CHAPTER 25: TRUTH OR DARE

Julian’s POV

Ethan’s car rolled into the driveway just in time for me to catch a sight that made my blood heat up instantly. Collins was standing at the bottom of the staircase, his hand resting way too comfortably on Catherine’s waist as she descended like she was walking into a damn fairytale.

Ethan gave a low whistle. "Oh man, is that not your hot stepsister and Collins?"

"Shut up," I snapped, slamming the door and jumping out before he could say another word.

My steps were fast and sharp. I didn’t even think, I just reached for her. "What’s this lunatic doing here and where the hell are you going with him?" I quizzed, grabbing her arm before she could move past me.

She jerked her arm back, glaring daggers at me. "What’s your problem, Julian? You said I should stay out of your life, so stay the hell out of mine already!"

"Answer me," I hissed, ignoring the way her voice trembled with anger.

Collins stepped between us, smirking in a way that made me want to crush his teeth. "Take a chill pill, man. I’m taking her out. You don’t have to worry, she’s in safe hands."

Safe hands. My jaw clenched. His sentence sounded very unsafe to me and I knew he knew.

Before I could snap back, Ethan came strolling up, grinning like an idiot. "Damn, Catherine. You look so sexy."

I shot him a death glare, but my brain betrayed me because yeah, she did look sexy, breathtaking, astonishing.

She was wearing a black handless top that hugged her just right, jean bum shorts that made it impossible to look away, and her hair was tied back with a blue bandana, showing off her face in a way that made my pulse trip.

I looked away fast. "You’re not going anywhere with him," I muttered.

She scoffed. "Watch me."

Ethan gave me that look, the one that says you’re being dramatic again, and Collins just grinned, opening the car door like some damn prince.

"Come on, Catherine," Collins said. "I don’t want to keep my guests waiting."

She smiled, "Forgive me please," while walking off.

The car pulled away, and the sound of her laughter drifted back to me. I kicked my car tire in frustration, hard enough to sting and Ethan stood there, watching me with folded arms. "You gonna keep pretending you don’t care, or should I tell you where they’re going and get paid in gratitude?"

"Fuck you, man. I don’t give a damn in the world about where they are going," I said.

I lied because forty minutes later, I was at the party.

The bass thumped through the walls, lights flashing over a pool of faces. Collins’ house was packed, every corner was buzzing with music, drinks, and loud conversation.

I scanned the room until I found Catherine, laughing heartily, her eyes brighter than I’d seen them in days. Collins stood next to her, while I sniffed my anger in, continuously.

I didn’t even realize I was walking over to her until she spotted me. Her smile fell, and before I knew it, she had my hand and was pulling me into a corner.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" she hissed.

"Parties are for everyone, aren’t they?" I said, leaning against the wall, pretending like I had no idea of what she was saying.

"Julian—"

"Relax," I cut in. "Go have fun with your safe hands. I am here to have fun too."

Her eyes narrowed, lips twitching like she was about to curse me out, but I didn’t give her the chance. I walked away and nearly collided with Collins.

"Hey man," Collins said with a teasing grin. "Working way too hard. You really take that big-brother role seriously, huh?"

If looks could kill, he’d be ashes but I swallowed it. Catherine would hate for me to cause any scene, besides, the last thing I wanted was to give her another reason to think I was some controlling psycho.

Ethan appeared beside me, drink in hand. "Yo, Collins just said they’re about to play truth or dare. You in?"

I frowned. "I don’t play that stupid game."

Ethan grinned. "Maybe you should. Collins only plays it when he’s planning something shady."

My gaze instantly flicked to Catherine. She was sitting on the couch, laughing again.

"I’m in," I muttered.

Ethan stared. "Hmm. What changed your mind? Don’t hate the game anymore?"

"No! I’m just bored, the game could ease the boredom," I lied, already moving toward the group.

"Wow," Collins announced as I joined the circle. "Julian wants to play too. Guess the fun just keeps getting better."

Eyes turned to me, mostly girls vying for my attention.

He grinned wider. "Rule number one: If you refuse a dare, you get to flash your private part to everyone for ten seconds. I mean your dick, your boobs, your butt, or pussy. No exceptions."

I caught Catherine’s lips drawn into a thin line, as she folded her legs to her chest.

She looked nervous, almost like she was having a rethink about playing the game.

I slipped my phone out and texted her under the table:

You can back out now. Still time.

Her reply came fast: STFU 🖕

Of course.

Collins raised his drink. "Rule two: If someone picks you for a dare, you can’t say no unless you’re ready for rule one."

And soon, the game began. The bottle spun, people screamed, laughed, cheered.

A girl dared some guy to dance shirtless. Another dared Collins to kiss a particular girl. The usual nonsense, until the bottle landed on me.

A girl with bright red hair smirked. "I dare Julian to kiss me."

The crowd roared but to their disappointment, I stood, unbuttoned my belt halfway, and dropped my pants for ten seconds flat.

The girls began to admire the size of my dick, except Catherine. She didn’t even flinch or look impressed, just sipped her drink like it meant nothing.

I didn’t know why it seemed to hurt my ego but all I could think in my head was "had she seen bigger sizes?"

I sat back down with a tight jaw.

Finally, it was my turn. I spun the bottle, and it landed on her.

"Truth," she said quickly, voice steady but her eyes on me like a challenge.

"When was the last time you had sex?" I asked and the room gasped.

She hesitated. "I... can’t remember."

People started whispering.

"Not an answer," someone yelled.

She swallowed hard, it looked like she was struggling to answer. I couldn’t understand why, until someone said, "I think she’s not had sex before. She appears like a virgin to me."

That reply kinda made me happy until Catherine exhaled sharply. "The last time was a few months before I moved here."

My stomach twisted. The game went on, but I barely heard a word until the bottle landed on me again.

"Dare," I said before anyone asked.

Collins leaned forward. "Spend ten minutes in an empty room with a girl of your choice."

I didn’t even hesitate. "Catherine."

The crowd fell dead silent for a second, until someone coughed, then another whispered something about me choosing my stepsister amongst the many girls in the game.

As for Catherine, she froze and her eyes widened, but I didn’t look away.

Ten minutes. Just her and me.

I didn’t care what anyone thought, let them think whatever they wanted.