Strip Game - A Whirlwind Summer

49. 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐏 𝐆𝐀𝐌𝐄 1

♪✰❄︎𖤍❄︎✰♪

𝐂𝐇𝐑𝐈𝐒

I checked my phone for the hundredth time.

Text from Travis: She's safe now.

Finally, I exhaled. Ashley leaned into my shoulder, reading the message over my arm. Jeff and Molly crowded in to peek too. The air around us shifted, just slightly, as the panic slowly gave way to relief.

"She's okay," I said.

Everyone exhaled like they'd been holding their breath too. Molly pressed a hand to her chest and Ashley mumbled a soft "thank God."

We stood there for a moment in silence. No one spoke. The music had become background noise.

I glanced sideways at Ashley.

"I know about you and Travis," I said casually, not looking at her.

She stiffened just a little, eyes flicking to mine.

I didn't press.

She looked like she wanted the ground to swallow her.

"Relax" I added, a little amused. "I'm not mad."

Her voice was quiet. "I didn't mean to..."

"I know," I said. "You didn't owe me anything. Just... thanks. For having his back. He needed someone tonight."

She didn't respond. But she nodded.

And that said enough.

Just then, the speakers screeched and a mic cracked on.

We all turned to see Drake.

Molly visibly bristled beside me. "That asshole."

"Douchebag. Son of a bitch," Ashley muttered immediately.

Jeff and I exchanged a look.

"Okay, what did he do to you guys?" Jeff asked, brows raised.

"Long story," Molly snapped. "Not for now. But we're teaching him a lesson. Nobody messes with my friend."

"Period" Ashley added.

Drake beamed like the star of a stupid show.

"Thank you all for coming," he said into the mic. "It's my first time hosting a party at a resort, so I'm glad to see you all enjoying yourselves."

Molly and Ashley hissed in perfect sync.

"Now," Drake continued, "I know you're all having fun, but I figured, hey, why not spice things up"

People started cheering, whistling, curious.

He grinned wider. "That's right. We're playing Truth or Dare. But not your high school version. This one's for the bold and the grown."

Everyone leaned in.

"Here's the deal" Drake announced. "If you refuse a question or skip a dare, you take off a piece of clothing. No objecting to which item you're told to remove. You in, or you're out. Simple."

The crowd roared.

"This seems interesting." Molly smiled.

"I know right," Ashley replied.

The party surged forward as people gathered to join the game. I sighed and looked at Jeff.

"What do you think?" I asked.

He smirked. "What's a party without a little chaos?"

"Let's do this!" Ashley squealed as we moved forward with the crowd.