Page 72 of Rival Summer

Caroline and her friends had joined us and started a game of truth or dare, eager to stir up some excitement, no doubt. The last time Caroline dared me to do something, it ended in me giving Bailey a lap dance, but it also was the reason Boston kissed me for the first time. They took turns, daring and challenging each person with something ridiculous and soon everyone was roped into the antics.

"Okay, Crew, your turn!" Caroline announced with a devilish grin. "I dare you to show a butt cheek to the girl sitting at that table over there!" She pointed dramatically at a nearby table where a group of girls sat, chatting to each other, oblivious of our antics.

Annoyance spread across Crew's face, but he lifted his tall and slender body up from his chair with a heavy roll of his eyes. A collective hush fell over the crowd as anticipation mounted.

"Fine, but y'all better get a good look," Crew huffed, and in one swift motion he turned and flashed a single butt cheek toward the innocent bystanders. The response was instantaneous—screams and cheers erupted from the targeted table.

"Of course you’d get that response, Crew!" someone shouted across the laughter, and it was true. I don’t think anyone could be mad at that view.

The game spiraled on, dares escalating with each turn.

"Alright, alright, settle down!" Sam, one of Caroline's friends called out, giggling. "Who's next? Bailey!"

“You know I always take the dare, babydoll!” he said, taking a sip of his drink.

“Dare you to try to get the hot bartender's phone number,” she said with a devilish grin.

Bailey stood up from his seat, a smile spread across his face. The group watched as he disappeared into the bar. Moments later, he emerged, phone held high.

"Got them digits, baby!" Bailey shouted, winking at the round of applause that greeted him.

It wasn't long before Caroline's mischievous eyes landed on me.

"Chandler, truth or dare?" she asked with a daring smirk.

"Truth," I straightened my posture.

"Who do you like more, Reese or Boston?" Her question hung in the air, halting any chatter or laughter.

I felt every eye turn to me, their stares weighing me down. Boston paused mid-sip, while Reese narrowed his eyes at Caroline.

"Caroline, stop," Reese said sharply.

"What? What's the problem?" Caroline feigned innocence, but her eyes gleamed with something else. "Didn't you hook up with Reese last summer? How far did you get? First base? Second? Did you go all the way?"

"Caroline!" Boston growled, raw and loaded with anger. "What the fuck?"

“What’s the matter, Boston? Was she doing the same thing with you?” Caroline retorted.

I couldn't take it anymore. The weight of their stares, the whispers–it was too much. Wordlessly, I pushed back from the table and walked away, my footsteps quick and purposeful. I could hear Willow and Parker getting into it with Caroline but I was already gone, tears falling down my face as I leaned over the railing of the staircase that led to the lake. Alone in the dark, I allowed the tears to escape, tracing silent paths down my cheek.

The night air brushed against my skin, but it was Boston's presence that soothed me.

"Hey," he said softly, his arm finding its way around my waist. "Don't let her get to you."

I scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping me despite the tears that threatened to spill over again. "How am I supposed to not let it get to me? She’s right." My voice cracked, and I hated how vulnerable I sounded. "Last summer Reese and I did do something."

"Chandler," Boston interrupted, his tone gentle yet firm. "You have nothing to be ashamed of. I mean obviously I don't want to hear about you and him, but..." he paused, his hand squeezed me tighter. "I have a past too. We all do."

"But Boston, doesn't that matter to you? He's your brother."

He shook his head. "No, that doesn't matter to me. You matter to me."

I turned to face him, his ocean blue eyes holding an intensity that made my heart skip. "But Boston, I?—"

He cut me off with a shake of his head, his gaze never leaving mine. "Chandler, this is my fault. You have to know that. I didn’t step up when I should have. I held back. It was all me."

My mouth opened to protest, but he continued before I could get any words out.

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