Chapter 31

“I dare you to try it.”

Cadence wouldn’t, but I’d dipped right in for a finger glob. “Mmm. Looks yummy.” I’d held it in front of Major’s nose. “You first?”

“No way.”

“Looks like the pate they served at the country club for my sister’s wedding reception.” I’d put it near my mouth.

“Oh, my God!” Abby had gagged. “Don’t eat th—Eww!”

“Dare me again.”

Though I never turned down a dare, I was starting to wish I had turned down AJ and Major’s idea that I join the cast of Brewster Center for the Arts’ summer production of Oliver.

“Let’s try again from the beginning!”

Never in my life had I felt more inadequate, as not only Major, but several six-, nine-, and eleven-year-olds performed every “Consider Yourself” step and hand gesture crisply and cleanly with the utmost precision. Meanwhile, there was me, flailing through the routine like a broken windmill in a twister.