Page 39 of We're At It Again

She winked at me with a mischievous glint before slipping past me into Luna’s room. I wandered down the hallway, lost in thought until I bumped into Chambers. His imposing figure filled the space. My eyes narrowed as they met his.

“You knew she was afraid of water, and you went along with Cynthia’s plan, didn’t you?”

He stepped forward to intimidate me, but I held my ground.

“What are you going to do about it?” He asked. “Are you going to hit me again?”

He raised an eyebrow, waiting for me to strike. For a moment, my hand shook, wanting to punch him, but I shook my head.

“No,” I said. “I’m not.”

I brushed past him, bumping my shoulder against his, before disappearing into my room. I was proud of myself for not retaliating because I knew Luna wouldn’t want me to.

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25

LUNA

I HAD BEEN NURSING MY EMBARRASSMENT in the shadows for days, avoiding any social interactions. After day three, Maya wasn’t having it. She burst into my room and tossed the covers off me. I groaned, refusing to move, until she grabbed my ankles and yanked me off the bed.

“Get up, we’re going to the party in Stacy Henderson’s room.”

I groaned and clutched my head.

“Stacy Henderson hates me.”

“I’m not her biggest fan, but we need fun.”

Reluctantly, I got ready and followed her down the hallway into Stacy’s room. To my surprise, there were more people than I expected. Cynthia, sitting on Austin’s lap, caused me to stop in my tracks. Maya nudged me forward and handed me a drink. Amidst the chatter and laughter, we joined the circle of people playing Truth or Dare. I scanned the circle and locked eyes with Hudson. There was an unspoken tension between us.

I distracted myself with everyone playing the game, becoming anxious as the questions became more daring. It was Stacy’s turn to ask a question, and I watched as her drunken eyes scanned us like a hunter with prey. My heart dropped as her gaze fell on me.

“Luna,” she said with a sadistic grin. “Truth or dare?”

I gulped, cowering as every set of eyes in the room turned to me.

“Truth.”

She took a sip of her drink, but I could see the arrogance on her face.

“Is it true Hudson is a better kisser than Austin?”

Everyone laughed, but their ears perked, desperate to know the answer.

“Grow up, Stacy.” Hudson said, leaning forward to see her.

“I asked her, not you.”

Austin, not one to miss out on taunting Hudson, leaned forward too.

“What’s the problem, Wilder?” He asked. “Scared I’m better than you?”

Hudson’s nostrils flared as he chugged his drink.

“Unlike you, I don’t like to throw my relationship in everyone’s face.”

Relationship. I appreciated him pretending, despite having called our arrangement off weeks ago. The humiliation would have killed me.

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