Page 14 of Almost True
“Well, don’t be lazy about it! You’re both intending to stay the winter, and that campervan won’t be livable once it gets cold. Whoever loses needs to start searching for a rental before all the affordable ones are taken.”
“I know. But what if I dare Korren to move into the cabin with me? Then we’ll both be out of your way, and I bet he’ll drop out in no time. He likes his personal space.”
Uncle Rhodes sighs, some of the tightness around his mouth easing. “You know, that’s a great idea. The cabin needs a bit of work, but I’m sure you’d be up for it.”
I’m weak with relief. “Thanks, Uncle Rhodes. I’ll do that this weekend.”
Then I drain my coffee and escape before Uncle Rhodes changes his mind.
Chapter 12
Korren
When Dex pounds on my door at an unreasonable hour on Saturday morning, I snarl, “What the fuck are you doing? I’m not holding your fucking hand on the weekend!”
I hear a hearty laugh from outside my door, so I stumble out of bed and wrench it open to glare at him.
“Did you forget about your dare?” He’s grinning at me like I’m the butt of a joke, and I want to punch his fucking mouth. At least I wasn’t sleeping shirtless. It’s been too cold for that, even though it’s the middle of summer.
Then I remember. Shit, that’s right. I dared him to take me to coffee.
“What kind of fucking café is open this early?” I growl.
“I was actually planning to take you to my friend’s bakery. It’s open from seven.”
I’m about to object that this is cheating, but then my mind catches up with me and I realize this might involve breakfast as well. My stomach gives an answering rumble.
“You’re paying for breakfast too, if that’s what you had in mind,” I say sourly.
“’Course. Well, to be honest, I’m hoping my friend treats us, but if not, it’s on me.”
“Give me a minute.”
I slam the campervan door in Dex’s face and stumble off to get dressed. I’ve been sleeping in one of the filthy sets of clothes that I still haven’t washed, because I don’t want the new set getting wrinkled, so at least I’ve got something decent to change into. I’m painfully conscious that I haven’t been able to shower yet. Atleast I’ve got dark hair that hides some of the grease and filth, but I’m sure I reek.
I hadn’t thought about it when I gave Dex the dare, but I’m nowhere near ready to display myself somewhere as public as a café. People are going to stare at me because I’m fucking disgusting more than because of whatever Dex and I do.
But I can’t back out now.
Fuck this.
Once I’m dressed, I scrutinize my reflection in the tiny mirror in the campervan bathroom. I drag a hand through my hair to flatten it, but there’s no hiding the fact that I haven’t brushed it out properly in a while. At least my face is clean. That’ll have to do.
Dex is waiting outside with his back to the door. As soon as I’m outside, the cold air wakes me up more thoroughly, and I decide I don’t mind being up before seven after all. Not that I’ll admit that to Dex.
It’s even nicer when we get into town and the street is deserted. There are lights on in the kitchens of a couple cafés, but all of the storefronts are dark. Obviously Dex doesn’t want too many people seeing us together. That’s kind of ruining the point of the challenge, but I don’t really mind. It’s a relief not to have anyone staring at me.
Oddly enough, it feels strange not holding Dex’s hand as we walk. I’d gotten so used to it these past couple days that it feels like I’m floating alone in the sea without his hand to tether me in place.
We don’t talk much until we reach the bakery, where Dex’s friend calls out a greeting from the kitchen.
“Morning!” Dex calls back. He leads the way to the counter, where I salivate over pastry cases that are already filled with croissants and cinnamon rolls and donuts and cupcakes.“Rowan, this is Korren. Korren, Rowan. He’s my best friend from when we were kids.”
“Good to meet you,” I say, making an effort at politeness. At least Rowan isn’t looking at me like I have no right to befoul his bakery. He’s as tall as Dex, with a messy brown bun, a short sculpted beard, and a small hoop in one ear.
“The same goes to you,” Rowan says with a smile.
“We’re here for breakfast,” Dex says. “And coffee.”
