I Dare You (Dare, #1) — Chapter no 22

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

COLE

Come lunchtime, she’s still mad at me. And I love that she doesn’t even try to hide it. It turns me on.

I sit across from her, next to Deke, and she seemed surprised. I had a reason for it.

“So how were your three days off school?” Deke asks her.

“Awesome. I didn’t do shit,” she says, dipping the fry into ketchup and smiling. Becky laughs.

Deke looks at me, and I give him a simple nod.

He smiles and dusts off his hands then grabs his phone. “Hey, girls.

Smile.” He holds up his phone, and like the girls they are, they lean into one another and smile as he snaps their picture. “Perfect,” he says and then starts typing away on it.

“What are you doing, babe?” Becky asks him.

He waits until after he’s done before he answers. “Just posted your guys’

picture.”

Her phone buzzes on the table.

“We’re throwing you a party,” I tell Austin.

She was picking up her drink but stops at my words. Her eyes narrow on me with suspicion, then dart to Deke. “Why?”

“Because you earned it,” he says simply.

“What did I do to earn a party?” she asks slowly.

“Who the hell cares?” Becky asks excitedly.

The bell rings, and they get up to throw away their trash, and I turn to

Deke. “Who did you invite?”

He smiles. “Everyone.”

I walk out into the hall, and I find her and Becky by their locker. “I’ll

pick you up at ten,” I tell her.

“It’s tonight?”

I nod.

She blows a long breath out. “Where is it?”

“The beach,” Becky answers, already checking her Facebook.

“It’ll be cold.” Austin frowns.

Becky just laughs and walks off to class. Austin looks up at me. “You’re up to something.”

I lean down and kiss her neck. “Aren’t I always?”

“Cole,” she whispers and pushes me away. I go willingly and look down

at her. “Please don’t embarrass me.”

I frown. “What? Why would you think …?”

“You have a tendency to prove you’re right, and I …” She looks away from me and lets out a long breath. “Never mind.”

She turns to walk away, but I grab her arm and pull her to a stop.

“What?”

“After the other day … what I told you …” She sighs heavily. “I get it,” she says softly “You guys run this school. This town.” Her eyes meet mine.

“But you …” She pauses again, and I search her eyes, waiting to see angry tears, but instead, I see nothing but sadness. And I don’t like it. I hate Bruce Lowes even more for allowing her mother and boyfriend to treat her the way they did. “That night in my bedroom, you told me that you could make me nothing. But what you didn’t know is that I’ve always been nothing. But here”—she holds her hands out wide—“you’re something, and no matter how hard I try to hide in the dark, you pull me into the spotlight. And that’s not where I belong.” With that, she walks off down the hall, holding her books to her chest.

I walk into fifth period and sit down next to Deke. “Are you friends with Austin on social media?”

He snorts. “She won’t add me. I know she saw my request.”

“Shit!” I hiss sitting back in my seat.

“Why?” he asks.

“I wanna see her page.”

He laughs. “Well, I can make that happen. Hang on.” He leans forward and grips Becky’s shoulder. “Let me see your phone, babe.”

“Why?” she asks.

He rolls his eyes. “It doesn’t fucking matter why. Just give it to me,”

Deke orders.

She huffs but passes it back to him. He presses some buttons and then

hands it to me.

“How do I look at pictures?” I ask.

She says she was nothing. Somehow, I don’t believe that. Her mother and boyfriend probably just made her feel that way.

“Here you go. Just scroll to the side,” he instructs me.

I come to a picture of her and a guy. He’s about her height and tattoos come up from underneath his shirt and stop at his jawline. He’s got big black gauges in his ears. His right arm is over her shoulders, and she’s looking at him like she loves him. I’ve never seen that look on her face

before.

“Who the hell is that?” Deke asks.

“I don’t know,” I growl.

“Oh, that’s Martin,” Becky says, looking down at it now.

“Who the hell is Martin?” Deke growls.

“Her ex,” she answers.

I never thought that she may not be available. The thought never crossed my mind. Just like Celeste said, I always get what I want. Boyfriend be damned. But it’s nice to know that I don’t have to take her from him. Makes

this easier for me.

“Were they serious?” Deke asks Becky.

“She doesn’t talk about California much, so I don’t think so. I just know they were together because of the pics she has of him on there.”

Deke yanks the phone from my hands, and I lean over in my desk as he brings another picture up. It’s of her standing in a living room. She wears a black leather mini-skirt and black fitted top. Another brunette her age stands to her left. A man behind her. He looks a lot older. He has a cigarette between his lips, and his eyes are right on her ass. I know exactly who it is.

Her mom’s boyfriend.

“Next,” I order.

Deke moves on to another one of her, and it looks to be inside a club.

There’s neon lights, and she has her head thrown back, that guy with the tats has his head buried in her neck, his hands gripping her ass.

“Next,” I growl.

This one is of her on the beach. She has her brown hair up and big glasses on her face. She is wearing a white bikini, and that guy is there with her again. But only this time he is holding her up. Her legs are wrapped around his waist, his arms around hers, and her head is bent down as she kisses him. You can see the tattoo on her side.

“Fuck, man. She has a tat? That’s hot,” Deke says with a nod. I glare at him.

Becky’s phone vibrates in his hands, and he exits out of her pictures.

“Wait …” I reach for it, but he pulls it away.

“Hang on, I’ll go back.” He presses some more buttons then holds it up to me, but I don’t know what I’m looking at. I don’t this social media shit.

“Look at this shit,” he says.

“What?” I ask needing him to point it out to me.

“I posted that pic of the girls and tagged Becky. She then tagged Austin

in it,” Deke explains.

I still don’t get it. “Meaning …?”

“Meaning that their friends see the post I made. And look who commented.” He holds Becky’s phone closer to my face.

Hey Austin. Looking better than ever. I sure miss hitting that ass.

My anger rises, and I fist my hands. “Who is that?” I demand.

“It’s him,” he answers. “The guy in the pictures with her.”

I sit back in my seat. I sure miss hitting that ass? I’ll be sure to tell her that tonight when I’m buried between those sweet legs.

“I deleted the comment,” Deke announces, but I ignore him. “She needs to delete those pictures of him and her kissing now that she’s with you, man.” He hands Becky her phone back and growls. “Text Austin and tell her to delete those pics of her ex off social media.”

Becky lets out a sigh but starts to type away on her phone. It dings immediately with a response. “She said she will when Cole gets a social media page.” Then she gives us her back, laughing at the thought of me ever doing that.

Deke looks at me. “You know what you gotta do.”

I smile. She’s calling my bluff. Just wait and see, Austin.

I’ve never wanted a woman to myself. Didn’t wanna deal with the drama and bullshit. Looks like I don’t do well with competition either.

I was already nothing.

Well, Austin Lowes, I’m about to make you something. Completely fucking mine! And the world is gonna know it.

AUSTIN

I pace inside my closet while Becky stands in front of me, staring at my clothes.

“I don’t know what to wear,” I tell her for the third time.

I called her in a panic. I may have lived in California, but the only time I went to the beach was to swim in the ocean. Not party on it.

“Do I wear boots?” I ask. “Like you can’t wear heels unless you plan on carrying them. And then what’s the point in that? I could wear tennis shoes but those aren’t sexy for a party.”

She laughs. “You can wear boots. The beach will be sandy and rocky but since it rains so much, it will be packed down somewhat.” Looking down at her phone, she starts typing out a message. “Deke and Cole are on their way

over.”

“Both of them? Why?”

“I called Deke on my way here, and he said they would just come pick us up.” She looks up from her phone. “And by the way, my parents think I’m staying with you tonight.” Her eyebrows wiggle, and I laugh.

“Now let’s get you dressed. The guys will be here soon.”

Twenty minutes later, I’m in my bathroom just finishing up my lipstick when I hear my bedroom door open. “I don’t know what time I’ll be home.

But I don’t expect to be out too late,” I holler, knowing it’s Celeste.

“You’re not coming home at all.”

I spin around to see Cole leaning up against the doorframe to my bathroom. “What are you doing up here?” I ask.

He crosses his arms over his chest as his eyes scan over my black sweater and red skinny jeans with my black knee-high boots. When they meet mine, he pushes off the doorframe and walks toward me.

I take a step back, but the countertop stops me. He looks angry. His usual mask is in place, and his eyes are dark. His right hand slides into my hair, tilting my head back. “Cole …” His lips are on mine before I can say anything else.

I melt into him just like all the other times. My knees buckle when he deepens the kiss, demanding my breath. His tongue dances with mine, and I moan into his mouth. He presses his hips against mine, and I can feel he’s already hard.

“Screw the party,” I whisper when he pulls away.

He runs his hand through my hair. “As much as I’d like to do that, we

can’t let Deke down.”

“Deke?”

Cole nods once. “He wanted to throw you this party.”

“Now, I’m really nervous.” I laugh.

“Don’t be.” He kisses my lips softly as if he can’t get enough. Or it’s all part of his game. At this point, I can’t tell the difference anymore. And that’s not good. “Don’t tell Deke this, but he’s harmless.”

“I watched him help you kill someone,” I remind him.

“Yeah.” He smiles as if he’s remembering that night fondly. “But he would never hurt you.” I raise an eyebrow. He chuckles, that anger in his eyes fading a little. “If he didn’t have me to beat his ass, Becky would do it.

I didn’t realize she was so feisty until yesterday at lunch.”

I laugh. “Come on. Let’s go. If we don’t hurry, Becky and Deke may

already be naked in the car.”

“Pack a bag real quick.”

I stop and turn back to face him. “That’s not a good idea, Cole.”

His eyes narrow, that anger returning so easily at my denial. “Pack. A.

Bag.” He orders this time.

I place my hand on my hips, refusing to back down to him. “I’m not staying at your father’s house.”

A smile spreads across his face. It’s not friendly. “Who said we were staying at my father’s house?”

_________________________________

“What the hell?” I ask as Deke pulls up to the beach. Cars are on the sand, well those who drive lifted trucks and Jeeps. There’s a bonfire. Kegs line the shore, and white folding tables hold liquor bottles and Solo cups. Kids of all ages litter the sand. Some I recognize from school, but others I don’t.

“How did you pull this off?” I ask.

“Magic,” Cole answers.

Deke scoffs. “Please. This isn’t magic. This is all me, baby.” I roll my eyes, but Becky laughs at him while we get out.

“Stay close to me,” Cole orders.

“Where would I go?” I ask.

He grabs my hand and pulls me along with him. A Jeep missing its top and doors is parked on the sand, and it has speakers all inside it blasting out “Feel Invincible” by Skillet.

We make our way over to a white table, and Cole lets go of my hand to start making us drinks.

“Isn’t this awesome?” Becky squeals, grabbing my arm.

I nod. “Deke outdid himself,” I say, eyeing him. He sees me staring and winks at me. I narrow my eyes, and he laughs.

They’re up to something. What the hell is it?

“Here,” Cole says, turning back to face me and hands me a Solo cup. I take a sip and frown, looking up at him. “There’s hardly any alcohol in

this.”

“There’s enough.”

“Where’s yours?” I ask, noticing his hands are empty now.

“I’m fine,” he says; his answer clipped.

I open my mouth to argue but shut it when I see Shane approach us. His eyes meet mine, and then he looks away quickly. I wanna throw my drink on him for ratting me out. But what did I expect? Once again, it was my fault to trust him. To trust any of them.

Deke and Cole walk over to Shane and turn their backs to us. I spin around and grab a bottle of vodka and pour it into my cup. “Want some more?” I ask, holding it up to Becky.

She shakes her head. “Deke made mine strong.”

I set it down and take a drink. “Much better.” Leaning up against the table, I look over at Cole. He has his hair spiked and looking like every bit a disheveled mess. He wears a pair of blue jeans, tennis shoes, and his black

zip-up hoodie.

“He doesn’t drink.”

“What?” I ask, turning to look over at Becky.

“You had asked him where his drink was.” She nods to Cole as he stands with his friends. His arms are crossed over his chest. Shane and Deke both drink from Solo cups. “Well, he does but only when he has parties at his house,” she says, before taking a drink of hers. “If he goes to a party that isn’t at his dad’s, then he doesn’t drink.”

“He had a shot that one night we were at that party they showed up at.”

She nods. “One shot. You won’t see him have more than that.”

That surprises me. “Why not?” I ask.

“The night Maddox, Landen, and Eli died, they had all been drinking at a party. Cole was driving them when he wrecked.”

My brows shoot up. No one ever talks about what happened to his friends. It’s like the ghost everyone can’t see, but you know it’s there. Jeff

said he killed his friends, and Shelby told me it was a car wreck, but that’s as much as I know.

“What happened?” I ask, looking to see that he and Shane are still talking to Deke, but now Bennett has joined them.

“The brakes went out, and the car rolled. They were all thrown out.”

I take a sip. “Did Cole get in trouble?”

She shakes her head. “His dad has money. He’d just paid for the police academy’s new training facility before the accident. He got a slap on the wrist.” She lowers her voice. “It caused a lot of tension between him and

Kellan.”

I frown. “Why Kellan?”

“The other guys understood what happened was an accident and could have happened to any of them. They were all out of control, but Kellan blamed him. Still does. Maddox was Kellan’s cousin.”

“Oh,” I say.

She nods quickly before taking another drink. “But I feel sorry for Cole.”

She looks over at him and sighs. “What happened was an accident. Hell, I’ve gone to parties and drove home drunk before. Not responsible, but I get it. He blames himself, and anyone who knows him can see it eats him alive.

He and Eli were the closest, and he died in his arms.”

“What?” I breathe.

“Lauren James, a sophomore, her dad is a paramedic, and she said that he told her when they pulled up to the scene, Cole was sitting in the ditch with Eli in his arms. Dead.”

I look over at him and see he has turned and now faces our direction. His eyes are on the sand, hands now in the front pockets of his jeans, and he nods his head as Shane speaks to them. And I remember what he said to Jeff that night in the cemetery.

Give me what I deserve! Why don’t you get your sorry ass up and hit me?

Why don’t you be a fucking man and fight me.

He wanted a fight. Needed it. I didn’t understand then, but I do now. He lifts his head, and his eyes land on mine. I stare back without blinking, just taking in the color of his dark blue eyes. They’re just like the sky—always clouded. And I can’t imagine what he went through losing three friends and living with that guilt. It would destroy a weak person.