Page 73 of Don't Call Me Daddy
“Okay, gentlemen, the rules are simple. It’s your standard game of Truth or Dare, but with a few more choices. You can pick from the following: truth, dare, double dare, kiss, command, and promise.” I move from Leo’s lap to the chair beside him as I explain the rules.
Guy gets up to refill everyone’s drinks. “Hell yes, this is going to be so much fun.”
“What happens if you refuse?” Leo asks, looking a little worried and uncomfortable.
Roman rolls his eyes. “Oh, come on, Leo. We haven’t even started playing, and you’re already looking for a way to get out of it.”
I’ve noticed in the short time I’ve been around these guys, there’s some unusual tension between Leo and his middle brother, Roman. He’s quieter and nicer, so it feels slightly out of character that he’d give his brother a hard time. Maybe it’s a work thing?
“Or …” Leo drags out. “I know who I’m playing with …”
“Now, boys, let’s not fight. We’re here to have fun. To answer your question, Leo, the penalty for not completing your question is an automatic command that will last for twenty-four hours and will be voted on by the group. However, if you choose to not fulfill a double dare … then your punishment lasts forty-eight hours. Oh, and you can’t pick truth twice in a row. I think that just about sums it up. Everyone understand?”
I flash my fiancée a devilish smile, and he nods. I swear I’ve never seen the man look more terrified.
Interesting. I wonder what skeletons he’s got in his closet. I guess there’s only one way to find out.
“Great. I’ll go first.” I turn to Guy, who’s sitting on the other side of me. “Truth, dare, double dare, kiss, command, promise?”
He waggles his brows and winks. “Let’s start off with a bang. Double dare.”
I tap my finger to my lip. “All right, I double dare you to … read the last text you sent out loud to us, no exceptions.”
Guy’s face falls a little, as if he’s trying to remember his last message, and then Luka’s grabbing for his phone.
“You heard the woman. Let’s hear it. Don’t worry; I’ll watch over his shoulder and make sure he doesn’t lie.”
Guy takes the phone, and swipes open his texts, pausing until he has our full attention. “It’s supposed to be enjoyed along with the accompanying photo …”
“Spare us the jump scare and get on with it,” Leo bites out before Guy reveals whatever photographic evidence hides behind his screen.
“Fine, but it’s probably not going to make sense without context.” He clears his throat and reads, “Come on, Mama. I’ll two-step my wild stallion across those titties as many times as you like, if it means you’ll sit on my lap and call me Cowboy.”
Leo’s lip curls in disgust. “Oh God, it’s worse than I thought.”
“I would ask, but I’ve got a feeling I don’t need to know,” Roman says, as we all try to hide our snickers.
“Again, it’d make more sense if you saw the photo?—”
“No thank you. No need for show-and-tell. You’ve already given us more than enough,” Roman cuts in before he goes any further.
“Your loss, dude.” Guy shrugs, pocketing his phone. “Cool. So, it’s my turn then.” He points to Leo with his cup. “What’s your poison, big brother?”
Leo grunts, shifting in his chair. “Truth, I guess …”
“Shocker,” Guy says under his breath. He rubs his hands together maniacally as he considers his question. “I need to make this good. Leo Kingsley, tell us, are you still afraid of the dark, or is that something you’ve outgrown?”
Everyone goes quiet, and I don’t miss the way Roman cuts his eyes at Guy.
Leo takes a long pull of his whiskey, as if he needs the liquid encouragement to get through this game, and then his gravelly voice cuts through the silence. “It was never the dark I was afraid of, but you knew that.” He doesn’t elaborate or explain any further before he turns to Roman. “Truth or dare or whatever …”
Roman smiles. “Truth.”
“Did you purposely schedule your travel so you could pawn off the festival planning on someone else?”
Roman’s lips quiver before pulling into a smile. “You caught me. But, hey, can you blame me? I’ve been stuck on the planning committee for the last five years. I needed a break.”
“I fucking knew it!” Leo throws his empty cup at Roman’s head, and the brothers all burst out laughing.
