Wallflower

by Cookie O'Gorman

  "Dare, you're my best friend, and I love you," he said in a rush.

  "I know, man." Dare patted him on the back. "I love you, too."

  "No"—Tyson shook his head—"I'm in love with you. I have been for years. I was just afraid to say anything because I didn't want it to get weird between us."

  I wasn't sure who was more shocked, me, my father, or Dare.

  Usually confident and outspoken, it took him a second to find his voice.

  "Uh, thanks, Ty," Dare said. "I had no idea you felt that way. I'm sorry if I led you on, but…"

  Tyson waved all that off. "No, no, I get that it can't work between us. You're straight, and I'm…well, I don't really know. I've liked girls and guys, but that's beside the point. This isn't about labels."

  "Okay," Dare said. "What is it about then?"

  "This is about, Viola," Tyson said. "She inspired me to confess my true feelings. And God, it feels good to have that off my chest. I already feel better."

  He looked over to Dare then, a hint of vulnerability coming into his eyes.

  "We're still friends, right?" he asked. "I'm going to need someone I can talk to until I make new friends in Korea."

  Dare pulled him into guy hug. "Of course, we are, Ty. Believe me if I swung that way, you'd be the first person I hit up."

  "Ah, I'm flattered." Tyson shook his head. "But it would never work. And we both know why."

  Dare gave him a hard glance, but Tyson threw me a wink.

  "I believe you had something to say, Vi," he said.

  I'd just opened my mouth—when my dad jumped into the conversation.

  "Wait," he said and stepped in front of me. Dad grabbed both my hands. "Before you say anything, Viola, there's something you need to know. I asked Dare to be your friend. I know I should have never done it. God, I wish I could take it back. But I need you to know that I'm sorry, and I never meant to hurt you."

  I nodded. "Thanks, Dad. But I knew that already."

  "You did?" His eyes widened in surprise. "But how…"

  "Dare told me at the end of the first week," I said. My father's eyes shot to Dare then came back to me. "He confessed everything almost from the beginning. And I was hurt. That you'd do something like that behind my back."

  "I'm so sorry, Vi," he said again. "I just wanted you to have friends and be happy."

  "You wanted me to spend less time at the shelter," I pointed out.

  "Yeah, and that." Dad smiled. "But I was wrong there, too. I see now why you were happy there. I'm so sorry, honey."

  "It's okay" I said. "I've been trying to get back at you for it ever since."

  My father took a couple steps back, looking to Dare who nodded in confirmation.

  "I even blackmailed Dare into helping me. I had this dumb idea about getting revenge on you by pretending we were together." I gulped. "All those times you walked in on us, the kissing, none of it was real."

  Dad sighed in relief.

  But Dare suddenly stepped forward.

  "Actually," he said, coming over to stand beside me, "it was supposed to be fake, but it was real. At least for me it was."

  His words and the look in Dare's eyes made it harder to breathe.

  My father's brow furrowed. "But how could it be if she blackmailed you?"

  "That wasn't really a factor." Dare grinned down at me, and I furrowed my brow. Was he still just pretending? "Flower, tell your dad what you blackmailed me with."

  I shook my head. "I don't want to get you in trouble."

  "It's okay. Just tell him."

  My eyes shifted from him to my father. "Dare was the one who pulled that prank with your Mustang. You know the one you loved so much?"

  Dad shrugged like it was no big deal. "Yeah, I know. Dare told me about it himself sophomore year."

  "You did?" I asked and looked to Dare in confusion. "But I thought—"

  "That you had something over me, and that was why I agreed to be your fake boyfriend?" he said. At my nod, he shook his head. "Like I said, that didn't even play a role in my decision."

  I was taken aback. "Then what made you do it?"

  "You asked me, flower." Dare stepped closer and ran a hand over my cheek. "That was enough for me."

  My dad cleared his throat.

  "Does this mean I'm forgiven?" he said. "I really am sorry, Viola. The fact that you went to such lengths to get me back is a little scary. But I know I deserved it."

  I nodded. "You definitely did."

  "I promise it won't happen again. I'm so sorry, sweetheart."

  "It's okay, Dad," I said and smiled at him. "You're my favorite muggle, remember?"

  "And you're my baby girl." He pulled me in for a hug then looked between the two of us, making sure to shoot Dare a warning look. "I'll give you two five minutes, but if you're not back in here, I'll come looking for you, Frost."

  "Yes, sir," Dare said.

  My father was suddenly all business.

  "Alright then," he said and looked to Tyson. "Last I checked we have a game coming up this week. Time to work out a strategy for beating Broughton. You up for it, Ty?"

  "You know it, sir," Tyson said back. He threw Dare and I grin. "You two kids have fun."

  "But not too much fun," my dad said seriously then nodded a clear dismissal.

  As Dare spirited me off into the hall where this all began, I had a hard time sifting through all of the revelations, believing what I thought I'd just heard.

  "Dare," I said a little out of breath, "I have something to tell you. So please don't interrupt."

  Dare nodded. "Okay but talk fast. I've got five minutes, and I'm not going to waste all that time talking."

  My heart was beating triple-time. The implication of his words was clear, but I had to get this out.

  "I know you told me at the beginning not to fall in love with you," I said.

  Dare went to speak, but I silenced him with a look.

  "You're so confident, some might even say cocky." His smile grew, but I kept going. "I love that, and the fact that you're also kind, smart and funny. It definitely doesn't hurt that your body's gorgeous, and your face could be on book covers."

  He chuckled at that.

  "You're an amazing soccer player, Dare. I've honestly never seen anyone better. But you're so much more than that. It doesn't make sense that we'd be together. I know our relationship was supposed to be fake and that you don't think love is real."

  I moved my hand to his cheek, gazing deep into his eyes.

  "But you're my person," I said. "I can feel it. As surely as I feel your skin against my palm or the breath in my lungs, I know that you are the one for me. And I love you so much, Dare Frost, that it's okay if you don't believe in love. I'll love you enough for both of us."

  Dare's eyes were sparkling, and he lifted a brow.

  "Are you finished?" he said. "Because I have some things to say, too."

  "Go ahead," I said.

  Dare's voice when he spoke was filled with intensity.

  "This was never fake for me," he said. "I've wanted you for years, flower. I just never thought I was good enough to have you."

  "But—"

  "Shh," Dare said, "it's my turn now."

  I nodded.

  "I was jealous when I found out you'd confessed to Ty. So jealous, flower. He was my best friend, but I truly hated him when I thought you wanted him over me." Dare shook his head. "It scared me, my feelings for you. I didn't want to tell you because I thought there was no way you'd feel the same. I'm just not that lucky."

  He wrapped his hands around my waist and pulled me closer.

  "I told myself to leave you alone. I'd done it all these years. What was one more? But then you came to me with that crazy scheme about getting revenge, and I couldn't resist."

  Dare lowered a kiss to my temple.

  "It allowed me to do things like that…and more."

  I shivered but didn't say anything, afraid he'd stop talking.

  "I got to know you bett
er, flower, and everything I found out just made me want you more. Your sarcasm, your mind, your heart. Those animals you care for? I wished I was one of them because they had your full attention, and I felt like that's all I wanted."

  I gasped as his hands flexed on my waist.

  "That cello you love so much? I wanted to be it so bad if only for the chance to be so close to you."

  I held my breath as he pressed his forehead to mine.

  "I love you," he said simply. "Always have, flower. Always will."

  It took me a second to find my voice.

  "But I thought you didn't believe in love."

  "I didn't," he said. "Until I met you."

  Melting. I was melting with every word.

  "Can I kiss you now? Before your father comes and drags me away?"

  "Oh yes, please."

  And then his lips were all I knew. Every press was better than the last, every caress I felt down to the tips of my toes. His mouth was like the air I hadn't even known I'd been missing until I could finally breathe him in. Oh, I would never get tired of kissing him.

  We broke apart minutes, hours, who-knew-how-long later.

  But Dare was smiling.

  "I guess this means we're together now for real."

  "Yeah," I said with a laugh. "I guess so."

  "I better get back to the office," he said but made no move to go.

  "Yeah, you totally should."

  We ended up kissing again for a good ten minutes, but still no one came looking. I figured that was Dad's way of making up for the fake-friend thing. As far as apologies go, it was a pretty good one.

  "I really do need to leave." Dare laughed as he pulled away a second time.

  "Okay, go," I said and placed one last kiss on his lips. "I'll see you later."

  "You will," he said. "I love you, flower."

  My eyes twinkled as I said, "And I love you, Mr. Darcy."

  Epilogue

  "Oh my gosh, Viola! I think your dog ate my bow!"

  I rushed into the room faster than a blink.

  "What?" I cried.

  "Oh wait," my cousin Scarlett said a second later, lifting the long wooden stick into the air. "Never mind. It's right here."

  I breathed a sigh of relief and reached over to pet Hermione.

  "Thanks for the near heart attack, Scarlett."

  "Sorry." She pointed her bow at the dog. "She was sitting near my violin with this smile on her face like she might've done something bad. When I couldn't find my bow, I got nervous."

  I rolled my eyes. "That's just Hermione. She's a very happy girl."

  The dog barked, gazing up at me with adoring eyes, and I scratched her behind the ears. Turned out the nice young couple who'd adopted her? Yeah, that was my parents. Mom had gone to the doctor a few days before to have her allergies tested, and as it turned out she wasn't allergic to dogs after all.

  It was a lucky thing, too.

  My parents seemed to love her just as much as I did.

  "Hermione," Dad called from the hall. "Come here, girl! I've got a treat for you!"

  She was out of there like a shot, and the next thing I heard was, "Yes, yes, I love you, too. Oh, you give the best kisses. Love you."

  Aurora (cousin #2) smiled. "Sounds like he may love her more than you."

  "Maybe even more than Aunt Sally," Freya (cousin #3) put in.

  I shrugged. "Not possible. But I think he did fall the hardest."

  "Uncle Becks, the animal lover," she mused. "Who knew?"

  Not me, I thought. When I came home the day that they'd adopted her, the first thing I saw was my mom petting Hermione, who was curled up beside her as she read a book. That was when I realized what they'd done. They'd asked Paris not to tell me, so it would be a surprise. Hermione had jumped down and came to me while I'd cried, thanking my mom again and again for bringing my girl home. Dad arrived a couple hours later, his arms laden with a dog bed, bowls, toys, the works. He dropped it all to hug Hermione and give her tummy rubs. She was as spoiled as a dog could be. But she deserved it all.

  "Are you guys all tuned up?" Scarlett asked. "It's almost time for us to go out there."

  "Yep," Aurora said. "My violin's always ready."

  "Yeah, because you practice constantly," Freya said.

  "Just because you're naturally gifted, doesn't mean we all are, Frey."

  The redhead grinned at that.

  "Are you guys almost ready?" Lotte (cousin #4) stuck her head in. "I gave you a five-minute warning ten minutes ago. The 'rents are getting a little antsy out here."

  "Yeah, we'll be there in a second," Scarlett said.

  "Oh, and there's this really hot guy sitting in the front row."

  We all looked at each other…then ran for the door. It would've been hilarious to anyone who saw us trying to get through that door at the same time, and my cousins and I were laughing as we finally got through. But the laughter dried up as we poked our heads around the corner.

  "Wow," I gulped. "That's a lot of people."

  "Duh, we have a big extended family," Scarlett said. "Don't worry. They'll love us."

  "Yeah, they have to because we're blood," Freya put in.

  Aurora gasped. "Oh my God, Lotte, you were right. Who is that guy?"

  "Don't know," Lotte said. "But I hope we're not related because I am currently having impure thoughts."

  "Me, too," Aurora said.

  "Yep," Freya said, "count me in on that as well."

  "What are you talking about?" I said, but as I asked the question I caught sight of him. Though we'd thought we were hidden, just spying on the crowd, he had already spotted us.

  "He's looking this way," Scarlett hissed. "Stay cool. Don't make any sudden movements."

  Freya gave her a look. "What, are we about to be attacked by a bear? It's just a cute guy."

  "A very cute guy," Aurora added.

  "A tall, dark, and gorgeous guy who obviously plays sports with that rocking body," Lotte said.

  Scarlett sighed. "And I bet he's good at them, too."

  Dare tossed me a wink, and the girls swooned.

  "Wow." Freya fanned herself. "He's hot."

  "Oh, I so hope we're not related," Lotte said again.

  I laughed, couldn't help it.

  "We're not," I said. "That's my boyfriend Dare."

  "That's your boyfriend?" Scarlett said, and I nodded. "Well done, Viola. What a hottie."

  "He's more than that," I said and gave him a smile. "But thanks. I could introduce you guys if you want."

  Aurora shook her head fervently. "No thanks. Hot guys freak me out, and I'm nervous enough as it is."

  As Dare stood and started to walk over, they all jumped into action.

  "See you in second, Vi," Scarlett said. "I'll bring your sheet music."

  I nodded my thanks.

  "We'll see you later," Freya said, giving me a pat.

  "Kiss him once for me, will you?" Lotte said.

  "I'll see what I can do," I said, and then they were gone.

  Dare sidled up next to me, leaned his shoulder against the wall. I had to admit he did look good in his black slacks and baby blue button-down shirt rolled up at the elbows. The shirt brought out the color of his eyes, so they were even more striking. His smile was all for me.

  "Looked like you girls were having fun spying," he commented.

  "Yeah, it's what we do," I said.

  "Were you talking about me, flower?"

  I shook my head. "Nope. They completely overlooked you, sorry."

  "Didn't look that way to me," he said.

  "They may have said something about the hot guy in the front row," I admitted.

  He took my hand, looking down as he played with my fingers. It sent little jolts of electricity running along my skin.

  "And did you tell them I was yours?"

  "I may have," I said softly.

  Dare looked into my eyes. "Good."

  My breath caught at that, but he smiled.

&
nbsp; "Your uncles are all staring at me like they want to rip my guts out right now."

  My jaw dropped, but as I looked over I could see that he wasn't that far off. Dad was sitting there talking with his older brothers (all four of them), and they all looked ready to come right over at the slightest sign of trouble. I rolled my eyes and threw them a smile and a wave. Everything's okay guys. You can relax.

  "They're just protective of all of us kids," I said. "Don't take it personal."

  "Oh, I don't," he said. "So, are you ready to play and bring the house down?"

  "I'm pretty nervous."

  "You're going to be great, flower," he said and brushed a kiss to my hand. "I know it."

  My cheeks went hot, but I gave him a nod.

  "I'll try my best," I said, trying to control my pulse. "How was Professor Snape when you left?"

  "Grumpy as always," Dare said with a fond smile.

  He'd taken me up on my suggestion and adopted Professor Snape. Though when I asked Paris about it, she said Dare had asked her about Snape way before that, when he'd first started at the shelter. Apparently, Dare had loved Snape from the start. And now, both he and Hermione had their forever homes. Whenever I went over to Dare's or he came over to my house, they got to see each other for playdates—though Hermione did most of the playing while Snape just pretended to ignore her.

  "Do you think they'd kill me if I kissed you right now?" he asked.

  "I don't know," I said.

  "I'm finding it pretty hard to hold back. You look so pretty, flower."

  I glanced up at him from beneath my lashes. "Thank you, Mr. Darcy. So do you."

  He groaned. "Man, are you ever going to stop it with that?"

  "Nope, never," I said. "That's your name after all. And you insist on calling me flower, though I've asked you not to."

  "You love it," he said.

  I did.

  I shrugged. "Plus, Varcy is a better couple name than any of the others. Don't you think?"

  "Vida," he said.

  "What?" I asked.

  "It's our couple name," Dare said and moved a bit closer. "Vida. It means 'life'. And you definitely changed mine. For the better, flower."

  "You changed mine, too," I said softly. "Oh Vida. Dare, that's beautiful."

  He shook his head. "No, you're beautiful."

  This one, I thought as I looked at him. This one is for you, and you should never let him go.