A few more people wander out from the house and settle around the edge of the tub. Hadley and some guy she was flirting with earlier strip down to their swimsuits and slip into the last two open spots… directly in front of me. They’re practically wrapped around each other. And Hadley? She keeps glancing at me, watching to see if I’ll react.
Poor guy’s being played, and he doesn’t even know it. Or maybe he does and just doesn’t care, hoping to get laid and willing to play along if that’s the cost. I just hope Hads knows what she’s doing.
“Let’s play truth or dare,” Matt slurs from my right.
The group perks up, everyone excited, like this isn’t the exact kind of game that can get messy fast. I sigh and go with the crowd, silently praying no one calls on me.
“I’ll go first,” Hadley announces, voice calculating and sweet all at once. “Cullen…”
Damn. Should’ve seen that one coming.
“What?”
She rolls her eyes. “Truth or dare?”
I hesitate. I don’t trust her not to make me streak down the mountain or lick the side of the hot tub. “Truth,” I say, hoping it’s the safer play.
Her eyes light up.
That’s not a good sign.
“Is there anyone in this group you’d consider having sex with… besides me?”
Well, that’s not where I thought she was going, but it’s an easy answer.
“Yes.”
She shoots upright in the water, outraged. Her jaw drops, like she can’t believe I didn’t lie to protect her ego.
“Who?” she demands.
“It’s called truth or dare, Hadley. Not truth and explain yourself.” I shrug. “Now it’s my turn.”
She huffs and leans back against the dude she’s been hanging all over tonight. He pulls her closer like he doesn’t notice the tension dripping off her. Either he’s drunk, high, or just really oblivious.
I scan the group. Part of me wants to ask Ella if she’s rolling again, just to be a dick, but I’ve already pissed off Hudson once tonight. I’m not trying to double down.
I go for safer ground.
“Archer. Truth or dare?”
He pauses, eyes flicking to the guy beside him, then back to me. “Truth.”
I nod, then try to think of a question. You’d have to be blind not to notice the chemistry between him and the guy sitting next to him, but I don’t want to possibly out Archer. I’m just dying to know if anyone else in our group may be bi or guy-curious. I need to word this carefully.
“Have you found yourself unexpectedly attracted to someone here?”
His cheeks flush, but a small smile creeps in. “Yes. But the attraction wasn’t a surprise.”
Oh, that’s freaking awesome. He already knows who he is, but didn’t expect there would be someone here to pique his interest.
I shoot him a grin and a little wink, hoping he knows his secret is safe with me and there is zero judgment, just respect.
The game keeps circling, questions and dares getting bolder. People are streaking around the house and downing mystery shots that smell like gasoline. Someone actually daredHadley’s guy to lick the hot tub. Heather just finished flashing the group per her dare from Ella, then slinks right back to Hudson’s side like it’s her reward.
He’s the only one left who hasn’t gone yet, so it’s no surprise when Heather locks her gaze on him.
“Truth or dare?” she asks, her voice nauseatingly sweet.
