Dare Series Collection - Shantel Tessier Page 0,354

who you guys beat up the other day after swim practice.”

A slow smile spreads across Shane’s face, and it has me sitting back more into Deke. I don’t know much about him. Less than the others. He was closest with Kellan. Who knows what Shane is thinking now?

“Are you going to hurt her?” Austin asks.

Cole sits back and runs his hand over his chin. “We’ll do whatever needs to be done.”

“Our concern is Seth,” Bennett says, looking at Austin. Clearly trying to smooth over what Cole just said. “He’s our main priority. I doubt she knows much.”

Austin gets up and walks out of the room. Cole watches her from his seat but makes no move to go after her. Seconds later, you hear their bedroom door slam shut.

Shane laughs. “Don’t you worry she’ll kill you in your sleep?”

Cole just smiles. He’d probably get off on that.

CHAPTER THIRTY

DEKE

I MAKE MY way through the crowd of kids who clutter the living room. “Boneshaker” by Redlight King blasts through the large speakers that are placed in the corners.

I take a drink from my Solo cup as a blonde pushes her way past me. She steps up onto the coffee table and removes her shirt, showing everyone her pink bra with white polka dots on it. She tosses the shirt to another girl who stands beside me. Guys and girls holler over the song. I keep walking, not seeing who I’m looking for. I exit the living room and head down a long hallway. I catch sight of Cole standing in the kitchen talking to a girl who sits next to us in one of our classes at UT. His eyes meet mine briefly, but he doesn’t acknowledge me in any way. I pass the kitchen and keep going until I’m in the back of the house.

The lights are dimmed back here, and the song changes to “Legend” by The Score. I take another drink and spot who I’m looking for.

She stands back in the corner, leaning up against the wall. She has a cup in her hand and a smile on her face while talking to another girl. And I recognize her. She doesn’t look the same, but I would never forget her face.

What are the odds?

I walk over to them. “Excuse me?”

They both turn to look at me. “I know you.” I point at the brunette that I’m not here for.

She bites her bottom lip and looks me up and down. “I don’t know you.”

I chuckle. “Well, not officially.” I hold out my right hand. “I’m Deke.”

“Brynn.” She introduces herself.

“You work at Silence.”

She nods her head quickly and shakes my hand. “Yes, I do. You’ve been there?”

“I have,” I say to the girl who had asked me to help her. Brynn was strapped in a straitjacket and sitting in a tub full of black water.

“She’s been doing that job for two years now,” the other girl says, rolling her eyes. “I don’t know why she does it.”

“What can I say?” Brynn smiles. “I like being restrained and held under water.”

“Dear lord.” Her friend sighs. “You need to fire your therapist. He is not doing you any favors.”

Brynn laughs. “Oh, he gives me favors all right.”

“Did I hear something about restraints and water?” An arm drapes over my shoulders, and I look over to see Shane now standing with us. His eyes start at her red heels and work up her white skinny jeans and black V-neck tank top that shows off her impressive cleavage. She wears a black choker and a smile on her pretty face. “I’m sad I missed it.”

She takes a drink from her straw. “Well, we get to keep our props.”

Shane chuckles and takes her hand. “Let me get you another drink while you tell me all about it,” he says, pulling her away.

I turn to the girl who I came here for. “Melissa.” She holds out her hand. She tilts her head to the side. “I’ve seen you around campus.”

“Really?” I ask. “Do we have classes together?”

She shakes her head. “No, but I’ve seen you with my brother.”

“Oh, who is your bother?” I play dumb.

“Seth. Seth Wilson.”

I nod my head. “Yeah. Yeah. He’s friends with some of my teammates.”

Her face lights up. “You play football?”

“No. I’m on the swim team at UT.”

“That’s awesome.” She smiles up at me. “My boyfriend is too. Maybe you know him? Peter.”

Yes, unfortunately, I know that fucker. I feel my phone vibrate in my back pocket and pull it out. I drop it