Page 39 of Truth or Dare

Neil was stretched out on his bed, nose deep in a comic book, his face framed by a pair of Ryland football sweats he practically lived in now. I perched on the edge of his bed, watching him carefully.

“So… how are you?”

He tossed the comic aside, shrugging. “Good.”

The shadow of hair on his upper lip caught my attention, surprising me. When had my little brother started looking so grown up?

“What happened with Evan and Hudson today?” I asked, voice as calm as I could make it.

He stiffened immediately. “I didn’t ask Hudson to do anything, okay? It was just normal football stuff. I expect it. I’m the only freshman on the team.”

“Do you really think it’s right that my boyfriend’s giving you crap?”

“Just drop it, Pres.” His jaw was set. “I don’t need you—or anyone else—babysitting me.”

“Neil, you’re barely a teenager,” I reminded him, crossing my arms.

“Stop telling me what to do!” His voice turned harsh, his eyes flashing with frustration. “You’re only mad because your friend got suspended. Hudson needs to mind his own business.”

“Neil…” I began, trying to reach him, but he cut me off.

“No! Stop butting in, and don’t say a thing to Evan tonight. I don’t need my sister defending me.”

I stood, brushing invisible lint from my sweater. “For the record, I do it because I love you. But apparently, that doesn’t mean anything to you.”

Without another word, I left his room, ignoring the knot of frustration in my chest. If he didn’t want my help, fine. I wouldn’t offer it anymore. Grabbing my purse, I shrugged on my coat, muttering a quick goodbye to Mom on my way out the door.

As I slipped into the Jeep, I reached into my pocket and felt a small piece of folded paper—the dare Hudson had given me. It had been sitting there for days, unread. Biting my lip, I unfolded it slowly.

Spend the day with me.

My heart thudded.Hudson wanted me to spend a day with him. The thought lingered, even as I tried to push it away. In another month, I’d be done with winter sports. Five weeks, and I’d be finished with cheerleading forever.

I texted him.

What day.

Almost immediately,he replied.

She lives. Where’ve you been?

Busy. Sorry.

What day are you free?

I hesitated,my thumb hovering over the keys as a knot of jealousy tightened in my chest. All week, I’d watched Reagan practically drape herself over him at lunch, feeding him French fries, sitting close, kissing him like they were the only two people in the world.

You sure your girlfriend will let you off the leash?

No response.Setting my phone in the holder, I backed out of the driveway, keeping one eye on it, just in case he called. A few seconds later, my phone lit up.

“Spend the day with you?” I asked, putting him on speaker as I pulled over to the curb, sensing this conversation would get intense.

“That’s the dare. Do you accept, or should I give you two dares as consequences?”

“Hudson, it’s not a dare. It’s trouble.”

“Why?” His voice softened, almost daring me to say it.

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