Page 57 of Truth or Dare

“Mind your business,” I growled.

“I’m telling Mom.”

“Neil, if you want to take the bus for the rest of the year, keep your mouth shut. It wasn’t anything like that anyway.”

From the corner of my eyes, I saw him narrow his.

“Fucking liar. Is that why you weren’t wearing panties this morning? I’m gonna have to bleach my eyeballs and brain to get that image out of my mind.”

I nudged his shoulder with my palm. “Shut up already before I lose it.”

He said nothing for the rest of the trip to school. He loved not having to take the bus to school. Next year he would since I was leaving for college unless he talked my father into dropping him off.

I swung into my spot, number seventeen, more than halfway across the parking lot and me with no umbrella. Neil didn’t sayanything to me and slipped out of the car, flipping the hood of his football jacket up. I followed, putting my backpack over my head.

Hudson was leaning against my locker when I arrived, a huge grin on his face. He pulled me into his arms and hugged me, whispering in my ear.

“Why were you up at 3 a.m.?”

I nuzzled his ear. “I had a dream.”

He kept his voice low. “Do you know what that video did to me when I woke up? I never expected it.”

I smirked. “Promise me you won’t show your friends. Did you delete it?”

Hudson pressed his nose into my neck. “Hell – fucking - no. I have it hidden on my phone. I’m gonna use it as stroke material.”

I wrinkled my nose. “Ewww! I can’t believe you said that.”

My eyes were diverted across the hall. Evan was hanging all over Reagan, boldly palming her ass.

“Pres?” Hudson questioned.

“Nothing,” I said dryly.

He followed my gaze. “Forget them.”

I ground my teeth. “It feels like betrayal. My ex and best friend. It was like she was waiting for him to be done with me.”

Hudson cupped my cheeks. “You were the one who ended it.”

“Yeah, I did but it’s still wrong. It’s bullshit. I basically handed her everything. My job, my boyfriend.”

He kissed me softly on the lips. “Pres, no matter how you look at it, you never would’ve lasted.”

I frowned. “Why the fuck would you say something like that?”

“Because it’s true. I was coming back for you, and I didn’t give a shit who you were dating. Is that a good enough explanation for you?”

CHAPTER 17

Hudson

The last time I saw Presley, she’d given me a quick peck on the cheek before disappearing into her homeroom. But now, halfway through the day, she was nowhere to be found. I scanned the cafeteria, weaving through groups of students, feeling a gnawing worry I couldn’t shake. Finally, I spotted her brother, Neil, in the lunch line, already halfway through a chocolate chip cookie.

“Neil.” I stepped in beside him, catching his attention. “Have you seen Presley?”

His expression darkened, and he shot me a look that was equal parts suspicion and warning. “You better delete that video,” he muttered, his voice low and tense.

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