Candy Apple Red-Book Two

Chapter 7 - Dart Master

This is it! I"m so busted. Dylan will surely figure out that Seth and I weren't playing darts the night of the bonfire. Dylan hands over three darts as I approach him; standing behind the chalk-drawn line, I reluctantly take them. I turn back to glance at Seth, hesitating for a moment. He flashes a cheeky grin and leans against the workstation, appearing entertained by all of this. I turn back, looking at Dylan one last time, "Come on, dart master, you got this." Dylan calls out as he watches me; arms crossed as I aim for my target. f**k! I've never played darts before. Okay, well, here goes nothing. My heart is racing; with one eye squinted, I stick out my tongue as I focus on my target. Ready...aim...throw!

Shit! The dart flies through the air and lands on the wall beside the target. Figures! Dylan snorts, "Shake it off, dart master, try again."

Yeah, shake it off, Brie. With one eye squinted, I attempt another shot. Ready...aim...throw! It hits the side of the wall, bounces off, and falls to the ground. f**k! This is harder than I thought. Dylan chuckles, "Man, Seth, she's tough competition!" 

I flash Dylan an evil glare; he's so competitive! Come on, Brie, you got one more! Show him that you did whoop Seth's ass in darts even though that is far from what we were doing. Ready...aim...throw! The dart flies through the air and barely hits the outside of the board, "Woohoo! I got it!" I gloat.

A look of confusion crosses Dylan's face, "Uh, Brie, you do realize you are supposed to shoot for the target in the middle, right? The bullseye? Watch me, darlin."

Dylan walks up to the dartboard, removes the dart from the target, and picks the others off the floor before stepping back across the line.  He throws one dart and hits outside of the center bullseye. Then he throws another, the same thing. The third dart, he actually hits the center bullseye, "See, that's how you play, darlin." 

I roll my eyes, "Ehh...I let you win." I tell him as I playfully nudge his arm. 

He glances at Seth, and the two of them begin to roar with laughter. I playfully smack him on the arm, "Hey D! What are you laughing about, you big knucklehead?!" I cry out, tears streaming down my cheeks as I laugh hysterically along with them. Thank God Dylan isn't the sharpest tool in the shed. I might get by without him suspecting a thing. I wipe the tears from my eyes with my index finger, "Hey, why don't we have Mariah and Seth play next?" I suggest. 

With a huge smirk across his face, Dylan removes the darts from the target and motions for Mariah, "Come over here, sweet cheeks, show Daddy what ya got." 

With her arms crossed in front of her chest, she clears her throat and raises one brow before she stands and approaches him, removing the darts from his hand, "Well, you have to promise you won't get butt hurt if I beat you, baby." She gloats as she spins around with her back facing him. 

"I can promise I won't get butt hurt, but as for you..." he says as he rubs his hands together with a cheeky grin. 

She turns her head to glance at him before attempting to aim the dart for the target. As she leans forward and positions herself to throw, Dylan reaches under her skirt just before the dart leaves her hand. She jolts forward and yelps from the initial shock, "Ahh! Dylan! Shame on you!" she cries out. The dart bounces off the wall and falls to the ground.

Dylan snickers, "Good shot, babe! You really nailed that wall!" he says with a sarcastic undertone.

She turns to face him, arms crossed, brow raised, "You big cheater, no more!" she warns, biting her lip to keep from smiling. 

With his hands up, he backs away, flashing an evil grin in her direction. She turns around, leans forward, and shoots to aim at the bullseye. The garage is silent, watching her aim to throw the next dart. Dylan quickly reaches up and smacks her behind just before she lets go of the dart, "Ahhh! Dylan! Stop it!" she hollers as she spins around to face him while putting her hands up to block him. The dart bounces off the wall and onto the floor. 

She turns away from him, throwing her hands up in the air. Dylan wraps his arms around her neck from behind, and she instantly melts into him. I know she could never stay mad at him no matter how hard she tried. I think she loves the attention she's getting; I mean, what girl wouldn't? She turns her head slightly to look at him, "Now, do you promise to let me attempt this last time without your hand up my skirt?" she asks curiously. 

"I'm sorry, babe, I can't promise anything. You are just so accessible right now," he responds as he leaves a trail of kisses down her neck as she leans into him. 

"Alright, Seth, it's your turn since Dylan can't seem to behave himself," she calls out, pressing herself against Dylan before he lets out a soft growl, nuzzling his face into her hair. She giggles while reaching up to place her hand atop his forearm. 

Seth walks over to pick the two darts up off the floor and approaches Mariah as she holds up the third one. He grabs it as she and Dylan back up for Seth to take his turn. He turns around and glances at Dylan, sticking his sexy ass out towards him, "Oh Dylan, please try to keep your hands to yourself; I know this ass is irresistible." he belts out in a high pitched voice as he covers his mouth, taunting him while shaking his hips. 

The garage erupts in laughter, "No thanks, buddy, too hairy for me." Dylan responds. 

Seth aims at the target and throws the first dart. We watch as it hits the wall and falls to the ground. Oh, my God! He's trying to lose! He aims again, throwing the dart purposely at an angle; it hits the wall and falls to the ground. "Damn dude, now I see why she whooped your ass in darts," Dylan replies with a snarky undertone. 

Seth cracks his neck from side to side before aiming the last dart at the target, pretending to try. He throws it, and the dart bounces off the target, falling to the floor. A commotion erupts in the garage as everyone begins roaring with excitement. Seth throws his hands in the air, "Shoot, well, we can't win em all." he says aloud. 

Dylan chuckles, "You suck, dude; you can't win any of them. No wonder Brie whipped your ass!" Mariah playfully smacks his arm. 

Seth turns to face him, raising his middle finger, "Sit on it and spin, d**k head!" he replies sarcastically with a smirk across his face before turning to glance at me, eyes wide. Damn! That was close!  

"Alright guys, since I don't have a lot of competition here. Seth and I will get the fire started. Ladies, you hang tight, and we will be right back." Dylan says, motioning for Seth to follow him. 

As the boys leave, Mariah and I sit on the lawn chairs to wait for the boys to get the fire started. I notice Mariah is holding on to her stomach and leaning over in the chair. I reach out to rub the nape of her neck, "You okay, Colie?" I ask curiously. 

She lifts her head slightly to glance at me, "Yes, I'm cramping hardcore tonight." she responds while grimacing. 

"Ahh... I'm so sorry, sister. That's the worst." I reply as I run my fingers through her hair.

The boys return moments later, "Alright, girls, you ready to join us?" Dylan asks. 

Mariah and I jump up from our seats and follow the boys outside.

The rest of the night was pretty relaxed. Dylan brought the stereo out, and we listened to music as we sat around the bonfire, enjoying each other's company. As the fire dies down late into the night, Mariah taps my shoulder, "You ready to go home, Brie?" 

"Yep, whenever you are ready to take me." 

"Alright, I"m getting pretty tired. Let's head out." she responds. 

She walks over to whisper into Dylan's ear, kissing him on the lips. While she's keeping Dylan distracted, I approach Seth and whisper into his ear, "God, you saved our asses! Thank you for that. I thought he would surely figure us out."

He pulls me down and leans into me, "You are giving him too much credit. He's not that smart." 

"Thank God for that." 

"I'll see you tomorrow, doll, call me." He says. 

I stand and nod before walking back towards Mariah as she finishes speaking privately with Dylan. The two of us bid the boys farewell and hop in Mariah's Avenger before speeding off down the road.

"Colie, are you not staying with Dylan tonight?" I ask. 

She shakes her head from side to side, "No, not tonight. I'm not up for it. I need to rest."

Wow, that's strange. She must really feel terrible. I don't mention it anymore for the remainder of the car ride. A few moments later, we pull up in the drive at my house. I follow her inside, "Can I get you anything, Colie?"

"Nah, I"m okay, Brie. I want to lay down and try to sleep it off. Hopefully, I'll feel better in the morning before I have to go to work."

We trudge up the steps and part ways as she goes into her room, and I go to mine to get ready for bed.