Page 18 of Truth or Dare

“I know the real you,” he whispered. “Not the one who hides behind the mask.”

I sniffled, turning away. “Can we not do this? Not right now.”

He let out a long sigh. “What do you want to do, then?”

I pulled the crumpled note from my pocket and tossed it onto the center console. “What did you write?”

He glanced at me, an amused gleam in his eyes. “Do you want me to tell you?”

I gripped the steering wheel tightly, pulling out of the parking lot. “Just read it.”

Hudson unfolded the note slowly, smoothing it over his knee like he was savoring the moment. His voice was soft, almost teasing, as he read, “Dare—break up with Evan.”

My jaw clenched as I stopped at a red light. I whipped my head toward him. “He’s my boyfriend.”

“You told me it was over,” Hudson said, his tone firm. “He’s wrong for you, and you know it.”

“And who’s right for me? You?” I shot back, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

His eyes softened. “I was once. Do you remember?”

I swallowed hard, memories flooding back—promises made, innocent and naive, before everything got complicated. “Of course I do, but we were kids. It doesn’t matter anymore.”

Hudson reached across the console, his fingers brushing mine. The warmth of his hand was familiar, and for a second, I let myself remember what it felt like to be close to him. The old flame between us hadn’t died; it was just buried. But then I pulled my hand back, breaking the connection.

“You promised me forever,” he murmured.

“And you left me,” I whispered, the hurt still fresh even after all this time.

“I didn’t have a choice.” He started chewing on his thumbnail, his gaze distant, and we drove in silence. The rainbeat harder against the windshield, a rhythmic drumming that matched the tension in the air.

I pulled into Fromby’s, a burger joint that would soon close for the season. The windows were fogged, the rain turning them into a watery blur. “What do you want?” Hudson asked, his voice softer now.

“Burger with cheese. Curly fries,” I said flatly.

He smirked. “Hungry?”

“I didn’t eat much for lunch,” I replied, my eyes narrowing at his teasing.

“This pretending thing is exhausting, isn’t it?” Hudson said, his tone sharp.

I shot him a look. “I said no.”

He held up his hands in surrender, running a hand through his wet hair before popping the door open. As he stepped out, he pulled his jacket collar up, shielding himself from the rain. I watched him for a moment, feeling the tug of old feelings that I wasn’t sure I could handle anymore.

CHAPTER 6

Hudson

My hair was dripping when I got back to the car. Presley had pulled her hair from the holder, letting it fall around her face in soft curls. She looked younger, more natural like this, and I couldn’t help but like her that way. I handed her the food, shucked off my wet jacket, and tossed it into the backseat before sliding inside.

Running my fingers through my damp hair, I glanced over to see Presley diving into her burger. She took a massive bite, moaning as she chewed, eyes half-closed in satisfaction.

“Damn,” I smirked, my voice low. “If I thought that’s all it took to get you to moan…”

She elbowed me, not missing a beat, and when she swallowed, her eyes flashed with challenge. “Might be the only moan you ever hear from me.”

I leaned back, half-grinning as I muttered under my breath, “Not if I have my way.”

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