Page 39 of Anthem of Love and Loathing

Kelsey scoffs.

“Jealous. Irrational. Controlling.”

“Controlling?” Kelsey snaps, lunging out of Bronx’s lap. Only his arm around her middle keeps her in place.

“Come on, guys. Can we stop with the animosity? The tour has officially kicked off with the biggest concert we’ve ever performed. It’s time for a shot.” Golden rolls his gaze at all of us. He hands out the shot glasses to each of us. Except Jasper who decides to take a seat outside our circle, where he can watch without participating.

Everyone downs their shot. I make a display of pouring my shot into the redhead’s mouth and taking it from her via a kiss. Then we share hers as well.

“Who wants to start the game?” Golden pours the next round of shots.

“What are we playing?” the redhead asks.

“Truth or Dare,” Kelsey says.

“It’s tradition,” Bronx says, his lips next to her ear. “We’ve been playing since our very first show.”

“I love it.” The redhead’s eyes light up and she bounces on my lap. “We are going to have so much fun.”

“Sure,” Kodiak says.

“I’ll go first,” Kelsey says coolly, pinning me with a stare. “Riot. Truth or Dare?”

“Truth,” I say.

“Did you take my shoebox?”

“Why would I have your stupid box?” As if I’m going to admit that I have her memento box before I’ve had a chance to dig through it and work out what I can use against her.

“You didn’t answer my question,” she seethes.

“No, I didn’t take your box.” Call me a liar. Go on. I dare you.

“Why did I expect any different from the biggest liar I’ve ever met?” She shakes her head as she leaves Bronx’s lap.

Only for Kodiak to hook an arm around her waist and put her on his. “Easy, Scary Girl. There is a time and a place.”

“Fine.” She glares at me, but she nods for him. “I’m going to go to bed.”

“No.” I don’t mean to say it out loud, but by the multiple people looking my way I did. “You don’t get to creep off after calling me a liar. You play the fucking game until we’re done.”

“Fine.” She crosses her arms. “Whose turn is it?”

“Can I?” The girl on my lap plucks at my shirt while giving me a flirty look.

“Sure.”

“Kelsey, I dare you to kiss…” She glances at each of us one by one. “One of the guys.”

Kodiak stiffens.

“Which one?” Kelsey asks.

“Whichever one you want to sleep with the most,” the girl says.

Bronx’s gaze locks with mine.

I shrug.