Nerve by Jeanne Ryan Read Free Book Online Page A

you.”
    Hmm. “How so?”
    “You have to announce that I’m an amazing lover.” His voice is so faint, I can barely make out what he’s saying.
    “What?”
    “You need to tell me that I’m an amazing lover. Out loud.”
    Is that really part of his dare? Or is he messing with me? Maybe messing with me is his dare. But what if I tell him he’s a great lover and he still doesn’t get me a latte? Then he’ll complete his dare, but I won’t complete mine. Whoa, preventing me from completing my dare might even be his dare. God, two dares into the game and my mind’s spinning with conspiracies. Does NERVE plan things this way?
    I put one hand on my hip and aim at Ian’s chest with the other, a pose I’ve seen Sydney use a thousand times when she wants to make a point. “Get in line for the latte. After you’ve ordered, I’ll tell the whole coffee shop how great you are in bed.”
    He examines me for a second, maybe dealing with his own trust issues. “Deal.”
    He gets in line. I feel smug until, with a start, I realize that the worst part of my dare begins now. Inhaling deeply, I close my eyes against the snickers around me. My head goes light again and my heart pounds irregularly. Is this what a panic attack feels like? It’s so much worse having to be in the dark. I’ve always hated the dark. My imagination goes wild with possibilities. What if someone else has been dared to smack me upside the head? Or pull my skirt up? Feelingso vulnerable brings tears to my eyes. Oh hell, I’m crying in front of everyone. What a great show for NERVE. I feel a surge of anger toward the game, which sears through the panicky feelings. Good. Hold on to that anger and sing. I open my mouth and, surprisingly, words come out. Trembly, off-key words, but it’s singing.
    I get one verse out when it dawns on me that I have another dilemma. With my eyes closed, I won’t be able to see Ian order. How will I know when to shout out what a great lover he is? If I do it too soon, will he bail on the latte? I keep singing, digging my fingernails into my palms.
    Laughter comes from every direction. Maybe Ian’s been dared to pour an espresso over my head. I flinch when I feel the presence of someone a few inches away.
    “He just ordered your drink,” Tommy whispers as he stuffs a tissue in my hand.
    I could hug him. “Thanks,” I say between lyrics as I wipe my cheeks. It’s only then that I ask myself why I didn’t just peek, and how Tommy knew I wouldn’t.
    A spark of hope ignites in my chest. I’ve almost completed my dare. Although there’s still the matter of helping Ian finish his. Unless I’m the skunk who bails. But, of course, I won’t. At heart, I’m a Capricorn.
    Squeezing my eyes shut even tighter, I yell, “You’re the best hook-up I’ve ever had, Ian!” Laughter erupts from all sides. With burning cheeks, I go back to the beer song.
    When I’m down to sixty-three bottles on the wall, I feel another presence. Ian’s voice says, “Here’s a latte for the most amazing girlfriend ever.” And then he starts singing “Beautiful Girl” in a smooth tenor voice that would’ve won a starring role in the school play.
    I open my eyes and take the hot cup from him as he serenades me. It’s almost as embarrassing being sung to in public as it is singing. One of the guys videoing gives us a thumbs-up sign. The girl who came into the shop behind Ian laughs to herself as she films us. Nearby, another two girls type into their phones. Are they rating us? I channel my inner Sydney and give them a pageant wave, even though I’m not seriously applying for the live rounds. I just want those shoes. Which I’ve earned.
    Thankfully, the song finally ends. Okay, dare over. Whew.
    I raise the cup to Ian. “Bravo!”
    He bows and poses for the Watchers, especially his model-like camerawoman, who’s probably his girlfriend. And then, he smiles. Wow. What a difference it makes to his face. His teeth are super-white and