Truce or Dare (Sweet Fortuity Book 1) (5 page)

“
E
veryone will be there
, they said,” I murmured. “You shouldn’t be late, they said. Traitors.”

There was no Haley. No sign of everyone else, either. If only I’d been paying attention, I would’ve noticed who
was
already inside.

But I hadn't. I found myself muttering as my eyes scanned the room. Then they landed on him, and then my phone pinged. I pulled it out of my pocket. It was from Haley.

Now
she couldn't make it.

Chase lounged at the far end, next to the windows, looking perfectly relaxed. Unruffled. For some reason, that really bugged me. A small plastic bag sat on the table. As if he felt my gaze, he turned his head a little, and his eyes met mine. He was about to stand, when a tall, curvy woman slid next to him on the loveseat, her body angled towards him. He tore his gaze away, with what I thought looked like a flash of irritation. She whispered something in his ear. I froze, breath held in, waiting for his response. Seriously, if he was going to entertain her, I was walking out of here. Maybe after I accidentally landed my foot on his toe.

She was pretty, features all delicate, hair straight and sleek. He smiled politely, and I watched as disappointment crossed her face at something he said. Abruptly, he stood up and sauntered towards me.

There was nothing hesitant in the way he moved, and in the way he watched me with a knowing look. In a way, that strength drew me to him. I always admired how someone like him could be so sure of himself, how confident he was with himself, and with everyone he met.

It was then that I realized that for the first time in a while, we were alone. No one else to act as a buffer. No one else to distract me.

And I was painfully aware of the fact, because the silence was deafening.

I didn’t know what he thought of me now, whether he still believed what he did back then. Whether he now considered me a stranger.

It shouldn't even have mattered what he thought. I shouldn't have cared that women were interested in him.

But it did. I did.

“Mom wanted to give you something,” he began, holding up the small plastic bag. I peeked in at the semi-transparent Tupperware.

“Are these…?”

“Yeah. She made pizza last night.”

The thoughtfulness warmed me.

She made good pizza. Her crusts were always thin and chewy.

“Wow," I said, unable to express how much that meant. "Tell her thanks,"

To my surprise, he hasn’t moved. It became apparent he wasn’t leaving.

"If that's all…"

“I’m supposed to show you around, show you what's changed,” he said casually.

What, did he think my memory was so short?

I managed to find my voice. “I remember where everything is."

I thought I might’ve heard a growl escape his throat. “That’s not what I meant. Sherr– talk to me.”

I frowned, unable to understand why he wanted to talk now. “I don’t think that’s a very good idea.”

Whenever we talked, we clashed. Minds exploded, things crashed. Nope, not a good idea.

He was so close, I felt his heat. He stepped closer, but I stepped back.

“I can’t— I can’t do this right now.”

He looked… regretful? No, that couldn’t be right. But there was a little hesitance too. Then his eyes met mine, uncertainty replaced by steely determination. Hands in his pockets, he continued, “I was almost sure when you were leaving in a hurry yesterday, and I’m damned sure now. You’re avoiding me.”

I shrugged, unable to meet his gaze.

“Look, I’ve done this all wrong.” He sighed and leaned back on the wall, just beside me. “About that first day, I’m sorry. Gem gone... It just hit me hard. I thought I was over it, with you. And then you came and it– it all came back again, when you left me."

He wasn't the only one that hurt. That lost. When he broke it off with me, I didn't want to be in a relationship again. It required full commitment and trust, both of which I wasn't prepared to give, and it risked too much. I hadn't realized how much I relied and depended on him, until I lost what we had. And what a hole it had left.

I knew what those arms felt like wrapped around me. The tender way in which he held me, the way his lips brushed against mine. And everywhere I went, everything he ever said came back to me all at once. It got too much. I felt like I couldn't breathe. It didn't help that I was around the same people who I've spent time with, who looked at me in disdain. I had to escape from it all. And so I ran away. Hours away, to Chicago, where I faded in to the sea of crowds.

There were so many things I wanted to say, but now wasn't the time to go over that, not with the timing and with all that’s happened lately. I gave a firm nod in acknowledgement. I could do this. We could do this. We were both mature, responsible adults.

"I understand." And truly, I did. "I feel the same. I'm still processing all of it and I can't– I can't handle all this right now."

"Stalemate until this is over?" he said.

"I'm okay with that," I agreed.

He offered a hand.

I took it.

And so began our temporary and uneasy truce.

* * *

I was halfway through eating my grilled sandwich, when my phone started to ping once. Twice. Then it was swiftly followed by Pharrell William’s
Happy
playing loudly.

Chase, nodded towards my phone. “Maybe you should answer that.”

“SHERR,” Haley all but yelled.

Alarmed, I moved out and walked to the corner of the room. “Haley. Is something wrong?”

“We have an emergency.”

“Emergency?” I frowned. “What kind of emergency?”

“The emergency of the dumped-best-friend variety.”

Oh shit. “Kate?” I asked.

“Yes. Hurry,” she said desperately.

“Something wrong?” Chase asked when the call ended. His eyes were sharp and alert, as if sensing something was wrong.

“Let’s get some chocolates."

* * *

Chase dropped me off at Haley's in record time.

I gave her an accusing look. She managed to look a little embarrassed.

“Sorry,” she said quietly as she led me inside. “I couldn’t pass up the opportunity when Celine said she was making pizza.”

I found Kate eating a bowl of ice cream on the couch, her feet propped up in the seat. Haley went to sit beside her. A Jason Bourne movie was playing. It was a car-chase scene, the yellow taxi looking heavily battered.

I bought her some truffles, wrapped with a nice pink ribbon. It was our favorite.

She looked a bit wary, until I held out the package from behind me with a grin and handed it over.

“Thanks," Kate said, perking up a little when I gave them to her.

Haley's phone rang, and she moved to the kitchen as she answered it.

We were quiet for a while, as if unsure what to say around each other.

"How're you feeling?" I asked, plopping down next to her on the other side.

She shrugged. "I'm doing okay, I guess. I'm a little relieved he can't jerk around with my feelings anymore. I'll get through this. I hope. " Then a little hesitantly, she asked, “Will you visit again?”

And then in that moment, I got it. Why she was being awkward and distant in my presence. Why she was wielding her temper as a shield like I used my decision to stay away.

She didn’t think I would stay.

We were both protecting ourselves.

Once upon a time, I wanted the kind of love that would last a lifetime, the kind of love that persisted. But I was naive, because that kind of love didn’t grow in uncertainty and a wavering heart. I learned that to survive meant to weather the kind of pain that brought you to your knees. I lived through that. Now I wanted to rebuild bridges. Maybe it was too late for it, but I wanted to try.

"I'm staying," I told her firmly. "I decided yesterday."

Surprise flitted across her face. "You– you are?"

I nodded.

She looked like she struggled to process that. "You didn't tell me."

There was hurt there. I wasn't prepared for that.

"It's not something I planned," I replied carefully.

"Do you know what people have said about you? That you've just forgotten us. That you stopped caring. And for so long, I fought them about it."

I was so damn tired of this. “I know what people say. I hear them all the time.”

“Ever so calm, even when discussing what people say. I always hated that about you.”

“Because you saw yourself in me.”

She set her glass down, and the look of pain that flashed in her eyes made me falter.“Why did you leave, Sherr? Why did you just vanish?”

“I— I don’t—”

“Don’t you say you don’t fucking know. You know as well as I that it’s a lie.”

“You’re right.” She deserved better. I had no right to expect a friendship, but I could at least let her understand, even a little. “I needed space.”

“You got your space... I just wish you’d said
something
.”

“I know," I said regretfully. "I missed you. I'm sorry”

I couldn’t tell her what happened yet, and I didn’t understand why. Maybe because I let all the hurt fester and the blame settle for years without analyzing it too much, shoving it hard in the back of my mind, and now I was forced to process it all. Then there was a kind of shame in keeping it all to myself, in letting it control me for too long.

For whatever the reason, I didn’t have it in me to share it just yet.

Her expression softened, and she leaned her head onto my shoulder. "Missed you too," she said, her voice so soft, it was nearly inaudible.

But I'd heard.

And just like that, a knot eased inside me.

Progress. I was making progress. Not huge, milestone ones, but I could finally be real with her in a way that distance had prevented. I understood it wasn’t something that I could magically fix in a day. Her anger was the kind of spark that glowed intensely, but fizzled out quickly. She needed to vent, and let it out, when I hadn't been there for her.

Trust was earned, as I had to learn, and I had to choose well with whom I handed it over to.

E
very year
, Fortuity held a weeklong festival to celebrate the town's pride. There was food, games, and giveaways.

I’d completely forgotten that returning at this time of the year coincided with all the celebrations.

I’d done a quick run in the morning, with Haley this time. She grumbled about the time, but she eventually jumped up when I teased her that exercise was good for her.

Since it had been a while, we decided to just meet up at the place. This time everyone was coming, Haley promised me.

I’d worn ripped jeans and a white tank top, topped with a thin cream-colored cardigan. I got there first. Going by the order it usually went, I was usually early, while–

Chase came next, the punctual one unfortunately for me, and when he saw me, he froze. A scowl formed on his face.

Figured he didn’t like it. I rolled my eyes.

“Let’s go,” I said.

But didn't move. His eyes roamed over me. “Won’t you be cold?”

“I’m perfectly warm.” Was he nuts? “It’s not that cold today.”

He stilled me, his hand holding mine, keeping me from walking away. What he said next surprised me. "You're beautiful."

Why did he have to go and say things like that? He had no idea of the effect he had on me. Not that he really meant it. It wasn’t like I spent a while choosing what to wear, plus I opted for light make-up.

"Not really. But thanks."

He gave me an odd expression.

Haley, Wes and Kate arrived five minutes later, and Eva after the next five.

* * *

T
he place was bustling
with people, and the energy and the liveliness was contagious.

“Cherry!” a familiar voice yelled affectionately.

The next thing I knew I was being pulled towards a table by short, nearly black curls. It was Sierra. “Oh my God. You’re back!”

I couldn’t help but grin back at her. “Hey, you. How’ve you been?”

“Been great! Everyone was depressed when you left.”

Sierra, for as long as I’ve known her, spoke with no filter. She never hesitated to say what she thought, and that was about the only thing she had in common with Eva.

Sierra and Eva were inseparable since they were kids, even though they were polar opposites. Eva was the person you never expected to be involved in things like sneaking out at night, but wherever Sierra was, you could expect Eva was somewhat involved.

She brought over a plate in front of us.

Two pork cutlets sat in the middle of the dish, with some vegetables on one side.

“What are these?” I asked, holding a piece up with a fork, intrigued.

“I made them,” Sierra said proudly. “I’m helping out with the cooking. They gave me the freedom to make stuff.”

I dropped the piece immediately.

Chase was about to eat a piece. I could be mean, but I wasn’t heartless. I literally stopped him and grasped his hand. He turned to me, puzzled.

“You can’t eat that,” I squeaked. “It’ll kill you.”

“Hey! I don’t cook that bad.” Sierra looked wounded, and I fought the urge to laugh.

Kate cut in, “Don’t you remember that time in fifth grade? You burnt the steak.”

Wesley looked appalled. “How the hell can you mess up steak?”

“By playing Guild Wars and forgetting it’s cooking.”

“You’d think by now Eva would have taught you how to cook.”

“She’s taught me some tricks,” she said defensively. “I revised my pasta recipe. It’s edible now.”

Eva bit the inside of her cheek. Sierra’s eyes spotted something from far away, and a smile spread across her face. “Hey! I’ve got an idea.”

* * *

S
ierra was
on the stage singing ‘Crazy in Love’. Only she didn’t know that she wasn’t doing it too well. Or maybe she did, and she just didn’t care. I laughed so hard my stomach hurt.

“Cherry, it’s your turn,” Sierra called, wearing a broad grin.

Oh my God. Was she–?

She made some version of Lady Antebellum’s ‘Need you Now’, subbing the lyrics with the current time and that I needed to get my ass on the stage.

I raised my hands up in surrender, unable to fully control the laughter that was bubbling up.

She chose ‘I’m a Believer’. By the time were reached the chorus, I couldn’t do it with a straight face.

I’m pretty sure I butchered the song, but I got caught up in the music, and lost myself in the moment.

* * *

T
here was
applause and loud cheers. Chase helped us down the steps as we decided to watch the next performance. We found empty seats, and he slid in right next to me.

And just like that, I lost my train of thought, unable to concentrate on the conversation with Sierra. Not that it really mattered, because when Sierra was really going off about something, sometimes she didn’t stop. Add to the fact that she had something to drink, and it was a deadly combination. He was too close to me, and it was getting harder to deny the effect of his presence. His thighs pressed on the side of mine, our arms brushing.

“Hey,” he said, teasing, “great singing up there.”

He was smirking.

Yeah, so I didn’t sing any better than he did. Which, for me, meant that the only singing I did was in the shower.

I snorted, nudging him in the side a little. “I’m pretty sure I’ve forgotten half the lyrics, and people probably wanted to block their ears. But it was a lot of fun.”

Then when our eyes met, there was something in his that made me forget what to say. Something more. I couldn’t have explained it if I tried. It was a connection that tugged at my heart, something that his proximity, and gaze, stirred in me. His eyes widened just slightly, and I knew I had the same effect on him.

I didn’t know what to make of that.

What the heck just happened? Something had changed, and it wasn’t our deal to not go at each other’s throats while I was here.

I didn’t like what his touch did to me, how it seemed to scramble my thoughts. I was an intelligent woman, capable of holding myself together.

I broke away from the intense connection, and kept my distance after that.

I knew it was cowardly, but I didn’t expect it at all.

* * *

E
va and Sierra
had both gone to the restroom, while the four of us decided to have a walk around.

We passed by a small field. When we asked what we had to do, the man told us we needed to have two teams to get three goals first, on the goal area. In exchange were two cool, soft wool scarves. But the most important thing was that one of them had panda prints.

Intrigued, Chase said, “Let’s try.”

I was stoked. I was also pretty sure I said ‘panda’ three times like a kid in a candy store.

Somehow, we decided that a girls vs. guys team would kick ass, and me and Chase ended up on opposing teams. I was teamed up with Haley, while Chase was with Wes.

It went well at first. We were both fiercely competitive;, I always knew that. We were just never usually on different teams. I suppose that was what had made me want to win even more.

Ten minutes later, both breathing hard, the scores were tied.

We only needed one more point to win.

Haley tried a smart maneuver and got the ball from Wes, and I was so pumped because we were going to win this. She was about to kick it to me, when Chase… wrapped his arms around me, trapping me.

What the hell?

“Chase!” I yelled.

“Sorry,” he whispered, his chin moving against my hair. Yeah, because he
really
sounded like it. “Those scarves are perfect for the coming winter.”

I saw red. Of all the–

I struggled against him, twisting to elbow him in the stomach. He grunted, and just as abruptly as he trapped me, he let me go.

It was too late.

Wes got managed to steal the ball, and ten seconds later, he kicked it to the goal.

Throwing a hand on my hip, I yelled, “Oh my God. That's playing dirty!”

Chase looked unashamedly unabashed.

"You've been gone too long, Sherr. You need to grease your palms a little," he said with a smirk that made him look like a handsome devil, and I felt the sudden urge to punch the bastard. I reined it in and sucked it up. Because, well, I wasn’t sure punching was going to be well-received. I vowed to myself I was going to get even.

"Grease my palms, huh? Isn’t that against the rules?” I demanded from the guy at the stall, but he shrank back, not seeming to mind that they cheated, handing out the scarves.

Haley, now annoyed too, tried a different tactic. “Surely, you have some to spare?” she said sweetly, batting her eyelashes at him.

“We don’t have many, sorry,” he apologized, the red of his cheeks deepening.

* * *

“Tired?” Chase asked, while we waited for Eva and Sierra, who were both still not here, at the arranged meeting point.

He was trying to get a rise out of me. I wasn’t going to bite.

“No way,” I argued. “I’ve been doing early morning runs, I even recruited Haley.”

“You run with Haley?”

“I usually go alone,” I babbled. “It’s just that, the other day, I felt like someone was–”