Page 71 of Dare To Take

My body goes cold, and I stop to lean against a tree. I’ve spent the last week convincing myself the school wouldn’t allow it.

My lips press together at the words on the screen.

Is this some stupid joke? Kellan trying to prank me?

Me: Whoever this is, I’m not going to play your stupid games. Just leave me alone.

Unknown number: Wrong answer, Arabella.

Chapter 45

Eli

“I haven’t seen you out here in a long time.”

I finish my lap of the pool, then tread water near to where my dad stands by the ladder. “I spend more time at school than I do at home, so why would you? Is there something in particular you wanted?”

“I thought we could go and pick up a new car before you go back. You’ve had the Bugatti since you got your license, and I had it for a year before that.”

I tilt my head, staring at him. “Pick up a new car? Not buy one?”

He smiles. “I’ve already paid for it. I had it on back order. I hoped it would arrive for Christmas, but there was a delay.”

“I like the Bugatti.” I haul my body out of the water and reach for a towel to dry off.

“You’ll like the Lamborghini more.”

“You bought me a Lamborghini?” I wrap the towel around my hips, pull a t-shirt over my head, and walk toward the house.

“An Aventador. In black, of course. They delivered it to the dealership this morning. Go and get dressed, then I’ll drive you over there to get it.”

“What about the Bugatti?”

“Maybe Arabella can have it. Can she drive?”

“I have no idea. Not sure a Bugatti is the car to learn in, though.”

We part company at the staircase, and I go up to my bedroom to dress. He’s waiting for me when I go back down.

“What happened to punishing me for what happened to Arabella?”

He glances at me as he drives through the gates leading out onto the road. “I’ll be honest, Eli. I have no doubt you’re capable of doing all of that to someone if they did something to inspire your hatred. But Elena is right. If you did, you wouldn’t broadcast your name all over it.”

“So, you believe me?”

“I do. I’m sorry I thought otherwise.”

***

The stereo is on low, more like background noise than being played to enjoy the music. The streetlights flash through the window as we drive down the highway. I’m focused on my phone, arranging where to meet Kellan when I get to school. We’ve left early, before sunrise, because Mom and Dad are flying out to Bermuda for a week to celebrate their twentieth wedding anniversary, and she wants to get back and not have to rush around before their flight leaves tonight.

“Are you sure you don’t want to come with us, honey?” Mom’s voice sounds over the music.

I shake my head. “I don’t really want to spend a week watching you and Dad playing kissy face.”

“If we had never played kissy face, you wouldn’t be here.”

“Yeah, don’t need to think about that.”

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