“I can’t.”
“Youcanand you will.”
I shook my head. I wish I could tell you my hair went with me, but I can’t.
“Go.”
I took a moment to look at the guy I was supposed to talk to. He’s so… everything. “He’s not the right one,” I said as a droplet of sweat started to run down my forehead. “He’s too pretty.”
“No. He’s just a guy. He probably lives with his mommy.”
Suddenly, I laughed, because that was funny. Turning to Carley, I looked her in the eye. “You know dang well that he”—I pointed in his general direction—“doesn’t live with Mommy.” No, a guy like that… he’s got his own house. Maybe a condo. A nice one.
I waited for her to tell me we could leave, but that’s not what I got. “You’re really going to make me do it, aren’t you?”
Glancing at the man then back to Carley, I asked, “Do what?” I didn’t know what she was talking about.
“Fine. But just remember you made me do this.” She sighs. “I double-dog dare you.”
I was suddenly frozen. I couldn’t breathe. Or blink. “What?”The word came out as a screech.
“You heard me.” She was starting to sound like the angry Carley from earlier. The one who stood in my bedroom doorway and commanded I go out tonight.
“Really?” That time I sounded squeaky.
“Really. I’ve coddled you for far too long. I’m proclaiming this a double-dog dare situation.”
A double-dog dare situation?
“You’re invoking the triple D?For this?” I had to concentrate on my air intake because I was seriously shocked. “It’s notthatbad?” I mean, seriously? We hold the triple D with high esteem. It’s so revered, we’ve never actually used it.
“Yes, it’sthatbad. I’ve been trying to get you to talk to a guy for two and a half years. You’re a junior now. You’re going to graduate in a year and eight months. What kind of best friend would I be if you left here without talking to a stupid guy?”
“I talk to guys.”
“Those nerds in your engineering classes don’t count.”
“Hey.” I was about to defend those nerds in my engineering classes when she held up her hand.
Excuse me?She’s giving me her hand?
“They’re nerds. Just like you.”
“Hey!” This time I had to defend myself, at least.
“There’s nothing wrong with being a nerd. You’re going to make three times more than me when we go out into the workforce. So I don’t feel sorry for you. But we can hash that stuff out tomorrow. Right now.” She placed her hand on my shoulder. “Right now, you’re going to march your little tushy over to that hottie and you’re going to talk to him.” She gave me a warm smile, then she did it again. She pulled out the big guns. “I double-dog—”
“Iknow,” I said, so loudly, the people around us could hear so, I repeated quietly, “I know. You double-dog dared me.” Which meant, I had to do it this time.I had to. It’s the promise we made to each other in ninth grade. If we double-dog dared the other, wehadto do it. It is rare, sacred, and once uttered, unbreakable.
The only good thing about getting this over with… the sooner I did, the sooner we could leave and the sooner I could go home, change into my comfy clothes, and eat my weight in some kind of cookie, whichshewas going to buy now that she was forcing my hand. It’s the least she could do.
Sliding off the stool, I pushed my dress down as far as it would go, which wasn’t very dang far. I reached up and attempted to do something with my hair, but it wasn’t going anywhere. Taking in a lung full of air, I released it slowly.
“Quit dicking around and go.” Carley’s voice turned all growly on me. I didn’t like it.
“Fine,” I gritted my teeth and growled. She was starting to irk me.
Taking a step, then another, and another, I made my way around the corner of the bar and spotted him waiting in line to order. He was easily the tallest one by several inches. Not even his buddies were as tall. I took another step but this one felt like my feet were in quicksand. The closer I got, the harder it was to walk. And to breathe. My heart pounded in my chest so hard it felt like it was gonna jump right out.
