Page 15 of Truth or Dare

"Fuck that guy,"Evan growled, glaring across the cafeteria. "How can he just fall in with our group like that?"

"Dude, he knows people from when he lived here before," Randy said, trying to calm him down.

I kept my mouth shut, my eyes flicking over to Hudson as Reagan fed him a potato chip, her giggle too loud, too forced. Evan had no idea I’d spent Saturday night with Hudson, and now that he was acting all self-righteous, I planned to avoid him. But still, seeing Reagan practically draped over him sent a twinge of jealousy through me. Hudson knew exactly what he was doing.

Evan’s arm slipped around my waist, pulling me closer. I leaned into him, pressing my breasts against his side, playing the part he expected. He grinned, lowering his voice to a whisper that sent a hot breath against my ear.

"My parents are going away this weekend."

I nodded slightly, giving him what he wanted to see, but in truth, I wasn’t sure. He hadn’t earned it.

"We’ve got a night game at John Jay," he murmured, lips brushing my ear. "You can sleep over afterward."

A shiver ran through me, but it wasn’t from excitement. I cast a glance at Hudson. His eyes were locked on me, even as Reagan tried to climb into his lap. The daggers in his gaze didn’t go unnoticed, and the jealousy that had stirred in me moments ago came flooding back. Reagan, my best friend, was staking her claim on my middle school crush, and I hated it.

"We’ll see," I whispered, noncommittal.

Evan pulled me closer, clamping his lips over mine in a possessive kiss. He was a good kisser, sure, but his arrogance, the way he acted like I owed him something—it was suffocating. I broke the kiss, untangling myself from his grip.

"I have to pee," I said, grabbing my purse.

"Hurry up. We only have a few minutes until class."

I laughed, rolling my eyes. "Since when do you care about being late?"

"Second week, and we’ve got a quiz in English," he grumbled. "Fucking Crowder. Shouldn’t have to worry about this when we’ve got an important game on the line."

I snorted and walked away, feeling Hudson’s eyes on me as I exited the cafeteria. His stare burned into my back, and sure enough, when I stepped out of the stall in the restroom, there he was. Leaning against the furthest sink, a cigarette dangling lazily from his lips, smoke curling toward the cracked window.

"What the hell are you doing in here?" I snapped. "You do know this is the girls' room, right?"

He didn’t move, just watched me with that infuriating smirk as I washed my hands, fixing my hair in the mirror like he wasn’t there. Like he didn’t matter.

"I thought you broke up with him," he said casually, blowing out a thin stream of smoke.

"My relationship is none of your business," I shot back, drying my hands. "And what was that note in my locker about? It was insulting."

Hudson quirked an eyebrow, his smirk growing. "I have no idea what you’re talking about."

I pulled the note from my pocket, crumpling it in my fist before tossing it at him. He caught it easily, unfolding it with a deliberate slowness that grated on my nerves. He glanced at the words, a slight chuckle escaping his lips.

"Sounds about right," he said, folding it back up. "But it wasn’t from me. Looks like someone else shares my opinion."

He tossed the note back, stubbing out his cigarette against the sink before flicking it out the window. The flick of his wrist was careless, dismissive, and it made my blood boil.

"Fuck off," I snapped. "I’m not prideful."

"Aren’t you?" His voice dripped with smugness, his eyes dark and challenging.

"I don’t have to listen to this," I spat, turning to leave.

But Hudson was faster. He grabbed my arm, yanking me against his chest. The sudden closeness sent my pulse racing, but not in the way Evan ever did.

"Break it off," Hudson whispered, his lips inches from mine, his grip firm but not painful. "Before he hurts you."

I jerked away, glaring up at him. "I don’t need you to protect me."

Just then, two girls walked in, their eyes widening as they spotted Hudson standing there, cigarette still smoldering in his hand. They froze, staring.

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