I Dare You (Barrett Boys)

by Jordan Ford

You don’t fall for your super cool, super sexy next-door neighbor. That kind of thing only happens in cheesy romance novels, and I’m not about to ignore the fact that I’d rather have Nate as a friend than some awkward crush I can’t talk to.

Shay snickers and starts humming along to the tune. I press my lips together, embarrassment swamping me. “I told you, that is… It’s Hailey’s music, okay?” “Dude, you were singing it at the top of your lungs.” “In the shower, which you totally should not have heard. What? Were you just standing by the fence listening?”

“Or, just keep being you.” She slaps my arm with a mischievous grin. “Because that’s what makes you beautiful.”

“I can look after myself.” “I know you can.” He shrugs, his green eyes telling me he absolutely believes it.

“Yep, I have no doubt in my mind that you are one hundred percent capable of doing this dare alone. But wouldn’t it be cooler to have my gorgeous face in those

selfies with you?”

I can do this. I can take these damn photos and show Krissy that I won’t be beaten. Not by her. Not by Alex. Not by anybody.

Ugh! It better not be a naked photo or something. I will slay that guy!

When we get home, I’m hunting him down and forcing him to delete that pic. Krissy will never use this as a weapon against her again.

“I have no idea. I mean, Nell...” “Love that woman,” he murmurs with a grin.

“Can I just point out that I think this is a really bad idea?” Nate starts climbing behind me.

“Yes, of course you can.” “You’re going to ignore me, though, aren’t you?” “Yes, of course I am.”

I follow her, curiosity and this weird sense of wanting to protect her tugging at me.

Logically, I know that’s not how the world works, but I’d do anything to take away the sadness in Shay’s smile right now.

But she nearly fell, and she feels kind of perfect against my chest right now. So maybe I can’t let her go. Maybe I never want to.

This makes Nate laugh and I instantly feel better. He can see straight through my lie and he’s not making me feel bad about it. This is why I love him. Like him. Have a mild crush.

Because I’m pretty sure we have enough photos to satisfy that cow.”

I swipe my thumb under them and hold her face in my hands. “If

you call and he doesn’t answer, then we’ll deal with it. You come over to me and I’ll give you a hug and promise you that I will never do that to you.”

“Right.” I blink, wondering how talking about Spencer and then promising to never ditch her has come to a peeing pants confession.

“I don’t care that you peed your pants, Shay. I know you think it’s humiliating, but I think it’s adorable that you laughed so hard. I love your laugh. It’s the best sound in the world. And I want to make you laugh like that, every day. And I promise that if we ever drink slushies, that we’ll park near some kind of bathroom, or that I will have a permanent supply of toilet paper in my car so that you can bush pee anytime you need to.”

Ghost or not, this psycho isn’t hurting Shay.

I’m wedged so tightly against his side I can barely move, but I’m not complaining. I like this spot. I think I could fall in love with this spot, actually.

I’m too cold, and too aware of the feel of Nate’s skin on mine, his long fingers encasing my small hands, warming me up from the inside out.

Luke’s been going out of his mind, and don’t even get me started on Joy. I think she was about ready to call in the FBI.”

Nate’s charged out here to protect me. I’ve always prided myself on being independent and unbeatable, but damn if I don’t have a serious case of wobbly knees right now. I could get used to Nate Parker having my back.

He crouches down to kiss me properly and the world disappears again. There’s no snow, cold, bitchy girls or cheating boyfriends. It’s just me and Nate.

He rubs my back, kissing the top of my head again. I kind of love it how he does that.

Fighting a grin, he sighs. “Would you like to come in for some cocoa, my girlfriend?”

“Why, thank you, my boyfriend. I would love that.”

But if it got me and Nate kissing then she forgives us for going there.

I guess Christmas doesn’t have to be the Grinch-fest I thought it would.

Don’t shy away from the tough conversations, Nathan. Be bold. Be kind. Be honest.”