“What were you guys really doing up here?” Willow asks me.

“Nothing,” I lie and know it doesn’t suit me as all the blood rushes to my cheeks.

“Don’t lie to me.”

“I’m not, we were just talking.”

“In the bathroom?”

“What’s that matter?”

“Seems a little strange.”

“I came to take my contacts out, and he asked me to look at his cheek, then we got to talking.”

I start to take my contacts out, my reflection blurring from so much liquor and she says to me, “You like him, don’t you?”

“I don’t like him; I don’t even know him.”

“Listen, you’re a big girl and can do whatever you want, but Ari has told me stories about shit they get up to, so I’d watch yourself.”

“Stories?” I question her.

“Yeah, some shady shit went down in Vegas with them one time, like Hangover style.”

I laugh out loud at Willow, sliding my glasses on my face, and turn around. “Do you not remember college? You slept with half of the football team, and now you’re giving me advice?”

“You bitch! That was forever ago. You weren’t innocent yourself, Miss Cocksucker.”

“No, I wasn’t, no one is. Plus, nothing with Merritt has happened or will happen. He’s a sweet guy, end of story.”

My best friend hugs me, always trying to look out for me. “Shall we share a beer, Mrs. Controlling?”

“Don’t call me that.”

“Okay, how about, ‘Mrs. Water And Pizza Night’?”

She hits my arm, and we head downstairs. Everyone is putting on their coats and boots, and I’m not sure why. “Where you guys going?” I ask.

“Fire pit,” Kami tells me. Ted is already outside, lighting all the heaters that line the deck. The gas fire in the center is blazing, and I grab my coat, sliding my boots on at the same time. We all flood outside and Merritt hands me a cup. “Here’s a fresh beer for ya.” I look in at the liquid and know right away that it’s not beer.

“Thanks.”

The air is cold as it whips around us. I take a seat on one of the benches that surround the pit and sip on the strong ass drink I’m holding. “It’s not that bad out here,” Willow says.

“Did you bring s’more stuff?” Kami asks.

“Dammit, I knew I was forgetting something.”

“Damn, Mrs. Perfect forgot something,” Ari teases her.

Willow glares at him and I suggest, “We could play Truth or Dare?”

“No way,” Ted says, “Last time that happened, I froze my balls off.”

“What happened?” Merritt asks him.

“I had to do a naked snow angel.”

“Oh shit.”

“Yeah, not fun.”

“I’ll play, if everyone throws in a hundred,” Ari says.

“Why does it always have to be about money?” Willow asks him.

“Uh, because it makes it so much more fun.”

“I’m down,” Merritt adds and then the rest of the group agrees.

“Sweet, that’s a seven-hundred-dollar pot,” Jacob exclaims.

“What are the rules?” Willow asks. Of course she needs to know the rules.

“Rules? We don’t need rules, sis. If you won’t do a dare, then you’re out, last person gets the money.”

“Whoa,” Ted chimes in, “What if we don’t agree with something?”

“Then don’t do it, Ted,” Ari says to him like he’s a moron, and Merritt and I calmly sit back sipping on our drinks. “Quinn, why don’t you start? It was your idea.”

“Okay.” I wrack my brain to think of a question and decide to ask Merritt.

“Truth or Dare?”

“Truth.”

“Oh, come on, man,” Ari gripes, and I ignore him, continuing on with my question.

“Have you ever had a threesome?”

He smiles and responds, “No.”

The play moves to my right, and for some reason, I believe him. Then Merritt asks me, “Truth or Dare?”

“Truth.”

“Do you spit or swallow?”

“Swallow,” I tell him and take a big gulp of liquid. Swallowing it, the sexual tension between us is off the charts.

Ari is next and asks me, “Truth or Dare?” I roll my eyes, and he says, “What? You wanted to play this game.

“Fine, Truth.”

“Do you like it rough or slow?”

“Ari!” I shout at him, and he waits for me to answer.

“Come on, seven hundred dollars is on the line,” he challenges me to answer.

“Fine…slow.”

Merritt is watching me, the same way he did the first time he walked in on me shirtless, eating me up, and I cross my legs to stop my clit from twitching.

Willow is next and says, “Quinn, Truth or Dare?”

“What the fuck, you guys?”

“You wanted to play,” she reminds me, and I blurt out, “Dare.”

“Oh…I didn’t expect you to say that.” We all laugh at her dumb remark. “I’ve got a good one. Give a lap dance to anyone for a minute.”

“Oh…that’s so original,” I tell her, and she sticks her tongue out to me. I sense Merritt lean back, thinking he’s got this in the bag, and I get up bending down in his ear as I bravely whisper, “Maybe later.” Then walk off and straddle Willow. She is shocked as I hold on to her neck and begin riding her body. Everyone cheers me on, and she just covers her face, completely embarrassed.

After my minute is up, I tell her, “Maybe you shouldn’t pick on me.”

Ted gives me a break and asks Willow, who is still beet red, “Truth or Dare?”

“Truth,” she’s quick to answer.

“What’s your favorite type of porn?”

“Ted,” she scolds him, and I find it funny how a bunch of adults turn what is usually an innocent child’s game into something so inappropriate.

“Anal,” she whispers, and we all bust out laughing. Who knew our innocent controlling Willow was into anal?

Next is Jacob and he asks Ari the question. “Dare,” he responds.

“Give me a blowjob.”

“Baby!” Kami scolds him

“What the fuck? No way, man.”

“Guess you’re out! Remember the rules?”

“Fuck you!” He flips him off, and Kami asks me, “Truth or Dare?”

I roll my eyes, finishing my cup of liquor. “Truth,” I respond scared that she will pull what Jacob did.

“Does size matter?”

“Hell yeah, it does,” I blurt out, and everyone is quiet. I maybe could’ve answered that one a little differently.

It’s my turn, and for some reason, the money isn’t coming into play at all. I just want to ask Merritt. “Truth or Dare?”

“Truth,” he responds, and I’m surprised.

“What is your best sexual experience?” He licks his lips and then asks me, “You want me to be honest?”

“Of course.”

“I don’t think I’ve had it yet.”

His words and that fucking smirk ignite something inside me. He’s speaking to me; I can feel it. And I’m not even sure why. Why am I intriguing to him? He’s sexy and successful and can have his pick of women, but he wants me, and as much as I don’t want to admit it, I want him to.