Truth or Dare

Chapter 10

I made it through the rest of the day in a daze. I still couldn’t believe what Noah Pierce said in class, but what was worse is that some part of me cared so much I didn’t think I could get over it. If I could just make it a few more hours Tori and I would be back at the bar. I just needed to get back to my regularly scheduled program, and now that the project was over that would be so much easier. As I pulled into my driveway, all I could think about was not having to put up with Noah Pierce and his womanizing ways any longer, and the chocolate chip chunk cookies I made last night that were sure to make me feel better!

I heard guys’ laughter coming from the kitchen and I was happy to know Luke and Tommy were home. They could definitely make me feel better whenever I was down.

“I’m so happy you guys are here! I had the worst day ever, and I just need a hug,” I called through the house as I stopped at my bedroom to put my stuff down and change into my Ohio University sweats and T.

“You okay?” Luke called.

“I don’t know. I’m just bummed! Can we please do a family dinner tonight? Do you think mom and dad will be home soon?” I yelled while walking towards the kitchen.

“I don’t know sis, but yea we can do family dinner tonight. If they don’t come we’ll still do it, you sound like you need it,” I heard Luke right before I walked into the kitchen. The boys don’t always agree right away to family dinner, so they must have been able to tell I really needed it. I’m not one to come out and complain a lot, or advertise that I need family time. Usually, when I make that request, that alone will get them to say yes because they know I wouldn’t ask for just any reason.

“Yea Elle, family dinner it is! We’ll order in from the restaurant so no one has to do dishes,” Tommy agreed to the dinner.

When I walked into the kitchen I was immediately grabbed into a hug from Tommy. Like I said, he’s the first to comfort anyone; I seriously think he has the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever met. It’s hard to imagine the kind of compassion he has attached to the kind of past he has.

“My turn,” I laughed as I was passed to Luke for another hug. I was already starting to feel better, and the doom and gloom from earlier was starting to drift away.

“What about us?” I heard as Luke released me from the hug.

I turned to find myself facing a kitchen full of 5 other guys. That alone was embarrassing that they heard me basically begging for family time and hugs. What made it worse was that I was looking into the pair of green eyes that had made that request necessary, not that I was going to let that show.

“Hey guys,” I waved from where I was standing. I couldn’t believe that Noah, Jamal, Trey, Caleb, and Andrew were standing in our kitchen all gathered around my famous chocolate chip chunk cookies. I wanted one of those cookies so bad, but I didn’t want to have to walk through that line up to get to one.

“You sound like you need one of these,” Noah said holding a cookie out to me. Seriously? After basically saying he wanted to have his way with me...after a load of sugary sweet bull-crap? In front of a room of kids that I go to school with nonetheless. Like I really wanted a cookie from him! He was so freakin arrogant!

“No thanks,” I turned from his outstretched hand, and I could see his face fall from the corner of my eyes. Whatever, I didn’t have the energy anymore. “K, I’m pretty sure Tori and I are still going out tonight, so let’s order dinner! I’m craving fettuccini alfredo and pepperoni rolls.”

“Sounds good,” Caleb agreed before pulling me into a hug. “Elle, cheer up! You get to see this beautiful mug, so what could possibly keep you down?”