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Will sends me an indulgent smile. “No. It ended about two months ago.”
“Oh. Sorry.” I laugh, awkwardly.
“Hey, you came to a game. That’s more interest than most people show.”
I manage a small smile.If you’d ever bothered to come to a game, you wouldn’t have asked that, echoes in my head.
“Okay, I’ll go first!” Madison’s exclamation is obnoxiously loud, obviously meant to draw the attention of everyone gathered around the campfire. Which is quite a lot of people, all of a sudden. I spot Shannon, Julie, Marcus, and several others from the group in the woods last night. “Time for Truth or Dare,” she announces.
Everyone’s quieted, so my scoff echoes loud and clear.
Madison’s eyes narrow in on me. “Truth or dare, Lennon?”
“Never said I was playing,” I reply.
“You did last night.”
“And it didn’t exactly make me eager to repeat the experience.”
“Hey!” Jake calls, his voice filled with fake offense. At least, I think it’s false.
I ignore him as I vacillate between my two options. Well, three, really. I could just leave. But I don’t.
“Truth,” I finally decide.
Madison was obviously hoping I’d say dare. It takes her a while to come up with a question. “Who was your first kiss?”
I tilt my head and lean back on my palms, a bit disappointed by her lack of originality. “Ryan was. We played Seven Minutes in Heaven at your thirteenth birthday, remember?”
“Whatever.” Madison looks away, and I get the distinct impression something’s bothering her. Maybe she’s just as uncomfortable about our shared history as I am.
Through the trial, I reap the rewards.
“Truth or Dare, Ryan?” I ask.
He’s not expecting me to pick him, that much is clear. We have a brief stare-off that ends when he answers. “Dare.”
“I dare you to take a dip.” I tilt my head in the direction of the lake. “You can choose one piece of clothing to keep on.” I know from experience that water iscold.
Ryan narrows his eyes, but complies, stripping off everything except his boxer briefs. He’s fit from football, but seeing him mostly naked doesn’t affect me. There are a few muffled laughs around the campfire as he wades into the lake.
I relax in my seat, relieved my role in the game is officially over. I’ll stay for a couple more rounds to make it clear I’m not being run off and then head to bed.
We’re leaving early tomorrow morning and I know there will be a long list of things to get done once I’m back at the farm.
“Truth or dare, Winters?” Ryan returns, fully dressed and visibly annoyed.
Caleb only hesitates for a few seconds. “Dare.”
“I dare you to kiss Lennon.” Ryan pauses for dramatic effect. “On the mouth.” He’s learned from Poppy’s dare.
The challenge is followed by a triumphant look at me. This is Ryan’s way of getting back at me for his dare. He doesn’t think Caleb will do it.
One glance at Caleb’s hard features makes it clear kissing me isn’t a welcome prospect. I know it’s because of yesterday. But everyone else here knows about the years of animosity between us. All of them—especially Ryan—are waiting and expecting for Caleb to laugh and say I’m the last girl he’d ever touch.
Caleb leans forward and glares at Ryan. Firelight dances off his features, which look carved from stone. “You’re a real dick, James,” he accuses evenly.
Ryan rolls his eyes. “Fine. I’ll do something different. How about—”
