“Truth or dare!” Alex exclaimed.
“Great. This should be fun,” Rachael said sarcastically. She had never played truth or dare before, but she’d heard all about it. Common sense told her playing truth or dare with Misty was a very bad idea.
“Don’t be a party pooper, Rachael. It’s all among friends. Your secrets are safe here,” Honey said sweetly.
Sure they are. Rachael glanced at Misty.
“I’ll go first,” Alex offered.
Misty, who was sitting to her left, asked the dreaded question: “Truth or dare, Alex?”
“Truth,” Alex chose.
“Who was the first guy you ever kissed?” Misty asked.
“Fred, of course.”
“Really?” Amber acted shocked by Alex’s revelation. “I thought for sure it was Tom. I’d heard you kissed him last year.”
“Tom? Never! He’s not my type!” Alex giggled. “Nope. Fred. I’ve only kissed Fred.”
Next it was Amber’s turn. She was sitting to Alex’s right. “Truth or dare, Amber?” Alex asked her.
“Truth,” Amber stated.
“Other than Clay, who else have you dated at our school?”
“No one’s boyfriend in this room, but I did go out on one date last year with Mike Bloomfield.”
“Mike Bloomfield! But he was a senior last year!” Honey shrieked. “Wasn’t he a little old for you?”
“He’s friends with my brother, and he asked me to go to the movies. I said yes. He was the perfect gentleman, but we didn’t go out again. Then school ended for the summer, and I never saw Mike again because by that time I was dating Clay. Now Mike’s going off to college. That’s it. End of story. I’m in love with Clay.”
Next it was Honey’s turn. “You don’t even need to ask me. I already know what I’m going to choose. Truth,” Honey said decidedly.
“How many guys have you dated?” Amber asked seriously.
“Fifteen.” Honey grinned.
“Fifteen!” Everyone shrieked.
“Yes. Fifteen. That’s not all that many. There was Mike, Gabe, Roger, Mark, Terry, Jason T. and Jason P., John, Jarrod, Hank, Joe, Matt G., W., P. and T. I have a thing for Matts and Jasons,” she confided.
Honey turned to Rachael, who was sitting next to her. Rachael knew the dreaded question was about to come. On one hand “truth” wasn’t so bad. She didn’t have anything to hide, especially where guys were concerned. Well, except for the fact that she didn’t want to admit to Misty and Honey that she liked Travis.
And then there were the issues about her family. What if Honey asked her something awful about her father and the rumors they had no doubt heard by now? She’d have to take her chances with the “dare” part of the game. How bad could it be?
“So, which will it be, Rachael? Truth or dare?” Honey teased.
“Dare,” Rachael said bravely.
“Ooh! I can’t believe she’s going for the dare. I can’t decide this alone, ladies. This is too big of a decision. Okay, everyone but Rachael join me in the bathroom.” Honey jumped up and raced to the bathroom with the other girls in tow.
As they all left her sitting alone in the middle of the floor, she knew it didn’t bode well for her, especially if Misty was a part of the decision-making process as to the exact requirements. When they emerged from the bathroom a few moments later, they were all grinning from ear to ear. Whatever they had concocted was good.
They all seated themselves in their circle with the exception of Honey, who stood in the center of the circle like the Master of Ceremonies. Rachael got nervous. Visions of herself mooning the entire band tomorrow during rehearsals flooded her mind.
“So, Rachael, for your dare we’ve decided you have to call Travis and sing a song for him.”
“Sing?” Rachael asked. That’s not so bad.
“Yes. Sing. But not just any song. It’s his birthday tomorrow, and you have to sing happy birthday to him, like Marilyn Monroe did. In a really sultry voice.”
Rachael could feel her face burning. She wasn’t the best singer, and she certainly wasn’t any Marilyn Monroe. Misty must have come up with this idea to humiliate her, but Rachael wasn’t going to let her. She and Travis were friends, after all, and if it was his birthday, she was going to wish him a happy birthday, even if it meant singing. Besides, it was a much lighter dare than the ones she’d envisioned.
“I’ll do it!” Rachael jumped up and marched over to her purse.
All of the girls followed her over in anticipation.
She chose Travis from her list of contacts on her phone and selected his number. “Here goes nothing.”
The phone rang twice. Her heart drummed loudly in her ears. She was relieved when his voicemail picked up: “Hey, it’s Travis. Leave me a message.”
In her best Marilyn Monroe voice Rachael sang, “Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, Mr. Baxter. Happy birthday to you.” She hung up the phone and sighed in relief. “I didn’t even know it was his birthday,” she admitted.
“It’s not until August.” Misty smiled.
“What? I just called and sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to Travis, and it’s not even his birthday?” Rachael was annoyed.
“Oh! I thought it was today!” Honey said in earnest. “Whose birthday is today?”
“That would be Gabe,” Misty advised her. “That’s okay. I’m sure Travis will love hearing from Rachael.”
“Truth or dare, Misty?” Rachael’s eyes gleamed.
“Truth.”
There were a number of things Rachael wanted to ask Misty, such as, “Are you still in love with Travis?” “Have you always been manipulative and evil?” “Are you part snake?” Instead she decided to play nice and bring this tedious game to a close.
“If you could date anyone in the world, who would it be?” Rachael asked and knew as soon as she asked that question, it was anything but safe.
Misty’s eyes twinkled, and Rachael thought for a moment she would say “Travis.” Instead she said, “That’s simple. Jason Aldean.”
Rachael was glad when the game ended, and the conversation turned to shopping, giving her a reprieve from talking about Ty and their friendship that she herself wasn’t exactly comfortable with…or an even worse topic, Travis. Rachael wasn’t sure how to define their relationship, either. She both anticipated and dreaded his return at the end of the summer. Not knowing how he felt about her was the most difficult part of all. Now, to make matters worse, she looked like an idiot. She’d called to wish him happy birthday a few months early. She could phone and tell him it had all been a dare, and she’d been misinformed, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it.
*
The next morning she had a text from Travis.
Was that for me? Mr. Baxter? Trying to make me feel old? My bday isn’t until Aug but thanks anyhow. Enjoyed the song.
You’re welcome. It was a dare thanks to Honey. C u soon.
So there, Misty. He actually liked it!
*
A few days after returning home from band camp, it was Rachael’s birthday. Her mother, aunt, Michael, and the-ever present Ty celebrated with a simple cake and ice cream. Rachael discouraged Ty from throwing her a birthday party and agreed to a night at the movies instead.
He picked her up in his Porsche around eight o’clock, and they were off. On the way to the movie he stopped off at a local bar ’n’ grill.
“I thought we were going to the movies,” Rachael said.
“We are, but I’m starved. Thought we could grab a bite to eat first. The movie doesn’t start until ten.”
“Sounds great.” Rachael was hungry too.
Ty parked his car and came around to open her door.
The bar ’n’ grill was a popular sports bar with large flat screens, pool tables, darts, and air hockey. Rachael had heard all about it but had never been here since her move to town last summer.
“This place is huge.” She glanced around the room.
Just then the hostess walked over and greeted them. “Hey, Ty. The room is all ready. Follow me,” she said, casting him a sweet smile Rachael recognized as both familiar and flirty.
“The room?” Rachael asked.
“Yep.”
Instantly Rachael knew that “the room” where they were headed was some sort of birthday room surprise. He had promised her no birthday party, so what was this all about?
They rounded a corner, and there were probably twenty-five people in a long rectangular room. A buffet with chicken wings, potato skins, jalapeno poppers, fried onion rings, and a beautiful cake was spread out.
“Wow. Thanks.” Rachael didn’t know what else to say.
“It’s not a birthday party.” Ty winked. “This is your ‘She’s finally sixteen unbirthday party.’ ”
“If this is not a birthday party, then what is that?” Rachael motioned to the cake.
“That is a ‘summer celebration’ cake. That’s all.”
Rachael walked over to get a closer look at the cake. It was a giant surfboard riding in the middle of a huge wave, with Surf’s up, Rachael! written on it in giant script.
“But I don’t know how to surf.” Rachael grinned.
“I can teach you.” He smiled. “And don’t worry. No one is going to sing ‘Happy Birthday.’ ”
“That’s good to know.”
“How about a game of air hockey?” Ty suggested.
“Sure, but don’t go easy on me because I’m a girl.”
“Never would.”
They walked over to the air hockey table, and it was game on. Rachael matched Ty shot for shot, but she had the definite feeling he could do a whole lot better. He was not giving it his all.
Is he afraid he’ll hurt me?
“I said to not take it easy on me. Is this how you would play with a guy?”
“Nope.” He grinned.
“Then let’s have it. Or else you are about to get beat,” Rachael warned.
“Okay, but you asked for it.”
Now the real game had begun. The puck whirled across the table with tremendous speed, and Ty scored the first point. “I should have warned you. I have one of these in my game room at home.”
“Don’t be too sure of yourself. You’ve scored the first point, but you haven’t won yet. Victory is a long way off, my friend.”
The puck sliced across the table toward Ty, and he expertly deflected it away from his goal and back toward Rachael. She hit it in a downward chopping motion, making it lift off of the table. It sailed through the air and clipped Ty in the temple.
Rachael shrieked and covered her mouth as Ty jerked his head back, grabbing the right side of his forehead and temple. Rachael ran around to his side of the table where he was crouched on the ground. She squatted in front of him.
“I’m so sorry, Ty. Let me see. Are you bleeding?” She grabbed his hand to pull it back from his face so she could see for herself what damage she’d done.
Ty was laughing and smiling at the same time. “Boy, when you smack a puck you really smack a puck. That was amazing. The way it zinged through the air. You put a hit on that one.”
Rachael was still too worried about having hurt him to laugh. A welt raising where the puck had hit his head. She gently rubbed the spot, tracing it with her fingers. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
Ty gently grabbed her wrist, turning her hand over to his lips, and kissed it. “I’m fine. Ready to resume the game?”
“Are you sure?”
“Yep. Let’s go. And no taking it easy on me because I got maimed,” he joked.
Rachael and Ty continued the game. Eventually he beat her. They visited with all of their friends. Ty had even invited the entire dance team, minus Misty and Honey. Her closest friends Maysie and Shannah were still out of town, which bummed Rachael out.
I wish they were home. I miss them.
As promised, no one sang “Happy Birthday,” and no one had gifts, with the exception of Ty. He handed Rachael a large hat box with a hot pink and black polka-dot bow on top. Rachael opened it. Inside was a beautiful cowgirl hat—black felt with a black leather hatband that had a rhinestone covered belt buckle on one side. The leather hatband had both rhinestones and silver studs encircling it. It was intricate in design, as well as ornately decorated. The black made her think of Ty and his bad boy appearance. It was definitely something he would have picked.
“I love it.” Rachael put it on her head, unsure of the significance of his gift. Was it a hat like any other? Or did giving a girl a cowgirl hat constitute some sort of relational significance? Rachael hoped not and decided she was way overthinking this gift thing.
“I hoped you would.” Ty kissed her on the cheek. “We better get going to our movie, or we’ll miss it.”
Rachael decided to let the kiss on her cheek slide. Hadn’t she kissed Travis on the cheek last year as a thank you on the day he brought her Taffy? She had. It hadn’t meant anything other than friendship. Of course, if she were to kiss him now, it would mean something entirely different to her, even if it were only a peck on the cheek.
They said their good-byes and headed out the door. Rachael was quiet on the ride to the theater.
What exactly is going on here? The surprise not-a-birthday-party party? The beautiful cowgirl hat? The kiss on the cheek? Are we still just friends or is something else happening here? I feel like our relationship is evolving into something more, and I don’t want it to.
The movie was uneventful, and so was the ride home afterwards. Rachael was relieved to be home and decided she would have to stop hanging out with Ty for a while even if it meant her brother wouldn’t get to see him either. She needed some distance and didn’t want to mislead Ty.
*
The following day her mother took her to take her driving test for her permanent driver’s license. Currently she only had her temporary one. She had been waiting for this day for a whole year, and it was finally here.
On the way there her mother let her drive. When she got into the city, Rachael accidentally jumped a curb and scared both of them to death as she straddled the road and the sidewalk. Rachael saw an elderly woman ahead in the distance crossing the sidewalk and turning down a street on her large tricycle.
“Rachael! You’re on the sidewalk!” her mother exclaimed.
“I know. I never claimed to be any good at driving!” Rachael realized in the entire year that she’d had the temporary driver’s license she had done little to no driving. The country roads without any traffic and lots of wide open space didn’t really count. There had been no one to hit!
Rachael had a feeling in the pit of her stomach that this didn’t bode well for her driving test. She’d studied both the online resources and the booklet her mother had picked up from the DMV and therefore had no problem passing the written test. It was the driving part of the test where she bombed.
As Rachael sat in her aunt’s car attempting a parallel parking space—for over five minutes—she knew she was doomed to failure. After that, the driving instructor didn’t even suggest anything further. Devastated and bummed, Rachael returned to the main parking lot and parked the car. When she climbed out, her mother was there waiting patiently for her.
“I failed Mom,” Rachael said evenly. She wasn’t going to cry. She was angry more than anything else.
“Not failed. You just need a little more practice is all, dear. I had to take the driving portion of the test several times myself. You’ll see. We’ll work it all out.” Her mother comforted Rachael by placing her arm around her shoulders.
But how? How will we work it all out? You and Aunt Margaret are never home in the day when it’s still daylight out and that’s the only time I’m able to drive—before dark. Am I going to be the only junior without a license in the fall? I hope not.
And if I’m eventually lucky enough to pass the driving test, then what? I don’t even have a car. At least Aunt Margaret said I coul
d drive hers from time to time. Let’s look on the positive side. Not having a car still gives me an excuse to ride to school with Maysie and Shannah and, on occasion, Travis. That wouldn’t be bad at all.
Rachael returned home a little downtrodden about her failed attempt at a permanent driver’s license.
*
It was a little after ten o’clock the next morning when Rachael heard a knock at the door. She went to answer it.
“Good morning. You must be Rachael. I’m Mrs. McDaniels. Are you ready to go?”
“Not exactly. Why are you here?” Rachael was confused.
“Driving lessons. I thought your mother would have told you. Your brother’s going to join us.”
Rachael shook her head. Driving lessons? Are you kidding me? A glance in the driveway revealed a huge sky-blue Crown Victoria station wagon. It had to be from the eighties. On the doors were signs: McDaniels’ Driving School.
“In that?” Rachael squawked.
“Yes. If I’m going to risk my life being driven around by inexperienced drivers I want to have a lot of car around me. Besides, if you learn to drive that car you’ll be able to drive almost anything. Please grab your shoes and temporary license. I’ll be waiting outside.”
I’m so glad I live out here in the boondocks. At least no one will see me. That car is a beast. I hope I don’t back into anything.
Rachael reluctantly grabbed her shoes and rounded up Michael. “This should be interesting,” he chimed as they walked out of the house.
When Rachael climbed behind the wheel, the first thing the instructor advised her to do was adjust her seat and her mirrors.
As if that will help. I can’t see anything out of this car. The entire back end is a blind spot!
Instead she merely replied, “Okay. What next?”
“Now put it into reverse and back up.”
Rachael did as she was told.
Backing up out here is simple. There’s nothing to hit. Hopefully the rest of the day will go this well.
Rachael cruised down the back country roads, following the instructor’s directions, and had no idea where she was headed. When she turned off of Verna Road onto Fruitville Road, she recognized where she was—in Sarasota County making her way into town. These country roads didn’t present a problem.
Cowgirl Down (Redneck Debutante) Page 7