CHAPTER SIX: TRUTH OR DARE

~ What's this feeling? ~

POV: KAI ALEXANDER FLYNN

I sighed for the umpteenth time as I listened to Rowan talk about some girl he met at a house party two days ago. I thought the beach party would be a nice way for me to pass time but now that I was here, I sincerely believe that I would be better off listening to playboy carti at home.

Nothing was interesting to me these days, video games, alcohol, parties, sex, nothing gave me purpose in life anymore. Even attending classes seemed like a favor I had to do for my parents so they wouldn't be disappointed in me. But well, there was a certain hazel eye girl that seemed to intrigue me but she was off limits. She reminded me too much of piper with all that good girl thing she had going on and I'd better stay away. Piper was practically the main reason i was a mess and I'd legit not want a repeat of that, I was better off in my fuck boy era.

And what did that girl call me, Hardin what wannabe? I searched the dude up and it was some guy from a movie. Did she really think I was trying to emulate him? For someone I've never heard of till she mentioned? amusing.

"Hey boys" Ophelia greeted as she sat down beside me, her body was drenched and it looked like she had been swimming. At least, someone was having fun at this party.

She was a girl from my class, we might have hooked up once or twice, I don't really remember but she was one of the first people I met when I resumed.

"Ophelia right?" Maverick acknowledged her.

"Yes." She nodded before turning to face me. "Jason from our class is organizing a small truth or dare game inside and we need more players. I don't know if you would like to join." She batted her lashes at me.

The party was boring anyway, one game wouldn't hurt.

"I swore off playing games at parties since high school so count me out." Maverick immediately declined.

"That's a you problem, man. Kai let's go have some real fun at this party" Rowan stood up and Ophelia followed suit.

"You both have to follow me over to the drink stand to invite some other girl i know." Ophelia said and was already walking away without waiting for a reply.

I sighed and stood up from the bench and walked behind her with Rowan, he was literally excited for the game while I just needed something to pass away time. As we got closer to the bar stand, I saw a familiar face in the midst of two other girls and a boy.

I couldn’t take his eyes off her. Her blonde hair was swept into a sleek bun, elegant and effortless, drawing attention to the soft curve of her neck. Her lips, a gentle shade of pink, held a sweetness that made my chest ache. Everything about her was delicate, lovely—like something out of a dream. The cute tankini she wore only added to her charm, revealing long, fair legs that seemed to glow beneath the sun. She was breathtaking, in the quietest, most unforgettable way.

What was she doing here?

Ophelia yelled some girl's name and they exchanged pleasantries when we got to the bar stand, I dared to look back at Briella and she was already giving me the nastiest look I hadn't seen on anyone's face.

Great!

"We are having a small game of truth or dare, are you and your friends up for it?"Ophelia asked the girl she had earlier hugged.

"Yeah sure" The girl in question agreed immediately but then turned to look at some guy that sat next to her. "Are you coming?"

That was when I noticed him, the same dude that was knocking on Briella's door days ago. What on earth was he doing here? Don't tell me he's actually Briella's boyfriend?

"No...you guys have fun without me. I'll get back to my friends, I just came to say hi to B." The dude said as he stood up from the bar stool.

"You're leaving so soon" Briella said in a really small voice that sounded like a baby's and I couldn't help but be shocked, since when did she talk like that?

"Yeah, have fun" He kissed her on the forehead and my jaw dropped.

"Bye boo" She waved at him as he left.

The hell?

"Let's get going guys, the sun is going down and we need to get started." Ophellia announced and began walking away again without waiting for anyone's response.

Everyone followed her and got into the beach house, it was owned by one of the kids who threw the party. We met Jason who was in business administration department with Ophelia and I- there and he was trying to tidy the place up. The whole place was a mess, empty beer bottles, spilled chips and throw pillows on the floor, only God knows what went down in here.

"Chop chop guys, don't just stand there, this place won't clean itself" Ophelia said and went over to meet Jason.

If someone had told me I’d be spending my Friday night cleaning up for a truth or dare game with Gabriella Brooks in the same room, I’d have laughed in their face and shut the door.

But here I was—cleaning up chip crumbs and dodging her judgmental glances like they were actual weapons.

“Try not to scratch the table with those caveman hands,” she said, breezing past me with an empty bottle of tequila in hand and zero shame in her voice.

Seriously?

I didn’t look up. “Try not to spill your 'i'm better than everyone" attitude all over the couch, Briella. Some of us like it clean.”

She snorted. “Some of us like it when arrogant people aren't around.”

Since when was she quick with the comebacks? I hated how she managed to get under my skin with just a word.

And worst of all? I hated how much I noticed her.

The way she changed up her dressing style the day after i called her out on her long skirt.The way she gets lost in her thoughts every time she came to knock on my door. The way she rolls her eyes at me anytime we come across each other in the neighbourhood. The way she scrunches up her eyebrows anytime I say something she didn't agree with.

I hated that I knew all that about her.

I was picking up empty beer cans when our eyes met across the room. Sharp. Direct. Like we were sizing each other up in a silent war.

Her brows lifted. Mine narrowed.

Then she turned away. Dismissively.

It shouldn’t have gotten to me. But it did.

What was she doing to me?

Rowan tossed me a stack of solo cups. “What's going on between the two of you”

"Nothing" I dismissed.

And that was it, nothing.

I exhaled through my nose, cracked a beer, and took a long sip. The game ain't even started and I was already drinking.

The room was finally coming together—music playing low, candles flickering, and everyone starting to settle in a circle like we were summoning chaos. Which, in a way, we were.

Briella walked past me again, close enough that the scent of her perfume hit me like a punch—vanilla and cherry. Too soft for someone so annoying.

“Try to keep up tonight,” I yelled after her.

I wanted to see how long her good girl act was going to go for, considering she changed her entire dressing style and even saw her in a tattoo palour after just a day on campus.

She turned, slowly, eyes narrowed and challenging. But beneath all that spark and fire, something else flared for half a second. Something sharp. Curious.

Tension thickened. It wasn’t cute. It wasn’t flirty. It was something darker. Hotter. Like the kind of storm that breaks stuff on its way in.

"Let's get this party started babies" Jason's broke through and I looked away from her.

Everyone got sitted in a circle on the floor, the truth or dare game was in the format of spin the bottle. Some dude that seemed to be acquainted with Briella came to join us while we were cleaning up, I think his name was Chen. He sat next to her while some other girls, Sage and Lyra sat after him with Rowan in their middle. Jason was next then ophellia before me. Making me sit right next to the enemy, Briella.

"Oh..Kai...Truth or dare?" Ophelia suddenly asked and I froze.

That was when I realized the game had already started and the bottle was facing me.

"Truth" I answered in a heartbeat.

"What were you thinking when you first saw me naked?"Ophelia asked, leaning closer.

Sorry what?

"You both had sex?" Jason was the one to ask the question I knew was going on in everyone's mind.

"Wow" I heard a voice murmur beside me and I turned to look at Briella who sat next to me.

"What's the penalty for passing?" I asked Jason cause he was in charge of the game.

"Ouch" Ophellia punched my arm playfully but I could see the hurt in her eyes. I felt bad but there was no way I was going to talk about that in front of everyone.

"Two shots of Tequila"

Rowan was the one to fill up the glasses and I took the shots. The game continued and this time the bottle stopped at Briella.

"Truth or Dare" I asked her.

"Truth" She answered looking at everywhere but me.

"Typical" I chuckled.

"You always have something stupid to say from that trash you call a mouth, You picked truth earlier and nobody said shit so get off my back, dickhead." She looked me in the eye spitting word after word.

At least she was looking at me.

"Burn!" Sage giggled and everyone laughed along with her.

"Describe your first Kiss"

"I've never kissed anyone" Briella said in a small voice and that had me laughing, not just me, everyone.

Any more good girl cliches? I sure would love to find out more.

"Girl...what are you? Thirteen?" Ophelia fired.

Oh God...no!

"Better watch your mouth.....

"Not everyone likes to whore around like you" Briella cut Sage off and I was surprised at how nicely she could defend herself.

"What the fuck did you just say t.....

"Ophelia it's okay, Briella spin the bottle" I ordered authoritatively, I was right in their middle and it was kind of my responsibility to stop the fight from going further.

"But she...

"Stop" I cut Ophelia off and she looked at me with anger.

"Ophelia stop being a baby and let the game continue, you are killing the vibe" Lyra told her.

"I know right" Jason supported.

"Briella right?" Rowan asked wanting to get the name right and Briella nodded. "Spin the bottle please"

She spinned the bottle and it landed on Sage who chose dare and Briella dared her to eat an onion. Sage complained the whole time but she ate it anyway, she swore to get back at Briella. The game continued, Rowan was dared to give Lyra a lap dance, Lyra was dared to pole dance to any cardi B's song, Jason was asked to narrate the story of his first time having sex but he passed and drank two tequila shots as penalty.

It was slowly getting fun and I didn't regret coming until the bottle pointed at me again.

"What the fuck?" I cussed and I heard a chuckle from Briella.

Of course, this would be funny to her.

"Truth or dare, Kai" Sage asked in a low tone that almost sounded seductive, there was this mischievous glint in her eyes and only God knew what was going on in that head of hers.

Choosing truth didn't go so well the last time, so...

"Dare" I answered in a heartbeat.

"Perfect" She smirked at me. "I need a volunteer for this one"

Volunteer? Did i just play right into her hands?

"I would love to volunteer but what if you dare him to slap me or vice versa" Ophelia quickly said and I thanked her in my heart.

"Hey...I'm not that petty." Sage dismissed her.

"I volunteer" Briella voiced and all heads turned to her direction, including mine.

I might as well just pass on the dare and face penalty.

"Are you sure?" Chen was the one to ask and she gave him a small nod.

If i said I didn't notice the way Chen had been looking at Briella the whole night, then I'd be lying. And she seemed oblivious to the whole thing, laughing at his silly jokes that wouldn't even make a kid smile.

"I think I'm gonna love this." Jason rubbed his palms together as if anticipating some crazy show.

Well, he is sure as hell going to be disappointed.

"No backing down Briella" Sage said before turning to look at me. "I dare you to do a body shot off Briella."

Silence.

Everywhere was pin drop silent.

"Sorry what?" I laughed because she had to be joking. The hell?

"Sage you can't do that to me, I don't want that man whore's mouth anywhere near me" Briella ranted already on her feet.

Ouch! Man whore? Really?

"I'll do it" I agreed all of a sudden and everyone began cheering loudly. Well...everyone except Briella, Chen and Ophelia.

I'm cooked.

"I love you Briella but the show has to go on, think of it as karma for making me eat an onion." Sage had a grin so wide she could pass off for a joker.

"Karma? More like revenge." Lyra giggled and Briella sent a glare her way.

"It's just a game guys, let's clear the counter." Rowan stood and Jason followed suit.

_______________________________________

I didn’t know how I ended up here—her lying across the kitchen counter, everyone else fading into a blur behind me.

Maybe I shouldn't have agreed to do the dare.

Her shirt was hitched up just enough to show smooth skin and a curve that made my thoughts stutter. A line of salt sat just above her ribs, a lime wedge rested below her collarbone, and the shot glass balanced on her stomach like a dare.

She looked up at me, eyes locked on mine, daring me to do it.

I swallowed hard.

My hand shook as I grabbed the shot. I shouldn’t care this much. It was just a game. Everyone was doing it. But when I leaned over her, everything changed.

Her breath hitched the second my tongue touched her skin, licking the salt from her body. Her warmth, the way her stomach tensed under my touch—I felt it everywhere.

I knocked the tequila back. It burned going down, but not enough to distract me.

Then came the lime.

I bent lower, my mouth brushing the edge of her chest as I bit into it. Her skin was soft. Too soft. My lips were too close. Too much. But I couldn’t pull away. Our eyes stayed locked. I could feel her heartbeat, or maybe it was mine, slamming against my ribs like it wanted out.

I didn’t understand it.

I’ve hooked up before. Flirted. Played the game. But this wasn’t the same. She wasn’t the same.

I only agreed to do the dare to piss her off but....

I wanted to touch her for real—not for the game, not for the shot. Just because I needed to. I pulled back, but not all the way. I hovered. Her lips parted, like she was waiting.

And God help me, I almost gave in.

What the hell was happening to me?

I stepped back. Barely.

My hands clenched at my sides because I didn’t trust them. One more second, and I would’ve touched her. Grabbed her waist. Pulled her into me. I could still taste her. Not the lime. Her.

She sat up slowly, tugging her singlet back down, eyes still locked on mine.

Someone behind me laughed. Rowan bumped my shoulder and shouted something, but it all sounded far away.

All I could see was her. She slid off the counter like nothing happened. Like she didn’t just set my blood on fire with one look, one touch.

What the hell was that? I wasn’t supposed to feel this. Not with her. She wasn’t the girl I messed around with. She was supposed to be off-limits. The quiet one. The good one. But right now, all I could think about was her skin. Her breath. That look in her eyes. And how badly I wanted more.

I ran a hand through my hair, trying to get it together. But my body was still buzzing. My heart was still racing. I didn’t get it. I didn’t want to feel anything. That wasn’t who I was. But she… she flipped a switch in me I didn’t even know existed.

And now I didn’t know how to turn it off.