Page 63 of The Dare

She’s trying to sound calm, but the rise in tone gives her away.

It’s her freaking out voice.

Before I can say anything, she’s already told me she can’t reach Suze either.

“Just tell me you’re safe,” she says with a sigh. “Tell me I’m overreacting, sweetie.”

I look over to Michael, who’s still towering over a mountain of food with his back to me.

His huge body flexes with no effort as he makes the smallest movement.

“I’m fine mom. Better than safe.” I assure her with a grin, already eager to get off the phone.

Done with dinner, I’m ready for a six-foot-something dessert.

“Well, how was the rest of the trip? Did you girls cab it or bus it back from the station, and what happened to that big man you were hanging around with? I hope you didn’t hurt his feelings when it came time to go home…”

On and on she goes, and I just can’t find the words or even have the heart to tell her the truth right now.

I can’t lie either. Mom’s far too clever for that, so I limit myself to single words, vague answers.

“Is Suze there?” she finally asks, making my heart leap into my throat.

“Uh… No. Not right now,” I tell her, mindful I’m still not technically lying.

It does mean she hasn’t spoken to Suze yet, which is a good thing.

I don’t tell her I’m with Michael, but I don’t exactly tell her I’m not home either.

“How are things with you?” I finally get to ask, hoping it will get me out of the spotlight, but she goes quiet. Almost talking in a whisper when she finally does answer.

“I should’ve stayed at home,” she murmurs, making me feel bad for her but at the same time not too surprised.

My dad’s effect is generally anti-climactic. No matter how many promises he makes or how much he claims to have changed.

History always repeats sooner than later, and by my reckoning, he’s set a record this time around.

This is bad news though because it means mom might already be planning on heading back.

Something I don’t want. Not for me or even for Suze right now.

If I’m having fun here, I can only imagine that Suze isn’t wasting any time either.

As long as she’s not usingmybed.

Gross.

Not my bed anymore though, so I guess she may as well have it.

A part of me, theoldme still wants to smart over how close my mom and Suze have become. But something tells me now that Suze has found a romantic interest of her own and she might not be so eager to hang out with my mom.

I decide I have to call Suze next. I can’t risk having mom run about with second thought syndrome, calling us up again, or planning to come back right away.

Dammit, dad. Why couldn’t you have proved us all wrong and made a real change?

The thought of even beginning to try and explain things between Michael and me to my mom is too much.

I recall how sore Suzanna was about it all, and know for a fact that although my mom thinks Michaels’s a great guy, the shoe will be on the other foot once she finds out what we’ve done.