Page 51 of The Dare

I was torn between Suze and Michael. But now it’s clear.

“I love you, Suze,” I tell her. “I’ll always be here for you, but I can’t have you treating me or Michael like crap just because you didn’t get your way. That’s not fair,” I pause. “That’s not what life’s all about.”

She looks up at me with scorn again, opening her mouth to say something horrible again, but I’ve already turned to leave.

I’ll give her the key to mom’s place before we leave. But I don’t want to feel like a target for her anger right now.

Sorry, Suze. I hope you feel better soon.

Making my way back through the train, back to Michael, my cell chimes and I groan aloud.

I know it’s my mom.

No one else would call, and especially not at such an awkward moment.

She always knows when something’s up, and usually always calls at the worst possible time.

But I did miss seeing her off, so I answer. Telling her how bad I feel for not being there to say goodbye.

“Your dad was tied up anyway,” she says, sounding upbeat but already making excuses for the man.

I wonder how long it’ll last this time. A week? A month?

“I’m fine, Mom,” I tell her truthfully, hearing her list off all the reasons she’s worried about me.

Least of which is an argument with Suze, which I quickly fill her in on. Knowing that Suze will be calling her anyway with her version of events.

But at the top of her list is the new stranger in my life, Michael.

“Just be careful sweetie,” Mom pleads. “Make sure and head straight home once you get off the train, and stick close to Suze,” she says a couple of times. Like she hasn’t even heard a word I’ve said.

Feeling suddenly fatigued again at dealing with this, with these people. I just go along with whatever she says until I can get off the phone.

Grateful when I reach Michael’s suite and find his door open.

He looks up, beaming a smile before asking me what’s wrong.

I must have it written all over my face, but it’s such a messy story I don’t know where to start.

The best remedy is his open arms, and in seconds I’ve dropped my bags and buried myself in Michael again.

His warm, amber scent and strong hands running over me, his deep, soothing voice soon makes me forget about everything else instantly.

Chapter Sixteen

Michael

She’s upset when she comes back, but I kinda figured any talks with her best friend would be like that for a while yet.

I’m glad her mom got off the train when she did, or we’d have her to deal with too no doubt.

“It’s like I predicted,” Natasha says when I probe her. Asking her firmly if she really is okay.

I hate seeing her without a smile.

“…I missed seeing my mom off, dad was a no show after breaking down so mom caught a cab to go rescue him, and now Suzanna hates me,” she says with a shrug.

Upset but not broken over it all.