It Started with a Dare

17

The party was in full blast when we got there. I thought the music was loud outside, but when we got inside, it was much louder. The house smelled like stale beer, sweat, and...throw up?

"Ridge, I'm glad you could make it!" I heard a guy yell. I turned around, and saw Stormy Haynes walking toward us.

"Hey, it was no problem," Ridge said over the music.

Stormy looked at me. "My, my, my, who may you be?" he asked.

"Braelyn Sawyer," I said.

He raised his eyebrows, surprised. "Nathan and Nick Sawyer's kid sister?" he asked.

I nodded. "The very one."

"From what they say, I'd never though that you would be this beautiful."

Ridge clenched my hand, and I looked at him then back at Stormy. "Thank you, Stormy," I said.

"Well, I'll catch you guys later. Pleasure meeting you, Braelyn," he said, grabbing my hand and kissing it, before walking away.

"I hate when he does that," Ridge growled.

"Does what?" I asked.

He looked at me. "The whole charming thing. It gets annoying."

I pinched his cheeks. "Aw. Your cute when you're jealous!"

He swatted my hands away. "Braelyn, staaahhp," he laughed.

I dropped my hand and kissed his cheek. "Okay."

Shaking his head, he said, "You're going to be the death of me someday."

"Braelyn! Ridge!" I smiled at the voice and turned around. Emilee made her way toward us; Marcus following behind.

"Hey," I said.

She grinned. "You look hot!" she exclaimed.

"You do, too, Em," I replied.

Emilee flipped her hair. "You know," she laughed. Then, she squealed as the next song came on, "Killa," by Cherish ft. Young Joc. "Brae, you have to dance with me!"

"You dance?" Ridge asked.

"Yeah, you didn't know?" Marcus said.

"I'm not that good," I said.

Emilee grabbed my hand. "Yeah, she is," she said then pulled me into the crowded living room, where everyone was dancing.

I waited for a moment to get the feel of the music then began to dance. I moved my hips in sync with my feet along to the music. Emilee danced with me, our moves almost identical. Both of us had danced to this song a lot of times. The crowd gave Emilee and me room.

Emilee and I slid, changing sides, then dropped to the ground, getting back up with ease. Even though it didn't seem like it, I danced a lot. I looked into the crowd, and found Ridge watching me.

He seemed genuinely surprised, jaw dropped and eyebrows raised. I grinned to myself and began to show off a little bit.

When the song ended, I walked over to Ridge. "You didn't tell me you could dance," Ridge said.

I grinned. "I have to have some secrets," I said.

"That was hot."

Rolling my eyes, I said, "Of course that would be the first thing you would think of."

"Juju On That Beat," started playing, and Ridge smiled. "Come on. Let me show you my moves."

I rolled my eyes and let him lead me onto the dance floor. What felt like hours, Ridge and I danced. Then, I had to go to the bathroom, so I went in search for the bathroom.

When I came out, I ended up bumping into someone. I looked up and found myself staring into big, brown eyes. That's when I froze.

"Braelyn?" he asked.

My heart started beating fast. "J-Jared?" I asked.

"Long time, no see," he said.

"Yeah," I replied.

Jared looked as shocked to see me as I was to see him. "You look good."

"You, too," I said. My shock wasn't well hidden, and Jared saw that. I knew he saw it.

"Look, Braelyn-"

"Braelyn, there you are!" a familiar voice shouted. I turned and found Ridge coming toward us. I looked back at Jared, who raised an eyebrow. "Hey, baby," Ridge said, kissing my cheek.

"Hey," I replied, a little embarrassed.

"Who's your friend?" Ridge asked, wrapping an arm around my waist protectively.

Jared held his hand out. "Jared Ridley. You're Ridge McCain, aren't you?"

Ridge tensed. "Yeah, I am," he said sternly, not shaking Jared's hand.

Jared dropped his hand. "Well, I better be going. Wren is waiting. It was nice seeing you again, Braelyn," he said.

"Uh, you, too, Jared."

He gave me an awkward smile then disappeared into the crowd. I swallowed a lump that had formed in my throat. He was back. He was really back.

"What the..." Ridge went on a cursing spree, and I blocked him out.

"He's back," I whispered after a few minutes. Tears blurred my vision.

"Braelyn, are you okay?" Ridge stopped, and he titled my chin up. Tears began to fall, and I wiped them away hastily.

"Can you take me home?" I asked.

Ridge nodded. "Yeah," he said, and we made our way to his car.

The car ride was silent. Deadly silent. Ridge gripped the steering wheel the whole way, and when we pulled into my driveway, he looked at me. "Do you want me to come up?"

I shook my head while unfastening my seatbelt. "No, I just need to be alone."

Ridge looked away. "I hate him," Ridge said.

"Please, just drop it," I said then got out of the car. I made my way inside the house.

"Hey, Br-what's wrong?" Nick asked.

"I'm going to bed," I said quietly then hurried to my room, locking the door behind me. Then, I dropped to the floor, sobbing.