“I’m scared,” she whispered and I gazed down at her, watching the way her fingers stroked her wrist.

I swallowed. “Of the dark? Don’t be. I’m here.” I winked. “I’ll keep you safe.”

Lola shook her head. “Not the dark. Of remembering.”

“Why? Don’t you want to know what happened?”

“No, I do. But I’m afraid it will change everything.”

“Fear isn’t real, Firebox. It’s a choice. We convince ourselves that we’re afraid of certain things, scared to do something and be someone we don’t want to be, and we forget to live. In some ways, it’s easier to carry on being afraid than admit what we really want or fear the most. But that’s no way to live.”

“Have you ever been afraid, Taylor?”

“I’m afraid every damn day,” I admitted.

Lola nodded her head and continued to pull the label off the beer bottle. She had gone back to that place—that dark place she often went to when life became too much. She’d told me she’d quit therapy and that she was struggling to know how to move forward on her own. I couldn’t tell her what to do, but it was apparent she still needed help. She knew it, too.

“Wanna play a game?” I asked her, hoping to pull her back to me.

She lifted her eyes and frowned. “What kind of game?”

“Truth or dare?”

“Sure, why not?” She shrugged.

“I’ll even let you go first.”

“Oh, really?” she asked, quirking a brow.

“Yep. I’m a gent like that.”

“Pfft... That’s not what Melanie said.”

“Low blow, Firebox.”

“Sorry.” She grimaced. “It’s the beer.”

I shrugged. “I can take it.”

“Okay. Truth or dare, Mr. Lawson?”

“Truth, and don’t call me that again.”

“Sorry. Beer bad. Bad beer.”

“Okay.” I chuckled, “No more beer for the lightweight,” I said, pulling the bottle away from her.

“Hey, I’ve drunk more than you have, Mr… Mr… Mr. Hot Arse McHotson. I’m no lightweight.”

“Hot Arse McHotson?” I erupted in laughter, clutching my stomach. “You are so out of it.”

“I’m having fun. Now, are we playing the game or not?”

“Fine. Do your worst.”

A wicked grin lit up her face and I almost wished I could take the dare instead.

“How much do you want to kiss me right now?”

Fuck. I hadn’t been expecting that. She really was drunk. But it was an easy question. One I would happily answer. “A whole fuckin’ lot, Miss Henderson.”

“Oh.” Her mouth opened then quickly clicked shut.

“Yes. Oh. Now, my turn. Truth or dare?”

Dazed, Lola shook her head. “Umm… Dare.”

“Strip.”

“Huh?”

“Strip. Down to your bra. Keep your jeans on.”

“You want me to strip down to my bra?”

“Yep.” I nodded. “And stand on that chair and shout to the world how great I am.”

Her eyes bulged from her head. “Seriously?”

“Deadly.”

“Fine,” she huffed on a breath and curled her small fingers around the edge of my jumper before lifting it up and over her head. She tossed it my way and winked, her fingers already working the thin top from her chest as if I wasn’t standing right there.

Lola turned her back on me and shot me a look over her shoulder. She wasn’t actually going to do it, was she?

Fuck, she was hot.

My thoughts were confirmed when the dark grey fabric shot through the air and landed at my feet. When I finally let my gaze drift up, Lola was already standing on the chair, her toned stomach firmly on display and her tits pushed up high in her bra.

Hell, why did she have to do that? Now I’d never be able to rid myself of this image. I wasn’t sure I wanted to.

“Taylor Lawson is completely and undeniably attractive,” she shouted. “He knows how to use his balls and has a cracking arse. He hates school, but that doesn’t matter because Taylor Lawson is going to rule the world.” She threw her hands out wide as she yelled the last part and I couldn’t help but admire her. She was ballsy; that much was certain.

She dusted off her hands and jumped back down, stumbling slightly. I reached a hand out to steady her. “I have no words for what you just did.”

Lola grinned and shrugged a shoulder. “A dare’s a dare, right?”

“It sure is.”

“My turn,” she announced, still practically naked.

As much as I tried to do the sensible thing and not look, it was so damn hard when her tits were practically spilling out of her black lacy bra.

“Dare,” I shouted. I wasn’t thinking straight. I needed a distraction.

“I haven’t even asked the question yet.” She giggled.

“I don’t care. Dare.”

“Okay, eager beaver. I dare you to strip. Fully. No clothes. No shoes.”

I could do that. This wasn’t my first game of truth or dare and it certainly wouldn’t be my last time getting naked.

I shrugged and tugged my shirt over my head. “Easy.”

“And run two laps across the field,” she added. Her eyes twinkled mischievously.

I leaned towards her, nose to nose. “Not a problem.”

I wasn’t sure if it was because I’d agreed to the dare, or because we were so close, but Lola gasped and edged back.

I got on with my dare, and she was still hunched over laughing by the time I made it back to the stands. I was out of breath and suddenly wide-awake as I took in the scene before me. I loved her laugh and the way her face lit up when she set herself free. She was beautiful, and right now there was only one question on my mind.

“Truth or dare?” I breathed out, hoping she’d take the right one.

“Dare. Always a dare.”

“I dare you to kiss me.”

Lola didn’t hesitate. She leaned forward, her balance slightly off from the alcohol as she placed her lips against my cheek and pulled back. That was it? That was really all she was going to give me.

When she found her balance again, she looked up at me, her green eyes wide and waiting. She was so close I could smell the alcohol on her breath mingled with that sweet, fresh scent that only Lola carried.

“I meant a proper kiss.” I smirked.

Her eyes grew impossibly wider, and without a word or hint of hesitance, she tipped her chin and brushed her soft lips against mine. I hadn’t expected that. I also hadn’t expected her to pull back so soon, but I couldn’t stop myself. Before she could pull away fully, I fisted my hands in her hair and kissed her back. Hard.

She didn’t even try to stop me. Instead, her lips parted just enough for me to slip my tongue inside, seeking out the warmth of her mouth. The heat mixed with the undeniable attraction I felt for her had me pressing my body against her and kissing her deeper. Just as I thought the kiss couldn’t be any sweeter, I felt Lola relax against me, and soon enough her tongue met mine and her movements mirrored my own. Her fingers reached out and threaded through my hair before settling at the back of my neck.

The kiss was sweet and so fucking warm. It was hard not to lose myself in her. I knew it wouldn’t be long before she came to her senses and put a halt to our first special moment, but I was all for making the most out of any moment I had with her. First, last, and all those in between.

I slid one hand to her lower back, leaving the other fisting her hair. A low moan escaped her lips and vibrated against my own as I pressed against her. I knew she felt my erection, and it was impossible not to grind against her, needing to hear her moan again. As if on cue, she whimpered and trembled in my arms.

Fuck.

I pulled away, ignoring the way she groaned at the loss of contact.

What the fuck was I doing? I couldn’t do this to her. Not Lola. She deserved hearts and flowers, not a bottle of beer and a promise of a good night.

Afraid to look at her, I turned my back. I knew she’d be flushed from what had just happened, and maybe even disappointed. I’d lose it if I saw the way I’d made her feel. I had to remember that this was Lola. Sweet, beautiful Lola, who was too good for someone like me. The same girl who had no idea what I was capable of, how easily I could ruin her. The same one who should have stayed away from me.

Fuck.

Gripping my hair in frustration, I kicked out. The sound my foot made as it hit the metal bar echoed out around me. I should have left it well alone. Instead, I’d done what I’d always done when something good came along. Fucked it up royally.

When I finally turned to face her again and explain myself, she was gone.