Page 35 of Truth or Dare

I nodded, feeling the weight of her touch, the pull of everything unresolved between us. “Always.”

“I wish it was different,” she whispered.

“It can be,” I replied, stepping back. “You just have to choose.”

She pulled away from me, walking to her Jeep without looking back. The engine roared to life, but before she backed out, she rolled down the window, glancing at me one last time.

“Dare,” she called out, her voice laced with challenge, before she hit the gas and sped off down the road.

I stood there, watching her taillights disappear, muttering under my breath, “I dare you to sit on my face.”

Damn it. I wanted everything Presley had to offer, and I wanted her to be mine. Completely.

It tookme three days to come up with the perfect dare—a clever move designed to help me. Every dare Presley gave me always seemed to benefit me, but this one was different. This one had an edge.

I slipped the folded note into her locker, deciding against handing it to her in film class, and then waited. By the time lunch rolled around, I made a show of things with Reagan, who sat on my lap in the cafeteria until one of the aides told her to get off and sit in a proper chair.

Later, during gym, I overheard Evan and a few of his football buddies picking on Neil. The kid was younger and always trailing us seniors like he belonged, making him a prime target.

“Leave him alone!” My fists tightened instinctively as I spoke up.

Evan’s chest puffed out. “This doesn’t concern you, Evert. Mind your own business.”

I didn’t even flinch, even with two of the biggest linemen backing him up. “This is my business. Leave the kid alone.”

Neil’s voice wavered from behind me. “It’s all right.”

“No, it’s not,” I shot back through gritted teeth. I hated bullies.

Evan stepped closer, his smirk widening as he shoved a hand to my chest, forcing me back a step. I squared up, lifting myself to my full six-three. I knew it would be rough if it came down to all three of them, but I’d get my hits in, no question.

Before either ofus could move, our teacher and JV coach muscled his way between us. “Evert, get out of here before I send you to the Dean’s office.”

My jaw clenched. “Of course, you’d take his side.”

The coach thrust his arm toward the door, his finger pointing emphatically. “You just bought yourself a day’s detention. See you this afternoon.”

I smirked. “I won’t be there.”

“Then you’re suspended.”

“Good,” I scoffed. “Could use a break from this shithole.”

The coach stood by, his watchful gaze fixed on me as I grabbed my jeans and sweater, pulling them on without a hint of hurry. I wasn’t worried about Evan or his lackeys. Ever since I’d started this fake thing with Reagan, people were catching on that Evan Braddock was a grade-A jerk. Still couldn’t figure out why Presley was so hung up on him.

I slipped out of the gym without looking back, making my way to the woodshop where students were busy with birdhouses. I nodded at a few guys, then ducked through the heavy steel door Reagan had shown me. Security was stationed near the main parking lot, but I managed to avoid them, slipping into my truck and pulling away.

Evan was nothing but a bully, and Neil needed to watch his back around him. Why Presley couldn’t see it was beyond me. I shook my head as I drove, feeling my pulse still on edge.

When I got home, my mother’s voice called out from the kitchen, where she was focused on a spreadsheet.

“Hudson, that you?”

“Yeah.” I kicked off my boots, anticipating her next question.

She stepped into the foyer, crossing her arms. “Why are you home?”

“Some bullshit.”

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