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

soulmates, too.  I'm glad you found each other."

"Yeah," Dare said.  "Me, too."

"Any plans for after graduation?" I asked.

He shrugged.  "I've been offered full-ride scholarships from a few colleges."

"A few?" I repeated skeptically, and he laughed.

"Okay, a lot.  I've had my eye on UNC for a while, but honestly, I don't care where I go as long as I can play soccer."

That made sense.

"What about you?" he said.  "Are you going to be a vet or study cello?"

I smiled at his assumption.  "Not sure if I want to be a veterinarian or open a rescue nonprofit.  Something with animals for sure.  I'll still play music for them, of course."

"Speaking of, any chance I can get a private performance?"

"Sorry, but I only play for four-legged creatures who don't judge," I said.  "Oh yeah, and my family.  They kind of force my cousins and me to perform a little recital every year when we get together."

Dare's eyes gleamed with interest.  "And how do I get a ticket to that?"

"It's usually family only.  We have a big one."

"What about boyfriends?" he asked.  "Can they come?"

I swallowed the lump in my throat.  "Yeah…but I doubt we'll still be pretending in October, Dare."

He waited.

"If we are, I guess you could come."

He pointed a finger at me.  "I'm going to hold you to that, flower."

Oh my heart.  I decided to change the subject to hide how giddy his words made me.

"Alright since the forty-five minutes is nearly up," I said.  "I go back to my first question.  What is your real name?"

"Thought you might forget about that," Dare muttered.

"No way," I said.  "And you better tell me because you promised."

Dare mumbled something under his breath.

"What was that?" I said.  "Could you speak a little louder."

Dare shifted his glare to me.  "Okay, but if you laugh, I'm never telling you anything again."

"I'll try my best," I said.  "So, finish this sentence.  Hello, my name is…?"

"Inigo Montoya, you killed my father—"

I cut him off with a look.  "I love a good Princess Bride reference.  But you're not getting off the hook that easily."

Dare took a breath and then let it go.

"Darcy," he said.  "My real name is Darcy."

I blinked.  "You're kidding?"

"Nope," he said.  "My mom was a big Jane Austen fan.  She named me after the main character.  One of the stupidest names ever."

"It's not stupid," I said.  "I love Pride & Prejudice."

Dare groaned.  "God, not you, too."

"It's a great love story," I insisted.

"But the name's still stupid."  He shook his head.  "You'd definitely laugh if you knew my middle name."

"Try me."

"Fitzwilliam," he said deadpan.

"So Darcy Fitzwilliam Frost?" I said.  "That's awesome."

"No, it's awful.  And the worst part is I didn't even get a good nickname out of it."

"Why don't you just go by Darcy?"

He shot me a look.  "Do I look like a sorority girl to you?"

I bit back a laugh but tried again.  "Why not Fitz or Liam then?  Those are both solid nicknames."

Dare held up a finger.  "One, I'm not British."  He held up a second.  "And two, do I look like a member of a pretty pop boy band?  Come on, flower.  Get real."

"You are rather pretty," I said.

"Viola."

I was having a really hard time not laughing, but I tried my best.

With a cough, I said, "I guess Dare does fit you better."

"It does."  Dare gave a decisive nod.  "And if you tell anyone about this, there will be heck to pay."

I held up my hand.  "No need for threats, Mr. Darcy.  I promise not to tell a soul."

"Oh, you're going to pay for that, flower."

I squeaked as he tackled me onto the couch, laughing as he started to tickle my sides.

"I'm not letting you up till you apologize," he warned.

"Why Mr. Darcy, this is so improper."

With a growl, he started his tickling again, and I continued to laugh.

"Seriously, I love your name," I said through my giggles.  "All of them."

"You do?" he asked.

I nodded.

Dare's hands were still on my ribs, and I was laying underneath him when the door opened.

"Dare?" someone said.  "Whose car is that outside?  You mother took my spot, and it's taking up the rest of the driveway."

We both froze as a man I'd never seen but knew instantly walked around the side of the couch.  He was the spitting image of a grown-up Dare.  A woman appeared beside him and frowned down at the two of us.

"Ah, I see we have company," the man said.

Dare stood and helped me up from the couch.

"Another one, Dare?" the woman commented.  "Really?  I thought you'd toned it down on all the girls."

My face flushed hot as both of them ran assessing eyes over me.

"Dad, Mom," Dare said through gritted teeth.  "I didn't know you guys would be home today."

The man shrugged.  "Why not?  It's a holiday."

"I thought you'd be spending the night again with Cecily," he said.

"Cess is out of town to see family."

"Nathan expects me back later."  His mom sniffed.  "We're having the apartment fumigated, so I needed somewhere to go for a while.  Besides, it's almost time for dinner."

"And?" Dare said.  "We never eat together like a normal family."

"Dare."  It was a warning, but Dare didn’t look like he was going to back down.

I gave his parents an awkward wave.  "Hi, I'm Viola," I said.  "Sorry for intruding.  I was just about to leave."

"But what about your clothes?" Dare asked.

His mom scoffed.  "Just like your father."

"Mother," he snapped.  "It's not like that."

I turned fire engine red at her assumption but decided to brazen it out.

"I'll get them tomorrow."  I looked back at her.  "And