I Hate You Too

Ch. 17: Amara

"How cute," Mila says as I force a smile, pretending like I've kissed Dallas a hundred times.

But I can't even meet Dallas's eyes.

Her stare bores holes through me, but I pretend not to notice. Kissing Dallas was nothing like I'd expected it to be, and I'm not entirely sure how to feel about this.

I'd feared kissing her would be wildly awkward, only to find this worry quickly dispelled. Oddly, her lips against mine were nowhere near as off-putting as I assumed it'd be.

Honestly, kissing Dallas wasn't off-putting at all.

After the kiss, I can't even look at Jayden, too overwhelmed with conflicted emotion. I raise a finger to my lips mindlessly as the previous moment replays in my mind.

"Okay, who's next?" Mila's voice breaks through my thoughts as her gaze roams the room, landing on Jayden. "Jayden?"

Stiffening, I risk a nervous glance her way. She meets my stare from across the room.

Jayden's smirk is sickening. If there's one thing I know about her, it's how much she thrives on being the center of attention. Just the sight of her smug expression twists my stomach into knots.

After everything that has happened recently, I can hardly believe I wanted her back when Dallas and I first came up with our plan. Now, I'm tired of her games.

I don't want Jayden. All I want with her now is to get even; to get back at her for hurting me. Playing to win, I anticipate what's to come.

"Dallas?" Jayden says. Her smirk widens as her stare lands on Dallas. "Truth or dare?"

Her tone is taunting, causing my heart to drop to the pit of my stomach. Somehow, this feels like some sort of trap.

Eyeing Dallas, I expect her to face me, but she doesn't even glance my way. She merely crosses her arms over her chest tightly, stare unwaveringly meeting Jayden's.

"Truth," she says evenly.

I bite down on my bottom lip nervously as my gaze bounces between the two. Knowing Jayden, she's no doubt going to mess with her. She's probably hoping to catch her in some sort of act.

Dallas seems surprisingly calm under pressure, which eases my nerves. Hopefully, she won't fall for whatever Jayden is plotting.

Just as I suspected, Jayden plays dirty. With an arm wrapped around Shelby, Jayden stares Dallas down.

"When was the moment you knew you fell for Amara?" she asks.

I watch Dallas closely. She appears thoughtful. Expecting her to make something up, I'm shocked by her response.

"Junior year," Dallas says. She turns to me, meeting my gaze for the first time since we kissed.

"It was the first day of volleyball practice," Dallas continues. "You wore your hair in a ponytail. You were so fierce on the court. I remember watching the way you spiked the ball and thinking: Damn, that girl could take my head off. You played like you had something to prove, and I admired that. I was certain the team captain spot was yours. And maybe it should have been."

I swallow, reeling at Dallas's words. I don't know where this confession came from, or if she's merely trying to play things up in front of Shelby, but it doesn't feel fake.

Could Dallas be serious?

I hear people whispering around us about how cute we are. Holding my head high, I try to appear neutral. In reality, my mind whirls, thoroughly confused.