Page 109 of I Dare You
“Yes, don’t underestimate the Blooms and the power they wield in this town!You will get yourself killed!”
“Then so be it.But there’s no way I’m letting Rebecca get away scot-free.”
“No one is saying that.All I’m saying is let me do it my way.”
“Absolutely not.”My tone is firm.This is not open for discussion.
“Hallie!”Kit takes a step forward.
And so do I, eyeballing him.“Kit!”
“I think we all need a breather.”Dandy steps between Kit and me, sensing the impending battle.
But I refuse to back down.
I understand he’s trying to protect me, but I don’t need him to.
Kit eyes me angrily over Dandy’s shoulder.But he reads the room.
No one will surrender tonight.
“Fine.”
His cell rings, but he ignores it and storms through the front door, slamming it shut behind him.
I exhale when he’s gone.
Dandy looks at me like I’m delicate, and at any moment, I’m going to break down and cry.
But I don’t.
Tears won’t come because anger is the only emotion animating me.
“Hallie, I don’t even know what to say.”
“There’s nothing to say, Dandy.”
“All this time, I thought you left of your own accord.Or that I had done something wrong.But to know what happened, and to uncover it was Rebecca fucking Bloom’s fault hits different.Whatever you need, I’m in.That bitch needs to pay.”
There’s resolve behind his words.
“What a mess.”I slump into the chair and cradle my face in my palms.“I just want to run away and forget.”
Dandy sits beside me.“Don’t you dare do that again.You made me a promise.Remember?In the tree house?You promised we’d be best friends forever.”
I remove my hands and smile.But it’s weak.“I remember.I promise I won’t run.”
Dandy offers his pinky.“Pinky promise.”
I loop my pinky around his.“Pinky promise.”
He appears content and pulls me into a close embrace.“We have a lot to catch up on.But for now, I think you should speak with Kit.I don’t know what happened between you two, and I’d ratherneverknow.But I’m guessing you lied to him.You knew who he was, but he didn’t know who you were.You didn’t trust him enough to tell him the truth.
“Kit is many things, but he’s not a liar.I can see the way he looks at you.He has never looked at another girl that way.It’s obvious that he’s in love with you.”
I gasp for breath.“In love?”I somehow manage to say between wheezes.
Dandy nods.
