Chapter 42 Truth or Dare

Chapter 42 Truth or Dare
Tate

"Are you sure this is okay?" I turned in a circle, letting Taylor inspect.

I was wearing a black dress she'd lent me—tighter than anything I usually wore, the hem just reaching mid-thigh.

"Perfect," Taylor clapped, eyes shining, "You look incredibly sexy."

"I look like I'm playing someone else," I muttered, tugging at the hem.

"Sometimes playing someone else is exactly what you need," Taylor said, handing me a lipstick, "Here, put this on."

I did. The deep red lipstick made me look even more unfamiliar—bolder, more confident.

Someone who didn't spend her nights replaying kisses that shouldn't have happened.

Someone who didn't work for a family that made her feel like she was constantly walking on eggshells.

Someone who had her life together.

"Now," Taylor said, taking my hand, "we're going to have a blast. Forget all your worries, just for tonight."

The party was in an apartment near campus. When we arrived, the music was already deafening, crowds filling every corner.

"Drinks!" Taylor shouted, pulling me through the crowd.

We found alcohol in the kitchen; Taylor poured me a cup.

"Not too much," I said, "I have to work tomorrow."

"One drink won't kill you," Taylor said, pushing the cup into my hand, "Relax, Tate. When was the last time you actually had fun?"

I couldn't remember.

I took a sip. The liquid burned down my throat, igniting in my stomach.

"I'm going to find some friends," Taylor said, "You wander around. Mingle. Have fun!"

She disappeared into the crowd, leaving me alone.

I leaned against the wall, sipping my drink, observing the people around me.

Some were dancing, bodies moving with the music. Some were making out in corners. Some were playing games, laughter rising and falling.

I felt out of place.

I didn't belong here. I never belonged in situations like this.

I was about to find Taylor to say I was leaving when someone bumped into me.

"Sorry—" the person started apologizing, then stopped.

I looked up.

Brayden.

We both froze.

He looked worse than last time at the coffee shop. Eyes bloodshot, hair messy, clothes wrinkled. There was a wildness to him that hadn't been there before.

"You," he said, voice carrying a strange emotion.

"Me," I said calmly, "Are you okay?"

He let out a laugh that wasn't really a laugh.

"I'm fine. Never been better."

He was obviously drunk. Very drunk.

"You should sit down," I said, "Drink some water."

"I don't need your concern," he said, but his tone wasn't as vicious as that day at the coffee shop.

He looked... broken. Lost.

"Look," I said, "I don't know what you're going through. But if you need someone to talk to—"

"Why?" he interrupted, eyes looking straight at me with an intensity that was almost frightening, "Why do you Calloway sisters like meddling so much?"

I stepped back, confused.

"I'm just trying to help."

"I don't need help," he said, turning to leave, "Especially not from you."

He stumbled into the crowd and disappeared.

I stood there, feelings mixed.

What was wrong with these rich kids? Why would they rather destroy themselves than accept help?

"Tate!"

Taylor appeared, holding a guy's hand.

"This is Marcus," she introduced, "Marcus, this is my best friend Tate."

Marcus smiled at me. He was good-looking—blond hair, blue eyes, athlete's build. The kind of guy who probably never had to worry about anything.

"Nice to meet you," he said.

"You too," I replied politely.

"We're going to play truth or dare," Taylor said, eyes sparkling, "Come join!"

"I don't—"

"Please," Taylor made a pitiful face, "Just one round. Then you can leave if you want. I promise."

I sighed. "Fine. One round."

We found a spot in the living room. Seven or eight people were already sitting in a circle with an empty bottle in the middle.

The game started. The bottle spun, pointing at different people.

Someone was dared to kiss a stranger. Someone was asked to confess their crush. Someone was dared to do various embarrassing things.

I watched, half-amused, half-uncomfortable.

This was so far removed from my normal life it felt surreal.

Then the bottle pointed at me.

"Truth or dare?" a girl asked, smile mischievous.

I hesitated. Dare seemed dangerous. Truth seemed safer.

"Truth."

"Boring," someone booed.

The girl thought for a moment, tapping her finger against her lips. Then her eyes lit up with an idea that made my stomach drop.

"Do you like anyone?"

My heart skipped a beat.

Everyone looked at me, waiting for an answer.

I should say no. I should laugh and shake my head, then change the subject.

Make a joke about being too busy for romance.

But maybe it was the alcohol, maybe I'd been suppressing it too long—I heard myself say:

"Yes."

The crowd erupted in teasing sounds. Whistles. Laughter. Questions shouted over each other.

"Who is it?" someone asked.

"One question per turn," I said quickly, looking gratefully at Taylor, who nodded to confirm the rule.

"That's the rule," Taylor said, "Next person."

The bottle spun again, and I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

But the damage was done.

I'd admitted it.

I'd admitted to a group of strangers that I liked someone.

And that person...

My phone vibrated.

I pulled it out to look.

It was a message from Leo.

Leo: Tate, where are you?

Leo: Kade came to see me. He asked if you were here.

My heart started racing.

He was asking about me?

Me: I went out. Is something wrong?

Leo: No. We're playing games.

Leo: But he doesn't look very happy.

I stared at the screen, finger hovering over the keyboard.

What should I reply? Should I care whether Kade was happy or not?

He'd made it clear last night was a mistake.

He'd made it clear we couldn't happen.

So why was he asking about me?

Me: As long as you're happy. Sleep early, see you tomorrow.

I shoved my phone back in my pocket and stood up.

"I have to go," I told Taylor.

"What? Now?" She looked disappointed, "But we just started having fun!"

"Sorry," I said, "I have to work early tomorrow."

It was a lie. Tomorrow was Saturday. But I needed to leave.

This party, these people, this game—it all felt wrong.

I didn't belong here.

Taylor sighed but nodded.

"Okay. Be careful. Text me when you get home."

"I will," I promised.

I squeezed through the crowd and went outside.

The night air was fresh and cool, clearing my head somewhat.

I called a car and while waiting, I looked up at the stars.

Tonight I'd admitted I liked someone.

But I would never say that name.

Because some things, once spoken, become too real.

And I wasn't ready to face that reality.

Not yet.

Maybe not ever.