Page 28 of Truth or Dare

I chuckled softly, more out of discomfort than humor. “So... a boyfriend, but no sex?”

“Hudson, I know you want Presley.” Her eyes opened again, piercing me with a knowing look. “But I want someone I can’t have too. Maybe we can help each other.”

My chest tightened. “Is it that obvious?”

“Yeah, it is. I see how you look at her. Hell, I remember from when we were kids. If you stayed here with me, she'd be yours by now.”

I shifted fully onto the bed, crossing my legs beneath me. “I think so too, but she won’t admit it. She’s stuck on Evan.”

Reagan dropped her gaze, her fingers playing with the edge of the blanket. “So am I,” she said quietly.

I blinked. “Wait, you like him?”

“I have since he moved here in middle school, but he’s never taken an interest. And if you haven’t noticed, Presley’s practically a queen around here.”

Her voice was bitter, almost resentful. “You sound jealous.”

“Everything comes easy to Presley, and she doesn’t even care,” Reagan growled. “It pisses me off.”

“Don’t be like that. She’s a nice girl.”

Reagan’s smirk was sharp, cutting. “Nice girl? You mean the one you want to fuck? She’ll give it up to Evan, and you’ll be sloppy seconds—if she gives it to you at all.”

Her words stung. I stood, pulling on my boots with more force than necessary, the anger rising in my chest. “Jealousy canopen the blood. It can make black roses bloom,” I muttered, tightening the laces.

Reagan narrowed her eyes. “What? A poem?”

“Yes. A line fromThe Swarmby Sylvia Plath.”

She stared at me for a moment, her expression unreadable. “Sometimes I feel like a black rose.”

I met her gaze. “It doesn’t have to be that way, Reagan. Be yourself, not some version of Presley.”

Her eyes flashed, sharp and defensive. “Don’t give me advice when all you’re thinking about is getting into her panties. It’s all you want.”

I paused, frowning as her words landed with uncomfortable truth. “You don’t know me.”

“I know enough,” she shot back.

Without another word, I turned and headed for the door. The weight of her words settled heavily on my shoulders as I stepped out, shutting the door behind me. Her harsh truth echoed in my mind, but it didn’t matter.

All I could think about was Presley—how much I wanted her, needed her. How much I dreamed of having her under me, the way I’d imagined for years.

And that thought terrified me.

CHAPTER 9

Presley

Evan held my hand all the way to the restaurant, his thumb brushing lightly over my skin. I couldn’t help but smile. This was a different side of him—a complete turnaround from when we first started dating. He’d been distant, almost cold, back then. But now, he was making an effort, and I owed it to him to give us a real chance. As much as my mind drifted to Hudson, I wanted to see where this could go.

The bouquet of roses he’d brought earlier still sat in a vase on my kitchen counter, a bright burst of color in the room. “The roses were beautiful,” I said, glancing at him.

“Not as beautiful as you,” Evan replied smoothly, flashing me a warm smile.

I couldn’t help but blush. Compliments from him still felt strange—sweet, but unfamiliar. He wasn’t this guy a few weeks ago. “Thank you,” I murmured, my cheeks heating.

He squeezed my hand, his grip firm but gentle. “It’s true, you know.”

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