Page 34 of So Thirsty

“I don’t lie.”

“A lie!”

I could strangle him. Put my hands around his neck and…

“What’s my dare?”

“I’m thinking.”

“Don’t think too hard. It’s a game.”

“I dare you to speak with your real accent.”

He sits up in his chair. “This is my real accent.”

I sit up straighter in mine. “No, it isn’t.”

He laughs, lets his head back, runs his fingers through his hair. “You’re cheating.”

“How am I cheating?”

“That wasn’t a dare. It was truth.”

“Okay. I dare you to tell me why you’re using a fake accent.”

He leans forward, hands on his thighs, eyes narrowed. “It’s my turn.”

“You’re not going to do my dare?”

“I am doing your dare. This is how I speak. Truth or dare?”

“Truth.”

“Who hurt you?”

The question hits me like a fast pitch. I fall back against the musty cushion, my jaw slack.

“That’s not—”

“Not what?” he asks. “Did you change your mind? Would you prefer a dare? Because I have something in mind…”

He grins his devious fox grin.

“Your question is presumptuous.”

“So was your dare.”

I wish I weren’t wearing these leggings. I know better than to borrow Naomi’s clothes. They don’t fit right, and they’re always impossibly uncomfortable. There’s a tag scratching my lower back. And they’re not real leather, but they might as well be—they’re sauna hot.

“Are you going to answer?”

“I don’t know how to answer.”

“It’s a simple question.”

“It’s not. It’s vague and…and…”

He raises his eyebrows. “And…?”