“You forget that you are David Fricking Dawson. Of course they’re going to follow your lead and be happy doing it. It’s one of the perks of leading us to three state championships and being named the top recruit in the country,” Wolf reminded me.
I shook my head, not wanting to believe him.
“Just accept it,” Tim said, staring me down, then giving me an unreadable look. “You need to take your own advice.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked.
“When we were in LA, I heard you say you wanted to enjoy the rest of your senior year. I’ve seen you cut back on stuff, but we still never see you. What’s your current time-eater after school?” Tim asked.
I bit my lower lip. He was right. I’d focused on getting my instrument rating for flying. It was all part of the pattern. Every time I gained some freedom, I found something to fill my time. And now, of course, the Academy Awards were coming up, with the potential to blow my ‘enjoy a normal senior year’ idea entirely out of the water.
“What were you planning to do tonight?” Wolf asked.
“Up yours,” I said as I chuckled.
“Let me guess. You’re reading ahead in your classes or something else equally stupid,” Wolf predicted.
“So, who are you going out with tonight?” Tim asked to pile on.
“Oh, guys. The burden of being David Dawson is that there is only one of me for all my lady admirers. Maybe one day, you’ll understand.”
“You can’t find a date, can you?” Wolf asked.
“Not even if I paid cash,” I admitted.
“More like, you aren’t even trying. No one said you had to fall in love between now and graduation. You need to let go, have some fun, and maybe get laid,” Tim advised.
“I know, call that crazy chick from LA. I bet if you reached out, she would slip out of the loony bin and be here in a jiffy,” Wolf suggested.
“She was hot. I imagine I could get past the crazy part to spend some time with her,” Tim joked.
I flipped them both off.
“Just saying, Dude. Something has to give, and you only get one senior year. I seem to remember you were the one who reminded me of that.
“Once you graduate, it’s off to the salt mines, and you’ll look back and regret not going a little crazy. Plus, I think one of your life goals is ‘no regrets,’” Wolf said, not playing fair.
“You could start with baby steps and go out with us tonight,” Tim offered.
“I am not going to be a fifth wheel and watch you two make out with your girlfriends,” I said.
“Okay, so find a girl, or go to a party, or something. Just don’t sit at home tonight,” Tim coached.
“All right,” I said, silently dismissing the idea.
What could I do at the last minute? I would think about what they said—for next week.
◊◊◊
Chapter 9 – Mercy Date Saturday February 4
When I got home, my plan had been to have an evening in, order some pizza, and get ahead in my classes. I realize that sounded totally lame, but I wanted to be ready when baseball practice started. With that in mind, I told Cassidy and Paul they had the night off.
“David? Can you come down to the house?” Mom asked over the intercom.
“Sure, no problem,” I said and bounded down the stairs.
Mom wasn’t around to yell at me for running in my apartment.
When I made it to the driveway, I found Cassidy there, waiting for me.
“Give me money,” she ordered and stuck her hand out.
I peeled off a large bill and handed it to her.
“You’re not going to ask me why I need it?” she asked, looking disappointed.
“Nope.”
“It’s because we have to take Dare and Chrissy with us to dinner and a movie tonight. If I have to babysit those two, I’m getting compensated,” she said as she crossed her arms and stuck her chin out.
“I’ll bet you that Dare gets further with Chrissy tonight than you do with Don.”
“That’s easy money. How much can you afford?” Cassidy asked.
“How about I double what I gave you if you win, and you owe me a favor if I do,” I suggested.
“Deal!” she said as we shook.
Then Cassidy blinked because this seemed too easy. I knew that she and Don had done the deed, while Dare remained a virgin. She squinted at me as I rubbed my hands together and did my mad scientist laugh.
“Muwahahahahaha!”
“Two things,” I said, holding up two fingers. “First, Greg has been coaching Darius on the finer points of wooing women.”
She still didn’t seem nervous, even though Greg was a legend. We were talking about Dare, after all.
“Second, if you go parking, you’ll be doing it in front of Dare,” I said and paused for effect. “And
“I hate you!” she barked as she marched off.
I was sure that would be in the back of her mind all night. But when she twirled around, I hesitated. Ruh-roh!
“I’m not even sorry about what I told your parents,” she said mysteriously, then spun back around and stomped off towards home.
That couldn’t be good.
I walked into the house.
“David, get in here and have a seat. We need to talk,” Mom said.
“I didn’t do it!”
“Crud! I owe you a dollar,” Mom said to my dad.
