Page 75 of The Step Dare

Her expression relaxes.

“I mean, me and my friends are older than a lot of the people in there,” I say, “but we’re all having a good time.”

“Yeah, I don’t just want to meet people. I want to date.”

“Well, some hot guy could be coming later—”

“Because you just assume I’m straight?”

“Oh, I—”

“I’m queer as hell. I’m a lesbian.”

“I’m sorry she’s being like this,” her mom says.

“It’s fine. I’m queer too. And, Sadie, I think you could have fun if you go in. I’m actually more of an introvert myself, and it’s not as easy for me to meet new people. But my best friend ever is outgoing and can chat up anybody, and he’s basically shown me that you can meet pretty cool people anywhere if you’re open to it.”

She looks at her iPad, frowns, and shows her mom the screen. Her mom smiles before signing to her, and they both burst into a laugh. I’m guessing the app made some error transcribing what I said.

Sadie studies my face for a few moments, then says, “You seem like a cool guy, but I’d rather spend the day at home.”

Yeah, maybe I shouldn’t have approached. I’m about to head back into the gym, when an idea springs to mind. “How about I make you a deal: you come in and have the best time you can with my friends and the guests, and if a girl around your age comes in, I’ll introduce you. You could at least make a new friend that way.”

She reads the text, her eyes narrowing. I’m sure she’s gonna refuse, but she says, “I’ll give it a try. But you gotta dance with me and Mom so we don’t look like losers on our own. And I’ll blame you if it sucks.”

She starts toward the gym, and I tell her mom, “Well, she’s definitely gonna be a handful for any girl she does date,” just as Sadie opens the door and turns to us.

“I saw that!” Sadie says. “And I told you I can lip-read too.”

“I know. I waited until you were looking to say it.”

She and her mom get a kick out of that as I lead them inside, noticing Brenner at the door, his eyes wide. Clearly, he heard at least part of our conversation.

Sadie leads her mom to the dance floor as Brenner walks alongside me. “I was coming to see if I could get a quick make-out session. Wasn’t expecting to see that side of Taylor.”

“Is this your boyfriend?” Sadie asks him.

Jesus Christ, what’s with the B-word today?

I’m waiting for Brenner to correct her, and when he doesn’t, I figure I should, but by then, Sadie’s already dancing with her mom.

22

Brenner

“How’d that happen?”I ask Taylor.

“Sadie?”

“Is there more than one random girl you were talking with tonight?”

“Look who brought jokes,” he teases, and for some reason, I can’t stop myself from pulling him close. Taylor comes easily, my arms around his shoulders while he faces me. “I heard them talk. She didn’t want to come in, and…” He shrugs. “I guess I understood her because I was the type who was standing on the sidelines when I was her age too—though probably not as sassily,” he jokes, and I laugh.

“So Taylor to the rescue?”

“I wouldn’t go that far.”

I grin. “I would.”

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