Free Dare Me by Eric Devine Page B

“How are you going to know ? Can’t McNeil, or anyone really, stumble across it?”
    Trevor’s mouth shifts beneath his beady eyes. “It’s unlikely, but don’t worry, if that happens, I’ve got the technology covered. Ricky has some other ideas to keep you safe, the answer to the other half of your question. But I don’t want to go blabbing about either in the cafeteria where people could hear.” He tilts his head, indicating the room.
    I look around. No one’s paying any attention to us. Still, I’ll give it to him, it’s a solid point, and overall, none of that sounded like he was pulling it out of his ass. He seems to know what he’s talking about. The only question is whether Ricky does.
    “So what now?”
    John nods and says, “Yeah?”
    Ricky sighs. “Back to the list. How did you rank them?”
    I go first and read my preferences, and then John does the same, followed by Ricky.
    Playing chicken and skiing behind a car tie for last place. Holding our breath underwater is next to last. The rooftop jump comes in second and riding bikes into a pond is the top pick. John mutters an “amen.”
    “So I’ll get back to O. P. and let him know. We’ll need some gear for this, right? Who needs a bike?”
    We both raise our hands, and John adds, “How does O. P. know we have a pond around here?”
    Now there’s a damn good question. Probably designed to see if there’s more to this Craigslist connection. Nice.
    “I don’t know. Maybe he went on Google Earth?” Ricky shrugs.
    That got us nowhere. Trevor’s staring blankly into space, as if none of this concerns him. I envy him a little.
    “What about the ramp? Where’s that coming from?” I ask.
    “O. P.” Ricky spits the answer.
    “Is he going to come here and build it himself?”
    Ricky looks at me now. “I don’t know. I’ll find out.”
    “Fine. The checks?”
    Ricky shifts. “It should be here this afternoon.”
    I grip the table. “It?”
    Ricky looks me in the eye. “Yes. We only get one. I promise to divide it evenly.”
    I focus on the point that matters. “Why only one?”
    “That’s what’s in the contract.”
    Shit. I knew we should have read that more closely. “Get us copies.”
    “Sure. Why?”
    “You want this all to be cool with us, right?”
    Ricky nods. “I do, Ben. Seriously.”
    “Do this, then, and we’re cool?”
    Ricky reaches across the table and we shake hands. “Thank you,” he says.
    I don’t know what he’s thanking me for—there’s so much it could be—but there’s no point in asking. He deserves a bit of dignity. “You’re welcome.”

CHAPTER 10
    T he last period ends and I run from school like it’s on fire. I don’t even see John next to me until we’re a block away. “That was some craziness at lunch,” he says.
    “Crazy doesn’t touch it.”
    John frowns. “I get what Ricky meant, but I don’t trust Trevor. And there’s more to it, I know it. Ricky’s pushing these dares like his life depends on it.” He pauses. “You think there’s something we’re missing? Is that why you asked for the contract?”
    “Yeah, you nailed it. I don’t know what’s there, but one thing is for certain.” I turn to him. “You and I have to stick together. I’m not getting burned by Ricky again, and you sure as hell can’t afford to, either.”
    Neither of us says anything for a bit, probably because that was pretty messed up. Or maybe it wasn’t messed up at all, but smart.
    I stop walking. It’s time to tell him. “Hey, we’re selling our house.”
    John stops and looks at me as if waiting for the rest of the joke. When it doesn’t come, he asks, “What? Why are you doing that?”
    I shrug. “My parents, man. Bunch of nonsense with my dad’s job. So we’re selling.”
    “Where are you going?”
    “I don’t know.” I almost laugh, but am glad I don’t because John grabs my shoulder.
    “What do you mean you don’t know?” His voice rises and falls.
    “If my dad takes a