Page 15 of Dared

“We could meet at the library. I could, uh, look at your computer.” I shot Finn a pleading look that he noticed, even with his attention on the screen.

“Why not make it a group study session?” he suggested casually. “Daisy, you up for it? We could even get Charlie and Sophie to join.”

“Great idea!” she said instantly. “Tuesday afternoon? Or do you guys have lectures?”

Finn was the one to answer her. “We can do 4:00 p.m. if that works?”

“Perfect. Top floor, by the windows?”

He agreed for us both, and I was distantly aware of him wrapping things up while I leaned back against the wall, my head pounding and my heart racing.

“Leo. Hey. Leo.”

I blinked, refocusing on Finn’s concerned face filling my vision. He carefully lifted my headset off my head and tugged my controller from my unresisting grip, and after placing them down, he was back, cradling my head with his palms as he leaned in to rest his forehead against mine.

“Hey. You’re all good. It’s all good. You did it.”

I breathed out. “Yeah.” How was I such a fuck-up that I was stressing so much about something that would be so minor to anyone else?

“I was right. You are a little lion. I’m proud of you.” His thumb stroked across my cheek, and then he released me, clearing his throat as he slid off the bed. I caught a glimpse of a flush on his face.

“Are you okay?”

His gaze flew back to mine, his eyes wide. “Yeah. I—uh, it’s warm in here, isn’t it?” Diving for the cool box, he fished out a can of Sprite, rolling it across his cheeks.

“Maybe a bit. Blow the fan on you,” I suggested, and he nodded, turning away from me to angle the fan towards him. Staring at his broad back, I bit down on my lip, thinking hard. “Finn. Can I dare you to do something?”

His shoulders stiffened, my question clearly taking him by surprise, and I rushed to continue.

“It feels like it’s a bit uneven sometimes, that’s all. You dare me to do all these things, constantly trying to help me, getting me out of my comfort zone, and I don’t do anything for you in return.”

“It’s not a fucking transactional relationship,” he mumbled. “You’re my friend. I wanna help you out, you know this. I don’t expect anything in return. Anyway, you give me plenty. You’re fun to be around. I already told you that. I—fuck. I really like hanging out with you, okay?”

“Finn. Please look at me.”

When he finally turned around, his face was unreadable, but there was still a flush of colour high on his cheekbones. I decided to try a tactic I’d seen my housemate Connor employ that I’d never tried before.

Scooting forwards to the edge of the bed, I gave him what I hoped was a challenging look. “Don’t tell me you’re too scared to accept a dare from me.”

His brows flew up, interest sparking in his gaze, and encouraged, I continued.

“One little dare.”

He blew out a breath, scrubbing his hand across his face, and then he rose to his feet. Crossing the room, he leaned down and placed his arms on the bed on either side of me. “Go on, then. Dare me.”

I licked my lips, my nerves returning, but I’d had a lot of practice at pushing them down when it was just me and Finn, and so I held his gaze. “I dare you to let me teach you a dance routine and then for you to perform it in front of people.”

His mouth dropped open, and he twisted his body sideways, letting himself fall back onto the bed next to me, his body bouncing as he hit the mattress springs. “Fucking hell. I was not expecting that dare.”

“What were you expecting?” I asked curiously, flopping down next to him on my back, both of us staring up at the ceiling.

“I…uh. I dunno. Not that.”

“Are you going to accept the dare?”

Rolling onto his side, he lifted himself onto his elbow. His expression turned mischievous as he held up two fingers and then tapped them against my bicep. “That was two dares. Learn the dance, then perform it. I know this isn’t transactional, but maybe you should let me dare you to do something in return.”

“Wasn’t what I did earlier enough?” I raised my hand and began ticking off points on my fingers. “I played two whole campaigns and made conversation. I invited Millie to meet up with us. And I still have to go through the actual meetup. I have no fucking clue how to flirt.”

---