Dare Series Collection - Shantel Tessier Page 0,365

side door and falls into the car.

DEMI

It’s been a week since the GWS took care of Seth and then made a quick trip to Collins. Austin and I didn’t need to ask what they did there, but we knew. They were going down a list of people who needed to pay for hurting me or threatening them. No one was going to stop them from doing what they do best. I can’t say I feel sorry for any of them.

I lick my lips as I look in the bathroom mirror. My hair is down in big waves. Placing my hands in it, I bend over and fluff it, giving it some volume. Standing, I run my hands down the front of my holey jeans.

We’re having dinner tonight with my mother.

I asked her if I could have some friends over for dinner, and she looked at me like I was someone she’s never met. I know it’s not a good idea, but at this point, I don’t care. I want her to see that Seth is long gone. And that her lovely plan she had for my life is crumbling. ’Cause Deke sure as hell isn’t what she wants for my future.

I hear the doorbell ring, and I run out of my bathroom and down the stairs, yelling, “I’ll get it.”

Opening the door, I smile up at the prettiest man I’ve ever seen. I hate how he makes me feel, yet I can’t push him away. I can’t deny that Deke has gotten under my skin in the worst way.

“Hey, princess.” He steps into the house and wraps his arms around me, picking my feet off the floor. His lips crash down on mine, and I wrap my arms around his neck, kissing him like I’m desperate for him. I just saw him last night for a couple of hours, but it doesn’t feel like enough.

I don’t know how my sister ever thought he wasn’t enough for her. He would have given her the world, but he’s going to destroy mine.

I’m just waiting for that other shoe to drop. For everything to come crashing down and kill whatever this is that we have.

“Oh, get a room,” I hear Cole grumble.

I pull away from Deke’s lips and giggle. That’s another thing I do lately. I used to be disgusted with the girls at school who went all happily stupid over boys. And now I’m there.

I see Austin enter the house, and she holds a dish in her hands. “You didn’t have to bring anything.”

“I figured I could at least bring dessert.” She shrugs, and Cole pulls her into his side, kissing her head. I don’t know what all happened last week, but whatever it was, it’s like they’re finally breathing fresh air. They both seem very happy. And I can’t be more thrilled for them.

“Thank you,” I say, taking it from her, and then ask, “Where’s Lilly?”

“She’s at home with Misty,” Cole answers.

“Deke?”

We all turn to see my mother standing in the foyer. She’s wearing a pair of black slacks with a red silk top. She has her blond hair up in a tight bun and her black rimmed glasses hanging from her neck.

“Becky isn’t here,” she tells him.

I swallow the anger at her words, and say, “Deke is here to have dinner with us tonight, Mom.”

She tilts her head to the side as if she doesn’t understand my meaning. So I reach out, grab his hand, and place it in mine. Looking up at him, I give him a big smile. “We’re dating,” I say in case my show of affection wasn’t enough. I’m not sure what the hell we are exactly, and I don’t care. I’m not one of those girls who has to put a label on things. I just wanna piss her off.

I hear Cole cover a small laugh with a cough. He fails.

“I see.” She grabs her pearls and then turns, giving us her back and walking toward the formal dining room.

“This’ll be fun,” Cole mumbles. “Like that one time I had dinner with your father,” he tells Austin, and she sighs.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

DEKE

“THIS LOOKS AMAZING,” Austin says, looking over the table covered with food.

Angelica had her chefs make a variety from escargot to a kale salad and blackened salmon. Just to name a few things. It’s like they couldn’t decide exactly what they were in the mood for.

“So.” Her mother starts before I can even get a piece of bread on my plate. “When did you two