“We’re going to the estate,” I say.
He doesn’t respond. He doesn’t have to.
I’m not sure it’s a good idea, returning there now. I start to say something, but then I see the hard determination in his eyes. No argument of mine will stop him.
We go several more miles before he finally speaks.
“Let’s keep playing,” he says. “It’s your turn to ask me.”
I frown. “Are you sure?”
His back is still rigid, his knuckles still white. He gives a single stiff nod. “Ask me.”
The only way to fully escape is to continue our game, pretend we were never interrupted.
“All right, then,” I say. “Truth or dare?”
“Dare.”
I lean my head against the window as I consider my challenge to him. Outside, the trees rush past in a blur of brown and red and yellow. It clears my mind a little, watching the colors speed by until they run together.
Occasionally, a billboard breaks up the stream of autumnal hues. One advertises a place called Delilah’s Kountry Kitchen and promises the “Best Cherry Pie in the State!” as well as “Hundreds of Kountry Krafts.” Silly, but we could use a little silly right now.
I sit up and look over at Calder. “I dare you to pull off at the next exit and buy yourself the most outrageous souvenir you can find.”
He wrinkles his brow, confused. He was expecting something sexual. But after a minute he nods, and I see a flash of humor in his eyes. It gives me hope.
I spot Delilah’s Kountry Kitchen even before we pull off the highway. It’s huge building shaped like a , whether he wants to admit it or not.it10giant barn with “Delilah’s” painted in block letters on the side of the wide, sloped roof. Wooden, hand-drawn signs line the exit ramp, each one advertising one of Delilah’s tasty treats.
Cola Cake!
Peanut Brittle!
Peach Relish!
But Calder drives right past the brightly-painted barn.
“Where are you going?” I ask.
“You said ‘outrageous, didn’t you?” He gestures ahead, and then I see it: the small, windowless building tucked behind the Kountry Kitchen. This one also has its name painted on the side of its roof: ADULT MEGA-STORE.
There are signs littered around this store, too:
Videos! Toys! Lingerie!
Couples Welcome!
$4.99 Shrimp Buffet!
Oh, God. I was not anticipating this at all. I swear, if he tries to make me eat that shrimp buffet…
“Are you sure about this?” I ask him.
He glances at me. “You were the one who dared me. This was your idea.”
“Not this.” I say, waving at the shady-looking building in front of us. “I saw a billboard for Delilah’s Kountry Kitchen and thought it looked fun.”
He raises his eyebrow.
“I swear. I didn’t even know this place was here,” I say. “And I certainly don’t want to go inside. I bet people have gotten hepatitis just from looking at it.”
He smiles suddenly, and it’s the first genuine smile I’ve seen since we left my apartment.
“Well in that case,” he says, a devilish gleam in his eye, “we’re definitely going in.” the site where Garrett contributes wsh
“You’re screwing with me.”
“I’m only fulfilling the terms of the dare that you gave me. I’m not even twisting your words this time.”
“So you admit you cheated before?”
“Stop changing the subject. We’re going in.” He opens his door and climbs out, but when he sees that I’m still in my seat, he leans down and sticks his head in again.
“You don’t have to come,” he says, “but I can’t promise you’ll like what I buy. Though if you stay out here you might meet a couple of nice truckers who could show you a better time.”
Ugh, damn him.
I climb out of the car and follow him across the gravel lot toward the door. There’s a red neon “XXX” sign in the window, and it flickers as we walk by.
This is where we get murdered, isn’t it?
Calder holds the door open for me.
“Oh, no,” I say. “You’re going in first.”
“Where’s your sense of adventure?” he asks. But he proceeds to enter the shop ahead of me.
It’s smaller even than it looked from the outside. So much for “Mega”-Store. We’ve entered into what appears to be the main merchandise room, but at the back of the store there are signs pointing to the “$4.99 Buffet” and “Nude Girls” somewhere beyond a purple velour curtain.
We’re the only people in this section of the building—except for the man behind the cash register, who perks up at the sight of us. His hair is a little greasy, and I don’t like the way he leers at me. Neither does Calder, apparently, because he slips his arm around my waist and ushers me toward the far side of the store.
“What will it be?” he asks me quietly. “A vibrator? Nipple clamps? Edible body paint?”
“It’s your choice,” I remind him. “I’m just here to observe.”
He chuckles. He seems almost back to his old self again. The distraction has worked, at least for now. I don’t want to think about will happen when distraction is no longer an option. For the moment, it’s enough to see his eyes flash in amusement at my obvious embarrassment, to hear his low laugh as we explore the shop’s merchandise together.
He leads me past the display of sexy games and stops me in front of a wall of toys. I have no idea what half of these things are supposed to do. He pulls me closer so that his mouth is just above my ear.
“What do you say? Want to do a little experimenting?”
“I don’t even know what we’re looking at,” I confess. “But a lot of it looks painful.”
“What’s this? You’re intimidated by something sexual? You’ve never shied away from anything I’ve suggested before.”
“I’m not even sure what you’re suggesting this time. But I know better than to agree to anything before knowing all the details.”
“You trust me so little?”
I laugh in response.
“Anyway,” he says. “I believe it’s your turn. Truth or dare?”
“You haven’t finished yours yet.”
“Maybe we can let them overlap this time, considering this is a special occasion. We should get you something to commemorate your first visit to a skeevy road-side adult store.”