Page 37 of The Dare

It’s as if holding me is as easy for him as carrying a sweater.

“We’ll miss our train,” I remind him. Noticing just how close we’re getting to these deep, dark woods once I finally open my eyes.

Michael stops, and looking down he assures me we have plenty of time.

“What about your mom? Suzanna too?” he asks, and I twist my mouth, feeling my face contort as I consider my options.

Not really liking any of them.

“I’ll miss seeing mom off. Dad won’t even turn up on time if even at all, and Suzanna will hate me until I beg her forgiveness. Then she’ll forget all about it until she sees you again,” I tell him point-blank.

I’m predictable, but my family and best friend?

I can read them in a foreign language underwater with my eyes shut.

Michael chuckles quietly, turning with me in his arms to face the station and then twists his body back to the forest.

In one day I’ve seen the best and the worst of the few people I’m close with.

Making me wonder just how much they really care for me and how much they care about their version of what Ishouldbeto them.

What I should do. Who I should see.

Four years at college has changed me, sure.

But an hour alone with Michael has changed me more than anything.

Changed the direction of my whole life, I can feel it without so much doubt now.

“I’ll have to stay with Suzanna tonight,” I tell him. Knowing I wouldn’t be able to think straight knowing she was on the same train hating on both of us for being together like this.

I feel Michael’s disapproval before I hear a low grumble from his chest.

He tenses up a little, sniffing as he looks into the woods frowning.

“I’ll go wherever you go,” I tell him. Meaning it.

Meaning every word. “Just tonight, I think Suzanna needs me more,” I say.

Almost kicking myself that I’m choosing her over Michael as a bunk buddy for the night.

“I guess we can’t have her with us, and she is a littleunpredictable,” he finally says, having thought it over.

I know I can’t have it both ways, being with MichaelandSuzanna on the train, but if I can have some more time with her I should be able to sway her into seeing how amazing Michael really is instead of just being such an asshole to him every time she sees him.

“I want you with me, in my bed,” he tells me, looking down at me with his dark eyes catching the silver of the moon.

Or is that just how clear and bright they always are?

“I won’t sleep a wink, ya know,” he adds, his lips flat in resignation.

Making his first sacrifice, and not just for Suzanna’s benefit.

He’s doing it for me, I can tell.

“Thank you,” I tell him, leaning forward, feeling all my weight taken by his arms without him even flinching before I peck his cheek.

“What was that for?” he asks, pretending to be slightly miffed still, but I know he’s already thinking of ways he can keep me close.