"They were having fun when I came out here," Mom put in.
"Were they?" he asked.
She nodded. "In fact, they were having so much fun they didn't even notice me at first."
Oh God.
"Really?" Dad's smile turned curious. "What were they doing? Playing a game or something."
"Or something," she said.
"Well, don't let us keep you from your party," Dad said still totally clueless.
"I was actually thinking maybe Viola should stay home."
My eyes shot to hers, but my father shrugged. "I don't see why. She's got her cell phone if she needs us. She knows curfew is at midnight. And Dare's her friend. He'll be there to watch her back. Right?"
"Right," Dare said. "I won't let anything bad happen to her."
Mom shook her head, biting her nail. "I'm not sure."
Dad kissed her forehead. "It's only a party."
"I know," she said. "But…"
Dare's phone went off in his pocket.
He pulled it out, read the text on the screen then looked up. "That was Tyson," he said. "He was just wondering where we are."
Mom met my eyes. "Have fun, Viola," she finally said. "And…just be safe."
"Thanks, Mom," I said, knowing how hard that had to be for her. I said my goodbyes and left with Dare. Once we had driven to Tyson's, however, I had an attack of conscience. Turning to Dare, I shook my head.
"Sorry, but I think I should go home," I said.
"But your Mom said…"
"I know." I took a deep breath. "I just remembered I have a lot of homework and studying to do."
Worst excuse ever.
Dare probably knew I was full of crap, but he didn't call me on it.
"Okay," he said. "No problem."
"Can you catch a lift with someone else?" I asked. "If not, just call when you're ready to leave and—"
Dare held up a hand. "You're sweet, Vi. But I can find a ride home."
Hopefully not with some other girl.
I couldn't stop the thought from coming, but I also couldn't stay.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
What a loaded question.
"Of course," I said, faking it for all I was worth. "I'll see you tomorrow."
Dare surprised me by leaning in to press a kiss to my forehead. Though I knew it didn't mean what I wanted it to, my eyes closed instantly. I opened them again as he drew back.
"What was that for?" I asked.
"To celebrate the success of phase five," he said. His lips turned up in a half-smile. "Your mom saw us, and there's no way she's not going to tell Coach about this. Mission accomplished, right?"
I nodded. Of course. The revenge plot. How had I forgotten?
"Right," I said.
"Drive safe, flower."
With that, Dare got out, and I watched as he walked up the steps to Tyson's front porch. He was surrounded by people before the door completely closed. And yes, there had been a lot of girls in that circle. I sighed and drove back home. Even if I had stayed at the party, there wasn't anything I could do about that. It wasn't like we were an actual couple.
Dare wasn't really mine.
The thought shouldn't have saddened me.
But it did.
CHAPTER 15
It was the morning after what I now referred to in my mind as The Wall Kiss. I had spent all night thinking, and the memory of Dare's lips, his hands holding me up, the feeling of being surrounded by his warmth, sent shivers straight through me.
One thing was certain: Dare was very good at pretending.
That kiss had sure felt real.
But it wasn't, I reminded myself sternly. This was all just a means to an end.
I heard my parents talking before I saw them.
"They're both good kids," Dad said. "I think you may have misread the situation."
"And I think you need to wake up. Come on, Becks. I saw them with my own two eyes."
They were in the kitchen, and I stopped just outside, peeking around the corner to see. Dad was seated at the coffee table, and Mom was pacing back and forth in front of him.
"Tell me again," he said.
Mom stopped, put her hands on her hips. "We've been over this a hundred times. I walked out of our bedroom, and they were right there. Kissing."
"Kissing," Dad repeated. "What does that mean?"
"Oh my God, Becks." Mom laughed. "What do you mean what does that mean? They were kissing. Their lips were locked together. I have no proof, but I'm pretty sure tongue was involved. Do you need me to go on?"
My father blanched. "No, thanks. I got it."
"Finally," she said and sat next to him. "So, what should we do?"
"I think we're missing something." Dad thought for a second and then snapped his fingers. "I bet it's for that class. I saw them practicing once before and almost got the wrong idea. They're both taking theatre."
Mom tilted her head. "Do you even hear yourself?"
"What?" Dad said.
"Theatre. Our shy, introverted daughter who would rather die than be on stage," she said. "Don't you remember how she threw up during the first grade play? It scarred her for life, and she had two lines."
His brow furrowed. "But it's the only explanation that makes sense."
Mom placed her hand on his forearm. "There's another more plausible one, and I think you just can't see it," she said.
"Tell me then," he said. "Please."
"They like each other."
"No way. Dare's one of my players. He knows the unwritten rules. And Viola would never—"
"Viola would," she said, "if her heart got involved. You know how deeply she feels things."
"That's true." He shook his head unable to believe it. "But Sal…Dare would stay away
