Page 35 of Hard To Love

“Truth or Dare,” Rebecca said, her voice trailing off when she noticed the glare she was getting from Cassie.

Cassie stood and attempted to grab the bottle of tequila. “Actually, we’re done—”

Mason interrupted. “By all means, carry on. I’m game for this.” He smirked and twisted the cap off a beer, then grabbed a chair from the pile against the shed and dragged it over to where Charlie was sitting. He leaned forward in the chair, waiting for someone to start, but everyone’s eyes averted to the ground, unsure of what to do. “I know.” He sucked in a breath. “Let’s spice this up a little, yeah?” he said then stood, took off his leather jacket, hung it on the back of the chair, and turned to face everyone again. “New game, Truth, Dare or Strip,” he sneered, brow wagging.

Cassie tried to protest, but she lost out to the cheers for the new game. Mason grinned, turning his eyes on me. I rolled my eyes and looked away. The game went two rounds before Mason had finally been chosen. He smiled and chose strip, taking off his shirt. I kept my eyes on the ground in front of me. Then he looked over at Nick and asked him the same.

Nick chose truth.

“Truth—boring,” he teased, giving a thumbsdown, “Fine . . . fine . . . is it true you love to compete with me?” His eyes flashed over to me again.

“True,” Nick answered, sighing, his eyes focused solely on Mason.

“Mason, truth, dare—”

“Strip.” He smirked and stood.

“Seriously, Mason—” Cassie groaned, rolling her eyes. “I don’t—”

“Relax, coz, I’m not going to give away the farm already.” He smirked, kicking off his shoes. Then he grabbed his beer from the ground and took a seat. His eyes shot over in my direction again. “Lauren.” He leaned forward in his chair glaring at me. I sighed.

“Truth, dare or consequences?” He laughed, and then corrected himself. “I mean, strip.”

I rolled my eyes and mumbled, “Truth.”

“What’s that? I can’t hear you!” He cupped his hand over his ear.

“Truth,” I said garishly, and then folded my arms across my chest.

“Another boring partygoer,” he scoffed, coaxing the others on and everyone but Cassie and Nick started booing.

Then Mason gestured for them to quiet down as he spoke. “Oh, fine, truth it is. Is it true . . . you made out with me earlier tonight?” I couldn’t control the gasp that left my lips. I stared Mason down, feeling the sting on my cheeks.

“Mason, stop it,” Cassie hissed.

“Oh, come on coz, we’re all adults here. Right?” He looked around at everyone, who nodded with him. “See?” His eyes burned through me. Everyone waited patiently for me to answer.

“True,” I replied, looking away. When I shot a glance over at Nick, he got up from his chair and walked away. I shut my eyes, shaking my head. I didn’t know either of these guys well enough to know if this was all just a game to them.

“Your turn.” He sat back in his chair, looking proud.

“I don’t want to play anymore,” I said, getting up.

“Oh no,” he said sarcastically. “What’s wrong? You had no problem making out with my brother before I walked in.” His body shot forward, his voice raising, slightly, a hint of anger in his tone. Cassie glowered at him; everyone else was looking anywhere but at the three of us. “Don’t let me ruin your fun.”

I paced, turning to look him in the eye. “Fine. Truth.”

“I didn’t pick—”

“No you didn’t. I’m picking for you,” I barked angrily.

“Okay,” He glared at me. “I’ll bite. Truth it is.” He sat back crossed his leg over his knee and waited.

“Have you ever been in love?” I asked, then crossed my arms and waited for a response. Cassie looked from me to Mason with a grin on her face. Mason gulped, not answering. “Do you even know what love is?” I added. If it weren’t for the music playing in the background, all that would have been heard would be the crickets. Everyone waited anxiously for his answer.

He dragged his teeth over his bottom lip, and then cleared his throat. He looked at the ground, and then said, “No.”

“Liar,” Nick proclaimed as he came around from the side of the house. I turned my entire body to look at him.

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