We’re friends for a reason. We know what it’s like to have lived through darker times. We don’t speak of the past, but we drop hints, having this need to tell but not give up everything. No one should bare their soul completely to someone, even someone they care about and who cares for them.

There’s still the risk of rejection, of not being accepted. Worst of all, there is the risk of being judged as a terrible person.

When we share, I hint at my life with Hunter partying and drinking. There were times I drank so much, I blacked out. The fighting and the accusations. He blamed me for encouraging a guy’s advances.

Said I was too friendly. Then there were the times he said I was too boring and I should live a little. How about we go steal a car and take it for a spin? Or have me film him beating someone up? I refused to do either. Instead, I used my body to keep Hunter out of trouble. I am so glad those days are behind me.

Life with Dare is an adventure, but at least it doesn’t involve crime and sex. We spend our time laughing and talking. Dare tells me what in a girl makes him feel alive.

She would be someone who has him laughing with her off-the-wall jokes. Who helps him forget life can be a shitty mess with her business ideas for bringing joy to people through scents and little gifts. Who has him anticipating what the next day will bring. Hopefully, more of her company. It’s interesting that the girl who would make him happiest describes Gwen Bliss to a T.

“Tomorrow, I’ll look up where the away games are and book us rooms that have a piano. If not, I’ll have one brought in.”

The lengths he goes to to get his therapy. I’m surprised he didn’t try to convince me to go with him to Cambridge.

I rise from the bench, walk over, and pull him in for a hug. “You might not want to hear it, but eventually, you need to speak with Gwen.”

“Last time I attempted, she ran the other direction. Fucking ran, B.”

“I’m sorry.”

“You talk to her for me.”

“Uh-uh. This is between you and her. I will not lose either of you by choosing sides.”

“Syn.”

“You can’t persuade me, Dare. Now go shower. You stink.” I push him in the direction of the bathroom, pull out my cell, and check the time.

I have an hour before I have to FaceTime Taron. After I shower and change into my pajamas, I do some reading on my phone. Dare pokes his head inside the bedroom.

“Ready to snuggle?”

He gives me a shit-eating grin.

“You wish.”

We have never overstepped our friend zone, and I don’t plan on crossing that line. Dare has personal baggage I’m not sure I can handle and still stay sane.

“Night, Syn. Thanks again.”

“Good night, Dare.” I wave to him, then switch from reading to finding Taron’s number in my contacts.

I FaceTime him. He answers right away. I smile, then put on my best nonchalant expression. There will be no encouraging him. Or letting him think all he has to do is get angry and I’ll come to heel, giving in and giving up another ring.

“Make this quick, Taron. I have an early morning.”

“You making me breakfast?” Crooked grin and the butterflies in my stomach are fluttering a mile a minute.

Why does he have to look so goddamn gorgeous with those dimples of his and the gleam in his pool of ink eyes?

---