Dare Series Collection - Shantel Tessier Page 0,337

Somehow, my numbers just kept climbing. I hate how much criticism I get for doing what they do without a second thought. A guy can fuck four girls in one night, but a girl can’t fuck two guys in the same month without being tainted.

Such bullshit!

“I always kept that fun fact a secret from Deke, knowing he’d be pissed at me, but I don’t think he’d give a fuck now.”

I close my eyes, hating how much that thought hurts. How he betrayed me more than I ever could him. I could sleep with every fucking GWS, and it wouldn’t even come close to the fact he fucked my sister. “Shane …”

He pulls away from me with a smirk on his face as though he just won some fucking bet. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if he did. They dare each other to do all kinds of shit, and nothing is off-limits. Not even women. “Don’t worry, Becky. I just fucked you then ’cause I knew it’d be easy. I sure as hell don’t want you now.”

My chest tightens. That’s all I ever am—a fuck! No one ever wants to love me. “Fuck you, Shane …” I shove him away.

He just smiles at me. “Did you know you were a dare?”

“What?”

“Eli dared Deke …”

“No.” I shake my head. “You’re lying.” I had asked Deke this very question four months ago when he stood in my bedroom at my father’s house.

“Was I a bet that night at the party? Did Cole bet you to take me home?” We were finally able to be with one another. Cole was claiming Austin for all to see. It was our time. After all the secret hookups and quiet whispers, we were able to be together. But was it true?

“You can’t be serious. That night was not our first night together, or have you forgotten?” He growls.

I jab my finger into his chest, and he takes a step back. “So? And I’m dead serious. Did you record us that night too?” I went home with him and stayed in his pool house.

“Fuck, no!” he snaps. “I would never do that to us.”

“How am I supposed to know that?” I shout. I bow my head and sigh. I’ve lied to him for so long, maybe I missed his lies. “The bottom line, Deke, is I don’t trust you. And I can’t be with someone I don’t trust. I’ve done it before, and I won’t do it again.”

“You can trust me. I would never cheat on you. Or film you. Fuck, I love you.”

“You’re lying,” I repeat. “He was not dared to take me home the night of the party.”

“Party?” He laughs. “No, I’m talking about the day he kissed you at Collins High by the football field.”

“What?” I gasp.

“I won’t lie. Somewhere along the way, Deke managed to fall in love with you, but you’ve fucked him over too many times. See, Becky, you always were nothing more than a game to us.” He tilts his head to the side. “A game that has come to an end.” Then he turns and walks over to the small kitchen.

Without another word, I walk out of the clubhouse, fall into my father’s car, and start it up. “The Best You Had” by Nina Nesbitt plays through the speakers. Removing my cell from my pocket, I pull up Deke’s number, and fresh tears begin to fall. I need to make it right with him. He’s the only one who can save me at this point.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

DEKE

I SIT BY the pool in the cool night air, and I’m on my third cigarette while Cole does his laps. Now that it’s November, he’s turned the heater on in the pool.

My phone dings, and I pick it up off the table next to me to see it’s a text from Becky. It’s like all the others she’s sent me. She’s relentless.

Becky: Why her?

Becky: Did you think she was me?

Becky: Why didn’t you tell me?

Becky: Do you not love me anymore?

Same ole, same ole.

I ignore them and drop the phone onto my lap. Cole pops his head out of the water, sucking in a deep breath, but says nothing.

My phone begins to ring, but I don’t even bother looking at it. I have nothing to say to Becky. I didn’t sleep with Demi for any other reason than I wanted her. Simple as that. And I was single. Am single. I don’t have to explain myself, especially to her. She’d kill me if she