Free Truth or Dare by Peg Cochran Page B

a finger to her lips.  “Whatever you want.”
    Rivka pulled on her sweater and picked up her purse. 
    “Come on.”  Lance grabbed her hand.  “We can go out this way.”
    He led her down a hallway toward a windowless door.  Rivka followed him into the garage.  They inched their way past a shiny, dark blue Mercedes and out another door.
    Lance's car was in the driveway.  They got in, but he didn't start the engine right away.  Instead, he turned toward Rivka.  
    “Listen, Becky, this whole thing about Pamela not wanting us to see each other is a load of crap.  She doesn’t tell me what to do, okay?  Hell, I can’t tell her what to do so why should she think she can give me orders?”
    “It’s just that—“ Rivka began, but he put his finger over her lips again.
    Rivka pulled his hand away.  “No, seriously.  She’ll be furious if she finds out.” Rivka turned her head away.   “She doesn’t think I’m good enough for you…” 
    Lance put his hand under her chin and turned her face back towards his.  “You
are
good enough, Becky.  You’re good enough for anyone.  Don’t let Pamela, or anyone else, tell you anything different.”
    “But it’s true.  It’s my family,” Rivka blurted out.  “They’re…different.  My parents weren’t born here.  They’re strange and funny and they’re not social like yours are…and…”  Rivka had a sudden picture of her father practicing his violin and her mother rolling out the dough for the challah.  She had been crazy to think that a girl like her could end up with a guy like Lance.
    Lance looked down at the steering wheel, idly turning it with his finger.  “Things aren’t always what they seem.”  He glanced at Rivka then ducked his head again.  I’ve never told anyone this before, and you have to promise not to tell.”
    He waited until Rivka nodded “yes”. 
    “I’ve honestly never told anyone this before, but Pamela isn’t entirely who she wants you to think she is.”
     
    Pamela walked into the kitchen as the door to the garage was sighing shut.  She caught a flash of Lance’s blond hair and a glimpse of the girl.  She wasn't entirely sure who it was, but she figured she could guess pretty accurately.   Why else would Lance be sneaking her out the back door instead of parading her through the front like he normally did?
    Pamela had told Becky to stay away from Lance, but she hadn’t listened.
    And now she was going to have to pay for that.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 10
     
         “Do you want me to go with you?”  Mary got in step besides Deirdre as they fought their way down the crowded hallway.  It was three o’clock, and students spewed out of the classrooms toward their lockers and a speedy exit out the main doors.
         “I’ll be okay.”  Deirdre looked at Mary and then down at the floor.  In reality she was a little nervous and wouldn’t have minded having someone come with her.  
         “I’ll come with you.”  Mary insisted, linking her arm with Deirdre’s as they walked toward the front door.  “I don’t have to be at work until five o’clock so I have plenty of time.”  She gave Deirdre’s arm a squeeze. “Besides, Starbucks is down the street from Sobeleski’s, so I have to go that way anyway.”
     
         Deirdre hesitated outside the door.  She was tempted to have Mary come in with her, but realized this was something she would have to face herself. 
         A kaleidoscope of colors swirled behind the plate glass windows of Starbucks.  Maybe she should have suggested someplace else?  What if she saw some kids from school?  But they wouldn’t know why she was here or what she was doing, so that ought to be okay.
         Deirdre finally pushed open the front door and stepped over the threshold.  The smell of coffee hit her like a blow, and she felt her stomach lurch.  She took a couple of deep breaths, and the feeling retreated,