Everything stopped. It was as if he'd sucked all the air out of the room with that one statement.
I swallowed past the lump in my throat. "What did you just say?"
Seeing my face, Dare winced. "Ah flower, it wasn't like that. He was just worried about you. Coach wanted to make sure you had someone, a friend to help make senior year one to remember. Naturally, I was his top choice."
I blinked, having trouble taking it in.
"It's really not a big deal," he said.
A hysterical laugh wanted to bubble up, but I pushed it down. I was absolutely mortified. Of course, I was. But curiosity was battling inside me, too.
"So, my dad hired you to be my friend?" I asked.
"Hired isn't really the right word," he said. "It's not like he's paying me or anything. He just asked, and I said yes."
"What exactly were you supposed to do?"
Dare shrugged. "Talk to you, be there for you, the normal stuff."
"None of this is normal," I shot back.
"Yeah, I guess you're right," he said.
My head was spinning with all of the implications. A thought occurred to me then, and I asked, "Is your car even really in the shop?"
A nod. "It is. I wrecked it pretty good, side-swiped a tree this summer. My dad's refusing to pay the bill for repairs. Not like I care. The car was a bribe anyway," he mumbled.
Okay, well, at least that part was legit.
I wanted to ask about the "bribe" comment but couldn't bring myself to do it.
"So," I said, "my dad hatched this crazy plan, and you just jumped to do his bidding."
Dare wouldn't meet my eyes. "Coach asked for a favor. He and I are tight. I didn't see any reason not to do it."
And that's when I knew it was all true. Closing my eyes, I remembered another "favor" my dad had asked of me not too long ago involving the guy standing just two feet away.
"How could he do this to me?"
The question was rhetorical, but Dare answered anyway.
"I think he was trying to look out for you," he said. "Not all parents are like that. You're lucky."
Stiffening my spine, I met his gaze. "I know. I still love him, but Dad's crazy if he thinks I won't get him back for this."
Dare chuckled. "What are you going to do?"
"Haven't decided yet," I muttered.
"I bet you'll think of something good."
"Oh, don't worry. I will." I nodded to him. "But congratulations, Dare. You're off the hook. Thanks for telling me the truth. Your services as rent-a-friend are no longer required. You can go now."
"No."
My eyes went to his. "What do you mean no?"
"I promised Coach," he said, "and I'm no quitter."
I blinked as Dare smiled.
"Plus, I don't know if it's because you're kind of odd or because you don't kiss up to me"—he winked—"but I like you, Vi."
"You do?"
Dare nodded.
I shifted on my feet, not knowing what to do with myself or the words he'd just said.
"I think—no I know, we're going to be friends," he said.
Ugh. Who did Dare think he was, making outrageous deals with my father, delivering these mind-blowing declarations? I had to put a stop to it.
"I don't want to be your friend," I said with as much distaste as I could muster.
"Too bad, flower."
Dare stared into my eyes, his baby blues warm and unflinching as my heart tried to escape my chest.
"I'm going to be the best friend you've ever had," he said. The words were like a vow. "I'm going to friend you so hard no other friends will ever compare."
I had no idea what he meant by that.
But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't dying to find out.
CHAPTER 6
Two days later, it was still sinking in. I'd taken the weekend to contemplate, try and make sense of it all. But as much as I tried, what I'd discovered did not compute.
My dad, the father who I loved with all my heart, the one who still called me his "baby girl," had asked one of his players to befriend me.
And not just any player.
He'd asked Dare freaking Frost to be my buddy, my companion, my someone.
As if the two of us would ever be more than total opposites.
What alternate reality was I living in?
At dinner the other night, I'd had a hard time even sitting in the same room as him, knowing what I now knew.
Mom, who had always been able to read me, noticed something was off.
"Hey, Viola, is something wrong?" she asked.
"No." I shook my head. "It's all good."
"Is it that boy, Dare?" Mom cut her eyes at my father. "I still can't believe you did that. Roped her into driving him. What were you thinking?"
Yes, Dad, I thought as he looked up. What were you thinking when you asked the school playboy for that crazy favor?
Dad's face was the picture of innocence. "Viola's a good kid. Dare's a good kid, too. He's had some trouble in the past, but he's got so much potential. I saw an opportunity to help, and I took it."
I snorted softly.
More like he thought I was so inept I couldn't find friends on my own.
Not that I'd shown any evidence to the contrary…but still.
"Now that you mention it"—Dad sat up, unable to hide his excitement—"how are things between you and him? Everything okay?"
"Yeah," I said begrudgingly.
"And he's treating you alright?"
"Yes, Dad. Dare's been a total gentleman, even opens my door every day—though I've told him not to a thousand times."
