Page 22 of Truth Or Dare (Campus Games #4)

You have no control over me

“I’m finally married,” my sister says, beaming with the biggest grin of her life.

I’ve never seen my sister happier. My heart swells with joy seeing her smile like this. I remember when she wouldn’t smile, when she used to hide herself. Just like I used to. “I know,” I reply with a laugh. “I was there.”

“You almost weren’t,” she says with a sigh. “Thank you for not being late.” Her eyes meet mine, and she winks. “Almost.”

Only she would tease me for being ‘late’ right after getting married.

“You’re welcome.” I flash her a smile. “So, how’s being married?” I ask. “Do you feel any different?”

“After twenty minutes?” Her eyebrows lift, and she laughs. “No. But I doubt I will.”

“Why’s that?”

She lets out a content sigh, her eyes drifting to the dancefloor where Rachel is dancing with her dad. “Since the day I met her, we’ve always been connected. Like a tether was tying us together before we even met. I’ve always felt like she’s my soulmate. I doubt getting married will change that.”

I watch as Rachel locks eyes with my sister, and they exchange a knowing look that I’m all too familiar with. Glancing around the crowd, I meet Chris’ gaze. His lips curve into a smile, and my heart races in my chest.

“She’s my best friend,” my sister says, drawing my attention back to her. “But you know what that’s like, right?”

I swallow nervously. “What are you talking about?”

She smiles knowingly, her eyes fixed on me. “You don’t need to lie to me, Gabi. I’m not stupid. I can see you’re in love with that boy from a mile away.”

Without thinking, I turn to look at Chris again, watching him engrossed in conversation with others. It’s been a while since he’s been home, so it makes sense everyone wants to catch up with him.

“I saw it back then,” my sister continues. “Even though you denied it time and time again, I could see how perfect you guys were for each other.” I inhale sharply, meeting her gaze. “And I see it now.”

“You do?”

She nods, her white veil fluttering in the wind. “Clear as day.” Her expression softens. “Is there a reason you two haven’t gotten together yet?”

“It’s not like that. Chris is…” I bite my tongue. I can’t keep using the excuse that Chris is just my best friend. I can’t lie to my sister. I let out a deep sigh. “He doesn’t feel the same way,” I admit.

“What?” she asks, her brow furrowing.

I shrug, feeling a pang in my chest. “It’s just not going to happen for us,” I say, the words heavy on my tongue. Admitting it breaks my heart. I don’t think I’ll ever get over these feelings I have for him, and I don’t want him out of my life. It’s all so complicated.

“But you guys…” She shakes her head. “Nothing ever happened between you two in high school?”

“No.”

“Really?” she asks, her eyes widening in disbelief. “He slept in your bed almost every night.”

I shrug, shaking my head. “He knew I didn’t like sleeping alone,” I explain. “Especially when dad was drunk.” My sister sucks in a breath at the mention of him. “We’d stay up all night, talking, playing video games, and listening to music until we fell asleep.” I swallow hard. “Nothing more ever happened.”

My sister’s jaw drops, and she blinks in surprise. “Ever?”

A hint of a memory, fleeting and indistinct, flickers in my mind, but I shake it away. “No.”

She hums thoughtfully, glancing past me. “But you love him, don’t you?”

I roll my eyes, trying to deflect. “It’s your wedding day. Shouldn’t you be a bridezilla or something?”

She smiles warmly. “Today went better than I ever imagined. No bridezilla needed.” Her expression turns serious as she fixes her gaze on me. “Now answer my question.”

I don’t hesitate. My feelings for Chris have been growing since the day we met, evolving into something I know will never go away. “Yes,” I admit quietly. “I love him.”

My sister’s eyes soften and she sighs. “And you’re not going to tell him?”

I shake my head. “I can’t risk losing him over this. I’d rather keep him as my best friend forever than risk losing him altogether.”

My sister shakes her head, her hand resting on my shoulder. “You’ll never know unless you try.”

My brows furrow as I think about what my sister said. What if I tell Chris how I feel and he doesn’t feel the same? Being rejected by him scares me more than I ever want to admit. But keeping these feelings buried, and pretending I don’t love him might break me.

“Hey,” Chris says, catching my attention. I turn to find him standing beside me, his smile lighting up his eyes, and I feel a flutter in my chest.

“I’ll leave you guys to it,” my sister says with a knowing smile as she walks toward her wife, their hands finding each other’s and their lips meeting in a loving kiss.

“They look so happy,” Chris says, his eyes lingering on my sister and her wife.

“Yeah,” I reply, warmth spreading through me at their happiness. I glance at Chris teasingly. “Did you finally have enough of everyone drooling over you?” I ask with a smirk.

He laughs, running a hand through his hair. “I was dying over there,” he admits with a sigh. “I forgot how much I hate talking to people.”

I arch an eyebrow. “You talk to me,” I point out.

His hand drops to his side, and he smiles warmly at me. “You’re different,” he says simply.

My stomach flutters like crazy. “I am?”

His eyes meet mine, and I get lost in his deep chocolate eyes, leaning closer without even realizing it. He looks really good in his tuxedo, the fit accentuating his figure just right, and his messy curls add to his usual boyish charm that I’ve always loved.

The distance between us shrinks as Chris licks his lips, as if about to say something. But before he can speak, his eyes lift from mine, a scowl forming on his face as he glances behind me.

I spin around, a frown creasing my face, trying to catch a glimpse of what captured his attention. I freeze, a chill creeping up my spine as my eyes lock on a face I haven’t seen in four years.

“Is that—”

“Yeah.”

“Why the hell is he here?” Chris grits out.

I have no idea. Why would he be here? I take a step forward, but Chris stops me, his hand wrapping around my wrist.

“Wait. What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

I let my wrist slip out of Chris’ grasp and turn to face him. “I’m going to talk to him.”

“No,” he replies sharply, a furrow appearing between his brows as he scowls, moving closer to me. “Absolutely not. You’re not going anywhere near him. Let me handle this. I’ll talk to him.”

“No.” My blood grows cold at the mere thought of Chris confronting him. “I have to be the one to talk to him,” I tell him, noticing the frown deepen on Chris’ face. “He’s my father.”

Chris’ frown deepens, but he releases his grip on me. I swallow hard as I spot my father lurking behind the bushes, scanning the crowd, searching for my sister.

When he notices me approaching, his gaze shifts to me, causing my stomach to plummet. “What are you doing here?” I ask.

He scoffs. “After four years, that’s the first thing you say to me?”

“What are you doing here?” I repeat, my voice strained.

He sighs heavily. “It’s my daughter’s wedding.”

A bitter laugh escapes my lips, burning my throat. “You wouldn’t know the meaning of that word if it hit you in the head.”

He scowls at me, that same old expression I remember from all those times before he lashed out at me, Jane, or Mom. “Spare me the dramatics. You always acted too tough for your own good.”

I trace my tongue over the faint scar on my lips, remembering the painful moment I tried to intervene and protect Mom.

It didn’t work though. It never worked.

“Get out.”

“Don’t you dare speak to me like that,” he retorts, moving closer. “Have you forgotten I’m your father?”

“You’re not my father,” I assert, holding my ground. He used to terrify me, enough to make me tremble and cry with anger, unable to stand up to him. But seeing him here now... There’s nothing intimidating about him anymore. “You’re nothing,” I spit out. “I want nothing to do with you, and neither does Jane.” His nostrils flare, and I straighten my spine, staring at the man who made our lives a living hell. “She’s finally happy and free from you. Leave her alone and get the hell out.”

“Look at what the fuck she’s done to you,” he says, his lips pulled into a disgusted look. “It’s her fault you’re…”

A bitter laugh escapes me. After all these years, he hasn’t changed a bit. He’s still the same despicable person he always was. “God, you’re pathetic. You can’t even say the word.”

I spent years living in fear that he would find out I was bisexual. When my sister came out at eighteen, he lost his shit, and threw her out of the house. Thankfully she had finished high school and was off to college. But he forbade me from speaking to her, and I hid myself away, terrified he would scorn me, hit me, hate me if he ever found out the truth about me. But the truth is, I couldn’t care less about this man’s opinion of me now. Not anymore.

“You’re acting this way because of her,” he spits out. “I saw you and your boyfriend back there. You’re not gay.”

I don’t bother correcting him about the boyfriend part. “You’re right,” I reply evenly. “I’m not gay. I’m bisexual. I’m attracted to both men and women, and being in love with a guy doesn’t change that about me, no matter how much you or anyone else wishes it did.”

Disappointed in myself for letting him affect me, I continue, my hands trembling as I clench them into fists to maintain composure. “I hated myself when I lived at home,” I admit. “You made me feel like there was something wrong with me, but you were the problem.” His scowl deepens, but I push on. “I’m proud of who I am,” I assert, narrowing my eyes at him. “And I couldn’t give a fuck what you think.”

“Your mother would be so disappointed,” he says, his face contorting with the familiar anger I’ve witnessed countless times.

“Don’t,” I warn sharply, feeling my pulse race. “Don’t you dare talk about Mom. You have no right after what you did.”

He scoffs. “What I did? You mean setting disciplining in my own house?”

“You made our lives a living hell!” I shout. “You hurt Mom until the day she died. And now you’re alone, miserable, and fucking pathetic.”

His eyes widen as he snarls, grabbing my shoulders roughly. “Don’t you dare talk to me that way.”

Once upon a time, this would have terrified me. But now I just laugh. He really is pathetic.

“Hey!” Chris’ voice cuts from behind me, and I feel his presence beside me, a wave of calm washing over me. “Don’t you fucking dare put your hands on her.” Chris steps between my father and me, pushing at his chest.

“This has nothing to do with you,” he asserts, advancing toward Chris. My heart races out of my chest as I swiftly step in front of Chris. I won’t let him touch Chris. I’d rather die than let anyone hurt him, especially because of me.

“Don’t even think of hurting him,” I warn. “You have no control over me,” I tell him, squaring my shoulders. “You might have when I was young, and weak and wanted your approval, but I don’t want that anymore,” I tell him. “I don’t want anything from you. I don’t want to talk to you, or see you. So get the fuck out of here, and don’t come near any of us ever again.”

I grip Chris’ arm firmly, pulling him away.

“Are you alright?” Chris asks, trailing behind me.

I stop in my tracks, turning to face him. I feel a rush of relief seeing his soft eyes, and without hesitation, I wrap my arms around his neck.

“Dance with me.”