Page 107 of Truth or Dare

I frowned. “Told me what?”

He exhaled, running a hand over his jaw. “I... I was the one who stopped him, Presley. I beat the shit out of him.”

The air left my lungs in a rush. “You?”

“I didn’t trust him,” he admitted, his gaze steady but filled with regret. “He couldn’t stop looking at you. When you headed toward the woods, he followed. I couldn’t just stand there.”

My stomach twisted. “I didn’t even notice…” My voice cracked as the weight of his words sank in.

Hudson’s expression darkened. “I did. Reagan tried to stop me—she wouldn’t let go of me. She’s not your friend, Presley. I think she was in on it.”

A cold chill crawled up my spine. Reagan’s jealousy had always been sharp, but I’d never thought it could cut this deep. “She hasn’t visited me,” I murmured, more to myself.

“She won’t. She’s a coward.” His voice hardened, but then softened as he continued, “I wish I’d gotten there sooner. He’d already hurt you.”

Tears stung my eyes. “He wanted to…” I couldn’t finish the sentence, but Hudson understood.

“I know,” he said quietly, his voice trembling with restrained anger. “He had your pants open. He was choking you when I got to him.”

My hand instinctively went to my neck, where the bruises still throbbed. The image Hudson painted made my stomach churn, but so did the realization that he’d risked everything to save me.

“I should go,” he said suddenly, glancing at his watch. “Visiting hours are over.”

He leaned down, his lips brushing my temple and lingering just long enough to leave my heart aching. His woodsy cologne followed him as he walked to the door.

“Thank you,” I called after him, my voice trembling.

Hudson turned, his smile small but genuine. “Anytime.”

And then he was gone, leaving behind questions I wasn’t sure I was ready to ask.

“Presley,are you sure you don’t want to go?” my mother asked.

I shook my head. “No, thanks. I’ve had enough being the center of attention.”

I declined walking during graduation. The school would send me my diploma. All the things one should enjoy during their senior year were stolen for me, but I had much to look forward to. College in Manhattan for the next four years and a hotel room in The Diamond Square Hotel in the city for a week as a graduation gift.

I planned to prowl the city, meet up with my cousin, Freda and maybe sneak into a club with my fake ID. I promised to check in several times a day and ever since Evan attacked me, I was aware my parents put a tracker on my phone. I didn’t mind. I was still a little shaky from what occurred two weeks ago.

Evan was awaiting his trial, and I knew I would need to testify when the time came. He was ordered to wear an electronic device on his ankle and stay away from me or he would be put in jail until his court date. I could honestly say that the Braddock family was morally and ethically bankrupt.

Mr. Braddock filed for divorce after his wife was incarcerated and I heard Evan was staying with relatives in town. He officially washed his hands of his family.

“You’re not the center of attention,” my mother said.

“I think I am, and I don’t want to be. Going to graduation would get people’s tongues wagging. I just want to relax by the pool.”

“With friends?” my mother asked hopefully.

After the attack, I walled myself off even more. Once I got home from the hospital, my mind was set on one last score to settle, one final nail in the coffin of our friendship.

“Reagan,” I called out, my voice steady.

She looked up, narrowing her eyes suspiciously. “I thought you were angry with her?”

I gave a small, calculated shrug.Oh, I am, but I have to deliver the final blow, I thought, masking my true intentions behind a practiced smile. “I’m over it. She had some stuff going on, and I forgave her. No big deal,” I lied, the words flowing easily.

My mother watched me closely, concern etched into her features. “I have a tennis lesson. Do you need anything?” she asked, her voice tinged with hesitation.

---