Truth or Dare

Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

Presley

A s Reagan nudged me, I stumbled slightly, her excitement caught me off guard. We pushed through the cafeteria doors, the swell of noise crashing over us—laughter, trays clattering, snippets of conversation, all blurring into a chaotic hum.

“Did you see the new guy?” Her voice cut through the din, sly and teasing.

I followed her gaze to the far side of the room where Hudson Evert sat, his dark hair sweeping over his eyebrows like he hadn’t bothered to tame it. He leaned back in his chair, seemingly unaware of the attention he was drawing. But I knew him all too well—Hudson, from sixth grade, the boy with gangly arms and an awkward smile who used to steal kisses from me behind the playground slide.

Then, one day, he vanished.

I swallowed hard. “Yeah, so?”

Hudson lifted his head right then, and for a split second, his blue eyes met mine. A jolt ran through me, like the memory of those letters we used to send each other. One a week, back when he made me a promise I believed in. I used to tear open the envelopes, excited to see my name in his shaky handwriting.

Until, suddenly, the letters stopped. My last three were unanswered, and the fourth one—stamped return to sender —still sat in my underwear drawer, tucked beneath lace bras and panties, a painful relic of the past.

Reagan wrinkled her nose at me. “So? He’s fucking gorgeous.”

I didn’t need her to tell me that. Even from across the room, I could see Hudson had grown into someone else entirely. Gone was the awkward boy. Now, he wore a black leather jacket slung lazily off one shoulder; his jawline sharp beneath the stubble of a dark beard. His eyes, deep blue like sapphires, were too striking to ignore.

Before I could respond, an arm slid around my waist, making me jump. Evan’s breath brushed against my cheek as he planted a quick kiss there, his possessiveness as palpable as ever. My heart fluttered, but not for him.

Hudson’s gaze snapped back to me, his eyes locking on mine. The world seemed to still for a moment. His expression was unreadable, but the tension crackling between us was unmistakable.

He remembered.

Hudson shoved his chair back abruptly, the screech of metal legs against the floor pulling me out of my reverie. Without a word, he strode toward the cafeteria doors, leaving me breathless.

Evan’s voice broke through the haze. “Who’s the new guy?”

“Hudson Avert,” Reagan answered quickly.

I blinked, my mouth moving before I could stop myself. “Evert. His name’s Hudson Evert .”

Reagan and Evan both turned to stare at me, surprise flickering in their eyes.

“You know him?” Reagan’s voice was sharp with curiosity.

I forced a casual shrug, the lie forming easily. I wasn’t ready to reveal the crush I’d harbored for years, or the fact that Hudson had disappeared from my life without explanation. “I heard his name in the office this morning. I think he went to school with us a while back.”

Her eyes narrowed, suspicious. “When were you in the office?”

“This morning,” I said quickly. “I was late—had to get a pass.”

It was true enough. I’d been late because I couldn’t find a spot in the senior lot, and my cheer sweater was still damp from a last-minute dryer run. Typical Friday.

Reagan’s suspicion faded, but Evan pressed closer against my back, his hand tightening possessively around my waist. Lately, he’d been pushing for more—wanting something I wasn’t ready to give. We’d been dating for four months, but the pressure started weighing on me.

“You coming to my place after school?” he murmured in my ear, his breath hot against my skin.

I tensed. “I’ve got cheer practice,” I said, my voice steady.

“Then tonight,” he pressed, his lips grazing my ear. “My parents are out for dinner. We could have a pizza and movie night.”

I caught Reagan smirking out of the corner of my eye, clearly amused by the exchange.

“I can’t,” I replied, forcing a smile. “My parents are hosting dinner for a new coworker. Apparently, their son is my age.”

Evan’s frown deepened. “They know you’re dating me, so what’s the problem?”

His words grated on my nerves, his entitlement flaring up again. This was the side of him that always made me question why I was with him in the first place. But I knew the answer. Everyone knew. I was the girl who had managed to catch him, the first one he’d been willing to settle down with, but that didn’t erase the moments when his arrogance became too much.

I cocked my hip, meeting his eyes head-on. “It’s no big deal. They don’t ask for much, so I’ll give them this dinner. Simple.”

“It is a big deal,” Evan shot back, his voice rising. “My parents aren’t home tonight!”

I reached up, gently cupping his cheek. “I’m done with this conversation, Evan.”

The tension between us hung heavy in the air, but I kept my gaze steady, refusing to budge. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the cafeteria door swinging shut behind Hudson. He was gone, again.

The first bell blared through the cafeteria, and I exhaled, grateful for the escape. Film history was my last class—an easy elective. Hitchcock was on the syllabus today, and I’d been counting down until Psycho hit the screen. Mr. Bailey wasn’t shy about showing the classics, and I couldn't wait to watch the famous shower scene again.

Just as I turned to leave, Evan’s grip closed around my arm, pulling me hard against his chest. His breath was hot against my ear. “Just remember who your boyfriend is,” he growled, his voice dripping with possessiveness.

I rolled my eyes, not even bothering to hide my irritation. “Seriously, Evan? You’re jealous?”

He narrowed his gaze, his jaw tightening. “I’m jealous of anyone who holds your attention. You’re mine, got it?”

Around us, students were clearing out of the cafeteria, their chatter growing distant. Only his friend Bobby lingered by the doors, giving us a knowing smirk. The warning bell echoed in the hallway, and panic flashed through me—I had to go, or I’d be late. I tried to pull away, but Evan’s hold was firm, fingers digging into my skin.

“I have to go!” I urged, but instead of letting me go, he crushed his mouth against mine, his teeth grazing my lips roughly. I gasped, yanking back.

“Don’t forget,” he muttered, finally releasing me with a smirk.

My heart raced with frustration as I backed away, his and Bobby’s laughter echoing in my ears. I was so close to breaking things off with him. Popularity wasn’t worth this drama, even if dating Evan Braddock was like holding a golden ticket to the A-list parties.

I practically sprinted to the arts wing, my mind spinning. The final tone rang as I pushed open the door, and twenty-one pairs of eyes swung toward me. Including Hudson Evert’s.

I froze.

Of course, the only open seat was next to him. Hesitation gripped me, but Mr. Bailey’s voice snapped me out of it.

“Miss Rossi, if you’d kindly take a seat.”

Suppressing a groan, I slid into the seat beside Hudson. He swept his hair back, a nervous gesture that made it flop right back into place. The smell of cedarwood, sage, and leather drifted toward me, making it hard to focus on anything but his presence. I stole glances from the corner of my eye, catching his sapphire gaze on me more than once. Did he remember who I was?

The lights dimmed, and the projector flickered to life, bathing the room in the drama of Rear Window . I’d seen it a hundred times but never tired of watching Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly’s electric chemistry. When the famous kiss scene began, I couldn’t help but sigh softly, imagining the tension, the anticipation.

Hudson snorted under his breath, leaning in just close enough for his voice to be a whisper in my ear. “Romance is bullshit.”

His words snapped me out of my daydream. I frowned, glancing at him. “How would you know?” I hissed back, annoyance flaring in my chest.

He didn’t answer, just stared straight ahead at the screen, his perfect profile shadowed in the dim light. My favorite part of the movie was ruined. Great. The final bell rang, and the class stirred to life. Before I could say anything else, Hudson was out of his seat, darting toward the door, disappearing as quickly as he had appeared.

Cheer practice was next. Tomorrow was the big game against Asterdale High, and the whole team had been buzzing about it all week. If we lost, Evan would sulk the entire weekend, probably drowning his sorrows at one of the parties he'd drag me to.

When I reached the gym, Evan was waiting by the entrance, his hand already tugging me into the darkened weight room. Before I could protest, his hands were on me, sliding up to cup my breasts.

“I want you,” he breathed, his voice thick with lust.

My pulse quickened, but not in the way he intended. “Here?” I asked, a sliver of alarm creeping into my voice.

“No. My bed—this weekend. We’ve waited long enough.” His hand moved to my chin, gripping me harder than necessary as he pressed his mouth to mine, his tongue invading with none of the tenderness I craved. The taste of cinnamon mixed with my minty breath, and I had to stifle a moan.

But beneath the heat of the moment, dread simmered. If I let him take me this weekend, Evan would claim me as his own in the worst way possible. He’d be smug, possessive, and the last bit of freedom I had would evaporate. And worst of all—he’d never know the truth. That he wouldn’t be my first.

This summer, I’d spent a night with Reagan’s cousin, Deke, a twenty-year-old with charm to spare. I’d crushed on him for years, and the moment felt right, perfect even. Now, knowing what was out there, I couldn’t help but compare every guy to him, and Evan didn’t measure up.

I pulled away, forcing some distance between us. “I’m late for practice.”

His grip tightened briefly on my waist before he let go. His eyes were dark, flashing with frustration. “After the game tomorrow. Randy’s throwing a party.”

I rolled my eyes. “Suppose I don’t want to go?”

“You’re going,” he growled, the possessiveness back in his voice.

I pressed my lips into a thin line and ducked out of the weight room.

"Presley, are you dressed?" my mother's voice carried up the stairs.

I checked my reflection in the mirror, fluffing out my blonde curls. Tonight was going to be a bore—some nerd and his parents. My dad loved to network, and I was just the collateral damage. With a sigh, I bounded downstairs, the smell of cheese puffs hitting me as I entered the kitchen.

"Going all out?" I raised my brow as I watched my mother pull a tray from the oven.

"The Reeves are new in town, and we want to welcome them properly," she said, her tone clipped, as if this whole evening was mission critical.

I plucked a hot cheese puff from the tray and juggled it between my hands, biting into it as I savored the molten cheese. I hadn’t eaten much since lunch—barely touched my salad.

"That's for company," she scolded, giving me a sharp look.

Grinning, I held up the half-eaten puff. "Want me to put it back? Teeth marks and all?"

"Wiseass," she muttered, shaking her head. "Call your brother, and make sure he washes his hands. The Reeves will be here any minute."

I popped the rest of the puff into my mouth and wiped my hands on the dishtowel. Neil, my brother, was totally enamored with Evan, my soon-to-be-ex. I knocked on his bedroom door, hearing some scuffling before it creaked open. His face was flushed, his eyes wide.

I narrowed my eyes. "What were you doing?"

"Nothing," he mumbled, voice cracking.

"Uh-huh," I said, unconvinced. "Mom wants you downstairs. And wash your hands."

He groaned dramatically, pushing his sandy hair off his forehead. "Why does Dad make us do this crap?"

"Because he's networking, duh," I replied, rolling my eyes.

"It’s annoying," he grumbled.

"Just get your ass downstairs before Mom freaks."

Neil slammed the door in my face, and seconds later, the rebellious blast of music echoed through the walls. I sighed, shaking my head, relieved that most of his teenage angst would play out while I was away at college.

"Presley, help me with this," my mom called just as the doorbell rang.

I hurried down the stairs, only to freeze when I saw who stepped through the door—Hudson Evert. My breath caught. He wore a crisp pink Oxford shirt, the sleeves rolled up just enough to show off his forearms, paired with black jeans. My heart pounded as his eyes locked onto mine for a beat longer than comfortable.

"Presley, this is Hudson," my father introduced, oblivious to the tension. Hudson reached out, his hand brushing mine as we shook. It was brief, but electric.

I escaped to the kitchen, heart still racing, pretending to be busy with setting the table. But the heat of his presence followed me. I felt him before I heard him.

"Why are you hiding?" His deep voice startled me from behind.

I spun around, almost dropping the silverware. "I'm not hiding," I said, a little too quickly.

Hudson stepped closer, his scent—something woodsy, mixed with a hint of leather—filling the air. "You remember me, don’t you?"

I swallowed hard. "No idea what you’re talking about."

His lips curled into a knowing smirk. "You sure about that?"

I turned back to the drawer, grabbing the salad bowls, hoping the clatter would drown out the sound of my thudding heart. "Positive."

"Then explain this," he said, slapping an envelope on the counter.

I glanced down, and my stomach dropped. My childish handwriting stared back at me, the address dotted with tiny purple hearts. One of the love letters I’d sent him years ago, when I was na?ve and stupid enough to believe he cared.

I could barely look at it. "So what?" I said coolly, pushing the letter toward him.

Hudson’s eyes never left mine. "You’re still mad."

I let out a sharp laugh, but there was no humor in it. "Mad? Try furious. You ghosted me. You broke my heart," I hissed.

His expression softened, and he stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Presley, I was young. Let me explain…"

"I don’t want to hear it," I snapped, my voice trembling despite my attempt to keep it steady. "You don’t get to come back after five years and pretend it didn’t happen."

He reached for my wrist, gently, but firm enough that I couldn’t ignore him. "I know I screwed up, but please, let me."

"I said no!" I yanked my arm free, anger boiling up like lava. "I don’t want your explanation, and I definitely don’t want to be your friend."

Before Hudson could respond, my mother entered the kitchen, her eyes narrowing as they darted between us. She noticed the tension immediately, the empty appetizer plate still in her hand.

"Is everything all right?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.

Hudson quickly released my wrist, shoving his hands into his pockets, retreating with a mumbled, "We’re good."

"We’re serving dinner in a few minutes," my mom said, still eyeing us suspiciously.

Hudson shot me a glance before disappearing into the living room, leaving me standing there, breathless and more confused than ever.

"What was that about?" my mom asked, setting the tray down and crossing her arms.

"Nothing," I muttered, but the knot in my stomach told me this was just the beginning. Hudson Evert was back, and I wasn’t ready for whatever storm he was about to bring into my life.