Page 24 of Wallflower

Everything stopped. It was as if he'd sucked all the air out of the room with that one statement.

I swallowed past the lump in my throat. "What did you just say?"

Seeing my face, Dare winced. "Ah flower, it wasn't like that. He was just worried about you. Coach wanted to make sure you had someone, a friend to help make senior year one to remember. Naturally, I was his top choice."

I blinked, having trouble taking it in.

"It's really not a big deal," he said.

A hysterical laugh wanted to bubble up, but I pushed it down. I was absolutely mortified. Of course, I was. But curiosity was battling inside me, too.

"So, my dad hired you to be my friend?" I asked.

"Hired isn't really the right word," he said. "It's not like he's paying me or anything. He just asked, and I said yes."

"What exactly were you supposed to do?"

Dare shrugged. "Talk to you, be there for you, the normal stuff."

"None of this is normal," I shot back.

"Yeah, I guess you're right," he said.

My head was spinning with all of the implications. A thought occurred to me then, and I asked, "Is your car even really in the shop?"

A nod. "It is. I wrecked it pretty good, side-swiped a tree this summer. My dad's refusing to pay the bill for repairs. Not like I care. The car was a bribe anyway," he mumbled.

Okay, well, at least that part was legit.

I wanted to ask about the "bribe" comment but couldn't bring myself to do it.

"So," I said, "my dad hatched this crazy plan, and you just jumped to do his bidding."

Dare wouldn't meet my eyes. "Coach asked for a favor. He and I are tight. I didn't see any reason not to do it."

And that's when I knew it was all true. Closing my eyes, I remembered another "favor" my dad had asked of me not too long ago involving the guy standing just two feet away.

"How could he do this to me?"

The question was rhetorical, but Dare answered anyway.

"I think he was trying to look out for you," he said. "Not all parents are like that. You're lucky."

Stiffening my spine, I met his gaze. "I know. I still love him, but Dad's crazy if he thinks I won't get him back for this."

Dare chuckled. "What are you going to do?"

"Haven't decided yet," I muttered.

"I bet you'll think of something good."

"Oh, don't worry. I will." I nodded to him. "But congratulations, Dare. You're off the hook. Thanks for telling me the truth. Your services as rent-a-friend are no longer required. You can go now."

"No."

My eyes went to his. "What do you mean no?"

"I promised Coach," he said, "and I'm no quitter."

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