The Dare That Changed Everything

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A dare. That was all it took.

The freshman girl drew the card and kissed my boyfriend, Preston.

I broke up with him on the spot, right there in front of everyone.

He thought I was just throwing a tantrum.

Don't be such a poor sport. He wiped his mouth, looking anything but sorry. If you kissed someone for a game, I wouldn't care.

Preston was so sure of himself. He was certain his good little girl would never do anything wild.

Then the next round started.

His best friend, the business school's golden boy, Cole, drew a dare card.

[Take one girl here home with you for the night.]

Cole didn't hesitate. He looked straight at me, extending a hand. A lazy, dangerous smile played on his lips. "Want to try me tonight?"

I placed my hand in his. "Yes."

That night, Preston blew up my phone.

Chapter 1

Paisley's dare flashed on the screen.

[Choose any guy in the room. Kiss him for 3 minutes.]

The air in the booth turned suffocating.

In the next second, her gaze locked straight onto the man sitting beside me. Preston.

Everyone followed her line of sight. The music seemed to fade into the background, replaced by a suffocating tension.

Preston didn't look up. He kept his eyes down, his thumb tracing idle circles on my palm. Like he couldn't feel the heat of her stare burning into us.

Paisley bit her lip, looking at me with wide, innocent doe eyes. "Clara can I borrow Preston? Just for three minutes?"

Silence. Absolute, pin-drop silence. The entire room held its breath, waiting for the bloodbath.

I didn't get it. I genuinely didn't.

"There are plenty of single guys here," I said, my voice steady. "Why don't you ask one of them?"

Paisley froze. She chewed on her lower lip, her face flushing with a perfect mix of embarrassment and humiliation.

She finally turned away, dragging her feet to the other side of the booth to ask the other guys.

Rejection. Rejection.

Until she got to the third guy. Lenny.

"I'm down." Lenny grinned, his eyes glassy with too much cheap whiskey. "With tongue?"

Paisley looked like she was about to cry. She shook her head frantically, shrinking back. "No no, I didn't mean"

Lenny didn't care. He lurched forward, grabbing Paisley's wrist with a sweaty grip. "Come on, don't be shy."

The shift was instant.

Preston, who had been playing with my fingers just a second ago, stopped. He dropped my hand.

He stood up, crossed the space in one stride, and yanked Paisley back behind him. His movement was a blur of protective aggression. "You think bullying a little girl is funny?" Preston's voice was cold, sharp enough to cut glass.

Paisley grabbed Preston's arm with both hands, looking up at him like he was her savior.

I reached out too. I grabbed his sleeve.

Preston turned back to look at me.

I didn't make a scene. I didn't scream. I just forced a pale smile, the kind that hurt to hold. "I have a headache," I whispered. "Take me home? Please."

Choose me, Preston.

Just walk away with me right now. Prove that you only care about me. Prove that you feel nothing for this girl who keeps circling you.

Our eyes met.

He pulled his arm away from my touch.

"You know I can't," he said. "I can't leave right now."

He saw the moisture gathering in my eyes. He saw the crack in my composure.

He let go of Paisley for a second and crouched down in front of me, his voice dropping to that low, soothing tone he always used to manage me. "Paisley is a freshman in my department. I have to look out for her."

"Clara, be good."

He reached up, his thumb brushing the corner of my eye. "If you don't like looking at it, then don't look. Just wait for me. A few minutes."

I gripped his sleeve again. Harder this time. I crushed the expensive white fabric in my fist until my knuckles turned white. "Preston. If you kiss her, we are done. I will break up with you."

My eyes felt like sandpaper, dry and burning, but I didn't shed a tear. I stared right into his soul. "I mean it."

Preston's patience snapped.

He didn't jerk away. Instead, he reached down and pried my fingers off his sleeve.

One. By. One.

He stood up, looking down at me with a cold, detached expression. "Don't be so dramatic, Clara."

I froze.

I recognized that look.

I had seen it once before, years ago. It was the same look he gave Maude, the housekeeper's daughter, when she tried to give him a love letter.

It was a polite rejection wrapped in absolute, aristocratic disgust.

Tyler, one of Preston's frat brothers, couldn't stand the awkwardness anymore. He leaned over, swirling his drink. "Come on, Clara. Don't be so serious. It's just a game."

Next to him, his girlfriend, Caitlin, muttered under her breath, loud enough for me to hear. "Seriously. What a buzzkill."

"Why come to a bar if you can't handle a little dare?"

Chapter 2

I opened my mouth to speak, but the words died in my throat.

A laugh cut through the noise.

It came from the dark corner of the booth. Cole.

He hadn't said a word all night. He just sat there, nursing a drink, watching the chaos unfold with bored eyes. But now, he laughed.

The sound was low, magnetic. It instantly shifted the gravity of the room. Everyone turned to look at him.

Cole rested his chin on his hand, his gaze lazy but sharp, landing squarely on Caitlin. "If you can handle it," he drawled, his voice smooth and dangerous, "why don't you kiss every guy in this room?"

Caitlin's face went slack.

Cole tapped his finger against his temple, pretending to think. "Ah. Wait."

"Except me."

"I can't handle it."

It was a masterclass in humiliation. He didn't raise his voice. He didn't swear. He just casually destroyed her dignity without even sitting up straight.

Caitlin turned a deep, blotchy red. She stammered, opening and closing her mouth like a fish, but no sound came out.

Cole ignored her. He pulled a cigarette from a silver case and placed it between his lips. He flicked his metal lighter open. *Clink.* The flame flared, illuminating the sharp angles of his face. He tossed the lighter onto the glass table. It spun and rattled to a stop. He exhaled a plume of smoke, narrowing his eyes at Caitlin. "Buzzkill."

I stared at him, unblinking. My brain short-circuited.

Cole was Preston's best friend. He was part of their circle. I never expected him to speak up for me.

I was so stunned that I didn't even notice the three minutes pass. I missed the kiss entirely. I skipped right over the heartbreak and landed straight in shock.

By the time Preston sat back down beside me, I had already unlocked my phone.

*Block contact.*

The satisfaction on his face vanished the moment he looked at me. His expression went flat. "What does that mean?"

"I told you," I said, my voice devoid of emotion. "We're done."

I went to block his number next, but he grabbed my wrist. His grip was tight, bruising. "Are you never going to stop?"

Preston let out a short, incredulous laugh. Underlying it was a thin vein of anger. "It's just a game. How much drama are you going to milk out of this?"

"If you kissed someone for a dare, I wouldn't care at all."

He said it because he knew me. He knew I was the "good girl." He knew I followed the rules. That's why he felt safe disrespecting me.

As soon as the words left his mouth, the cheering on the other side of the booth exploded.

It was Cole's turn.

He had drawn the most notorious card in the deck.

[Take one girl here home with you for the night.]

Tyler grinned, leaning forward. "Real talk, though. This means getting a room. No backing out."

Cole didn't move at first.

Someone else chimed in, trying to smooth things over. "You guys know Cole. He's practically a monk. Look at his shoulders, he's so tense."

"Just drink a shot and skip it."

Nobody really expected him to do it. Every guy who pulled this card usually just laughed it off and took the penalty drink.

"Wait."

Cole's voice cut through the chatter. He looked up. His dark eyes locked onto mine.

The room went dead silent. Jaws dropped.

Cole stood up. He walked over to me, his movements fluid and predatory. He stopped right in front of me and extended his hand. He smiled. It was the kind of smile that could ruin your life, and you'd thank him for it. "Want to try me tonight?"

Preston narrowed his eyes. He leaned back, a smirk playing on his lips. "If you're drunk, I'll call you an Uber," Preston said. "Cole, that's my girlfriend."

The air crackled with static. A silent war declared in the space between them. Testosterones clashed.

Cole glanced at Preston. A look of pure, unadulterated indifference. "So?"

"It's just a game."

"Preston," Cole mocked, his voice dropping an octave. "Don't be such a poor sport."

Preston shrugged, unbothered. "Whatever," he said. "My girlfriend is too conservative. She'd never agree to go with you. I'm just rejecting you on her behalf."

I didn't look at Preston.

I looked at Cole's hand. Large. Veined. Waiting.

I placed my hand in his. "Yes."

Preston's smile froze. It shattered like dropped glass.

Chapter 3

I thought about every time they called me a "good girl" since I started college. The way the nickname dripped with condescension.

Like I was some relic from a bygone era. A prude. A bore.

The alcohol in my system surged, fueling a sudden, reckless fire in my chest.

I wasn't thinking. I was reacting.

So I said yes. Like a ghost had possessed me.

Cole raised an eyebrow as my fingers curled around his palm.

He pulled me up. Without a word, he led me toward the exit.

Behind us, the room erupted.

"Holy shit!! Is that Cole? Am I drunk or did that just happen?"

"I'm voting for demonic possession"

Preston's voice cut through the noise like a whip. "Stop."

He didn't stand up. He was still sitting in the booth, looking at me. His gaze was patronizing. Like he was watching a toddler throw a tantrum. "I just wanted to say"

He laughed, a cold, ugly sound. "Let me know which hotel you pick. I'll send over some condoms."

I didn't let Cole respond. I beamed at Preston, a smile so bright it felt like it might crack my face open. "No need!"

"Worrying about your ex-girlfriend's sex life the second after she dumps you? Isn't that a little desperate, Preston?"

I tilted my head, looking at him with exaggerated pity. "Sorry. I'm not into simps."

Before Preston's face could fully darken, I turned around and dragged Cole out the door.

***

I didn't breathe until I was sitting in the passenger seat of Cole's car.

I exhaled, a long, shaky breath. The heavy weight on my chest vanished.

I turned to Cole, polite and proper again. "Thank you for helping me out back there, Cole."

"You can just drop me off at the subway station up ahead."

I assumed he was just playing along to get me out of there.

Cole drove with one hand on the wheel. He looked relaxed, almost bored. "You know what happens if you lie to them?"

I shook my head. I didn't really care.

Usually, before Truth or Dare, people made silly vows. *If you lie, you'll be single forever. If you lie, lightning will strike you.*

I didn't believe in that superstition.

I pulled out my phone to check the group chat history.

[Group Admin: Tonight's Truth or Dare is high stakes. Whoever lies will be broke forever. Drowning in debt. Never gonna make a dime!]

My pupils dilated.

I read the sentence again. And again.

*No.*

*No, no, no.*

I believed in *this*.

Panic clawed at my throat. Before I could process the impending doom of my financial future, Cole pulled the car over.

We were at the subway station entrance.

He jerked his chin toward the door, a faint, mocking smile playing on his lips. "Get out, Clara."

"It's just poverty for the rest of your life. No big deal."

*No.*

This was a very big deal.

I shook my head violently. I gripped the door handle like it was the only thing keeping me from falling off a cliff.

Cole misunderstood. "Can't open it?"

He leaned over. His arm brushed against my chest as he reached for the handle.

I slammed my hand down on his, pinning it to the door. Stopping him.

He froze. His other hand was resting on the edge of my seat. His body hovered over mine.

Suddenly, the car felt very, very small.

I was trapped in the scent of himexpensive tobacco and cold winter air.

Cole looked down at me. His eyes were dark pools. "What does this mean?"

My brain was a tangled mess of yarn spinning out of control.

I blinked. The truthor what I needed to be the truthspilled out. "I want to sleep with you."

Cole's expression didn't flicker. He pulled back, settling into the driver's seat. He gave a dry, humorless twitch of his lips. A muscle feathered in his jaw. "But I don't want to."

Me: ""

The atmosphere in the car flash-froze.

Chapter 4

My soul left my body. I died. I died three times in the span of five seconds.

I managed to nod slowly, fighting to keep my voice from trembling. "I'm sorry. I think I had too much to drink. I didn't mean to offend you, Cole."

I lowered my head, whispering my goodbye. "I'll go now."

*Click.*

Cole hit the central lock button.

He started the engine without a word.

I looked back at him.

His profile was sharper now, colder than before. His jaw was set tight.

I guessed he was angry about my line-crossing. He wasn't going to let me just run away after insulting him like that.

I swallowed my shame and tried to apologize again. "I'm sorry, Cole. I really didn't mean it. I have absolutely no thoughts about you like that."

"I"

I sat in the passenger seat, twisting my hands in my lap like a schoolgirl sent to the principal's office. My voice was barely a whisper. "I don't want to sleep with you"

"You're very handsome, but you're not my type at all. Don't worry, Cole. You're safe"

Silence.

Dead silence.

The temperature in the car dropped another ten degrees.

I noticed the speedometer climbing. We were going faster.

Why was he *more* angry now?

***

While I was having a mental breakdown, Cole pulled up in front of a quiet lounge bar.

I looked at him, confused.

He rested his forearm on the steering wheel, glancing at me with zero emotion. "Don't forget. We have to stay together all night."

*Oh.*

*Oh!* So we didn't actually have to *do it*. We just had to be in the same physical space to not break the dare!

Cole really was a model student. A genius loophole finder.

I immediately unbuckled and followed him out.

Cole knew the owner. He got me settled in a booth and then disappeared.

My attention was quickly diverted by a call from an unknown number.

I picked up. It was Paisley and Preston. "Preston, why don't you call Clara? Aren't you worried she might actually cheat on you?" Paisley's voice was sickly sweet.

Preston laughed. "You know how conservative she is."

"She's just mad. She said that stuff to spite me."

His voice dripped with arrogant confidence. "She's definitely back in her dorm room sleeping right now."

Paisley giggled. "But you seem so calm. It feels like you don't really value her that much."

Silence on the other end for a few seconds.

Then, Preston answered. "I don't like her that much."

I hung up. I slammed the red button so hard my screen almost cracked.

Rage, hot and humiliating, flooded my veins.

Because he was right.

I *was* planning to go back to the dorm and sleep!

My chest felt tight, like someone had stuffed it with wet cotton. Heavy. Suffocating.

Just then, a waiter set a cocktail down in front of me.

I didn't think. I grabbed the glass and downed it in one gulp, trying to drown the fire in my chest.

The waiter stared at me, his eyes widening.

He turned to leave, then froze.

He spun back around. "Miss!! Wrong drink!!"

"That was the owner's special mix for himself!!"

He screamed like a tea kettle.

I waved a hand, trying to comfort him. "It's okay. I'll pay full price. How much?"

The waiter ignored me. He threw his tray down and sprinted toward the stairs, running in the direction Cole had gone.

Chapter 5

A few minutes later, I understood why he was screaming.

The drink

It was spiked. Or maybe just incredibly strong.

By the time Cole appeared in front of me, my sobriety level had plummeted to 2.5%. "Clara. You okay?"

He leaned down. His hand brushed my cheek. It was cold.

"So cool"

I sighed, leaning into his touch, rubbing my face against his palm like a cat.

But that remaining 2.5% of my brain reminded me that he had rejected me. He didn't want this.

I reluctantly pushed his hand away.

I hopped off the stool and started walking toward the door. "Where are you going?"

Cole grabbed my arm. His brows knitted together.

I thought for a second, relying on pure instinct. "Cole, I think I need a man right now."

I didn't want him to misunderstand, so I promised him earnestly. "But it won't be you."

I couldn't force myself on him after he helped me. That would be unethical.

So I emphasized, enunciating every word. "Don't worry. I'll find someone else. Anyone but you."

Cole's face went dark. Terrifyingly dark. He let go of my hand. He looked down at me, his eyes icy. "Is that so?"

"Clara. I hope you can keep your word."

***

When I came back to reality, I was in a hotel room upstairs. Cole must have carried me.

My self-control dropped another level.

I felt like I was trapped in a tropical swamp. Hot. Sticky. Restless. Every nerve ending was screaming.

Cole had taken off his shirt.

He was wearing nothing but grey sweatpants. The drawstrings hung loose.

He leaned back on the sofa, watching me with a detached, cold gaze. "Come here."

My eyes traveled down. Six distinct abs. Defined. Perfect.

My gaze locked onto them. I couldn't look away. *God help me.*

I shuffled over to him obediently.

Cole was twirling a small bottle of massage oil in his hand. His eyes were half-lidded, dark and mesmerizing. His voice was soft, coaxing, but with an edge. "Since I helped you today help me apply some oil?"

I nodded. I felt like a melting ice cream cone.

Hot. Weak.

But I accepted the mission. "Where does it hurt, Cole?"

Cole took my burning hand and placed it on one of those hard ridges. "Here?" I blinked rapidly, trying to distract myself.

I had no idea my face was probably redder than a ripe tomato.

Cole didn't answer. He moved my hand to another ab. "It's sore here too, Clara."

He was back to that teasing tone. His smile was dangerous.

As I rubbed the oil into his skin, I somehow ended up sitting on his lap.

He did it again. He took my hand, guiding my fingertips up to his lips. "Is it sore here too?" I stared at his mouth. His lips were thin, pale.

Cole's voice was a rasp. "Kiss it. Then you'll know."

I wrapped my arms around his neck. My reason was gone, incinerated by his proximity.

I kissed him. Gently.

Then I pulled back immediately.

Cole's hands settled on my waist. He looked down at me, his voice low and warm. "Hmm? Why did you stop?"

I felt shy. I asked for permission. "Can I kiss you again?"

Chapter 6