Page 4 of Truth or Dare
His lips curled into a knowing smirk. "You sure about that?"
I turned back to the drawer, grabbing the salad bowls, hoping the clatter would drown out the sound of my thudding heart. "Positive."
"Then explain this," he said, slapping an envelope on the counter.
I glanced down, and my stomach dropped. My childish handwriting stared back at me, the address dotted with tiny purple hearts. One of the love letters I’d sent him years ago, when I was naïve and stupid enough to believe he cared.
I could barely look at it. "So what?" I said coolly, pushing the letter toward him.
Hudson’s eyes never left mine. "You’re still mad."
I let out a sharp laugh, but there was no humor in it. "Mad? Try furious. You ghosted me. You broke my heart," I hissed.
His expression softened, and he stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Presley, I was young. Let me explain…"
"I don’t want to hear it," I snapped, my voice trembling despite my attempt to keep it steady. "You don’t get to come back after five years and pretend it didn’t happen."
He reached for my wrist, gently, but firm enough that I couldn’t ignore him. "I know I screwed up, but please, let me."
"I said no!" I yanked my arm free, anger boiling up like lava. "I don’t want your explanation, and I definitely don’t want to be your friend."
Before Hudson could respond, my mother entered the kitchen, her eyes narrowing as they darted between us. She noticed the tension immediately, the empty appetizer plate still in her hand.
"Is everything all right?"she asked, her voice laced with concern.
Hudson quickly released my wrist, shoving his hands into his pockets, retreating with a mumbled, "We’re good."
"We’re serving dinner in a few minutes," my mom said, still eyeing us suspiciously.
Hudson shot me a glance before disappearing into the living room, leaving me standing there, breathless and more confused than ever.
"What was that about?" my mom asked, setting the tray down and crossing her arms.
"Nothing," I muttered, but the knot in my stomach told me this was just the beginning. Hudson Evert was back, and I wasn’t ready for whatever storm he was about to bring into my life.
CHAPTER 2
Hudson
Gone was the awkward twelve-year-old I left behind when my family moved to New Jersey. My father had gotten a promotion at another facility—too far to drive. I hated leaving Presley. Back then, we had something innocent, puppy love maybe. I’d wanted to ask her to be my girlfriend but never got the chance.
Now, sitting across the dinner table from her, it was hard to believe the change. Presley wasn’t a kid anymore; she was striking, the kind of beautiful that was hard to ignore. As our parents talked about business and tennis—two things I couldn’t care less about—I nudged Neil, who was sitting next to me.
“You play sports?” I asked, cutting through the dull conversation.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Presley’s moss-green eyes lift from her plate, lingering on me. I didn’t look directly at her but knew she was watching.
Neil shrugged. “Football. I’m on varsity, but I don’t get much playing time.”
“What position?” I probed, my tone light.
“Receiver.”
“Are you any good?” I glanced at Neil, but I could feel Presley’s gaze intensify.
He gave another nonchalant shrug. “I guess. I made varsity.”
Presley’s voice cut in, soft but firm. “He’s very good.”
