Straight to the pool, the most obvious place

You take your time to reach the pool, admiring the starry night sky above your head.
Not the usual sight for you, coming form downtown, where the street lights shine brighter than anything else.

Matt is righ there, feet dangling into the water, lighting a cigarette.
He said to have quit, but you know that he can't resist whenever he gets nervous or stressed.

"That'll get you cancer, you know?" You say.

He glances over to you, but doesn't reply, exhaling a large puff of dense smoke.

"Maybe you could bring Sarah here later ... You know, after the game ..."

"The fuck you want?"

"Make you see reason, dude. Once, when your car broke, you said me you would have preferred to be shot down rather than asking Tom for a ride home, and now you're suddenly best pals? Come on, dude!"

He glares at you squnting, smoke wrapping his head.

"Ok, i'm sorry ... I got carried a bit with that dare earlier, but you can't befriend the devil just to get back at me, dude ..."

"He may be the 'devil', as you say, but he hans't stabbed me in the back. Yet."

"He will. It's just a matter of time and opportunity and you know it. Please, tell me that you know it."

For a moment you consider sitting near to him, but after taking a better look at his face, you desist.

"What do you think it would have happend if there was him in my place? You think he would have behaved better?"

"He is not the one that claims to be my best friend."

"Oh right, so you think it would have made a difference for him? That it will, now that you'have started to get along?"

"Listen Matt, i'll say it again : I am sorry..."

"But i can't go back now ..." You add seeing that he seems lost in his thoughts.

"I have no illusions, i'm not that stupid. I know he would fuck Sarah without thinking about it twice, if given the chance ..." He suddenly say, so low spirited that you barely ear him.

"Still, i have the feeling that he would choose your pretty Miranda over her any day." He grins bitterly.

"Indeed." You smile back, unable to hide some genuine concern.

"That's why we need to team up against him, dude."

He throws you a skeptic glance, tossing the cigarette butt into the water.

"We had the chance to dominate this game, using a bit of brain. Instead we ended up one against the other. "

"And you know who will take advantage for this, dude? The only one who gives a damn. The only one who would fuck any of the girls. He counts on that ...Divide et Impera, you know? But we still can turn things to our favour. I'll dare Sarah to blow you, next time i pick her ... " You insist, feeling somewhat dirty for beeing pretty much planning to cheat the game.

"So you want me to belive that i need you, uh? What if i leave him Miranda instead? Maybe he'll just let me have Sarah ..."

"You want to take you chances? He can't be trusted ..."

"Can you?"

"Oh for fuck sake, Matt, what you want me to do? I'm sorry, but damn ... Sarah was just too ..."

"No no no, don't even start with that. I saw everything, i know her and i didn't expect her to act different, but you ... you shouldn't have ... fuck! You're supposed to be my best friend! To help me with her!" He hisses.

You sit next to him without saying a word, waiting for him to calm down.

"I can still help you from now on ..."

"You'll have to make me do the same with Miranda first." He interrupts you dryily.

"W-What? What do you mean?"

"If you want us to go on as friends, we have to get even."

"A-And how would i be supposed to do something like that?"

"Next time you pick Miranda, you'll have to dare her to do the same thing that Sarah did with you."

You can read a cold resolve on his face.
Is this really so important to him?

"B-But you know, you can't use the same dare twice ... and also Miranda was able to choose..."

"That means you will give her a slightly modified version of that dare, two birds with one stone."

"Come on, Matt, what would she think of me if i dare her to let you fondle her? I'm not even sure it would be a valid dare." You snigger nervously, coming up with the first objection your brain is able to find.

He thinks for a moment.

"But ... would you agree, if it were the case?"

The question nails you in you place.

"I-I .... yeah, i mean , i understand where are you coming from, but this is ..." You stumble at discomfort.

"Yes or no, dude?"

Suddenly having the feeling that the question is more concrete than hypotetical, you stay silent.
You would have no chances against Tom, if Matt really starts to actively help him, so you have to try anything to get him back on your side.

Reluctantly you nod, well aware of how risky is pulling this bluff with him now.
He stares at you for moment, semingly deciding if he can trust you again.

"Good, this is all that's matters. I'm happy to have my friend back." He replies getting up on his feet and smiling.
Drawing your breath, you faintly smile back.

"We'll find a workaround at that. One way or another, we'll get even. And then the fun will start." He declares offering you his hand.