Dare You To (Pushing the Limits, #2)(14)

His truck is one of the few that can make it over the hill into      the back field. “A girl over there is pissed at me,” Tim mutters. “Anytime I go      near her, she won’t keep her mouth shut.”

Logan snorts and Chris smacks him on the back of the head.       Pissed would be an understatement. Rumor at      school said Tim’s ex-girl caught him making out with her twin sister. Tim throws      a warning glare at Logan before focusing on me. “How’s your brother? The team’s      ticked at him. He promised he’d help with summer practice while he was home from      college.”

Hating these kinds of questions, I shift my stance and shove my      hands in my pockets. Dad made it clear that we tell no one what happened with      Mark. “He’s been busy.” Before Tim has a chance to probe further, I switch to      the problem at hand. “How would you guys like to help me with      a...situation?”

Tim leans forward as his fellow linemen snicker. “What dare did      you sign up for this time?”

I bob my head back and forth like what I’m preparing to ask      isn’t a big deal. “Nothing fancy. Rick dared me to move his car.”

Tim shrugs because it doesn’t sound like a big deal.

“Without the keys,” says Chris.

Tim lowers his head, and deep chuckles resonate from his chest.      “You three are the definition of insane. You know that, right?”

“Says the guy that tackles other dudes for fun,” I say. “Are      you in or out?”

Tim’s lawn chair moves with him as he stands. As he reaches his      full height, the chair plunges onto the bed of the truck with a loud clank.      “In.”

*

Curled fingers miserably clutch metal and my back and      thighs burn with pain. Seven guys, one 2,400-pound car, and one more inch to      go.

“On three,” I say through clenched teeth. “One...”

“Three,” yells Logan and I barely unwedge my fingers from the      bumper of the two-door Chevy Aveo when the six other guys drop the car to the      ground. The frame of the blue car bounces like a Slinky before coming to a      rest.

“Sweet shocks,” says Logan.

Sweat soaks my shirt. Gasping for air, I bend over and place my      hands on my knees. The rush of the win races through my veins and I laugh out      loud.

Logan admires our handiwork. “Six feet over and nicely parallel      parked between two trees.” Nicely meaning the front      and rear bumpers currently kiss bark.

Tim’s chest heaves as if he’s experiencing a heart attack.      “You’re a crazy son-of-a-bitch, Ry.” Pant. “How the hell is Rick going to move      this piece of shit?”

“Chris, Logan, and I will stick around. Once he gets done      freaking, we’ll lift the back end and move it so he can wedge out.”

Tim laughs while shaking his head. “I’ll see you at school on      Monday.”

“Thanks, man.”

“Anytime. Let’s go, guys. I need a beer.”

I sag to the ground and lean against the tree near the bumper.      Chris slides against the passenger door until his butt hits the dirt. We both      stare at Logan, waiting for him to join us, but he’s busy studying the two oak      trees pinning in our third baseman’s car.

In any circle that doesn’t involve me, Chris, and Lacy, Logan      is known for silence and his constant state of boredom. At the moment, so-called      silent, bored boy’s mind is spinning like a toddler on a sugar high. It’s      ironic: at school, people think I’m the adrenaline junkie because I admire a      good dare. Hell, I’m not looking for a high—I just like to win. Logan, on the      other hand, thrives on the edge. Gotta love a guy like that.

I’m not the only one who’s noticed Logan’s insane infatuation      with the tree. Chris eyes him warily. “What the hell are you doing, Junior?”

Logan winks at me. “Be back in a second, boss man.” He      scrambles up the old oak tree. Small dead limbs that can’t hold his weight fall      through the branches and onto the ground.

Chris grows restless. He won’t admit it, but heights scare the      shit out of him and Logan’s fear of nothing scares the shit out of him more.      “Get your ass back down here.”

“Okay,” calls Logan from somewhere high in the tree.

I shake my head. “You shouldn’t have said that.”