Dare Series Collection - Shantel Tessier Page 0,249

is a little darker. They’ve worn the same cut for as long as I can remember—short on the sides, long on top, and spiked to perfection. It was the GWS way. It’s as if all the guys on the swim team at Collins High said let’s look the same and make the girls beg us for attention. It worked. Fucking bastards.

I push off the trailer and wink at him as I walk by. “It was good seeing you, Cole.” Then I laugh.

BECKY

I look up from my phone just in time to watch Deke storm by us. I spin around to see Demi also walking our way with Cole right behind her carrying Austin’s gummies.

What is she doing with him?

“What’s wrong with Deke?” Austin asks Cole with a frown as she looks over her shoulder and watches him stomp away from us, headed toward the parking lot.

Yes. We’re leaving.

My sister was wrong earlier when she said I hate anything scary, but I didn’t correct her. She’s just a bitch who likes to piss me off. I came tonight to get on Deke’s good side. He almost kissed me in the kitchen back at Austin’s house, and I know he planned to seduce me.

Of course, I’m gonna lie down and give it to him. Deke and I have this love-hate kind of relationship. Even back when we were fucking and I had a boyfriend, I knew I loved him. I just couldn’t be with him and him alone. It was … complicated. Now things are in damage control. I fucked up, and I’ve got to redeem myself.

It’s possible, but it’ll just take a lot of work. Possibly a lot of time on my knees. But a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.

“We’re leaving,” Cole snaps. He takes Austin’s hand and begins to drag her toward the parking lot.

I start to follow them.

“See you later, sis,” Demi calls out.

I turn and give my sister a tight smile. She stands with her arms crossed over her chest and a fucking smile on her face. What the fuck is she up to? Ignoring her, I toss my hair over my shoulder, then I turn and walk off after them.

By the time I make it to Deke’s Range Rover, he’s already got it started and shifted in reverse. I jump into the back seat behind him. The tires grip the gravel, and he backs us out of the spot.

Austin pouts beside me. “I really wanted to do the blackout attraction.”

“We’ll come back,” Cole promises.

I’ll make sure to stay home for that one. Putting myself in a situation where I can’t see is not my idea of fun. Especially with Deke.

Austin shoves some gummies in her mouth and then pulls her cell out of Cole’s hoodie pocket that she’s still wearing. “Have I shown you Lilly’s Halloween costume?” she asks me.

I refrain from sighing. This is her life now. Lilly and Cole. Cole and Lilly.

I really like Austin, even if I was forced into a friendship with her. She was fun and always up for a hit or a drink. But now that we’ve moved to Texas, she’s changed. Ever since she almost died, Cole keeps her on a tight leash. As if someone still plans to hurt her. She waits on the guys and Lilly nonstop. She makes them breakfast, lunch, and dinner. She takes Lilly to and from school. I popped by yesterday when I knew the guys were in class to ask if she wanted to go to the mall, and she turned me down. She said she had to finish laundry and then clean the kitchen. All before running Lilly to ballet.

She has become a fucking mom.

It’s a total disappointment.

I honestly don’t know how she ended up with Cole. Well, that’s not the truth. I’ve read her deepest, darkest secrets. She doesn’t know that, but what’s that saying? What you don’t know can’t hurt you? She’s so full of life, and Cole is just a black hole.

He’s hot. I’ve always had a thing for him but never went there. His loyalty to Deke is unwavering, and I have a fear of being alone with him. The guy has death vibes, and I don’t wanna die.

I thought she could change him, but I think he ended up changing her more. But my question is why? Is it because of money? She came from a poor druggie mother. Her father was wealthy, but she didn’t have access to it until she came to