Page 140 of Finding Delaware

“Well, get up,” she commands with a sideways glance in my direction. “Show the class.”

Taylor’s lips twitch as he stands, doing a twirl to reveal the deepening purple mark on his shoulder before curtsying like a fucking brat. He plops back down on the other side of Arya, pushing hair out of his face, and I lean against the cushions while the game continues, seething.

Most everyone chooses truth after that, having learned their lessons. Until it gets to Owen again, at least.

Matthew reads off his dare. “Pick someone in the room, touch tongues for five minutes.”

As soon as his drunken gaze swings to mine, I know I’m in trouble.

“Huckslee,” he slurs, a sloppy smile on his face, and a low snarl echoes from Taylor’s throat.

“No.” He launches out of his seat, glaring down at Owen murderously. “Choose someone else.”

“What, why?” Owen’s eyes take on a dark glint. “It’s my dare, I can pick who I want.”

Taylor curls his lips. “Fine, but the other person has to be willing. You can’t force someone to kiss you.”

“It’s not a kiss, Tay.” Salem’s lashes flutter. “Just touching tongues. But if it’s an issue, you can always take over the dare and do it with Huckslee yourself.”

Narrowing my gaze, I meet her impish grin with a glare.

Who’s meddling now?

Logan laughs beside me, thinking that her suggestion is the funniest thing he’s ever heard. “That’s weird, Salem. They’re stepbrothers.”

He raises his brows at me, silently seeking agreement, but I can only blink at him while my stomach sinks. If Logan thinks simply kissing Taylor for a dare is weird...I can only imagine what he’d feel if I told him what we’reactuallydoing. A sickening feeling inside tells me that he wouldn’t like it. Not one bit.

Owen’s finger taps my shoulder. “What do you say, Huck? You down to do this with me?”

I can feel Taylor’s eyes burning the side of my face, but nothing comes out when I open my mouth to answer. Everyone’s attention is on me, watching and waiting, and I feel sweat on the back of my neck.

Say no. Say no.

I want to refuse. But a small tendril of fear is licking up my spine at the thought of Logan rejecting me if he knew about the things Taylor and I do in the dark, of him telling his dad, who would then tellmydad. The whole family would judge me. Deep down, I know it’s an illogical worry because Logan would never do something like that...right? He kept his relationship with Salem a secret for two years; he’d keep my relationship to himself. I think. I hope.

Fuck, I really don’t know.

But my deliberation at refusing Owen’s dare sets Taylor off.

“Whatever. Do what the fuck you want, Huckslee. I need a smoke.”

The front door slams behind him, causing me to wince, and I turn to see Christian and Salem glaring at me accusingly. Xed is staring after Taylor thoughtfully, and Matt just shakes his head.

“What the hell crawled up his ass?”

Me, I wish. Ugh.

Exhaling slowly, I rub the bridge of my nose before turning to Owen. “Sorry, man, but I’m gonna have to pass.”

His face falls but quickly brightens when Xed pipes up.

“I’ll do it.”

“Way to take one for the team, my guy.” Christian slaps him on the shoulder, and it seems I’m the only one who’s noticed how still Matthew just went. As much as I’d like to stick around and witness the show…

I’ve got some shit to smooth over.

“Think I also need some air,” I murmur to Logan, avoiding eye contact. “I’ll go see what’s up with Taylor.”

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