Cruel prince

Usually, they’re harmless and gross challenges. Things like eating an insect, or finishing an entire pizza pie and two glasses of milk in ninety minutes. 

If you refuse, you have to clean the other’s room and answer a personal—usually embarrassing—question of the other’s choosing. 

Lucky for us, we’re both competitive, so we rarely ever lose. 

For the last three months, I’ve had a certain dare burning a proverbial hole in my pocket…but I always chicken out. 

Not today. 

With shaky fingers, I reach inside my pocket for the folded note. 

The hand on my hip tightens. “Don’t do this, D.” 

Too late. I unfold the paper and hold it up to him. 

I dare you to kiss me. 

His features twist in pain, despite his grip on me tightening. “No.” 

“If you’re so adamant that all we’ll ever be is friends, a stupid kiss shouldn’t be such a big deal.” 

Silence. 

It’s hard to argue with logic. 

It’s even harder to argue with jealousy. 

“If the thought of kissing me disgusts you so much, I’ll just ask Tom—”

I stop breathing when his hands frame my face. “No.”

“Why?” 

“Because you don’t belong to Tommy.” His nostrils flare. “He can’t have you.” 

“So, you don’t want me, but no one else is allowed to have me? Is that it?” 

Long fingers wrap around the back of my neck, pulling me closer. “I never said I didn’t want you.” His face grows taut as he dips his forehead to mine. “I said we could never be more than friends.” 

He’s talking in circles. Putting us through turmoil for no reason. The solution is simple. Literally right in front of us. 

“Kiss me, Jace.” 

“No.”

Irritation ripples through me. I’m growing tired of these stupid mixed signals that are impossible to decode. 

“Then let me go.” 

His gaze falls to my lips and he leans in. “I can’t.” 

Before I can blink, his lips feather over mine in a whisper of a kiss.

They’re gone just as quickly. 

“Got it,” Jace declares, taking several steps back. 

“Got what?” Cole questions, taking the words from my mouth. 

Jace holds up his finger briefly then wipes it on his pants. “Dylan had an eyelash in her eye. You know what a baby she is when it comes to eyeballs.” 

Cole nods. “She’s the worst. Couldn’t even sit through Saw IV without getting squeamish.” 

Jace laughs while I shoot them both dirty looks. 

Liam gives me a sympathetic smile. “I d-don’t lik-k-ke eyeballs-s-s either, D-D-Dylan.”  

“Yeah, they’re gross.” I turn my attention back to Jace. “Um. Can we—”

“I thought you were leaving?” He averts his gaze. “I have shit to do anyway, so you probably should.” 

We both know Jace doesn’t have shit to do. I read the asshole loud and clear. 

“Right.” I grab my hoodie. “See you around.” 

“W-w-wait,” Liam calls out. “Y-y-you could h-h-hang out w-w-with me.” 

Normally I’d take Liam up on the offer, but I don’t want to be anywhere near Jace. 

“Thanks, Liam. Maybe next time.”