“What’s cheesier than playing a game of truth or dare?” Sydney inquires, clearly hoping to keep the night going.
My stomach does a somersault at her suggestions. I absolutely despise the childish game. It brings back memories of my toxic ex andhis friends. They got high off the game by daring each other to do the stupidest things while they were drinking, like running as hard as possible into the garage door with a hockey helmet on. Someone’s mom was less thrilled than I was about that one—it cost her an entire new garage door.
“Aren’t we a little old for that?” Blaine retorts. Bad boy Blaine Mitchell doesn’t like truth or dare? Everyone seems to be full of surprises on this trip.
“Not even a little bit,” Libby argues, crossing her arms. “It’s a classic for any trip. What are you scared of Blaine?” She narrows her eyes at him, challenging him to back out.
“Whatever,” Blaine grumbles as we approach the gate to the back patio.
Libby and Sydney bounce with giddiness, eager to play. They scurry into the house and return with a pack of hard seltzers. Bren says goodnight, mentioning she wants to take advantage of the empty room and call Liam before it gets too late.
“You first, Lib, since it was your idea,” Tyler requests, earning him a groan from Libby.
“Technically it was Syd’s idea, but whatever, Tyler. I’ll be a good sport.” Libby flashes a teasing grin, “I pick truth.”
“Which guy on the team would you sleep with if you had to choose?” Silas Harlan, a junior defenseman, asks. Sydney bursts into a fit of giggles as she sips a seltzer she grabbed from the fridge.
“What a waste of a question, Harlan,” Blaine grumbles. “We all know she’s going to say Ryder. Next person.”
Ryder shrugs unfazed by Blaine’s comment. Harlan mutters “shit” under his breath, not realizing his obvious mistake. Before Libby gets a word out, Sydney starts with a new victim, locking her eyes on Blaine.
“Blaine, truth or dare?”
“Truth,” he responds. Tyler huffs ‘boring” under his breath. “Fine.Dare.”
“I dare you to streak. One lap to the beach and back,” Sydney challenges him.
“Easy.” A cocky smirk forms across Blaine’s face. “Just remember you asked for it.”
Keeping his eyes focused on Libby, he takes off his Hawaiian shirt and works to untie his shorts.
“I’m going to get a drink,” I stammer, not wanting to witness Blaine naked. I’ve already seen him in all his glory in the locker room last year. Before anyone can respond, my feet carry me quickly to the kitchen. I grab a cup of water, not wanting any more buzz than the slight one I currently have.
The sound of the sliding door opening alerts me that someone else has come inside. Turning, I expect to see Lucas but instead I’m greeted by Ryder King.
“Hey, Ryder.” I take a long sip of my water.
“Hey. I’m headed to bed. Long travel day today,” he offers. “And truth or dare isn’t really my thing.” He mumbles the last part so quietly I can barely make out the words. I wonder if it was more to himself than to me.
“I don’t blame you,” I laugh softly. “Just text Lucas if you need anything.”
He acknowledges with a nod, then darts up the upstairs to his bedroom. Filling my water glass up again, a big sigh escapes me. Truth or dare is also not my thing. Nathan and his teammates at East used to force it on everyone at parties all the time his freshman year. It always became a pissing contest. But I continue to move on from the past, one day at a time.
“Laur, perfect timing,” Libby calls to me as I close the door and make my way to Lucas on the patio. “It’s your turn.”
Great. Just what I was hoping to avoid.
“Since Blaine, everyone has picked truth. So please, provide us with more entertainment on our first night of vacation,” Sydney pleads.
“Oh,” My fingers nervously twirl a strand of hair. Despite the new knot in my stomach, I oblige, “Dare.”
“I dare you to go skinny-dipping,” Tyler proclaims loudly
“No way in hell is my girlfriend getting naked in front of my teammates,” Lucas interrupts.
“Oh c’mon, it’s just a game!” Libby squeals, “If it’s that big of a deal she can go down to the beach and get naked there. Not like she needs to get buck-ass-naked right here like Blaine did.”
“Blaine was right. We’re too old for this shit,” Lucas comments under his breath. A slight victory smile creeps along Blaine’s lips.
