“That’s my girl, Addie. So it’s been decided, I will hunt it, Mal can cook it, and at least Addie and I will eat it,” Steve shook his head proudly as if approving his own idea. I grimaced, hoping the conversation would take a different turn.
“So what time are Griffin and Johnny going to be there?” Megan asked Mallory. “I feel like I’ve barely seen Griffin in the past two weeks. What's going on with him?”
“Ah, he’s fine. Everything’s fine. It’s something with his dad, as usual. I think there is some problem at work and he’s been left to handle it, so he’s pissed off about it like always. They should be there tonight before sunset,” Steve said, propping his knee up on the dashboard.
After some more general conversation we finally reached the campsite. Nestled in the woods, the campsite opened up to a spectacular view of Lake Tahoe.
“This is amazing,” I said with a whispered breath, stepping out of the vehicle with my bag in one hand and Mallory’s cooler in another.
“Let’s get everything set up before dinner while we have good light,” Steve said, unloading tents, stakes, and tools from the trunk.
Getting the campsite set up took more work than I thought. Of course it didn’t seem like much work to Megan, who was leisurely walking around most of the time with a Tequila Sunrise in her hand. Mallory began unwrapping the dinner she had prepared earlier that day, neatly placing the cut up meat and vegetables into a large skillet. As she set the pan over the fire grate, a pair of headlights pulled up the dirt path. The vehicle parked right next to Mallory’s car and Griffin and Johnny stepped out of it.
“Something smells good,” Griffin said, walking towards the fire with a bag slung over his shoulder. He wrapped his spare arm around Mallory and kissed her cheek.
“Just in time for dinner,” Mallory replied, returning his hug.
“Imagine that, you guys showing up after I’ve set up the site again this year,” Steve said in a mocking tone, reaching for the cooler. “Drinks?”
Johnny and Griffin both nodded and Steve opened up a couple beers and handed them over.
“So Meg, lovely camping clothes as usual,” Johnny mused, noting Megan’s tight jeans, heeled boots, and her fitted shirt that was a little too thin for the falling temperatures.
“You never know who you might see out in the middle of nowhere,” Megan chuckled back.
Dinner that night was amazing. We ate seasoned cubes of steak with roasted vegetables, still searing with the scent of the crackling fire. After dinner we cleaned up our dishes and refilled our drinks. I turned to see Griffin sitting in a chair by the campfire. He wore a red hooded sweatshirt and was softly playing a worn guitar.
“You play guitar?” I asked, my voice cracking with amusement.
“Yeah, a little,” Griffin replied without breaking from his melody.
“A little? Come on man, you are one of the most talented guys I know,” Johnny said, sitting down in a chair next to Griffin. “This guy,” Johnny said pointing his finger at Griffin, “is an amazing artist. You should hear some of his music. It’s really good.”
Griffin looked up and smiled a bashful smile.
“Eh, I don’t play much anymore. When we were younger I always thought I’d run away to California and become some famous musician, much against every hope and dream my father ever had for me of course,” Griffin said, his mood sobering. “Guess I’ve done a terrible job at disappointing him so far, given that I’m here, working for the man,” he smirked.
Mallory and Steve sat down around the fire as well, so I joined them. Megan eventually followed.
“What about you Addie? Is there anything you promised your younger self you would become?” Griffin stared at me intensely. I thought for a moment he was looking through me, but then I felt his gaze in my throat.
“Uh, well, I don’t know, I guess,” I replied, shrugging my shoulders. “Something normal. Something different from my parents. Happy, I guess.”
“I hear ya,” Johnny piped in. “If I became my father, I would be a dissatisfied accountant with a second mortgage and an ex-wife who’s always angry. No thank you.”
I was glad to have the attention off me. The conversation turned quickly and the group talked about past camping trips. They reminisced about people falling into the lake, the time Mallory forgot the food, and even a surprise bear encounter one year.
Oh great. I have to worry not only about a hike they were talking about taking tomorrow despite my limited athleticism, and worry about bears? The soft strumming of Griffin’s guitar pulled me from my thoughts, and I wondered what kind of music he sang. I couldn’t help but smile at him, watching him there with his guitar through the light of the fire. He looked so relaxed, and I was happy to see that. We sat around talking for a bit longer and Griffin finally sang some music, a little Jack Johnson, some Dave Matthews. The songs weren’t all that familiar to me, but the others knew them well. It was relaxing, soothing music, and I enjoyed watching Griffin play. Eventually he put the guitar down and everyone refilled their plastic cups with whatever they were drinking. I stuck with wine, not really sure I would like much else. I was glad that Griffin sat directly across from me. He wore dark jeans with his red hooded sweatshirt and his skin glowed in the light from the fire. The mere sight of him made me smile. Something about being out in the woods made him look more rustic to me, and I found him quite appealing.
“So should we start?” Megan asked loudly to the group, interrupting my thoughts. “Dare box?” She skipped over to the table and pulled out a small wooden box. “So here’s how this part works Addie. You tell everyone who you had and what you’re daring them to do. Then you put your card in the box, the card you wrote the dare on earlier. They can’t remove their card until they’ve completed whatever they were dared to do. Basically everyone has until the following camping trip to get their dare out of the box. Does all that make sense?”
“What happens if someone doesn’t do what they’re dared to do? If they don’t complete it?” I asked cautiously. I had been wondering that all along, ever since Mallory had explained the dares to me in the first place. I was so grateful to be invited in on something that was important to them, but nervous to be the buzz kill if I wasn’t comfortable with what I was dared to do. I didn’t exactly have the means to fly to France like Mallory did.
“Well,” Johnny chimed in, “has that actually ever happened?” He looked around at the group, and everyone looked deep in thought, and then shook their heads no. “We all make sure the person completes theirs, I guess,” he added.
I suddenly felt even more terrified of what someone may assign of me. What if it was something I just didn’t want to do? What if it was something I needed money for, not just the traveling thing, but something else someone thought I needed? I wasn’t sure they really understood my current situation. I mean yeah, I was making some money at the bakery, but that was literally all I had to my name. I certainly wasn’t in the position these other people were in, in that regard. I was so appreciative of these new friendships and their easy acceptance of me into their group, but there were still so many things they didn’t know about me.
“Does that make sense?” Mallory asked me, snapping me out of my panic.
“Yeah sure, I guess,” I replied, nodding my head in agreement. If I had somewhere to actually go, I wondered if I would have gotten up in that moment and left.
“Well, since we all know already that you have Mallory, you should go first,” Megan stated, passing me the old wooden box she held in her hands. Megan had helped me fill out my card earlier that day, just to make sure I understood how this worked.
“Alright Mallory,” I began, clearing my throat. “Maybe this is obvious. Maybe you saw this coming, I don’t know. I dare you to open your bakery full-time, seven days a week. I dare you to make it your career, not just your side hobby. Not just opening an extra day here and there, but I mean every day. I know you’re worried about getting enough business to make it work, but
now that I’m here, I’d like to help. We can take shifts and split up the days, and I can…”
Mallory interrupted me before I could finish. “Oh Addie, I’m not ready yet. That terrifies me. The shop isn’t that busy yet, and what if it doesn’t work? I can’t just jump on that ship right now. People don’t even really know the shop exists just yet. I’m just experimenting really, messing around with some small orders. I would probably need at least another year, if not more. I would have to really build up business for that to work.”
“I thought you couldn’t say no?” I said with a little waiver in my voice. “Mallory, I know you can do it. We can do it. You’re ready.”
Tears welled up in Mallory’s eyes. “You really think so?” she asked, her voice sounding uncertain. “Like quit my real job and only bake?”
“Well, it’s too late now to ask that, I wrote it down on this very official piece of paper,” I said, holding up my little folded up note card. I placed it in the box.
Mallory smiled, though I could tell she still felt uncertain about the whole thing. In all the time we spent together the last few weeks I knew that was what she ultimately wanted to do with the shop, but for some reason she was always second-guessing her ability to make that transition. It seemed ridiculous to me though, given most of the work was already done. The shop was beautiful and she clearly knew how to make amazing desserts. I had sampled everything she produced and had no complaints. I really couldn’t think of a single reason why she shouldn’t be open every day. I suddenly thought of all of the fake desserts and smiled, wondering what she would do with all of them once her bakery cases were filled with real food.
“Okay Mallory, you’re now a full-time baker. That’s pretty sweet,” Steve poked her arm. “You should have known someone would push you into that sooner or later. You’re too good not to be focusing on it full-time. I agree with Addie, you are totally ready,” Steve finished.
The entire group nodded their heads.
“What if people don’t come?” Mallory said, still sounding a little nervous. "People don't even know I exist."
“You already built this beautiful amazing shop. It makes me crazy that you’re not open to the general public every day. It really is crazy. We have time to build up business, I promise Mal. You’re doing this and it will be great,” I said, reassuring her. She smiled.
“Okay Mal, your turn,” Steve said, grabbing the box from me and handing it to Mallory.
“Well,” Mallory began, holding up her note card. “I have Johnny.”
“Oooh,” the crowd said in unison, looking in his direction.
“Oh come on guys, you know I’m always up for this. What have you got?” Johnny replied, turning towards Mallory.
“Johnny, don’t hate me for this one. But I think it’s important,” Mallory spoke, her voice sounding very sincere. “I know your parents’ divorce has been rough on you this past year,” her voice trailed off.
“Mallory no, come on. Not this. That should be off limits,” Johnny pleaded, running his fingers through his light brown hair. “There has to be some kind of rule about personal stuff.”
“I’m not asking you to forgive your dad. I know what he did was wrong and I'm not excusing that. You can deal with that on your own time whenever you’re ready. I just don’t want you to shut him out. He’s really trying,” Mallory said softly.
Johnny sat with his head in his hands.
“My dare is that you contact him, that’s it. Nothing more than that. I’m not saying you have to hear him out or anything. Just contact him and let him know you’re okay. That’s all he wants from you right now,” Mallory said, dropping her folded card in the box. "It's important, Johnny."
“Look, I get it Mal. I know you’re just looking out for me, and I’ll get there. It just may be awhile before I do it, that’s all,” Johnny said, reaching for the box from Mallory.
“You’re one of my best friends Johnny. That’s the point of this. We’re just trying to encourage each other to do something good for ourselves that we may not see on our own,” Mallory said shrugging. “We’ve all known your dad for years, Johnny, he is a good dad. Clearly not an exemplary husband, but you know you were the world to him.”
“I know. Thanks Mal,” Johnny said quietly, placing the box in his lap. “Well, I am more than happy to change the subject, that’s for sure. I have Meg, and I think she’s going to punch me for this one.” Johnny’s tone finally perked up a bit. “Meg, I dare you not to sleep with anyone for a consecutive three month period,” Johnny said, smirking.
My mouth dropped open and I was sure the circle would become awkward. Just then, Megan stood up and punched Johnny in the arm.
“Hey, it’s for your own good,” Johnny taunted. “Look, we all know you’re the wild one who likes to have fun. But then you’re always sobbing to Mallory about your disappointment with every guy you meet. I’m not saying you need to go out and fall in love with someone. I just think a little time without all that drama, maybe a little self-reflection, anticipation, I think it could be really good for you,” Johnny’s voice sounded sincere.
“I’ll think about it,” Megan said with a smirk.
“Too late. It’s in the box,” Johnny replied. He theatrically dropped the card he wrote Megan’s dare on into the wooden box and Mallory giggled.
“Damn, give me the box,” Megan said, reaching out her arm. “You realize I’m going to get you back for that one the next time I pull your name, right?” Megan teased.
I looked over at Griffin, a little surprised to see him looking at me through the firelight. I smiled, and he smiled back.
“Moving on,” Megan stated, pretending to be annoyed with Johnny, “I have Steve.” The group turned their attention towards Steve, who was in the process of guzzling down the last of his beer.
“I am daring you to run a half marathon with me,” Megan said, looking at Steve with a serious expression.
“Are you kidding me? Run? Where did that come from?” Steve asked, sounding exasperated.
“Well, you’re always sitting around drinking beer and complaining you’re wasting your own time. So, it’ll be good to give you something to do, and it’ll be good for you,” Megan said raising an eyebrow. “You’re not getting any younger you know. I think you’ll be happier to get this dare now rather than in ten years, right?” Megan eyed Steve curiously, waiting for his response.
“Damn, fair enough. I can do it. Give me the box. But let’s make a side deal, if I beat your time, you owe me a hundred bucks,” Steve said, shaking his head.
“We’ll see about that,” Megan replied. She stood up and handed Steve the box after kissing her note card and dropping it in.
“Griffin,” Steve turned his head to the right towards Griffin’s chair. Instantly Griffin’s eyes lit up and they both smirked.
“Oh this should be good. Two years ago when you pulled my name you had me build a deck for your grandma,” Griffin said, leaning back in his chair. He stretched his arms out over his head.
“Hey, Grandma Jan is a very sweet woman, and you know she loves that deck. Getting your hands dirty was the best summer you ever had,” Steve said while raising his arms.
“She made me take my shirt off while I worked. It was weird!” Griffin touted back. Everyone snickered.
“Hey, she is a lively elderly widow. You got to give a little, man,” Steve rebuffed back.
“So who am I taking my shirt off for this time? Maybe an aunt?” Griffin asked, smiling.
“No Griff, you can just sit back and collect your trust fund without any physical outdoor labor on this one. You see that guitar?” Steve pointed. “I dare you to play it in public. A show we can all go see. I don’t care where it is, maybe an open mic night or whatever. But my friends here, we’re going to watch you play on a stage, even if its four feet wide in a dive bar. It has to be your own music, too.”
Griffin shook his head. “Come on man, you know I just play for fun. I can’t do that in a
room full of people. Not anymore.”
“Then you’d better pick a small locale so you just see us in the front row then, I don’t care. That’s your dare. You are playing that thing in public,” Steve stated, flicking his card into the box.
Megan and Mallory cheered excitedly, letting Griffin know how much they looked forward to watching him play his own music. They explained to me it was something he really used to love, but they hadn’t seen much of it lately. When they were younger, Griffin used to play all the time in front of them, but lately he barely brought his guitar out anymore when they were all together.
Oh no. It dawned on me in that exact moment that I was the only one left. Steve passed the box over to Griffin.
“So, I get the new girl,” Griffin mused.
Dear God, no, this is weird! Too weird. I barely know him and I get flustered around him. Please let me off easy.
“So, I know we’re all still getting to know you, especially since you spend so much time mostly with Mallory,” Griffin began.
I nodded my head.
“My dare to you is that you say yes to me for one week,” Griffin stated, staring right at me.
“What does that even mean?” Mallory chimed in. I think she could tell by the expression on my face that I was puzzled.
“Don’t get the wrong idea,” Griffin said, holding up a hand and shaking his head side to side. “I’m not talking about anything weird or kinky.”
“Thank heavens, I was wondering where you were going with that,” Megan interjected, sounding relieved.
“From what I have learned about you, Addie, it seems you’ve been lacking some adventure in your life. You’ve never been camping, never been to a concert, you’ve probably never even been arrested…” Griffin continued.
“Arrested? What is this?” I said, trying to hide the shock and confusion in my voice.
“Oh, I don’t mean we’re going to do anything to get you in trouble. I’m just suggesting you need a little adventure in your life, that’s all. So for one week I dare you to say yes to me. Whatever I ask of you. Just seven days,” Griffin said, not taking his eyes off me as he spoke. “Seven days.”
Six Days: Book One in the SIX Series Page 5
