Page 45 of The Worst Kept Secret

I briefly meet his gaze and I’m happy that Rory is on her phone, probably texting Justin if I had to guess. “Okay, well, I’ll give you a brief rundown and also a refresher for everyone else. So, you pick a person, ask them truth or dare and then choose a number. If the person rolling the dice rolls that number then you get to ask them the question or dare them to do something, whichever they choose. We usually only do dares but for the sake of keeping things”—she shoots me and Rory a look—“more PG because no one wants to take their clothes off anymore”—she rolls her eyes—“we’ll offer truths.”

“Excuse me,” I say holding a finger up. “I would like to add here”—I look at Theo—“Theo, we have never taken our clothes off. There may have been a time when we may haveflashedsomething, but the clothes always stayed on.” I glare at Lexie. “Can you not make us sound like we were a bunch of horny degenerates?” I chuckle.

“Hmph.” She shoots her nose in the air jokingly. “Well, who wants to start?”

We go a few rounds that are mostly dares for people to take a shot, chug a beer, a light kiss between friends, and a few truths asking what really happened during our senior week. I’ve been mostly avoided, having been one of the people dared to take a shot, but for the most part, it’s been a pretty mild game and now people are starting to lose interest.Thankfully.

“I’ll go.” Lucas chuckles and I groan because I know that means he’s going to pick me. We used to have a system in place. We’d choose each other so others that were wild cards wouldn’t target us too much. We had an approved list of truths and dares that were acceptable and we rarely veered from it.Let’s just hope he remembers it.

“Rory,” he points and I’m surprised at that, “truth or dare.”

“Truth!”

“Lame.” Lexie coughs into her drink and I laugh.

“Okay, if I roll a seven,” he smiles at the easiest number to roll, “you have to tell us what happened with you and our physics teacher after graduation.”

Her mouth drops open and so does mine because even I don’t know the details of that. “Lucas!” She says and I think she may actually be a little irritated because while there was a rumor, for one of her closest friends to bring it up would lead most people to believe that something really did happen.

He holds his hands up. “Listen, I waited four whole years for this moment. And you were eighteen! It’s not like it was illegal, come on!”

I chuckle. “Avery!” Rory smacks my arm and I can’t stop the smile on my face because I really want to know too.

“What! What do you want me to do!?” I point at him. “I didn’t tell him to ask that!” I can’t stop giggling as I start to feel my drinks a little and she glares at me. “Okay, Lucas, this is not the conversation for mixed company.” Another laugh breaks free even though I’m trying my best to be serious. “She doesn’t have to answer.”

“The hell she doesn’t!” Lexie cheers and leans forward. “I knew it by the way! How big was it?” She holds her hands apart and moves them back and forth to guess the length. “Tell me when.”

“You guys suck.” Rory snaps. “We made out, that’s it. Get your minds out of the gutter.”

“She’s lying!” Lexie cheers as she points at her. “Oh, this is good.” She nods at Rory. “I know. I know.” She mouths, fanning herself. “He was so hot.”

“I hate all of you.” She snatches the dice and looks at me. “And you, giggles.” She glares at me. “Truth or Dare!”

I let out a breath, not knowing which the safer option is.Truth, always truth.“Truth.” Her eyes narrow at me and for a second my stomach drops.No no no do not ask.“Rory,” I warn, hoping she can figure out what I’m trying to tell her with my eyes.

DO NOT GO THERE.

“If I roll a seven, you have to tell us who you snuck off with after your grad party.” She winks and scrunches her nose and my eyes immediately go to Lucas who’s staring at me with a furrowed brow.

“Wait what?” Lucas asks and I am trying my best not to make eye contact with Theo.

“Seven!” Rory cheers before looking at me with a grin.I am going to kill you,I tell her with my eyes.

“You said you went home?” Lucas says and Rory’s smile fades instantly before she turns to me.

“Wait, it wasn’t Lucas?” She whispers to me behind her hand and when I glare at her she blanches.

“Who?” Lucas chuckles. He looks around the room, probably thinking it’s someone from high school before turning back to me.

“First of all, I didn’t sneak off with anyone. I did go home and this game is dumb.”

“Hey! Don’t blame the game,” Lexie says as she takes a sip of the wine in front of her. I finally meet Theo’s eyes and they give away nothing. Most of the people standing in the circle don’t give a shit about my answer, but the damage is done and now Lucas suspects I not only lied to him but that I’m hiding something. “I have to go to the bathroom,” I say without another word before walking out of the kitchen just as I feel my phone vibrate.

Rory: SHIT! I am so sorry. I figured it was Lucas!

Avery: I could kill you! Why would I hide that from you?

Rory: I don’t know. Because you’ve been friends forever and you’re finally getting together! And maybe you weren’t ready to tell people yet? It would be huge!!

---