Page 84 of Truth or Dare

I wove through the bodies scattered around the rooms, trying to keep an eye on Presley from a distance. Eventually, I sank into a vacant spot on the leather couch in the great room, watching as Reagan sidled up to my brother, Neil, pressing a bottle of vodka into his hand.

He laughed, and she leaned in close, whispering something that made him grin before he tipped back another long drink. I could see he was already feeling the buzz, his movements heavy and slow.

I shot up, weaving my way over and grabbing Reagan’s arm. “Let’s go,” I muttered, yanking her up.

A few people looked over as I dragged her down the hall, ignoring her snarled insults. Once I pulled her into an empty library, I slammed the door shut.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” My voice was sharp, barely reined in.

She crossed her arms, a sly grin twisting her mouth. “Jealous?”

I stepped closer, voice low. “He’s fourteen, Reagan.”

She rolled her eyes with a shrug. “What do you care?”

My jaw clenched, muscles straining. “He’s a kid. Stop feeding him alcohol and playing whatever sick game this is. He doesn’t act like himself around you.”

“Oh, he’s just fine,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “He doesn’t act like a kid because I’m not treating him like one.”

I forced myself to take a breath, my voice sharp as I spoke. “Are you out of your mind?”

Her eyes flashed, and she set her jaw. “Crazy enough to know what I want. All you had to do was keep Presley busy, and I could’ve had Evan to myself.”

I shook my head, stepping back in disgust. “Evan? He’s just using you to rile up Presley. You think he actually cares?”

Her face hardened, but the flicker of hurt was there. “You don’t know him. He’ll dump her by the end of the year—she’s just for show. Once he’s in college, he’ll be after someone new.”

I crossed my arms, holding her glare. “Maybe she’s using him. Maybe she’ll be the one to dump him.”

Reagan just laughed, sprawling on the couch and putting her feet on the coffee table, utterly indifferent to the people around her. “Sure,” she said dismissively. “Presley dumped you for him, didn’t she? Guess she knew which one of you was the better deal.”

The sting of her words hit, but I didn’t let it show. I met her defiant stare. “Stay away from Neil,” I said, voice low and firm.

She laughed again, shrugging as if it was a minor inconvenience. “You can’t control everyone, Hudson.”

Ignoring her, I turned and left, determination hardening with every step. I pushed through the party chaos until I found Neil in the den, laughing too loudly as he raised another beer to his mouth, surrounded by older football players. The stench of spilled liquor and stale smoke clung to the air.

“Neil,” I called over the noise, keeping my voice steady. “We’re going. Now.”

He glanced up, eyes glassy, barely focusing. “Get lost, Hudson. I’m having fun.”

One of the guys, Brad, let out a lazy chuckle. “Come on, Evert. Let him have a good time.”

Neil smirked, raising his drink. “Yeah, let me have some fun.”

I held back my frustration, forcing calm into my voice. “Neil, this isn’t fun. Trust me, you’re going to regret this.”

He wobbled a bit, his grin slipping. “No, I’m staying.”

Realizing I wasn’t getting through, I turned to find Presley. Maybe she could convince him. I found her in the great room, her face pale as she struggled to support a slurring, staggering Evan. An open bottle of Everclear sat on a nearby table, half empty.

Her eyes met mine with relief. “Hudson, thank God. Can you help me get Evan to a bedroom? He’s too far gone to stay out here.”

I stepped in, taking some of Evan’s weight, which helped Presley get her balance. “Yeah, let’s get him upstairs.”

Together, we half-dragged, half-carried him up to an empty room. He muttered nonsense under his breath as we lowered him onto the bed, where he immediately passed out, face pressed against the pillow.

Presley let out a shaky sigh, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “Thanks. I didn’t know what to do.”

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