Page 63 of Truth or Dare

“It was part of the game,” Neil protested, his words slurring.

“Bullshit! This is because of me, isn’t it?” I leaned down, my voice trembling. “Was Evan involved?”

Neil’s face twisted as he turned away. “It’s…none of your business,” he muttered defensively.

I moved closer, fists clenched, but Hudson stepped between us, gently pressing me back. “Pres, take a breather,” he said softly, his steady gaze calming me. “Go upstairs. I’ll take care of him.”

I let out a frustrated sigh, throwing my hands up before storming out. As I kicked off my soaked shoes in the foyer, I felt a pang of guilt, the evening with Hudson dissolving into chaos. The floor was covered in muddy puddles, so I grabbed paper towels and wiped up the mess, scrubbing at the anger and helplessness swirling inside me.

From down the hall, I heard Hudson’s calm, steady voice as he helped Neil out of his drenched clothes. The tension in my shoulders eased a little, knowing that at least Hudson was here—steady, patient, everything I needed tonight.

Hudson held my hand as we drove home, going slow because the roads were flooded as the rain continued.

“You know, if you came over my house, you could sleep over,” Hudson said.

“And how would that work?” I asked. “I’m sure your mother would love me sitting at the breakfast table with just fucked hair.”

Hudson chuckled. “You could shower first.”

I nudged him in the ribs with my elbow. “Not funny.”

“Come on, it was a little funny.”

“He’s goingto have a hell of a hangover tomorrow,” Hudson said as he curled his body around mine.

The spell was broken from our passion at the drive in. Neil was so drunk when we found him, I could’ve lost my brother. Hudson helped him into the shower and then his room. He was sleeping soundly with his garbage can next to the bed.

“He shouldn’t be with them. Evan did this on purpose. He’s angry I ended it,” I growled.

“Evan Braddock is a piece of shit.”

Hudson stroked my damp hair from my face, planting kisses on my cheek.

“The game continues but not how we played it,” I said.

He rolled away and turned me on my back to meet my gaze.

“What are you talking about?”

“He’s going to pay for this shit. There will be a truth or dare but it will be all about Evan.”

He frowned. “I don’t want that, to waste my time on that asshole.”

“Think about it as a gift to the community. I know a lot of Evan’s secrets. Wouldn’t he freak out if he comes home and shit it out of place or those secrets are exposed?”

Hudson narrowed his eyes. “Secrets?”

I sat up. “There’s a notebook where he rated the girls he slept with. It’s not only him. It’s his group of assholes. And that’s not all. I know his locker combination, the code to his house alarm and camera locations. The back of the house doesn’t have them.”

“You want to break into his house and take his shit? We could be arrested.”

“Pussy,” I said.

Hudson’s mouth dropped open. “I just don’t want to spend time in jail for breaking and entering.”

“We won’t. His mother is out a lot and his father travels. We could play the game but have Evan as our focus. Come on, Hudson. He deserves it.”

Hudson grinned. “Okay, but there has to be rules. Nothing dangerous like stealing his car or taking a weapon.”

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