Truth or Dare

by ReShonda Tate Billingsley

  I tossed the rest of the papers detailing my plans to go in depth and expose Evian’s story.

  “But in the meantime I’ve got some real dirt to tell you about.” In the midst of everything I had going on, I’d gotten a call yesterday from Savannah Vanderpool, a former Miss Teen Miami who had gotten caught up in a drug ring. She was out, clean and sober, and ready to talk to none other than Rumor Central. So, I would just tease that story. “So don’t touch the remote,” I continued. “You’ll get the scoop right after this.”

  The music came up as they went to commercial. Tamara came racing over. This time, Dexter was with her.

  “What are you doing?” Tamara asked.

  “I don’t know,” I said. “I just don’t want to call the girl out like this. I just couldn’t go through with it.”

  Dexter’s mouth fell open. “What? I heard the tape. You’re not going to play that?”

  “Nah. It’s irrelevant.”

  Tamara stared at me in shock, too. “Oh my God, Maya. So are you getting a conscience?”

  “I guess,” I replied. “I just know that she feels bad enough as it is. Her show is gone. She can’t show her face. No need to beat her down anymore.”

  “So, does that mean you won’t mind having her as a correspondent on your show?” Dexter asked.

  “Uh, no, I didn’t say all that. She needs to stay as far away from the TV as possible, but maybe from time to time we can let the former Miami Divas make an appearance on my show. As long as everybody doesn’t get it twisted and forget who the real star is.”

  “Not that you would let any of us forget it,” Tamara said.

  “Believe that.” I winked as I went to finish my show.

  Chapter 38

  I felt better than I had felt in a long time. I was back on top with my show (not that I was ever not on top, but there was no longer anyone there nipping at my heels).

  Yesterday’s episode of Rumor Central had been one of my highest-rated shows ever. Yeah, I had a lot of complaints that I hadn’t dished the dirt, but the fact remained that they’d tuned in.

  So between that, the fact that I’d aced my world history test (don’t even ask me how I’d managed to do that), and now this, I was feeling pretty good.

  This was simply dinner.

  But there was nothing simple about the fact that my whole family was sitting down to dinner together. It felt like we were a real family. My dad, who seemed to have been gone for the past two months (he was opening a luxury hotel and spa in New York), was home for his birthday. We were having a birthday dinner. My mom claimed that she had done the cooking, but she wasn’t fooling anyone. I’d seen her favorite catering truck leaving when I got home today. But I was going to let her have her moment. I think my dad was hip to her as well because he kept raving about how he didn’t know that she knew how to cook shrimp linguini.

  “Never underestimate your wife,” my mother said as she, my dad, Travis, and I sat around our long rectangular dining room table. The food was spread out in the center and looked fit for a king.

  “I know,” my dad said. “I’ve learned over the years that my wife is capable of doing whatever she sets her mind to.” He winked at me.

  “All I know is this is some good eating. So may I have seconds please, Aunt Liza?” Travis said as he held his plate out.

  “Of course you may,” she said, handing him the pasta. I don’t know what it was about Travis, but he brought out another side of my mom—a kinder, gentler side—and I liked it. She seemed more relaxed. More fun.

  “So, Maya, did you fill your father in on your first-class handling of the Evian situation?” my mother said.

  “Yeah, sweetie,” my dad said. “Your mom told me about all of that. I can’t believe that girl would fake a kidnapping.”

  “No, what’s even harder to believe,” Travis interrupted, “is that Maya had the chance to blow her out the water and didn’t take it.”

  My father laughed. “You know I’m all for being ruthless in business.”

  “Well, honey, you have to be,” my mother said, patting his hand. “You don’t amass a slew of hotels by not being ruthless. And while I’m glad our daughter has that trait, it makes me proud that she also knows when to rein it in.”

  My dad nodded. “I agree. Success is the best revenge. You succeed on your own and don’t worry about anyone else. That’s the best way to blow someone out of the water.”

  “Yeah, I know,” I said. “I learned from the best.”

  We laughed and talked some more as my dad told us about his New York hotel. We were really having a good time. That was why none of us paid any attention when the security system buzzed, letting us know that someone was at the gate.

  “Mom, did you give Sui the day off?” I asked after the third buzz.

  “Oh, I did. Can you go see who that is?”

  “Oh, so now I’m the maid,” I said, even though I backed up from the table.

  I looked into our security camera system and was shocked at who was out front. I punched the code to open the gate and met her at the front door.

  “Evian?” I said as she came up the walkway to my front door.

  “Hey, Maya,” she replied.

  I leaned against the doorway. I know she didn’t think she was coming into my house. “Um, what’s up? I mean, to what do I owe this pleasure?” I hadn’t seen Evian all week. She hadn’t been at school. I’m sure she was too ashamed to show her face. Shay, on the other hand, had bounced in like nothing was wrong. However, although she would never say it, her attitude had been a little less stank and she hadn’t been as rude. I think she was just grateful that I hadn’t put her on blast as well.

  Evian twisted her purse strap as she talked. I could tell that she was extremely nervous. “Look, I know it’s taken me a minute, but I just wanted to come and say I’m sorry. For everything. I was only thinking about myself and I hate that I ruined your spring break. I mean, I’ll pay for you to go on a vacation somewhere else.”

  I looked at her crazy. “Yeah, I can pay for my own vacation. That’s not the point. Everything you and Shay did was foul.”

  “I know that now. And I am really sorry . . .”

  I stood and let her ramble her apology.

  “. . . and you don’t ever have to forgive me, but I just want you to know that I am grateful. I can only imagine what things would’ve been like if you had played the tape.”

  “You weren’t on the tape. Shay was,” I told her.

  “Yeah, but it could’ve really messed her up and then I would’ve felt bad that I ruined stuff for her, too.” She let out a long sigh. “Miguel told me that he taped everything. He said you had the tape. You just didn’t play it on the air. So as bad as things were, I know they could’ve been a whole lot worse. So thank you.”

  There were a lot of things I could’ve said. A lot of things I thought about saying, but all I said was, “You’re welcome. And we’re good.” I didn’t ask why she was talking to Miguel. I didn’t really care. As far as I was concerned, my business with him was done. He’d headed back to Cancun and I didn’t care if I ever saw him again.

  “Okay, that’s all I wanted. I guess I’ll see you at school Monday. I’m coming back.” She shrugged. “Can’t hide forever.” Evian stood for a minute, and then when she saw I really didn’t have anything else to say, she waved, then walked back to her car.

  I couldn’t help but smile. Yes, I could be a little ruthless, but when all was said and done, Maya Morgan had a good heart.

  I turned around to see my mom, Travis, and my dad, standing in the living room staring at me.

  “I am so proud of you, baby girl,” my dad said.

  “Me, too,” my mom added.

  “If I hadn’t seen it, I wouldn’t believe it,” Travis added as we all laughed. “My cousin is going soft.”

  “Don’t get it twisted. I go hard—but only when I need to.” I sashayed past my family and back toward the dining room. “But come on, you guys. Le
t’s go finish off this white-chocolate cheesecake mom bought . . . I mean, made.” We all settled back at the table. “Let’s toast,” I said, raising my glass of iced tea. Everyone else did the same. “To my family,” I said. “Tonight, I’m not Maya Morgan, the superstar. Tonight, I’m just Maya Morgan, daughter, cousin, and all-American princess.”

  Everyone laughed as we sipped our drinks. I loved this feeling—the feeling of being on top of the world!

  A READING GROUP GUIDE

  TRUTH OR DARE

  ReShonda Tate Billingsley

  ABOUT THIS GUIDE

  The following questions are intended to

  enhance your group’s reading of

  TRUTH OR DARE.

  DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  Was Maya wrong not to tell her friends from jump that she would be filming in Cancun? What should she have done differently?

  Cancun was all about having a good time, but do you think the group went too far when they began playing truth or dare?

  Why do you think Bryce is always there when Maya needs him? Should she stop being so bitter toward him?

  Should Maya have insisted that they call the police from the beginning? Why do you think she didn’t?

  What are some of the clues Maya should’ve seen that told her something wasn’t right about the whole kidnapping caper?

  Before giving Evian her own show, Tamara approached Maya about having her appear on Rumor Central. Do you think Maya should’ve just let Evian be a correspondent?

  Maya was extremely upset about Sheridan appearing on Evian’s show. Do you think she was justified in her anger? Should Sheridan have appeared on the show?

  Maya became consumed with Evian to the point that her own show was suffering. Why do you think she was so wrapped up in Evian?

  Maya always runs to Alvin to help her out of binds. Alvin never complains. Do you think Maya is denying her true feelings for Alvin? Should he wait for her, or move on?

  Ultimately, Maya didn’t play the tape and put Evian on complete blast. Why do you think she had a change of heart? Do you think she should’ve gone ahead and played the tape?

  Rumor Central continues with Boy Trouble

  Coming in October 2014 Wherever books and eBooks are sold

  Chapter 1

  Membership had its privileges. Membership in the “It Clique,” that is.

  “Maya! Are you and J. Love back together?” the photographer shouted in my direction, just as the flash went off.

  It didn’t take long before security was all over him, dragging him and his camera out.

  I kept my signature smile, but I didn’t miss how everyone was staring my way. Oh, yeah, I loved my life as the go-to chick in the entertainment industry. And I didn’t even need to be in L.A. to claim that title. I was kicking butt and taking names from right here in Miami.

  I, the fantabulous Maya Morgan, had made a household name of myself as host of Rumor Central and though many had tried to knock me off my throne, no one had succeeded. That’s why I was once again sitting in the VIP with the hottest rapper in the country by my side, and paparazzi sneaking in, trying to get my picture.

  I glanced over at J. Love and he winked. I knew he was on cloud nine, because he’d been trying and trying to get me to give him a second chance. Long story on why we broke up in the first place, and I wasn’t trying to give him another chance. But J. Love didn’t get where he is by taking no for an answer. He kept after me and I finally broke down and agreed to go to this MTV party that we’d both been invited to. One of my BFFs, Kennedi, was here, too, even though I hadn’t seen her butt in the last thirty minutes.

  I knew the paparazzi would eat it up if they saw me and J. Love back together. And I was right on the money, too, since the man they had just escorted out was trying desperately to keep taking pictures as they tossed him out.

  “Hey, babe, you need anything?” J. Love asked as he stood. We both were used to the paparazzi, so it really wasn’t that big of a deal.

  “No, I’m good,” I replied.

  “You sure you don’t want something to drink?” he asked me again. He’d been trying to pump liquor in me since I’d walked in the door. “This is some good stuff,” he added as he held up his cup. I turned up my nose. I didn’t need to drink to be cool. I’d said it before and I’ll say it again. I don’t need anything to take me off my A game.

  I glanced to my left and saw a girl passed out in a booth in the corner—her legs were gaped wide open and someone was taking a picture of her. She would be on YouTube before she woke up. No, that wouldn’t be me. I worked too hard to build the Maya Morgan brand and I wasn’t going to blow it over a glass of Patrón.

  “No, J. Me and my water are just fine,” I said.

  “That’s why your skin is so beautiful,” he said, smiling at me. “All that water you drink.”

  I smiled. I wanted to say, Tell me something I don’t know, but I’d been trying to curb my confidence since Teen People had recently done an article calling me “arrogant.” I couldn’t help it—I was all that. And I knew it. But Tamara, my boss at the TV station, suggested I bring the confidence down a notch.

  “Well, well, well, if it isn’t Miss Maya ‘Snitch’ Morgan.”

  I turned around to the voice coming from behind me. I rolled my eyes at the sight of the one person in the industry I simply could not stand: actress Paula Olympia.

  I couldn’t stand her because she couldn’t stand me and she made sure to tell anyone who would listen how she really felt about me. Paula had been on a hit TV show eight years ago, but her star had definitely fallen. So, I didn’t sweat that one-hit wonder and her funky attitude because as the comedian Katt Williams said, “If you don’t have haters, then you ain’t doing your job.”

  “What’s up, Paula? Nice dress,” I said, looking her up and down. “Isn’t that the new collection at Target?”

  She put her hands on her hips and wiggled her neck. “Whatever, Maya.” She held her hand up as if she was blowing me off, before turning to J. “What’s up, J.?” she said, smiling flirtatiously.

  “It’s all good,” he said. Either he was blind and dumb, or he was just trying to ignore her while he was acting like he couldn’t tell she was flirting with him.

  “How you been?” Paula smiled again as she fingered his chest. My eyebrow rose.

  “I’m cool.” J. Love stepped away from her and over to me. “Um, hey, babe, I’m going to go and get something to drink,” he said, making a hasty exit. Guess he wasn’t so dumb after all.

  “Anything else I can help you with?” I finally told Paula. She was messing up my mood.

  “No, I’m just saying hello,” she said with an attitude. “Waiting on my boo.”

  “Okay, but why don’t you go wait on your boo somewhere else?” I said, turning back to look out on the dance floor.

  “You know you’re always asking for the scoop. Maybe you’ll want this one,” she said.

  As if I’d want anything Paula Olympia had to offer.

  “Paula, if it involves you, I’m good,” I told her.

  She ignored me and kept talking. “I just thought you’d like to know that Demond Cash and I are an item.”

  That made me do a double take. Demond Cash—the A-list actor? What he wanted with her D-list behind was beyond me, but I wasn’t going to let her see that I was fazed.

  “Okay, good for you,” I finally replied. “When you become somebody that is worthy of being on my show, I’ll look into that. Until then, later.” I stood and pushed her aside. If she wouldn’t leave, I would. I made my way around the club to see if I could spot Kennedi. I also needed to see if I could roll up on some dirt. I was always in gossip girl mode, and since this party had everybody who was anybody, I was bound to find some dirt up in here.

  I saw one of my old friends and went to talk to her for a few minutes, and then decided that I needed to get back to the VIP because this being down here with the common folk wasn’t cutting it. I made my way back up the st
airs and had just rounded the corner when I saw J. Love and Paula deep in conversation.

  “What’s going on?” I said, approaching them. J. Love jumped back, but Paula let out a smile.

  “Just sitting here, catching up,” she replied.

  I looked at him and crossed my arms. If he told me he used to date Paula Olympia, I’d be too done.

  “So, you’re going to give me a call sometime?” Paula asked him.

  “Uh, nah, I’m good.” J. looked nervous as all get-out.

  I couldn’t help it—I stepped in her face. “Really, Paula? Like seriously, you want to go there?” I told her.

  “My, does the little girl feel threatened by a real woman?”

  I didn’t know how old Paula was—the tabloids said she was twenty-two, but I’d bet a hundred dollars she was at least thirty-two.

  “I would never be threatened by your desperate behind.” I usually didn’t do any arguing over a guy. Period. But Paula had rubbed me the wrong way.

  “Rawr,” she said, making a clawing motion in my direction. “Sounds like the cat is jealous.”

  “Jealous of you? Get real.”

  This party was definitely becoming whack. Now that I knew they’d let Paula Olympia in the VIP, it was changing my perspective on everything.

  We stared at each other as Demond approached. “Yo, what’s up?” he said. “Is something wrong?” He looked back and forth between the two of us. “Hey, Maya Morgan,” he said, recognizing me. “What’s going on?” He stuck his hand out to shake my hand. I didn’t take my eyes off of Paula.

  Demond’s gaze shifted back and forth between us as we glared at each other.

  “Okay, what’s up?” he asked.