Wallflower by Cookie O'Gorman (first color ebook reader .TXT) 📗

in that moment, Dare became even more attractive.

Once I recovered, I gave a small shrug.  "Yeah, or the shelter's always looking for blankets and food.  But you don't have to bring anything.  Just yourself."

Dare nodded.

"Great," he said.  "Ready to drop off your cello?"

School went by so fast after that.  Between Dare, Estelle, Jovonte and even Tyson, I had to be honest.  It felt like I'd found my tribe.  I'd heard people talk about that but never really understood.  Until now.  As much as I'd been convinced that releasing Dare from our fake relationship would be best, I couldn't deny that I loved having him around.

I loved how he wouldn't let me give up.

I loved how he wanted me at his games.

I loved how he was determined to find us a killer couple name (though that was definitely a lost cause).

I loved that he'd agreed to help at the shelter without hesitation and wanted to bring the animals toys.

I loved that he'd become my real friend, and I didn't want to mess it up.

I loved…so much about him.

And that scared me.

  CHAPTER 13

I hated to admit it.

But I was actually starting to like soccer.

Wait, back up and put an asterisk beside that.

I liked watching Dare play soccer.  There was something in the way he moved that made it all so effortless, though I could tell it wasn't.  The people around him didn't look that way.  They often tried to do the same things he did.  Tried being the key word there.

The guy could do anything with a soccer ball.

Case in point, right at this moment, Dare was dribbling the ball down the field.  He passed to Ty, who was hot on his trail.  Ty went to pass, but some player on the other team knocked him down—looked like a foul to me, but what did I know about the rules of soccer?—and a second guy intercepted the ball, taking off in the opposite direction.  It looked like no one could stop him.  He was too far ahead.  I remembered him from the first half because he was the top scorer for the other team.  The kid was wicked fast, and he had a clear shot to the DHS goal.

But Dare chased him down.

Not only that, just as the other player was about to take a shot, Dare stole the ball back with a slide that defied the laws of Physics.  He went down onto his hip with one leg extended—but was back up the next instant, jogging in the other direction, the ball now firmly under his control.

Dartmor's player looked dumbfounded.

It took the kid a moment to get his head back after that.  But by then, it was too late.

Dare only needed that slight hesitation.  He and Tyson passed the ball back and forth, again and again, until the net was right there.  Either of them could've taken the shot.  But Dare let his best friend do the honors.

The ball went in with a whoosh, and the crowd went wild.

Tyson and Dare did this chest bump/hug combo.  The game resumed, but after that, it was another blowout.

Dare, Tyson, and Jovonte came over to us at the end of the game.  Smiles ate up all of their faces.

"What's the verdict, flower?" Dare said as Gigi and Estelle showered Jovonte with praise.

"On what?" I asked.

"Was it just luck last time"—his brow raised—"or do you think I have a future in the sport?"

Tyson scoffed as I rolled my eyes.

Just to mess with him, I tilted my head side to side.  "Eh, I'd say your chances are fifty-fifty."

Dare groaned.  "A little harsh there, Vi.  You could at least tell me how good I did."

"I don't want to embarrass you with compliments," I said.  "I know how humble you are."

Tyson barked out a laugh.  "Embarrassed?  Humble?  This guy?"—he pointed his thumb at Dare—"Yeah, right.  We've been best friends forever, and I don't think anyone's ever described him that way."

I nodded.  "On second thought, he is a bit cocky.  All the more reason to withhold flattery."

"And I know how sarcastic you can be," Dare said back and then spoke to Ty.  "Despite the good girl act, she's actually quite the smartass."

"Why, thank you," I said not even taking offense.

"My pleasure."

Tyson laughed again and pointed between the two of us.

"You guys are too cute," he said.  "It's almost sickening to watch."

Dare and I had been smiling at each other, but at that, he turned to Tyson.

"What are you talking about?" Dare asked.

"I'm just saying you're like the definition of couple goals."  Ty shrugged.  "It's obvious how much you love each other."

I didn't know who was more shocked, Dare or me.  But his smile was the first to drop.

"That's real funny, Ty," he said, a frown marring his features.  "You should give up soccer and become a comedian."

"No really," Ty added.  "For a single guy like me, the love you two share, it's something to aspire to.  You know?"

"You've got the wrong idea."  Dare took a step back.  I hadn't even realized we were standing so close until he put the space between us.  "It's not like that.  Me and flower are just having fun."

Each word was like a punch to the chest, but Dare wasn't finished.

"We may be a couple, but it's not serious."

Ouch.

"And Viola knows that."

Did I though?  I'd really started to believe we might be something more.  And this conversation was painful, like watching all of my hopes being crushed right before my eyes.

"Really?"  Tyson didn't sound convinced.

Dare put a hand on his shoulder.  "Man, you know me.  I don't do serious relationships.  I never get too wrapped up in a girl."

"I guess that's true."

"Yeah,