Page 59 of Truth or Dare

I crashed on my bed,and before long, I must’ve drifted off, my mind tangled in thoughts of Presley. Suddenly, a warm, familiar weight slipped in beside me, arms wrapping snugly around my waist. I stirred, groggy.

“Pres?”

She giggled, her breath tickling my neck. “Were you expecting someone else?”

I blinked, barely believing she was here. “Didn’t expect you sneaking into my bed with my mom around.”

“She was heading out,” she said, snuggling closer. “Something about picking up steaks for dinner.”

“So, you thought you’d slip in here and seduce me in my sleep?”

“Hudson!” She slapped my arm, laughing, but didn’t pull away.

I grinned, turning to face her. “Where were you at lunch? I looked everywhere.”

Her expression softened. “I had to see Mr. Pileggi about my Spanish project. By the time I got to the lunchroom, you were gone. Everyone was talking about the fight. Hudson, why’d you hit Evan?”

My jaw tightened. “He called you something I couldn’t let stand.”

She sighed, her fingers trailing gently over my cheek. “Huddy, you have to let it go. He won’t stop. He’ll talk all year if he wants to.”

“Probably true,” I muttered, hating that she was right.

She looked at me, pleading. “Promise me you won’t fight him again. Please.”

“I told Mom I wouldn’t,” I said with a shrug. “But if he starts it, I can’t back down, Presley. I won’t.”

“Just don’t start it,” she whispered.

“Pres?” I leaned in, brushing my lips against hers. “Shut up and kiss me.”

She let out a soft laugh, her hands slipping under my t-shirt as I kissed her, pulling her bottom lip into my mouth, savoring her taste. She moaned softly, her fingers tracing the lines of my waist.

“Your mom…” she murmured, pausing as she glanced at the door.

I chuckled, tilting her face back to mine. “Relax. She respects my privacy. She might not be back for hours.”

Her cheeks flushed, but she smiled, her fingers playing with the hem of my shirt. “Still, I don’t want her to think I’m...I don’t know, slutty.”

My hand slid up, cupping her cheek, and I gave her a serious look. “She doesn’t think that, Presley. Why would you even worry?”

Her face softened, but her voice wavered. “Because Evan’s mom didn’t like me.”

I felt my smile fade as I rolled her onto her back, brushing her hair back as I looked down at her. Presley Rossi—sweet, kind, beautiful. How could anyone dislike her? “Why?”

She looked away, her voice quiet. “She thought Evan could do better. I didn’t know until this past summer. He was in the shower, and I heard her on the phone, talking about me. And it wasn’t good.”

I scoffed, brushing a thumb over her cheek. “Does she even know her own son?” I shook my head, smirking. “Trust me, Presley—you were way too good for him.”

Her green eyes dimmed, the spark fading as if the knowledge of someone’s disdain had snuffed out her inner light.

“She thinks Evan is perfect,” she murmured, almost to herself.

I took her chin in my hand, tilting her gaze back to mine. “Pres, you’re the one who’s perfect. I've always thought so.”

Her eyes softened, a small smile playing at her lips. “You’re just saying that because you want to get in my pants.”

I leaned down, brushing my lips over hers. “I’ve loved you long before any of the clique nonsense or popularity games started—back when we were both just kids, awkward and figuring ourselves out.”

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