Page 35 of Victorious, Part 2 (The LA Defiance MC #6)
CLOVER
“Why not?” I ask, surprised by how the words seem to float out of my mouth. Everything feels softer around the edges now, more possible.
“Because truth or dare with strangers in a penthouse in Vegas when we’re all drunk is how people end up viral on social media for all the wrong reasons,” he says, but even his protests sound less convincing than usual.
Cedar laughs, the sound a little too loud. “He’s got a point. Meadow’s dares can get a little… creative. Especially when she’s been drinking.”
“Hey!” Meadow protests, giggling. “My dares are inspired. Remember that time I dared you to serenade that street musician?”
“You mean when I got arrested for disturbing the peace?”
“The charges were dropped. And that musician said it was the most beautiful thing anyone had ever done for his art.”
Phoenix looks at me with an expression that clearly says, ‘See what I mean?’ but his eyes are softer now, more relaxed. The alcohol has smoothed some of his sharper edges.
“Come on,” I nudge Phoenix with my shoulder, the movement making me feel pleasantly dizzy. “When’s the next time we’ll get to do something this random and silly?”
“Hopefully never,” he mutters, but he’s clearly wavering. The whiskey has made him more amenable to bad ideas.
“Pleeease?” Meadow turns those big eyes on him, swaying slightly. “I promise to keep the dares reasonable. Mostly reasonable. Okay, somewhat reasonable.”
“That’s not exactly inspiring confidence,” Phoenix grumbles, but he can’t fight back his smile.
“I’ll start,” I announce before he can talk himself out of it, feeling bold and reckless in the best possible way. “That way you can see it’s not gonna be anything too crazy.”
Phoenix sighs as though I’ve just sentenced him to death, but he nods. “Fine. But if we end up in jail, you’re calling Sin, ’cause I am not dealing with that phone call for bail money.
Snorting out a laugh, I nod. “Deal.” I turn to Meadow. “Truth or dare?”
“Truth,” she says immediately. “I always choose truth. Secrets are simply truth waiting to be shared with the right people.”
I think for a moment, trying to come up with something that won’t accidentally hit any painful territory. “Where’s the most beautiful place you’ve ever been?”
Meadow’s entire face lights up. “Oh, that’s easy.
There was this little beach in Thailand where the water was so clear you could see straight to the bottom, and at sunset, everything turned pink and purple.
Cedar and I danced in the waves until the stars came out.
” She turns to Cedar with such pure joy that my chest aches a little.
“That was the night you told me you loved me.”
“Still do,” Cedar says softly, and the way he looks at her like she’s something precious he’s trying to protect makes me understand a little better why he’s chosen to live in her version of reality.
“Your turn, Clover,” Meadow chimes. “Truth or dare?”
“Truth,” I say without hesitation.
I’ve always been terrible at dares.
“Okay, hmm…” Meadow tilts her head as if she’s receiving cosmic guidance. “When did you know you were in love with Phoenix?”
My breath catches. “I never said I was in love with him,” I blurt out a little too quickly.
“Truth, remember?” Meadow’s smile is gentle but knowing. “And besides, it’s written all over both of your faces.”
I feel heat flush across my neck as I glance at Phoenix, who’s watching me with an unreadable expression. God, how do I answer this honestly without making things weird? Especially since I literally had the realization myself about an hour ago.
“I think…” I take a breath, deciding to just go with honesty.
“I think it was gradual, and then all at once. Like, I kept telling myself it was just attraction, or friendship, or whatever. But tonight, sitting in the restaurant watching him thank an imaginary cow for its sacrifice because he wanted to make you happy?” I look at Phoenix, whose cheeks have gone slightly pink.
“That’s when I knew it wasn’t just anything . He is my everything .”
The room goes quiet except for the music still playing softly in the background. Phoenix’s eyes lock on mine, and something shifts in his expression. Surprise? Maybe, or recognition.
“That’s beautiful,” Meadow whispers. “Your turn, Phoenix,” she follows with quickly.
Phoenix clears his throat, still looking at me like he’s seeing something new. “Truth or dare, Clover?”
“Truth,” I say again.
“Are you scared?” he asks simply.
Furrowing my brows at his question, I slump my shoulders. “Of what?”
“All of it. This. Us. What happens when we go back to the real world?”
The question hits deeper than I expected. Because yes, I am scared. Terrified, actually. Of how Maverick will react. Of whether what we have can survive outside of this weird bubble we’ve created. Of whether Phoenix will decide I’m too much trouble when things get complicated.
“Yeah,” I admit. “I’m fucking terrified. But I’m more scared of not trying than I am of it not working out.”
Phoenix reaches for my hand, threading our fingers together. “Good answer… and same.”
“Cedar,” I say, trying to lighten the mood a little. “Truth or dare?”
“Truth,” he says. “Seems to be the theme tonight.”
I hesitate, not sure how personal I should get. But there’s something about this whole evening, about the way we’re all sitting here being honest with virtual strangers, that makes me feel like deeper questions are okay.
“Do you ever miss who you used to be?” I ask softly.
Cedar is quiet for a long moment, his eyes moving to Meadow, who’s now humming along to the music and playing with the fringe on a throw pillow.
“Every day,” he says finally. “But I think that’s normal when your life changes.
The thing is, I’m not the same person I was before.
That version of me wouldn’t have known how to love someone the way Meadow needs to be loved.
So maybe missing who I used to be is only part of becoming who I’m supposed to be. ”
“That’s very wise,” Phoenix says quietly.
“Or very good therapy,” Cedar replies with a sheepish smile. “Okay, Phoenix. Your turn. Truth or dare?”
“Truth,” Phoenix says immediately.
“Oh, come on!” Meadow bounces up from her spot by Cedar’s chair. “Someone has to choose dare. That’s half the fun.”
“Fine,” Phoenix says, clearly regretting it already. “Dare.”
Meadow claps her hands together, her eyes bright with mischief. “I dare you to tell Clover something you’ve never told anyone else.”
“That’s not really a dare,” Phoenix points out. “That’s just truth with extra steps.”
“It’s a truth dare,” Meadow insists. “The dare part is that you have to be completely honest about something you usually keep hidden.”
Phoenix runs a hand through his hair, looking uncomfortable. “I don’t really do the whole… sharing feelings shit.”
“That’s exactly why it’s a dare,” Cedar points out, not unsympathetically.
Phoenix is quiet for so long that I start to think he’s going to refuse. But then he turns to face me fully, his expression serious.
“I’ve never told anyone this,” he says slowly.
“But the first time I saw you at that club party where I came into the club after the whole Steel Serpents shitstorm, you were laughing at something Sadie said, and it was the most genuine sound I’d heard in months.
And I thought, ‘There’s a person who hasn’t let the world make her cynical yet.
’ It scared the shit out of me because I wanted to be around that.
Around you. But I also knew I was exactly the kind of person who could take that light away from you.
Because my entire life was darkness, Clover.
I am that darkness, and I didn’t want you anywhere near it.
Your brother certainly saw it. It’s why he’s so adamant about my keeping away from you.
Because my darkness is infectious, Clover. ”
My breath catches. “Phoenix…”
“I’m not done,” he says quietly. “What I never told anyone is that every time I tried to stay away from you after that, it felt like trying to stay away from the sun. Like I was choosing to live in the dark when there was warmth right there, begging to make me a better man. I’ve been living in the dark for so long, Clo, that I forgot what it felt like to want to step into the light.
To be warm…” He sniffs back, clearly trying to keep his emotions in check. “You keep me warm, Clover.”
The silence that follows feels sacred somehow. Saltwater floods my eyes, a single tear sliding down my cheek, and when I look around the room, I see Meadow is holding back her tears, too, her hands pressed to her heart.
“That’s the most beautiful thing I have ever heard,” Meadow whispers.
“Yeah, not bad, kid,” Cedar says quietly.
I squeeze Phoenix’s hand, not trusting myself to speak without my voice breaking.
How do you respond to someone telling you that you’re their light, especially when they’ve become yours too?
Clearing the emotion from my throat, I somehow find my voice. “M-my turn,” I manage finally, though my voice breaks. “Phoenix, truth or dare?”
“I think I’ve been honest enough for one night,” he quips, but there’s a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “Dare.”
And that’s when the idea hits me.
It’s completely insane, definitely the result of too much whiskey and the intoxicating atmosphere of Vegas, and the fact that Elvis is literally singing about ‘ blue suede shoes’ in the background like some kind of cosmic sign.
Phoenix always said his mom loved Elvis.
Maybe this is her way of giving us her blessing.
“I dare you…” I say, my heart pounding and my words slightly slurred, “… to marry me.”
The words hang in the air like a challenge, like a prayer, like a question I didn’t know I was ready to ask.
Phoenix’s eyes go wide, though they’re a little unfocused from the alcohol. “What?”
“You heard me.” And suddenly, I’m not kidding around anymore.
The dare was just the excuse.