Page 57 of Dare To Take

She turns the lock and lifts the lid. A leather diary is nestled inside. Her eyes fly up to meet mine.

“I’ve always thought the way they put little locks on paper covers is pointless.” I wave a hand toward the box. “At least that’s harder to break into.” I hand her the second gift.

This one cost me nothing but time, and as her gaze tracks over it, I wonder if she’ll throw it back at me.

It’s a sketch of her standing in front of a mirror. She’s wearing a pink t-shirt and black yoga pants. Her hair is in a ponytail, and her face is bare of any makeup. There’s a frown on her face as she stares at her reflection.

The Arabella in the mirror has her hair in pigtails, there’s a choker around her throat, and her makeup is dark and heavy. She’s wearing the short skirt she had on when we went out for the day, as well as the long stockings and a cropped top that shows the barest hint of her breasts. A knowing smile tips her lips up.

She doesn’t say anything, tucking the sketch beneath the diary.

I nudge the third gift toward her with my foot, then move back to take my seat. She stares down in confusion at the black and silver brocade that spills out of the paper when she tears it open.

“You’re designing a dress for your art project,” I say into the silence. “I caught a look at it during a class. There’s enough material there for you to make it with.”

“Oh my gosh!” Elena claps her hands, saving both of us from speaking further. “I’m so proud of you both. Look at how much thought you put into those gifts.”

I shift uncomfortably on my chair. “Yeah, well …” I glance at the clock mounted on the wall. A pointless action, since I have no fucking idea what it says. “I promised Kellan I’d call him. If you don’t mind …”

“Be back down at three,” my dad says.

I’m off my seat and out of the room before he can change his mind.

Yes, I’m running. I don’t want to stick around for Arabella to throw everything back at me. I take the stairs two at a time and lock my bedroom door behind me once I’m inside. I hit Kellan’s number on my cell and lift it to my ear.

“Merry Christmas, asshole,” he greets me.

“How’s it going?” I sprawl onto my bed and stare up at the ceiling.

“Oh, you know. Everyone loves me as long as I’m paying for everything. I’m thinking about buying a house somewhere … maybe a deserted island.”

“You should have come here.”

He sighs down the line. “And then I’d have had to listen to the wails of despair. God forbid, they think I’m upset with them. I might cut them off.”

I chuckle. “Are they really that bad?”

Kellan is silent for half a second. “No, not really. It’s just a little claustrophobic having such ridiculous amounts of attention paid to me. Usually being the recipient of this much affection means I’m going to at least get my dick sucked.”

“I’m sure there’s someone willing to get on their knees for you.”

“How scandalous, Eli. This is my family you’re talking about.” His mock outrage makes me laugh. “Paragons of the back of beyond town they live in. They would never dare do something so … taboo. Anyway, it would break Miles’ heart if I cheated on him.”

I laugh harder. “Sure, it would.”

“You doubt me, my friend? That boy is crazy for me.”

“Crazy for your dick or just crazy. Have you spoken to him at all?”

“Yeah.” His voice turns serious. “He mentioned breaking up with Arabella. Can’t be seen with the school whore, you know? It’ll damage his reputation.”

I squash down my anger at his words. I know it’s not what Kellan thinks. “More than coming out as gay will?”

“He’s still in denial. Gay for me, he says, but usually likes girls. Yet, other than Arabella, he can’t name a single girlfriend he’s had. Funny that.” He doesn’t laugh.

There’s something in his tone that bothers me. “Have you caught feelings, Kell?”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” But his denial comes too quickly.

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