“You ever sucked a guy’s cock?”
“Wow, okay, this is just fucking ridiculous. No, I’ve never fucked anyone. No, I’ve never messed around with anyone. Yes, I’m a virgin. Are we done now? Can I go?” she asked.
“Not yet.”
“Truth or dare?” she asked again.
“Truth.”
“Why do you hate me so much?” she asked.
This took him by surprise and he remained silent, very much aware of everyone watching them. He couldn’t stand to have their attention and he certainly didn’t want it.
“Well! Are you not going to answer me, hotshot?”
“I never said I did,” he said.
“Oh, come on, you totally fucking hate me!”
“Does that bother you? Thinking I hate you?”
She glared at him and he loved the challenge in her eyes. “No, it doesn’t.”
“Then why waste a question?”
“What I don’t get is if you don’t hate me, why oh, why, do you treat me like shit?” she asked.
“’Cause trash is always treated the way it’s supposed to be.” There was a loud chorus of whoops around the room. “Truth or dare?”
“Dare.”
Now they were getting somewhere.
He didn’t want to scare her off too soon.
“Drink a shot. Someone grab her a shot.”
“That’s it. One shot?”
“Why not?”
He was handed a shot, which he immediately gave to her, waiting for her to drink it. The booze at his parties were always the good stuff, and he watched as she knocked it back, trying not to cough as it burned the back of her throat.
“That’s right, that’s the good stuff.”
She handed him the glass while shaking her head at the same time. “That’s horrible.” She covered her mouth to cough. “Truth or dare?”
“Dare.”
“Ugh.” She looked around the room and then he saw the wicked smile that played across her lips. “Kiss Ree,” she said.
“That’s it? You’re going to waste your dare on a silly kiss with your friend?”
“What’s the matter, Drake? Chicken?” she asked.
“Oh, you don’t even know who you’re messing with.” Grabbing Ree, he pulled her down to him. She was always close by anyway, always hanging around for whatever crumb of attention he could give her. Gripping her hair tightly, he slammed his lips against her, kissing Ree while at the same time looking at Prudence for any reaction. Her brow was raised but she seemed completely unmoved by him kissing her friend.
Ree stroked his face and he quickly pushed her away. He didn’t like to be touched unless he was the one doing it.
“Truth or dare?” he asked, sitting on the floor, watching her.
“I’m going to go with truth.”
“You ever fantasize about me?”
“No, ew, gross. Are we done now?” Prudence asked, getting to her feet. “I’m done playing silly games. I’m not like this. I don’t party, and I don’t mess around. Sean’s waiting for me.”
“With the snap of my fingers, I’ll have my guys beat the shit out of him. Is that what you want?”
“You’re an asshole,” she said.
“I didn’t claim to be anything more. Question is, are you going to just sit around and bullshit with me, or are you going to play fair?”
“Why don’t you just tell me what you want so we can both get over this?” she asked.
“Everyone out,” he said, shouting to be heard over the music. When no one moved, he broke eye contact with her, forcing everyone to get the fuck out of the game room. The moment the door was closed, he got up and flicked the lock. His parents, for some reason, always insisted on having locks on doors, but he didn’t mind that. “We’re all alone.” He took a seat opposite her.
“I don’t like this. You don’t like me.”
“What makes you think I don’t like you?”
“For years now, you’ve been calling me trash and hurting me. I don’t know how you can see that as being anything other than hatred, to be honest.”
He smiled. “Like I said, I don’t hate you.”
“You have a funny way of showing it.”
“I dare you to strip.”
“This is ridiculous.”
“Do I look like I’m joking around? I mean business, Pru. Strip. Or do you want Sean to pay the price?” He was more than happy to make Sean pay for her insolence.
She had come into his domain and now she thought she could be the one in charge. Not happening. Not on his watch. This was his turf and there wasn’t anyone who could make him stop.
He held his cell phone up, ready. “You want to test me, Prudence?”
“Why are you doing this?”
“Because I can and because it’s fun. You really think you’re the one with the power here? You shouldn’t have come, Prudence. Now, take those clothes off or Sean will pay the price again for your bullshit. Isn’t he always paying in some way because you can’t handle all this crap?” He held his phone between his fingers. “Decisions. It’s so hard to make the right decision, isn’t it?”