One Temptation

Truth or Dare? (Chapter 57)

This chapter. Woah. STEAMMYYYY

Song: Earned it by The Weekend.

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The house was alive as we walked in. Music blared, laughter echoed, and the smell of cheap alcohol lingered in the air.

Lia looped her arm through mine and Em's, and pulled us through the crowd.

"Alright, Madi," Lia said, leaning in, "Promise me you're actually going to let yourself have fun tonight."

I rolled my eyes but smiled. "I'll try."

"That's not a promise," she shot back, grinning.

Em stepped up beside us, already pulling me toward the kitchen. "Let's get drinks. First step to fun."

As we moved through the crowd, I scanned the faces- none of them the one I'd been trying not to think about all day.

Then, almost as if on cue, I felt it- someone close behind me.

West.

He was leaning casually against the doorframe of one of the rooms, his other hand holding a drink. His dark eyes found mine, and just like that, the room felt too small.

"Madison," he said smoothly.

The sound of my name coming from his mouth made my heart race.

"West," I replied.

"What's with the face?" he asked, stepping closer.

"What face?"

"That one," he teased, pointing at me. "You look like you're about to bolt."

"I'm fine," I lied.

Before he could respond, Jake's voice cut in. "Mate, you're standing there with a drink while Madi doesn't have one."

I turned to see him and Cole approaching, both grinning like they were plotting something.

"I don't need-" started, but Jake waved me off.

"Don't argue with me." he started, "Kaleb, get her a drink."

West shot Jake an unimpressed look, but he didn't argue. "Come on, Mads," he said, nodding toward the kitchen.

I followed him, aware of how easily he maneuverer through the crowd.

"You don't seem as the type to mix drinks," I said as he began scanning the counter.

"Shows what you know," he replied, grabbing a few bottles and pouring with confidence.

"Do I even want to know what you're making?"

"This," he said, sliding the cup toward me, "is a Jake-special. Supposedly foolproof."

I took a sip, half expecting it to be terrible, but instead, it was surprisingly good. Sweet, with just the right amount of kick.

"Huh," I said, taking another sip. "It's good."

West's smirk deepened. "Yeah?"

Before I could answer, his hand covered mine on the cup. He lifted it to his lips, taking a sip while maintaining eye contact.

He set the cup back down, shrugging. "Too sweet for me."

"Then why'd you make it?" I asked.

"Because I knew you'd like it," he said simply.

Jake's voice broke through again, loud and unapologetic. "dude, don't waste the whole night standing there. Make a move already."

"Subtle, Jake," I muttered, but my stomach twisted.