Page 75 of Wallflower

"I told you that we'd figure everything out. But I thought you might be worried which is why you're in a bad mood."

I nodded, grasping onto the excuse.

"Yep," I said. "That's it. You got me."

"Ah flower," he said. "Why didn't you just say so? I have an idea."

"You do?"

"Yeah"—Dare shrugged—"I was just about to tell you that before you turned on the music and started giving me the silent treatment."

I kept my eyes firmly ahead.

He sighed. "Ty told me he's throwing a party Saturday. I thought we could go together."

"How would that help convince my dad?" I said.

"I'll pick you up—or I guess, I'll jog over so you can take us." He laughed at himself. "Anyway, we could try phase five then."

I frowned. "You mean in my house? If my father caught us doing anything there, he'd flip. Do you want to die?"

"Hey, I'm not saying we have to go to your bedroom or anything," Dare said, and I swear my heart skipped a beat. "I like my head attached to my body, thanks."

"As long as you understand the risks…" I trailed off.

Part of me wanted to say: No, no, no, I don't want to do this anymore. Let's just call off this craziness. But another part still didn't want to give him up…even knowing he didn't feel the same.

Ugh, stupid, stupid heart.

I didn't look, but I could tell Dare was grinning when he said, "Your dad doesn't scare me, flower."

"He should," I mumbled.

Pulling into the lot, I left the engine on, watching the rain and trying to get my thoughts in order.

"You know, you need new wipers," Dare pointed out. "The windows are all streaky. That can't be safe."

"And you're insulting my car now?" I said then patted the dashboard. "Don't worry, Buttercup. I love you just as you are. Unlike some people."

Dare was quiet a beat then, "It wasn't a dis to the car. I'm concerned for your safety. I worry about you, flower."

His sweet words cut me.

"Well, stop," I said, hearing the harshness in my tone. "I don't need you pretending to care. That wasn't part of the deal."

"You're my friend, Vi," he said. "I care about all my friends."

Annnd I suddenly realized how dumb I was acting. Dare hadn't led me on, at least not on purpose. It was my fault for reading the signals wrong. He was just trying to be a good friend. Wow, I felt like an idiot.

"Okay," I said softly.

"Okay?" he asked.

"Yeah"—I sighed—"Ty's party and meeting up beforehand sounds good. Sorry if I was rude. I just didn't get a lot of sleep last night."

Dare nodded. "No problem. I have my bad days. It can be hard sometimes."

Trying to lighten the mood, I gave a shrug. "That's what she said."

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