Dare Series Collection - Shantel Tessier Page 0,130

by Nothing More starts to play in the room.

She jerks her arm out of my hold. “I didn’t think so.” With that, she walks out.

Shane runs a hand through his hair. “She has to be joking.”

“Doubtful,” I say. She’s a shark just like us, after all.

“What the fuck?” Kellan shouts. “This is all your fault.” He points at me. “You wanted to bring her in. You wanted to fuck her. And you kept secrets from her.”

“Me?” I demand. “You gave me a dare to fuck another girl when you knew we were together.”

He snorts. “You were never together. You have forced her along this entire time.” He reaches for the closed door. “And now she’s gonna fuck us! Just like I told you she would!”

Bennett and Shane both turn and follow him out.

“What do you want me to do?” Deke asks as Becky runs out after her.

“Nothing you can do. I fucked up.” I should have just come out and told her the truth in the beginning.

He sighs heavily. “You could tell her about—”

“She doesn’t wanna hear about that right now,” I interrupt him.

“Why did you come, man?”

I turn around and face him. “Why wouldn’t I?” I snap.

He runs a hand through his hair. “Are you trying to piss her off?”

“No!”

“Then maybe just give her some time to cool off,” he offers.

“It’s been two weeks. How long does she fucking need?” I demand.

“I don’t know what you want me to say.” He throws his hands up in the air. “Or what you want me to do. Fuck! You two are going round and round in circles and not getting anywhere,” he growls. “You hated her. Now she hates you …”

“I never hated her.” I wanted to destroy her. There’s a difference.

He sighs heavily. “I … don’t know why you can’t just tell her.”

My heart starts to pound in my chest. “Tell her what?”

“Come on, Cole? Playing dumb with her may work, but it’s not going to work with me. I’ve known you all my life.”

I cross my arms over my chest. “And?”

He steps into me, eyes narrowed. “And I don’t know why it’s so fucking hard for you to be a man and tell the girl you love her.”

“I don’t!” I snap.

He throws his head back, laughing. “So you don’t plan on her moving to Texas with you after graduation?”

“That is for her to be close to Lilly,” I growl. I should have never told him my plans.

He stares at me, and I arch a brow. Throw something else at me, Deke. I’ll block it.

“You know.” He uncrosses his arms over his chest. “Everyone always talks about how fucked up you are.” My hands clench. “But I never believed them. Until now. You can kill someone without a second thought, but you can’t admit you love someone?” He shakes his head. “Never thought I’d see the day when you actually surprise me.” Then he turns and exits the room.

AUSTIN

I walk into the kitchen and grab the Fireball and take a sip from the bottle.

“What the hell was that?” Becky demands, running up to me.

“Me putting them in their place,” I say and tip it back again.

She sighs. “What do you have on them?”

“Enough.”

She rolls her eyes. “That’s not what I asked, Austin.”

I take another drink as Deke walks into the kitchen. I don’t expect to be invited back to the clubhouse anytime soon. But too bad. Because my ass isn’t walking away. Not this far into the game.

He comes over to us, his eyes on Becky. “We’re leaving, babe,” he says, and my eyes catch Cole storming past the kitchen and out the front door.

I take another drink.

“I’m staying again tonight,” she tells him.

He nods, already knowing that. Then he looks at me. He opens his mouth to speak and then closes it.

“What?” I snap.

He just shakes his head. “Nothing.” Then gives Becky a kiss before he turns and walks out.

“You can go with him if you want,” I offer.

She shakes her head. “Absolutely not. I’m your only friend, remember?” She gives me a smile before taking the bottle from my hand. “Someone has to watch over you.”

I roll my eyes but sigh in disappointment. I’ve never had a good birthday. I’ve never spent it with family or real friends. Since I left California, I’ve learned a lot. And one thing is that those friends were as fake as a blow-up doll. I hate that I’m fighting with Cole. I hate that he put me in this position. That he