I Dare You (Dare 1)

A slow and devious smile spreads across his face before his head drops to my neck. His hands go to my hips, and he digs his fingers into my skin.

“Cole,” I growl, trying to push him off me, but he doesn’t budge.

His lips softly kiss up to my ear. “Pain turns me on, Austin.” He presses his hips into mine and he’s hard. And just like that, I melt like fucking butter.

Stay strong! You’re mad at him.

“Want me to take you out to my car and fuck you?”

“Cole …” I say, but the bell cuts me off.

He pulls away, laughing, knowing exactly what he did to me. “Come on. I’m walking you to class.”

I grind my teeth but am thankful for the interruption. Because I think I was going to tell him yes.

_________________________________

I look up to see Becky walking into the cafeteria. I call out her name and wave my hand. She comes bouncing over and plops down across from me. “You just love being the topic of the day,” she says, shaking her head.

“What now?”

“Everyone is talking about how you slapped Cole.” She wiggles her eyebrows. “They are saying he’s whipped.”

I throw my head back and laugh. If they only knew the truth. Cole comes to sit beside me, and Deke sits down next to Becky. “Traitor,” I mumble, and she gives me a big smile before kissing him.

The one friend I have made is now sleeping with one of the enemies. This will not end well for me.

Kellan sits down to my right, and I stiffen. Even Cole squares his shoulders, but he doesn’t look over at him.

Shane and Bennett join us, and all the guys talk about crap I can’t keep up with.

Deke takes a second to shovel some food into his mouth between arguing with Shane when I look up at him. “Can I have Shelby’s number?”

The table falls silent. His eyes meet mine, and they narrow. “Why do you want her number?”

“How do you even know her?” Kellan growls.

“She did my stitches. I need them out this week,” I say.

“What stitches?” Shane asks.

Cole and Deke don’t answer him. I frown. Have they not filled them in on what happened that night? I look over at Cole, and he’s glaring at me. I glare back, not backing down from him.

“I’ll take you today after school.” Cole breaks the silence, and I don’t even bother to argue as they resume their conversations.

A small victory, but a victory nonetheless.

“What about these stitches?” Kellan presses.

Cole looks down at his phone. “It doesn’t concern you, Kellan,” he says.

Becky makes an O face with her lips at Cole’s tone. Deke shovels more food into his mouth, letting me know he isn’t going to say a word about it. Shane and Bennett also let it go, knowing they aren’t going to get any more info. Kellan slams his drink onto the table and then stands, walking away.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

COLE

I already made the mistake of leaving her alone with Shelby once. I wasn’t gonna make it again. I heard her talking to Austin about me last time we were here. So this time, I stand in the kitchen with them while they sit at the table as Shelby removes her stitches.

“It looks really good,” Shelby tells her as she examines it. “And the scarring will be very minimal.”

Austin smiles at her. “Thank you.”

“Of course,” Shelby says, waving off her gratitude and pulling her in for a hug.

“May I use your restroom?” Austin asks, standing.

She nods and shows her where it is.

I’m leaning up against the kitchen counter when Shelby reenters. Her smile drops off her face when her eyes meet mine. She comes to a stop in front of me with her arms crossed over her chest. “Why did you do that to her?”

I don’t respond.

She sighs at my silence. “Why are you getting so close to her? I’ve seen the video Deke posted online. You’re playing her. But the question is why?”

“What I do with her is none of your concern,” I decide to say.

“Cole.” She runs her hand through her hair. “You can’t do this to people.”

“I can do whatever I want.”

She fists her hands down by her sides, clearly frustrated. I stare back at her unblinkingly, showing a sign of indifference. Shelby has too much heart. I don’t have enough. “I saw the news. And that Jeff is missing.” She changes the subject, her eyes searching mine for any indication I had something to do with his disappearance. She knows me better than that. I’m a wall. She gives me her back and lets out a nervous laugh. “This has to stop, Cole.”

“Are you gonna stop me?”

She spins back around to face me. “This is serious! This is your life!”

I look away from her as guilt starts to eat at me. A life I shouldn’t be living.