The Dare (North Woods University 2)

“What are you, eighty? Just go to your room and close the door. It’s not like you were invited, and if I don’t want to see you, then I can guarantee no one else in this room does.” I hate myself a little bit more as I say the words, because while they’re mean, they stoke the fire of resentment toward her.

“Baby,” Sarah coos, her feral gaze turning toward Ava. “Give her a break. This is a big change for her. I mean, I can’t imagine how hard it must be for trailer trash like her to suddenly be living in a nice place like this. Especially with her dad being in rehab and all. She’s probably over the moon.”

Sarah’s words almost wipe the smile off my face. Trailer trash? Rehab? If it wasn’t for the sudden change in Ava’s demeanor, I wouldn’t even believe Sarah’s words. But seeing Ava’s eyes fall to the floor and the slump of her shoulders tells me that it’s true and I swear to God if she starts to cry again, I might lose it.

“Go on… run up to your room… no one wants you here…” Sarah cackles, shooing her with her hands, and I feel the sudden urge to shove her off my lap and go to Ava. This is wrong, treating her this way, breaking her down. But it’s right too.

She deserves this, deserves to feel pain, sadness. No matter if her father is in rehab, she probably didn’t spend the last three of the five years we’ve been apart struggling. She probably had a good fucking life, probably still does even living here and that alone solidifies my choices. I can’t let doubt lead me astray. I won’t let it.

Clark exhales a long sigh beside me before shoving up from his seat. My mouth pops open, words piercing the edge of my tongue, but I don’t say shit. She’s fresh meat, and I hold no stake over her. If he wants to befriend her and fuck her into next week, then he can. It’s none of my business. I don’t care. Or at least I shouldn’t.

He leans down and whispers something into her ear. He’s close enough that if she turned at the right angle, their lips would touch, and for some reason, that pisses me off. Stupid, this is fucking stupid. Her being here, it’s toying with my emotions.

I try and force myself to look away, but I can’t. I’m transfixed on them, needing to know for sure that Clark doesn’t do something. Whatever he says to her causes her to shake her head, the movement slow and causing small wisps of hair to fall onto her face. She’s beautiful, so beautiful that it’s sickening. I want to brush those strands from her eyes, kiss her pink lips, and feel her tiny body beneath mine.

Then as if she can feel my gaze on her, her eyes lift to mine. For a fraction of a second, our eyes meet… the world is suspended in time around us. It’s just her and I. I’m not the bully anymore, and she isn’t a victim to my rage. Clark’s mouth starts to move again, and the moment between us ends.

I see her lips form the word sorry, and then she’s walking out of the room, just as Sarah had instructed, thankfully leaving Clark behind. He twists around, a dazzling grin on his face. His hazel eyes filled with mischief. I’m not sure what I would’ve done had he followed her upstairs. He’s my best friend, yeah, but I don’t think I could’ve handled it, not without lashing out in some way.

“What a loser.” Sarah purses her red lips, throwing her arms around me while trying to place a kiss on my lips. Yeah, no. I don’t kiss, and if I did, it wouldn’t be Sarah. She’s had a lot of dicks pass her lips, and I’m not about kissing anyone that puts dick in their mouth like most chew gum. And with Ava out of sight, there’s no need to keep Sarah on my lap. My need for her presence is done.

“Get away from me,” I growl, unwrapping her arms from me before shoving her off of me and onto the couch cushion. She’s so surprised by the movement that she almost slides off the couch altogether. I feel dirty, filthy for the things I’ve said to Ava, and for letting Sarah sit on me like that. Like a small toddler that’s been told no, Sarah stands, stomping her wedged heel against the wooden floor.

“What are you doing, baby?”

“Stop calling me baby, in fact, keep my name out of your mouth. We’re not a couple. You suck my dick a couple nights a week, that’s it. Giving good head doesn’t make you girlfriend material, and while you have a pretty face, you have a shit fucking attitude. Now leave me the fuck alone.” I don’t even look at her, I know damn well she is glaring daggers at me, probably thinking about taking her shoe off and beating me with it. Wouldn’t be the first time something like that happened.