Chapter 17

Dez rang me as I pulled up in front of the house. I’d talked to her a couple times this week, but each chance I had to tell her what I’d done, I chickened out. I was too afraid of hearing her decry a virtual date as pathetic to risk losing her friendship.

“I hear you’re going to have the house to yourself tonight,” she said in lieu of hello. “Please tell me I can come and hang out. I need a serious change of scenery.”

Since my plan hinged on Janet, I didn’t have to ask how she knew. “I’m sorry, I can’t.” Mom and Dad’s cars were both in the driveway. I leaned against mine so I didn’t have this conversation inside. “I have plans.”

“Since when?”

“Since Monday.”

“You’ve had all week to tell me, and I have to hear from Grandma that she and Gramps are taking your parents to Win River?”