Page 73 of Truth or Dare

And in that instant, nothing else mattered—her warmth, her laughter, and that spark between us were enough to make the rest of the world disappear.

The next day,Presley’s plans to sneak out were shot. Her mom was home, and the rain had cleared just in time for her to beassigned the chore she dreaded most: cleaning out the garage. Meanwhile, I was in my room, half-heartedly working on an English assignment, when my mom poked her head in. I ended up fessing up and telling her before the school called.

“I have to go out for a bit. Do you need anything?” she asked, keys jangling in her hand.

“Nah,” I replied, but as she turned to go, something nagged at me.

“Mom?” I called, and she stopped, looking back at me. “Why aren’t you…angry at me?”

She sighed, stepping into the room and sitting on the corner of my bed. “Because I know you,” she said softly. “You have a reason for everything you do. You’re not a troublemaker.”

I glanced down at my notebook, my pen idle in my hand. “This guy… he’s a jerk. I can’t let him get the best of Presley. He’s not the only one with friends.”

My mom reached over, squeezing my foot through the blanket. “I just want you to be careful, that’s all. This kid sounds like he could be trouble. I’ve met Mrs. Braddock, and… she doesn’t seem like the friendliest person.”

“If you only knew,” I muttered, half to myself.

She arched an eyebrow. “What was that?”

I shook my head, smirking. “Nothing. Presley said she’s a real piece of work.”

Mom chuckled as she stood up. “Alex won’t be home until late. How about Fromby’s for dinner?”

My grin spread instantly. “Triple burger with extra cheese and chili fries—and one of those double-thick shakes?”

She laughed, ruffling my hair as she headed out. “You must be starving.”

“Oh, and, uh… can I go out tonight?”

She shot me a look, knowing better. “In by curfew.”

After she left, I grabbed my phone and texted Presley.

Can you come out tonight?

A moment later,the reply buzzed in.

Not happening. Mrs. Bowers saw me come home yesterday and told my mom. Now I’m grounded for a week and cleaning the garage.

I couldn’t help laughingat the thought of her buried in boxes and dust.

Need a hand?

You’re banned. And I’m grounded until Monday.

I paused,a hint of worry stirring.

Banned? For good?

I called her immediately,and after a few rings, she picked up, her voice a low whisper. “I’m not supposed to have my phone.”

“What do you mean, banned?” I asked, my heart sinking. “Because I can’t be without you for too long, you know.”

She let out a soft laugh. “It just means I can’t go out with you until I’m ungrounded. Mrs. Bowers blabbed, my mom’s pissed, and I have to go before she finds out I’m on the phone.”

Before I could say more, she hung up. I sat there, staring at the screen. This can’t be it, I thought. I grabbed my jacket, slid on my boots, and jumped into my truck, heading straight for her place.

When I pulled up, I spotted Presley out on the driveway, sweeping a pile of dusty clutter into a pan. She looked up at the sound of my door slamming, and I couldn’t help but grin as I took her in, her hair pulled into a loose ponytail, a streak of dirt smudged across her cheek, and flecks of paint on her sweatshirt. She looked so...real.

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