Page 71 of The Dating Game

“Yes,” I declare happily. “I am.”

“Yes!” Sydney exclaims. “Yes, yes, yes!” She’s totally victory punching the air right now. I just know it.

But you know what? So am I.

Because I am now dating Will without the threat of him finding out about the bet hanging over me.

And that’s worth more than a few victory air punches.

Chapter 26

Will

There’ssomethingdifferentaboutBrooke. Ever since she came in from the phone call she got yesterday afternoon she’s had this sort of lightness to her. Like someone who just got good news—you got the job, your cancer is gone, your debt is paid, you’re forgiven.

But what her news was, I have no idea. And although I’ve thought about asking, there hasn’t really been time. We spent yesterday afternoon doing some local service projects in our respective groups. My group helped repair a fence a recent storm destroyed at an elderly woman’s home. Meanwhile Brooke and her group went to a nursing home and visited with the residents there. Then last night we had a worship service then played some organized group games.

We’ve got an hour of free time this afternoon, though, and all I want to do is spend it with her. Our group served lunch today, so I’m hurrying to clean up, worried if we take too long she’ll find some other way to spend her time. Unfortunately, my group members are less anxious to be finished cleaning. They’re too busy playing some made up game with brooms and a balloon they stole from VBS this morning.

“Alright, Silas, Lee, Collin, Hudson, let’s wrap up the weird version of sweeping that you’re doing so we can get out of here,” I announce, having finished putting away all of the leftover food. “Robbie and Xander, nice work on the tables.” I’m not at all surprised that Xanderis doing actual work. His girlfriend, Aubree, came over before her group left the dining hall to solidify their plans for their afternoon, meaning I’m not the only one desperate to get out of here on account of a female.

“What’s your hurry, Will?” Silas drawls, leaning lazily on his broom. “Surely, you’re not trying to ditch us for a woman. Our chaperone would never do that.”

Collin and Hudson snicker, but Xander moves onto wiping the serving counter saying, “C’mon, guys, he’s not the only one that wants to get out of here.”

“What do you and Aubree have planned for this afternoon, Xander?” Silas asks, prompting Lee to make kissing noises. I am fairly certain my maturity level is on a downward trajectory this week courtesy of all the teen time I’ve been having. I almost laugh right along with the others at Lee’s antics.

Xander isn’t bothered though. On the contrary, he nods and says, “That’s right, Lee. So hurry up and sweep the dang floors.”

The boys all start hooting and hollering, but I feel duty bound to remind Xander of something. “It’s fine if you and Aubree want to hang out outside, but remember no boys in the girls’ sleeping areas and vice versa.”

“Yeah, yeah. We know.” Xander gives me a thumbs up.

Everyone finally gets moving on their jobs—even if they do continue to make jabs at me about being so desperate to get to Brooke—and we finally finish all of our tasks.

Unfortunately, I’m unable to find Brooke. She’s not in any of the church common areas or on the soccer field. Tim and Debbie offered to supervise any of the kids who wanted to swim to the beach today, so quite a few of the kids are in thewater or scattered along the beach. I catch sight of a couple of the girls from Brooke’s group and head their way. Maybe they know where she is.

“Oh, she stayed back in the gym,” Farrah replies when I ask them if they know where Brooke is. “She said she wanted to catch up on some time with Jesus.”

“Okay, thanks.” I smile and turn back to the church, my mind drifting back to our conversation the day before. She said she’d been letting her time with Jesus slide lately, but it didn’t seem like she wanted to tell me the exact reason for her reluctance to engage with Him. I could be way off, but I couldn’t help but wonder if it had anything to do with the bets she made with Sydney. Brooke is a good person, which means I wouldn’t be surprised if she feels guilty for playing with people’s emotions. In fact, I’d be surprised if she didn’t.

I’ve been forcefully ignoring the uncomfortable feeling in my gut that regularly pops up to remind me that she’s dating me as a bet, but now I wonder if I should tell her that I know about it.

Of course that would mean admitting that I engaged in a little game of my own for a while with my whole annoy-her-until-she-breaks-up-with-me song and dance. But I put Operation Dating Game to rest a long time ago…do I really need to tell her about it? As a lawyer would say to a judge, it’s irrelevant…Right?

Wrong. If I want a future with Brooke, I’m going to have to tell her.

And the thing is: I want a future with Brooke.

Which sort of stinks considering she’s got a two-month timeline for our relationship.

Why am I continuing to overlook that very important fact?

My musings carry me all the way to the gymnasium doors, at which point I remember that I can’t go inside. No guys allowed in the girls’ sleeping quarters. Even chaperones.

Shoot.

With a heavy sigh I contemplate my choices. I could leave and catch up with her later today. But I really want to see her now. I could stand nearby and wait for her to finish and come out. But I’m not sure lurking outside the girls’ sleeping quarters is that much better than going in them. I could call her, but my phone is down in the basement, charging. I could knock. Chances are she’s alone in there and will answer.

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