Page 19 of Truth or Dare

“Huh?” Presley’s head tilted slightly, her brows knitting together. She stared at me, burger forgotten for a moment.

I pointed to my full mouth, chewing deliberately. She wasn’t letting it go, though, her gaze fixed on me, waiting.

“What did you say?” she pressed, her voice sharper this time.

I sighed, swallowing before meeting her eyes. “I said I doubt it. You’re wrong for him.”

Her lips twitched, but she didn’t respond, biting into her burger again, this time taking smaller, more deliberate bites. I shoveled some fries into my mouth, the tension between us simmering in the quiet. She was thinking, I could tell, probably figuring out how to deflect.

“Do you love him?” I asked, breaking the silence.

As expected, she ignored the question, her jaw tightening as she stared out the windshield.

“Why were you with Reagan at lunch?” she asked suddenly, her voice deceptively casual.

I grinned, the corner of my mouth lifting. So, it bothered her. Exactly what I wanted. “To get a rise out of you.”

Presley’s lips parted slightly, her teeth catching the bottom one as she stared at me with those dark, accusing eyes. “Why would you think that would bother me?”

“Because I know it does. Admit it, Pres. You’ve got a claim on me.”

She tossed the rest of her burger into the greasy paper bag, folding her arms tightly across her chest. “I don’t own anyone.”

“You made me a promise. Remember?” My voice softened, but there was a challenge in it.

“I already told you?—”

“There was another promise, too.” I leaned closer, my voice dropping. “You promised to wait for me.”

Her head snapped toward me, her brow furrowing. “You broke that the moment you stopped answering back. Did you actually expect me to wait for you?”

I held her gaze and nodded. “Yeah, I did. I’m back for a reason.”

She scoffed, rolling her eyes. “You moved here because you had no choice.”

“I’m back to save you,” I said, leaning in further. “To make good on your promise.”

She laughed bitterly, her voice hard. “Forever is a fucking joke. We were twelve.”

“Do the dare,” I growled, my patience thinning.

“No.” Her voice was defiant, but there was something wavering behind it. “Why does it matter to you?”

I didn’t answer, not with words. Instead, I reached out, curling my hand around the back of her neck, pulling her closer until our lips met. The kiss was soft, sweet—gentle, not the kind of kiss I really wanted, but I wasn’t about to push her. She didn’t resist, and I kept it light, savoring the moment.

When we broke apart, Presley’s eyes searched mine. “Why did you do that?”

“Forever,” I whispered.

She lowered her gaze to her lap, quiet for a beat. “I’ll do the dare,” she finally said, her voice barely audible.

“Pres, I didn’t kiss you to make you do the dare,” I said, shaking my head. “That’s your choice. But you know the consequences if you don’t.”

We’d made the rules a long time ago. If one of us didn’t carry through, two dares would follow. And if she didn’t break up with Evan, well, I had ideas for those consequences.

“And breaking up with Evan has consequences too,” she muttered, her jaw tight with frustration.

I snorted, leaning back in my seat. “Like what? Freedom? He’s using you as much as you’re using him.”

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