Page 33

“Just drink it.”

My nose scrunched at the foul odor before I took a sip. I placed my hand over my mouth to hold back a cough. It tasted awful.

“What was that?”

“Bourbon.” He said with a mischievous grin. “Now it will make drinking beer that much easier.”

Josh took a seat across from us, next to Noah. He diverted a hateful gaze towards Asher.

“I’ll start,” Ava said with a sly grin. “Never Have I Ever kissed someone while in a relationship.”

A few took inconspicuous sips, but my cup remained untouched, as I suspected it would throughout the game.

“Take a sip, Asher.” Elsie said, curling her upper lip.

“That’s not how the game works, Elsie.” He said. “I was never in a relationship.”

Ava’s pained expression almost evoked sympathy, but it swiftly turned into anger. And Ava directed her anger towards me.

“Why don’t you go next, Sawyer?” She asked. “You’ve been quiet.”

I felt intimidated by everyone’s gaze. The air became thick with intensity.

“I’ll go,” Asher said, leaning forward. “Never Have I Ever been a self-absorbed bitch.” A sickening grin widened. “Ava, Elsie, take a sip.”

Tension crackled between Ava and Asher as lingering resentment and unresolved feelings floated in the air. We all exchanged uneasy glances as Ava and Asher caught us in their crossfire.

“I’m bored,” Ava said. “Let’s play Truth or Dare.”

“Great idea.” Elsie chimed in. “Sawyer, truth or dare?”

Asher leaned to whisper in my ear.

“You don’t have to play. They’re just being jerks.”

A wave of irritation washed over me. I hated how everyone treated me like a child.

“Truth.” I spoke before my brain could register a response.

They locked eyes, silently plotting my humiliation. I expected them to ask a ridiculous question, but it’s as if they already knew the answer. They wanted everyone else to know.

“Is it true you’ve never been kissed?”

A wave of embarrassment washed over me, as enormous eyes fixed on me. I was tongue-tied as I fumbled with my words. The weight of everyone’s attention was stifling.

“That’s not true.” Josh said, directing all eyes at him.

“How would you know?” Ava spoke as if she knew all the secrets of the universe.

“Because,” He shrugged. “I’ve kissed her.”

There were collective gasps, along with golf ball eyes. The dynamic of the room shifted.

“That better be a joke.” The bitterness in Noah was evident.

“It wouldn’t be very funny if it was.”

“You kissed my sister?”