I look Tim directly in the eyes.
I’ve been crushing on him since seventh grade…
And now here we are, just the two of us.
And he wants to start a game.
Tim
I was hoping you’d say dare.
He gives a sly smile and I feel my heart rate quicken.
I laugh off his reaction.
Greta
That’s why I said truth!
Greta
I gotta make you work for it.
I’m so aware of how alone we are right now.
It amplifies the chemistry between us…
As if the tension is pressing on each and every molecule of my being.
We’re tucked into opposite ends of a cozy, plush couch.
And the honest truth is that I’m nervous.
Tim
Why’d you break up with Joe?
How do I answer this question?
“I only dated him because you’re seeing Stephanie, and I needed a distraction?”
And then I shrug, trying to look nonchalant.
Greta
He just wasn’t my type.
Greta
Nuh-uh. Not so fast…
Greta
You only get one truth per round.
Tim sticks out his bottom lip in a playful pout.
Then I compose myself to ask him that loaded question.
Tim smiles at me impishly with a glint in his eyes.
Here I am, about to give my biggest crush a dare…
And my mind is going completely blank.
What’s sexy, but yet, doesn’t feel desperate?
Greta
I dare you to take off your shirt.
Tim pulls off his shirt, revealing his chiseled chest.
Tim
Is my gym time paying off or something?
Greta
I…I mean, I guess so.
Meanwhile, I’m taking mental pictures.
They’ll carry me through a lonely night.
Because right now, I want to play Tim’s abs like a xylophone.
Greta
The game is Truth or Dare. I’m just following the rules.
Greta
You’re gonna ask me the same question from before, right?
Greta
You wanna know my type.
Tim’s brow crumples in thought.
Tim
Okay. What’s your biggest turn on?
You know how some people feel confident under pressure?
That is so not me right now.
Tim
I really want you to get this right.
That was actually really…hot.
Tim is always so sure of himself.
Sometimes to the point that it’s unbearably attractive.
I smile, realizing I have my answer.
Greta
Confidence. That’s my biggest turn on.
Tim deflates like a balloon.
Tim
But I was asking about physical stuff…
I cut Tim off before he can give me examples.
Greta
Don’t be ridiculous.
Greta
You didn’t specify that the turn-on’s had to be physical.
Greta
And I’m an expert rule follower.
Open-mouthed, Tim stares at me.
Tim
God, that was just so hot.
Tim
The way you stood up for yourself and took control.
Tim
I can dig rules if you’re giving them to me.
Greta
Well then, if you must know…
Greta
In terms of the physical stuff…
Greta
I like having my back rubbed.
Tim stares at me like I’m a puzzle he’s trying to complete…
Even though he just found a misshapen piece.
Greta
I dunno. It gets sore…
Greta
And when someone gives me a massage…
Greta
It’s so relaxing that it releases something inside me.
By this point, Tim is staring at me like I have three heads.
Greta
What? You don’t like getting a massage?
As I study Tim, it feels like I’m having an out-of-body experience.
Who would’ve thought I’d spend Friday night discussing turn-on’s with my crush?
Tim
I mean, I like getting massages, sure.
Greta
But…you’re saying they don’t turn you on?
Tim
Not really. I guess they don’t do it for me.
Tim
I think what I like is more like what we’re doing now.
Tim
When someone lets down their walls and lets herself be vulnerable with me.
Tim
I’m into this kind of…
Tim holds my gaze and I feel that familiar pulse of chemistry again.
The air is so thick I can barely breathe.
I need to change the subject.
Greta
So, uhh…Truth or Dare?
Am I going to be brave enough to ask?
Yes. I won’t chicken out.
Greta
Did you ever have a crush on me?
I feel saddened and embarrassed at my question.
Am I so unattractive that I’m a joke?
Based on his laughter, at least I’m a funny joke.
But then Tim scrubs his jaw.
I literally cannot believe them.
For a few seconds, I thought he said, “I liked zoos.”
And I mean, I like zoos too — so it struck me as a plausible response.
Greta
Really? You liked me?
Tim
Nuh-uh. Not so fast with all those questions.
Tim
I thought you said you followed the rules?
Tim
And you only get one truth per round.
Tim
So it’s my turn now. Truth or Dare?
Trapped in the rules of the game!
Greta
Of course. I’m gonna keep choosing truth if you keep reacting like that!
There’s a beat of silence before Tim asks his question.
Tim
Did you ever have a crush on me?
I could have said something more, but I’m certainly not going to admit it.
Besides, everyone likes Tim.
That’s why I planned to ask him out…
But then he started dating Stephanie.
And now he might as well be wearing an off-limits sign.
It still seems too aggressive.
My gaze sweeps his chest and trails the lines of his shoulder muscles.
Time seems to have frozen.
And then, within a silence that’s more meaningful than any words we could ever share…
Tim
Are you…comfortable with taking your shirt off?
Tim
I don’t mean to be gross. Seriously, I won’t even look.
Tim
I just think the massage will feel better that way.
The next words rushed out of his mouth.
Greta
We’re being vulnerable, right?
And then I pull my shirt over my head.
Tim’s gaze lights my skin on fire.
When he swallows, I can see his Adam’s apple move.
His voice is gruff when it comes out.
I lie down, feeling the fibers of the couch against my bare stomach.
He starts to rub small circles into the knots in my shoulders and along the sides of my spine.
He hums to himself as he works…
Leaning so close to me that I can feel his chest grazing my back.
His fingers deftly dance against the small rocks in my neck…
And then knead into the larger boulders in the muscles by my wing bones.
His hands have a scratchy quality to them, but I like it.
He keeps working his way down my back.
And I can’t help it. I moan with pleasure.
Greta
I bet you’ve done this before, huh?
And then he whispers in my ear…
I might as well throw him a bone.
He kind of just gave me the best massage of my life.
Tim
Nice. I see someone’s taking a risk.
Greta
Nah, I’ve just been letting the game build up to this moment.
Tim contemplates his options.
And then he makes up his mind.
Tim
I dare you to tell me what’s on your mind.
Tim
Right in this very second.
Tim
You have this habit of going off into your thoughts…
Tim
Especially when you’re nervous.
Tim
Are you feeling that way now?
Greta
No! I’m not nervous!
Greta
I mean I AM, but it’s a good kind of nervous.
Greta
I don’t need to talk about it.
Tim
Rules of the game, Greta…
Tim
You agreed to do a dare.
He’s right about the rules.
And I’m nothing without my rules.
Time to sign my own death warrant…
Greta
Okay. Here’s what I’ve been thinking.
Greta
I’ve had a crush on you for so long…
Greta
And when you started dating Stephanie…
Greta
I just…I couldn’t stop my feelings.
Greta
I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be telling you this.
Greta
Pretend I didn’t say anything.
Greta
I shouldn’t have even started playing this game with you.
I put my face in my hands.
Tim puts a hand on my knee.
It’s warm, and carries a gentle weight.
Tim
I’m not dating Stephanie anymore.
Tim
No. She and I weren’t a good fit.
I’m still shirtless, but Tim’s gaze is locked on mine.
Tim
I shouldn’t have started playing this game with you either.
Tim
No. I meant to say that I shouldn’t have played without telling you something first.
Tim
I have a huge crush on you, Greta.
Tim
And I have for a while.
He reaches forward, taking my head in his hands.
And he holds me so gently.
Our faces are inches away…
And I can feel his breath playing on my lips.
Greta
I dare you to kiss me, right now, like you never want it to end.
Greta
Like all your walls are down.
Greta
Like you’re completely vulnerable.
And let me just tell you…
Tim fulfilled his dare, all right.
