Page 2 of Truth or Dare
Evan’s frown deepened. “They know you’re dating me, so what’s the problem?”
His words grated on my nerves, his entitlement flaring up again. This was the side of him that always made me question why I was with him in the first place. But I knew the answer. Everyone knew. I was the girl who had managed to catch him, the first one he’d been willing to settle down with, but that didn’t erase the moments when his arrogance became too much.
I cocked my hip, meeting his eyes head-on. “It’s no big deal. They don’t ask for much, so I’ll give them this dinner. Simple.”
“Itisa big deal,” Evan shot back, his voice rising. “My parents aren’t home tonight!”
I reached up, gently cupping his cheek. “I’m done with this conversation, Evan.”
The tension between us hung heavy in the air, but I kept my gaze steady, refusing to budge. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the cafeteria door swinging shut behind Hudson. He was gone, again.
The first bell blared through the cafeteria, and I exhaled, grateful for the escape. Film history was my last class—an easy elective. Hitchcock was on the syllabus today, and I’d been counting down untilPsychohit the screen. Mr. Bailey wasn’t shy about showing the classics, and I couldn't wait to watch the famous shower scene again.
Just as I turned to leave, Evan’s grip closed around my arm, pulling me hard against his chest. His breath was hot against my ear. “Just remember who your boyfriend is,” he growled, his voice dripping with possessiveness.
I rolled my eyes, not even bothering to hide my irritation. “Seriously, Evan? You’re jealous?”
He narrowed his gaze, his jaw tightening. “I’m jealous of anyone who holds your attention. You’re mine, got it?”
Around us, students were clearing out of the cafeteria, their chatter growing distant. Only his friend Bobby lingered by the doors, giving us a knowing smirk. The warning bell echoed in the hallway, and panic flashed through me—I had to go, or I’d be late. I tried to pull away, but Evan’s hold was firm, fingers digging into my skin.
“I have to go!” I urged, but instead of letting me go, he crushed his mouth against mine, his teeth grazing my lips roughly. I gasped, yanking back.
“Don’t forget,” he muttered, finally releasing me with a smirk.
My heart raced with frustration as I backed away, his and Bobby’s laughter echoing in my ears. I was so close to breaking things off with him. Popularity wasn’t worth this drama, even if dating Evan Braddock was like holding a golden ticket to the A-list parties.
I practically sprinted to the arts wing, my mind spinning. The final tone rang as I pushed open the door, and twenty-one pairs of eyes swung toward me. Including Hudson Evert’s.
I froze.
Of course, the only open seat was next to him. Hesitation gripped me, but Mr. Bailey’s voice snapped me out of it.
“Miss Rossi, if you’d kindly take a seat.”
Suppressing a groan, I slid into the seat beside Hudson. He swept his hair back, a nervous gesture that made it flop right back into place. The smell of cedarwood, sage, and leather drifted toward me, making it hard to focus on anything but his presence. I stole glances from the corner of my eye, catching his sapphire gaze on me more than once. Did he remember who I was?
The lights dimmed, and the projector flickered to life, bathing the room in the drama ofRear Window. I’d seen it a hundred times but never tired of watching Jimmy Stewart andGrace Kelly’s electric chemistry. When the famous kiss scene began, I couldn’t help but sigh softly, imagining the tension, the anticipation.
Hudson snorted under his breath, leaning in just close enough for his voice to be a whisper in my ear. “Romance is bullshit.”
His words snapped me out of my daydream. I frowned, glancing at him. “How would you know?” I hissed back, annoyance flaring in my chest.
He didn’t answer, just stared straight ahead at the screen, his perfect profile shadowed in the dim light. My favorite part of the movie was ruined.Great.The final bell rang, and the class stirred to life. Before I could say anything else, Hudson was out of his seat, darting toward the door, disappearing as quickly as he had appeared.
Cheer practice was next. Tomorrow was the big game against Asterdale High, and the whole team had been buzzing about it all week. If we lost, Evan would sulk the entire weekend, probably drowning his sorrows at one of the parties he'd drag me to.
When I reached the gym, Evan was waiting by the entrance, his hand already tugging me into the darkened weight room. Before I could protest, his hands were on me, sliding up to cup my breasts.
“I want you,” he breathed, his voice thick with lust.
My pulse quickened, but not in the way he intended. “Here?” I asked, a sliver of alarm creeping into my voice.
“No. My bed—this weekend. We’ve waited long enough.” His hand moved to my chin, gripping me harder than necessary as he pressed his mouth to mine, his tongue invading with none of the tenderness I craved. The taste of cinnamon mixed with my minty breath, and I had to stifle a moan.
But beneath the heat of the moment, dread simmered. If I let him take me this weekend, Evan would claim me as his own in the worst way possible. He’d be smug, possessive, and the last bit of freedom I had would evaporate. And worst of all—he’d never know the truth. That he wouldn’t be my first.
This summer, I’d spent a night with Reagan’s cousin, Deke, a twenty-year-old with charm to spare. I’d crushed on him for years, and the moment felt right, perfect even. Now, knowing what was out there, I couldn’t help but compare every guy to him, and Evan didn’t measure up.
