Page 158 of I Dare You
I want to get better for myself.
But most of all, I want to get better so I can live a life outside these walls without being afraid.
We walk toward the table and chairs and take a seat.My cheeks heat at the way Kit looks at me.Has he always been this hot?
When he sits back in his chair, his broad shoulders becoming more prominent, I know the answer is yes.
How lucky I am to call him mine.
“So what’s new?”Dandy asks me.
“Hmm, let me see, I learned how to knit.”
Kit’s lips twitch, while Dandy nods with a wide, animated smile.
“Maybe I’ll knit you a hat and a matching scarf,” I offer as I’m impressed with my knitting skills.
“Ooh, that sounds like what I need living in Texas.”
“Ungrateful much?”I tease, rolling my eyes.“What’s in the bag?”
Dandy passes it to me over the table.
I open it with curiosity, but arch a brow when I see what’s inside.“A cactus?”
Dandy nods.“Yes, according to Google, gifting a cactus symbolizes that the person is a fighter.And I am acknowledging that you’re strong and you’ve overcome challenges,” Dandy recites like he’s been sitting in on one of my therapy sessions.“It’s also durable and won’t die.”
The moment he says the word, he pales.
Kit takes my hands, and the silver rings on his hands cool on my skin.“You hear that, Cupcake, something you can’t kill.”
A hush falls over us, and just as Dandy seems on the verge of tears, I suddenly burst into uncontrollable laughter.
Dandy appears relieved while Kit chuckles beside me.
It’s nice to laugh even though the subject matter is totally messed up.
“Thank you, Dandy, I love it and will ensure its longevity.”
“Better than a knitted hat,” he quips.
This is why I love them so much.They make me feel like I’ll be all right.
“What’s going on out there?”I often refer to the outside world as an alien world because I don’t live in it—not yet anyway.
Dandy has the worst poker face—ever.
“What?”
Kit shuffles in his chair, while Dandy was one to never keep a secret.“There’s talk that Jack Bloom’s charges will be dropped.”
Kit sighs, irritated that Dandy didn’t begin with a bit more subtlety.
“Is that true?”
Kit nods.“Yes, his defense says your claims are false because?—”
“Because I’m in here?”I finish for him.
