Page 37 of Truth or Dare

I took a slow drag on my cigarette as I pulled back onto the road, watching the town shift around me in the rain-soaked blur, wondering just how much trouble I’d managed to get myself into this time.

CHAPTER 11

Presley

"What did you do?" I hissed, stepping closer until I could smell the faint, sour tang of sweat on his shirt.

Evan shrugged, a smug grin slipping onto his face. "Nothing."

"So, he got detention for nothing?" I arched a brow, challenging him. "That’s not what I heard."

His expression darkened, the smirk fading as he narrowed his eyes. "What’s with you and him, anyway? I don’t like it. You’re my girlfriend."

"And he’s my friend."

Evan scoffed. "I don’t like you being friends with him."

I let out a bitter laugh, crossing my arms. "It's not like I’m sleeping with him, Evan."

He leaned forward, his voice hard. "If you were, at least one of us would be getting some because it sure isn’t me."

I glanced around the empty weight room, grateful no one else was here to witness this. "Seriously? That’s your big problem?"

He leaned back, crossing his arms with a cocky smile. "You know there are plenty of girls who’d be more than willing to give me what I want."

Wrapping my arms around myself, I forced a steady tone. "Then why don’t you? Why waste your time with me?"

He pushed himself off the weight bench, sliding an arm around me. "Because I’m invested."

I stiffened, feeling his hand press against my back as he held me close. He had no idea what I was really invested in—that little notebook of his. The one I knew he and his friends used to jot down all their stupid conquests, probably including me, like I was some kind of prize. If I could get my hands on it, I’d burn the damn thing and send him the ashes.

"Invested in what?" I asked, trying to keep my tone light.

His voice dropped, all seriousness now. "In being your first."

I bit back a laugh. If only he knew how ridiculous that sounded, given he wasn’t.

He stroked a finger along my cheek. "And that takes time."

My stomach tightened with frustration. "It’s not just about time, Evan. I told you, I’m not ready."

He narrowed his gaze, his voice dropping to a low murmur. "Not ready for me, or for sex?"

My jaw clenched. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"It means I want to know if we’re going anywhere. I’m tired of waiting, of feeling like a damn fool."

I crossed my arms, refusing to break eye contact. "Then deal with it. Go… take care of yourself if you have to."

He exhaled sharply, looking away. "Homecoming is next week. You know we’re basically a lock for king and queen. I’m having a party afterward—you can tell your parents you’re crashing with Reagan."

I straightened. "Is that a demand?"

He turned back to me, his tone softening as he ran a hand down my arm. "It’s a request. I wouldn’t hurt you. Besides…" He hesitated, glancing at the floor. "We might end up at the same college. You applied to Penn State and UConn, right?"

I nodded, but inside I felt a knot form. He didn’t know about my early acceptance to Cornell and Brown. He had his heart set on Penn State, following in his dad’s footsteps. But my plans weren’t wrapped up in his dreams.

"Yeah," I said, keeping my voice casual.

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