If You Dare (Dare Series Book 3)

by Shantel Tessier

So I take advantage of this rare side of Cole and wrap my arms around my stomach. “I’m pregnant.”

  Silence falls over us. An eerie calmness. Like the calm before a catastrophic storm that is going to level everything in its wake. Fresh tears run down my cheeks, and he places his hand on my back. I begin to shake.

  “Go,” he says.

  I look up at him. Could it be that easy? I pretend like I have a conscience. “But …”

  “Go, Becky,” he orders. “I’ll take care of this. You need to get out of here.” Then without saying another word, he stands and begins to walk along the street, looking for his dead friends.

  I knew if I told him I was with child, then he would tell me to run. I didn’t want to get caught up in that bullshit. My parents would have killed me if they knew I was driving drunk and wrecked Cole’s car. They all thought I was sober, and that’s why I drove. Big fucking mistake. But I wasn’t about to take the fall for it.

  But when Cole confessed that truth to Deke, he knew I had lied about being pregnant. Cole hasn’t mentioned that to me yet, which can only mean one thing—Deke hasn’t told him the truth. That’s what gives me hope that we can still have a future. That he doesn’t hate me completely yet. He’s keeping my secret as if it’s his own.

  He’s protecting me. A part of him still loves me, and that’s all I need to know to move forward with my plan to win him back.

  My phone vibrates, and I unlock the screen to see I have a new message.

  You still coming tomorrow?

  Me: Yes. My flight leaves at 6:45 in the morning.

  I turn the brightness down on my phone, so it doesn’t draw attention.

  Do they know you’re coming?

  Me: Nope.

  Good. I’ll see you then.

  I lock my phone and smile as I look out the window. I’ve been back to Collins a few times since we’ve moved to Texas. I hate that place, but I have unfinished business there.

  Deke pulls up to Cole and Austin’s house and jumps out, still not saying a word. It’s obvious he’s pissed. I need to try to smooth things over with him. I ignored him earlier when we were with the others at Silence because I didn’t want them questioning me. Austin would be all over that. She still thinks we can work through our problems, but my sister would just tell me I’m a stupid fucking bitch.

  They both need to understand that I don’t give a fuck what they think. I don’t want their opinions or need their advice.

  We enter the house, and Misty greets us.

  Reaching into his jeans pocket, Cole grabs his wallet and pulls out some cash. “Here you go …”

  The teenager waves him off. “Mr. Biggs already paid me before you left earlier.”

  “Deke,” he growls.

  “It was my idea,” he mumbles before storming up the stairs and slamming his bedroom door.

  “Thank you, Misty,” Austin tells her. “I’ll walk you over to your house.”

  “I’ll do it,” Cole interjects, and she doesn’t argue.

  Austin turns to face me. “Want me to take you home?”

  I look up at the top of the stairs and then at her. “Yeah.” Tonight is not the night to try anything with Deke. I’m not in the mood to kiss his ass or suck his dick. Plus, I’ve got an early flight out in the morning.

  “Wait until I get back and I’ll drive you guys,” Cole orders Austin.

  “I can drive myself, Cole.” She sighs.

  Just when I think he’s going to argue with her, he bends down and kisses her forehead. “Hurry back, sweetheart.”

  “Deke was being nice tonight.” Austin speaks once we’re alone in her car. “Until he wasn’t.”

  “Yeah,” I mumble. “He can be like any other man. Hormonal.”

  She laughs. “Things will work out.”

  “I know.” Because I’m going to force them to. Just like Cole forced me into being friends with her.

  I walk through the back door and step out onto the patio of the Reynolds’ house. I stop when I see Cole swimming laps in their Olympic size swimming pool. I knew he’d be here. Even before the car wreck, he lived in the water. It’s only been six weeks, but it hasn’t slowed him down. Now he uses it for his physical therapy because he can’t afford to lose his position as captain on the swim team.

  “What You Deserve” by No Resolve plays through the outside speakers while he swims his laps.

  He stops and pops his head out of the water. I know he feels me watching him. I shouldn’t have come, but he’s been ignoring my phone calls. Running both hands through his hair, he steps out of the pool and looks at me.

  “Isn’t it too soon to swim?” I ask, sitting on one of the chaise lounge chairs under the awning.

  He doesn’t answer. Taking the towel off the table, he wipes his face.

  I hang my head. “I’ve been texting you. I came up to the hospital.”

  “I didn’t want to see you then, and I don’t want to see you now,” he snaps and rolls his shoulders.

  Tears instantly spring to my eyes. “I lost someone too, Cole. Eli was my friend too …” I lie. He wasn’t my friend. I barely knew him, but I’m too ashamed to say that out loud. And now I can’t let anyone find out I was there or what I had planned that night.

  “No, you were just another girl he was fucking.”

  His words sting, even if they aren’t true. I jump to my feet. “You don’t know …”

  He wraps his hand around my throat and pushes me back against the wall of the pool house. He’s in my face, growling, “You have no fucking clue what I lost! What I did for you!”

  I take in a shaky breath. “I’m so sorry.” Tears run down my cheeks. I’m not sorry for walking away from the accident. I’m sorry for ever being there. “You shouldn’t have taken the fall.” I’ve never known Cole to be a good guy. I don’t know why he took the responsibility for me that night, but I know it will cost me in the long run.

  “You shouldn’t have been there at all!”

  My eyes narrow on him. Then why did he let me walk away? “I was responsible—”

  “You wanna owe me, Becky? Huh? Is that why you came here? To tell me that you’re fucking sorry that my friends are dead?” he interrupts me.

  I swallow nervously against his hand that holds me hostage. I knew he’d make me pay in some way. Cole Reynolds does nothing for free. Hell, maybe he saw this coming and knew he could use me.

  “I owe you, Cole,” I whisper after a long second, accepting my fate.

  “When I need you for something, you will do what I say?” he asks, arching a brow.

  I give him a slow nod, and whisper, “Whatever you need.”

  “I don’t wanna talk to you or fucking see you until then, do you understand?”

  I’ll gladly stay the hell away from him. “Yes.” My shoulders physically shake, and I can’t stop the tears that run down my face.

  “Good. Now leave.” He lets go of my neck and takes a step back from me. I rub my sore throat as he turns and dives back into the pool.

  “The three of us should get together soon.” She breaks through my thoughts.

  “Three of us?” I ask.

  “You, me, and Demi.”

  “Why?” I can’t help but wonder. “We never hung out with her back in Collins.”

  She shrugs. “I don’t know. She just seems … sad. Maybe she didn’t want to move here.”

  “She didn’t have a choice.” My mother decided that when I was moving to Texas so was Demi. She hates me for that, but I don’t give a fuck.

  “Then it’s settled. We’ll all get together. Maybe have a girls’ night.”

  Like Cole would allow her to do that, but I nod. Hell will freeze over before I’ll have a girls’ night with my sister.

  Placing my head against the window, I think back to the day Cole decided it was time for me to pay up. My payment could have been much worse than the woman sitting beside me.

  I stand in the kitchen of the Reynolds’ house. Cole is throwing a party
tonight during Christmas break before we all go back to school in a few days. I was tired of being holed up in my father’s house. I’ve avoided Cole since he wrapped his hand around my throat months ago, telling me I owed him. I knew Deke was going to be here tonight, and I need to talk to him. See him. I take a drink and set my cup down when I hear my phone go off. I open it up to see I have a text from Cole, and my stomach drops.

  Cole: Ready?

  I begin to type out what do you mean but delete it. Instead, I settle on just a question mark.

  Me: ?

  Cole: A friend of mine is coming tonight. You would make a great friend for her too.

  Her?

  Me: You don’t have any girls who are friends.

  Who the fuck is he talking about? Cole isn’t like the rest of the GWS. He doesn’t hang all over girls. He doesn’t even speak to them. He only shows interest once he decides he wants to fuck you. And then after you spread your legs for him, he moves on. The girls always try to get more out of him, but it never works.

  Cole: Her name is Austin. Brunette. Green eyes. Probably wearing something red. Text me when she gets here.

  Austin? Who the hell is that? Collins isn’t a big town, but it’s also not tiny. Who the hell is she, and why does he want to know when she arrives?

  Me: And why do you want to know that?

  Cole: It’s time to pay up!

  Fuck!

  I take another sip and then pour myself a new one. Pay up? How the hell am I going to pay up with a girl named Austin? What could he possibly want me to do?

  I’m downing it when I catch sight of a brunette entering the kitchen. She’s wearing a red sweater that hangs off one shoulder, showcasing a black tank top underneath it with black skinny jeans and matching heels. Her dark hair curls down her back. I’ve never seen her before, so it has to be her. She picks up a red Solo cup and pours some Fireball into it before tossing it back. Then she pours another one. No one seems to notice her, letting me know that no one else knows her either.

  I take out my phone and text him.

  Me: She’s here. Kitchen.

  He reads it but doesn’t respond. I take a deep breath and walk over to her, needing to know as much as I can about her before he comes down here. “Hi.”

  “Hello,” she says with a nod of her head. She’s pretty, but I can’t say she’s Cole’s type ’cause he really doesn’t have one.

  “I’ve never seen you here before.” I hold out my right hand. “I’m Becky.”

  “Austin. And I just moved here.”

  How the fuck does she know Cole? “Oh, how exciting,” I lie and grab a new Solo cup. “Are you going to Collins High?” She looks about my age.

  “Yep.”

  This doesn’t make any sense. Maybe his dad is dating someone, and this is her daughter, but even I know that’s reaching. His father doesn’t really date anyone around here. He just fucks them all. “I’m a senior. How about you?” I pry.

  “Same,” she answers and pours herself another shot.

  “I wonder if we’ll have any classes together.” Even though I don’t know her, it would be nice to have a clean slate. To make a new friend who doesn’t really know the real me.

  “Who the hell throws a party on a Monday?” she asks, avoiding my previous statement.

  “Cole Reynolds.” I roll my eyes when I answer, trying to feel her out. I pause to see if she says anything about him, but she doesn’t. So I add, “He and the Great White Sharks do whatever they want, whenever they want.” I give her a fake smile. Fuck the sharks. Well, all but Deke. “But they do throw some awesome parties.”

  “Where are their parents?” she asks.

  “Never around. They are all socialites in this town with big careers. Always busy and not enough time for their children.” I’m rambling and possibly telling her too much. She obviously knows nothing about Cole and the guys, and she said she is new to town. I take a drink to try to calm my nerves.

  Where is Cole? He throws these parties all the time, but he stays up in the game room with the rest of the sharks. They very rarely grace us with their presence, and if they do, he ignores everyone. He thinks he’s fucking God.

  “I see.” She nods once.

  How does he know her? I’ve grown up with the GWS, and he’s never lived anywhere else. “Where are you –?”

  “Austin?”

  I look up to see Kellan standing in the kitchen. His brown eyes are narrowed on her, and she arches a brow at his tone.

  Fuck …

  “Cole is looking for you,” he snaps. “Let’s go.”

  She turns back to look at me, rolling her eyes. Her eyes meet my surprised ones, and she asks, “What?”

  I just shake my head ’cause I’m not sure what to say to her. Whatever she’s done, it wasn’t good. And they will make her pay for it. She ditches her cup and grabs the bottle of Fireball and walks out behind him.

  A phone ringing brings me out of that memory, and I look over to see Austin press answer for her hands-free. “Yes?” she asks in greeting.

  “Have you dropped her off yet?” Cole’s voice fills the SUV.

  I roll my eyes and block out their conversation. While Cole told her and Deke that I was driving when we wrecked, he also told them I was forced to befriend her. She might have easily forgiven me for that, but if she knew the other things I did, she’d probably kill me. If Cole didn’t beat her to it.

  “Thanks,” I mumble as she drops me off. I walk up the stairs to my mother’s house and walk inside. I make my way up the left staircase to my room when I hear a man whispering.

  “Yeah, I told you later.”

  I come to a stop and look over the balcony to Demi’s room. Her bedroom door is cracked open. I tiptoe over to it and peek in. Seth stands at the end of her bed, pacing with his cell to his ear. “I’m only gonna be here for an hour. Then I’ll meet you there. Okay. See you then.” He pockets his phone just as my sister exits her en suite bathroom. Looking over at her, he plasters a smile on his face.

  I yank back so they don’t see me and run over to my room, softly shutting the door with a smile. Well, isn’t this interesting?

  CHAPTER FIVE

  DEKE

  I SIT AT the kitchen table with my head down and the lights off. It’s got to be almost two a.m. After the incident at Silence, we all decided to go home. Well, I stormed off to my Range Rover and the ones who rode with me followed. No one argued or asked what was wrong. I think they could feel the tension and the change in my mood.

  I didn’t say one word on the way home.

  And thankfully, Becky didn’t linger. I didn’t want to be around her. My plans for the night had backfired, and I had a hard time wrapping my mind around that.

  I went straight to my bed, but when I couldn’t sleep, my ass came down here and sat. My mind’s running circles around itself, getting me nowhere.

  The lights come on, and I lift my head to see Cole walking to the fridge wearing his black board shorts with a towel hanging around his neck. His shorts and hair are wet, letting me know he’s already been in the pool.

  Grabbing two bottles of water, he sets one in front of me before falling into the seat across from me. I refrain from sighing. Usually when he’s up late like this, he heads straight back up to his room to be with Austin as soon as he’s done with his laps.

  But once again, tonight proves to not be on my side.

  “What’s going on?” he asks.

  “Nothing.”

  He snorts and twists the lid open on his bottle. “Really? You think I’m gonna believe that bullshit?”

  I don’t answer.

  He takes a drink and then sets it back down. “You’re fucking Demi.”

  Jesus! My teeth clench, and my eyes meet his, but I don’t say anything to that. It wasn’t a question.

  He nods once, taking my silence as confirmation and then takes another drink. “Does Becky know?”

  If I wasn’t so pissed, I would laugh at that. Instead,
I shove my chair back and jump to my feet. “It was an accident.” Was it? Even that sounds like a lie to me. I knew something felt different, felt off, but I kept going with a smug smile of satisfaction on my face, thinking I was really winning and had got one over on her.

  But instead, Demi Holt fucked me. Just not in a good way.

  Leaning forward, he places his forearms on the table. “How do you accidentally sleep with someone?” he asks curiously.

  “I thought she was Becky.” She had acted so willing in this very room just hours before that, that I didn’t question her decision to spread her legs for me after going three months without even speaking a word.

  Guys only think with their dicks.

  Yeah, Demi, I did. But I was hard for your sister, not you, you little bitch.

  His brows rise to his hairline. Then he sits back and pushes his wet hair off his forehead. “How did you …?” He pauses, searching for the right words. “I didn’t know you and Becky were still fucking.”

  “We aren’t!” I begin to pace. “At Silence, right before the lights shut off, we got separated. I thought I was with Becky. Long story short, I finger-fucked her right then and there while the power was out in the hallway. Then after she came, she split.”

  “That’s why you were so surprised when I told you that we had been outside for a while.”

  I nod. “That’s when Demi showed up, and she had my gum. I started to panic. Then I followed her over to get Austin’s gummies, and she confirmed it was her.”

  “Shit,” he whispers.

  I nod. “Yes. Shit is right.” I look at him. “I called her Becky. She had every chance to stop me, and she didn’t. Why the fuck didn’t she?” I demand as if he has the answers.

  I can’t figure out what her angle is. Demi doesn’t like me enough to talk to me, let alone allow me to finger-fuck her in a public place. It doesn’t make any goddamn sense. Then she acted like I could have fucked her while we stood behind the trailer. And the problem? I wanted to! Fuck, I thought about it. That alone makes me want to throw fucking bleach in my eyes in hopes to erase the memory. I’m still thinking about it.

  “So, what’s the issue?”

  “It’s Demi!” My eyes bug out as if that’s enough reason to panic. He just stares at me. So I add, “She’s underage.” That’s just one reason out of many why this is so fucked up.