Page 58 of Truth or Dare

My brows shot up. “What?”

“You heard me. I know she sent you something,” he said, his gaze hardening.

I held back a sigh. Neil was just doing what any brother would, watching out for his sister. But he didn’t know the whole picture. I wasn’t some random guy. I’d never do anything to hurt Presley. I clenched my jaw, meeting his glare. “It’s none of your business. I just want to know where she is.”

Before Neil could respond, a familiar voice cut in, dripping with arrogance. Evan slung an arm around Neil’s shoulders, completely oblivious to the tension simmering between us. “What’s up, man? Got any extra fries?” he asked with a grin.

Neil shrugged him off, shooting a quick smile. “Yeah, don’t worry—I’m up next.” He turned his attention to the food counter, leaving me alone with Evan.

Evan turned toward me, his gaze sharp and taunting. He smirked, his voice low and cutting. “Hey, dickhead, where’s your cunt?”

The way he said it, the mocking tone. Before I knew it, my fist was already swinging, smashing into his jaw. The shock on his face was almost satisfying as he stumbled back, hitting the wall with a dull thud. His eyes widened, anger flaring as he regained his balance. Around us, students gasped and scattered, creating a wide circle, some staring, others whispering.

Evan’s face twisted with fury, and he lunged, fist raised, ready to take me down. My pulse pounded, my body coiled, ready to take him on. But just as we were about to clash, a stern voice cut through the chaos.

“Mr. Braddock. Mr. Evert. Dean’s office. Now.”

We both froze, turning to see one of the teachers glaring at us, arms crossed, clearly unimpressed. Evan rubbed his jaw, muttering under his breath as he straightened. I couldn’t help but smirk. He’d deserved that punch, and he knew it.

As we trudged toward the dean’s office, a small flicker of satisfaction lit up inside me. Yeah, I was probably looking at a suspension, and my mom would kill me for it later. But rightnow? Watching Evan nursing his bruised pride made it all worth it.

My mother shookher head as she set down her teacup, sighing softly. “Hudson, what is it about this boy that you can’t stop fighting with him?”

I grabbed a handful of potato chips, crunching them slowly as I considered my answer. “Mom, he called Presley… something awful. I couldn’t just let him get away with that.”

She placed a gentle hand over mine, her eyes both stern and soft. “It’s only October, and this is the second time you’ve been suspended, Hudson. I want this to be the last time. Promise me.”

I leaned back in my chair, tension coiling in my chest. If I promised her, I’d be giving Evan a free pass to keep running his mouth about Presley. I wasn’t sure I could stand that.

But I nodded. “I promise.”

“Good.” She lifted her tea, studying me over the rim. “Avoid him. I know the type. And...what’s this with you and Presley?”

My cheeks burned. I looked away, the words slipping out before I could catch them. “I love her. I’ve loved her since we were kids.”

A small smile tugged at her lips. “You’re young, Hudson. Love can be...fleeting.”

I shook my head, resolute. “Not this love.”

She took a delicate bite of a tea biscuit, chewing thoughtfully. “Just...be careful, honey. Love can be fragile, too.”

Her words hung in the air, and curiosity sparked inside me. My mom rarely spoke about Dad since he’d passed. “Was it that way for you and Dad?”

Her face softened, and her eyes grew misty. “Your father will always have a piece of my heart. But I do love Alex. He’s a good man.”

She was right about that. My stepfather was a solid guy. He’d taken on the role of my father with grace, never once making me feel like I wasn’t his own. I nodded. “Yeah, he is.”

“Now, the dean said your homework’s in your online account. You may not be in school physically, but you’re still responsible for your assignments.”

I shrugged, smirking. “Yeah, yeah, I get it.”

I pushed up from my chair and leaned down to kiss her cheek. As I headed downstairs, my phone buzzed with a new message. I hadn’t checked it since sitting in the dean’s office, not wanting to give him another reason to be pissed.

What did you do?

Four little words from Presley,laced with her worry. It was only 1 p.m., and she’d still be in class for another hour.

Come over when you get out of school.

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