Fire Burning

Truth Or Dare

The air inside the shed was heavier now. Dim lighting, clinking bottles, the low hum of music vibrating from the speaker in the corner. Everyone had claimed their spot—beanbags, floor cushions, even parts of the rug. It was a messy ring of bodies, drinks in hand, flushed cheeks from sun and alcohol.

Alec grinned as he spun the empty Red Bull can in the center of the circle. "Alright," he said, voice a little too excited. "We’re doing both. Spin the bottle and truth or dare. You land on someone? You pick. No backing out. No running away."

Addie raised her cup. "To chaos."

“To chaos,” everyone echoed, some laughing, some already too tipsy to fully follow what was going on.

The first few spins were harmless.

Maddie kissed Alec. Jeremy did a dare that involved taking a shot of straight vodka with no chaser. Duke was dared to strip down to his boxers and run once around the shed.

Then the can spun.

And landed on me.

My heart jumped as everyone turned.

Alec grinned. "Okay, Em. Truth or dare?"

I hesitated, eyes flicking across the circle. Aristotle was watching me. Not blinking. Not smiling. Just watching.

“Dare,” I said.

Gasps and laughter.

“Alright,” Alec said, rubbing his hands together like a cartoon villain. “I dare you... to sit on the lap of whoever in this room you think is the hottest. For one full minute."

My stomach dropped. Blood rushed to my cheeks.

Addie choked on her drink. “Damn, Alec. Chill.”

“No way she’s doing that,” Duke said, laughing. “She’s too shy.”

Maddie added, “If she chooses Ari, I’m out. That’s my brother, ew.”

Hades groaned. “Please let it not be my brother. That’s trauma.”

Everyone cracked up.

I looked down at my drink. Then across the circle.

To him.

He didn’t flinch. Just leaned back a little, arms stretched over the couch, legs spread, like he knew.

My feet moved before I could talk myself out of it.

One step. Then another.

And then I was in front of him.

I didn’t look at him when I climbed into his lap—just lowered myself slowly, my thighs brushing his. My breath caught as I felt his hands automatically find my waist. His grip tightened just slightly.

The room exploded.

Jeremy whistled. Maddie squealed. Addie’s jaw dropped.

But all I could feel was his chest beneath my spine. His breath against my ear.

He didn’t say a word. Just let his fingers press softly into my sides. His mouth hovered just beside my neck.

Sixty seconds had never felt so long.

When the time was up, I stood without looking at anyone and walked back to my spot, pretending my heart wasn’t racing, pretending my thighs weren’t still burning from the way he held me.

The teasing didn’t stop though.

Maddie threw a pillow at me playfully. “Okay, Mrs. Steele. That was some Fifty Shades level boldness.”