My Boyfriends' Dogs by Dandi Daley Mackall Page B

didn’t call you back last night. I didn’t see your message until it was too late.”
    It had taken all my willpower not to ask him about that, but I hadn’t wanted to appear needy, the kind of girlfriend who phones her boyfriend two dozen times to hear the sound of his voice on voice mail. “No sweat.”
    â€œCool.”
    I waited for him to tell me where he’d been, but he didn’t.
    It wasn’t until lunch that I learned at least part of the story. The minute Went sat in the seat I’d held for him, Darius and Dave and some of their crew plopped down with us. They were the most popular guys in the school, and they got in the most trouble. Amber glared at me, like it was my fault these guys were sitting with us. She should have been grateful. Most girls in the cafeteria would have killed to be sitting where we were.
    Darius rubbed his temples. He and I used to be in the same Sunday-school class when we were kids. “I should have stayed in bed. You hungover, Went?”
    â€œNah. I’m good.”
    Maybe I should have been shocked, but I’d been to parties where guys did shots and most girls drank whatever they were handed.
    The rest of lunch was dominated by the Dave Crew. Amber bailed halfway through and sat with some of our other friends. I acted like I was part of the gang. Guys had to be guys. And at least Went hadn’t been with Carly.
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    The next days were wonderful. I had a boyfriend. We walked to school together, or rode in Mom’s van if he got to our house too late for us to walk. Van rides were never as good as walks. Mom generally ranted the whole way as she detailed Adam’s list of sins, crimes, and misdemeanors. Turned out the ol’ dog wasn’t very housebroken. Plus, he loved chewing on furniture, scratching doors, and destroying shoes. Otherwise, Adam was a sweetheart. I couldn’t sit down without having the little terrier spring into my lap.
    Usually after school, one of Went’s new buddies would drop us off at my house, where Adam would greet me for five solid minutes. Then Went and I would walk Adam together. I was never ready for them to leave.
    Weekends were different. I barely saw Went. It must have been my third week as Went’s girlfriend that the weekend loneliness hit hard. I called Amber to complain. “Why doesn’t he ask me out on the weekend? I’ve dropped enough hints to fell a good-sized elephant.”
    â€œYou know he goes to Dave’s parties.” She sounded tired of this conversation.
    â€œI know.”
    â€œSo, it’s the twenty-first century, Bailey. If you want to go out with Went, you ask him .”
    Amber was right. I talked her into coming over for moral support while I made the big call to Went. She watched while I dialed. “You’ve got his number memorized, I see,” she observed. “You must be the girlfriend.”
    â€œYou’re not helping.” The phone rang once. “He probably won’t answer.” Twice. “Maybe I should text him instead.” Three times. “I told you he—”
    â€œYeah?”
    â€œWent?” My heart pounded. Amber moved in closer and nudged my arm.
    â€œHey, Bailey.” He sounded really glad to hear from me. “What’s up?” In the background I could hear music and voices. Somebody laughed, a guy.
    â€œI called because I just had an idea,” I said.
    â€œOkay.” He said something to somebody there. It sounded like, “Not now. I’m talking.” Something like that. “So, what’s this idea you just had?”
    â€œWell . . .” I was starting to back down. Maybe I could make up an idea that didn’t involve me asking him for a date.
    â€œDo it!” Amber whispered, elbowing me again so hard it hurt.
    I took a breath and let it go. “I was thinking it would be fun for you and me to go out tomorrow night because it’s Saturday and people