Hard To Love (7 page)

After an hour, I should have realized it was time to leave when
everyone started to stumble around and then Cassie suggested a
game of Truth or Dare. With at least fifteen of us, the game could
go on for hours, and only three were coupled up. I pushed my
chair away from the circle that had been created around the
bonfire. That wasn’t the type of game I was interested in playing,
especially with Nick around. Cassie started to announce the rules
as she pulled my chair closer to the group. I shook my head,
pleading with her to stop. She laughed and shook her head.

“If you refuse to
make a choice, you must take a drink or be
thrown in the pool.” She laughed, repeatedly pointing her finger at
me. I shook my head, glaring at her. “Who’s first?” she said,
putting a bottle of tequila on the table with a shot glass.

“You, since it’s your game
,” Charlie replied, pulling her down
on his lap, and wrapping his arms around her.
“Okay, fine, I’ll start,” she said. “Dare.”
“I dare you to kiss Simone,” Charlie said without hesitation.
Cassie rolled her eyes and got up from his lap. Charlie watched
with a grin on his face.
“Wow, we’re starting heavy already.” Trevor laughed.
When it came around to me, I refused and boos ensued. I was
forced to take a shot of tequila. I choked back the shot, grabbing
my beer to wash it down, rethinking my strategy. But I wasn’t the
only one who refused to play. Nick passed as well with a full shot
glass already in his hand. What I noticed was everyone was
choosing me on purpose, and after the fourth shot I gave in.

If I took another shot, I
was pretty sure it wouldn’t stay down.
The next time it came around to me, I thought I would be smart
and pick truth, since no one else had. Cassie had gone inside at
that time to grab another bottle of tequila from her parents’ liquor
cabinet.

“Is it true that you smacked
Nick at Gravity over the weekend?”
Rebecca asked, leaning in with a huge smile on her face. I gasped
and totally wanted to deny it, but it was obvious some of them had
seen me do it.

“Your turn to pick someone,”
Cassie said as she sat down. I
looked around the table, trying to decide who I would pick.
“Charlie, truth or dare?” I asked.
“Truth.” He smirked. I had no idea what to ask him because I
honestly didn’t care.
“What was the most dishonest thing you have ever done?” I
asked, sipping my beer.
He thought about it for a minute, then smiled and replied,
“When I was eighteen, I slept with my best friend’s sister.” He
laughed. Everyone laughed while booing him.
I pulled my legs up, hugging them against my chest. The
alcohol was kicking in real good now. At one point I couldn’t stop
laughing, and when someone else chose me again and I took a
shot, most if it didn’t make it in my mouth. Embarrassed, I wiped
my chin and neck with the sleeve of my sweater. The next time
my name was called, I chose dare, I didn’t want to admit to any
more truths about myself. Rebecca’s smile widened, and she
looked over at Nick, then back at me. Rebecca was more
interested in what I would do than anyone else.
“I dare you to kiss Nick.” Everyone hooted and hollered. “But it
has to be with tongue and for five minutes.” She added with a big
grin. I stopped laughing and cleared my throat.
Why Nick? I thought to myself. I focused on the bottle of
tequila, trying to decide if I could handle another shot without
throwing up.
“You can decline, but you have to take a shot or be thrown in
the pool,” Cassie reminded me. I looked over at the pool and
sighed.

“At least it’s heated.” Someone laughed.
I was foolish to not
end the night before something like this happened.
“She doesn’t have to do it.” Nick leaned forward in his chair.
With a glare shot in Cassie’s direction, I slowly balanced

myself, and then walked over to Nick. He anxiously watched me,
his lips wet and ready.
“You don’t have to do it,” he repeated.
“What’s the problem? You don’t want me to kiss you?” I asked,
tilting my head slightly. His lip twitched as he smirked. We stared
at one another for a long nervous moment, the cold air catching our
shallow breaths. I kept my eyes on his him, trying to forget that
anyone else was there. His eyes were glossy and his lips were
slightly parted. I inched closer, and then straddled him on the
chair.
Everyone cheered. My heart fluttered as his hands began to
slide up my legs, stopping on my hips.
“Five minutes, tongue and all, or it doesn’t count,” Rebecca
repeated. I nodded, not taking my eyes off Nick. Nervously, I
leaned forward, sliding my hand up the front of his shirt to his
face, slowly inching closer dragging my thumb across his bottom
lip. Then I kissed him, and my cheeks burned as he willingly
kissed me back. His hands tangled in my hair, his tongue parting
my lips, both of us gasping and gripping each other’s body tighter.
I tried to ignore the chanting and cheers behind me, but it was
difficult. At one point we were both trying not to laugh. It was
when the cheering stopped and I heard Mason speak that I pulled
away gasping.
“Well, what do we have here?” Mason asked.
“Mason, I didn’t realize you were coming.” Cassie jumped to
her feet. I tried to get off Nick’s lap but stumbled back down on
him. Mason looked right at me with a look of disgust on his face.
“Well, I saw all the cars out front and figured you may have
forgotten to tell me about your little—soiree,” he said, looking
around at all the faces.
“I guess your invitation got lost in the mail,” Cassie replied with
a shrug.
“I guess so,” he sneered. I wiped my mouth and tried again to
get to my feet. “Oh, don’t stop because of me,” he said, walking
over, glaring at us. Mason’s eyes followed me as I walked over to
my chair. When I glanced up at him, his lip twitched angrily.
I honestly didn’t know what he expected from me because he
clearly told me that he didn’t do relationships. I was single and just
because he didn’t do relationships, didn’t stop me from having one.
He had no say in my actions, and apparently, neither did I, tonight.
“So”—he clapped his hands together—“what are we playing?” he
asked.
“Truth or Dare,” Rebecca said, her voice trailing off when she
noticed the glare she was getting from Cassie.
Cassie stood and attempted to grab the bottle of tequila.
“Actually, we’re done—”
Mason interrupted. “By all means, carry on. I’m game for this.”
He smirked and twisted the cap off a beer, then grabbed a chair
from the pile against the shed and dragged it over to where Charlie
was sitting. He leaned forward in the chair, waiting for someone to
start, but everyone’s eyes averted to the ground, unsure of what to
do. “I know.” He sucked in a breath. “Let’s spice this up a little,
yeah?” he said then stood, took off his leather jacket, hung it on the
back of the chair, and turned to face everyone again. “New game,
Truth, Dare or Strip,” he sneered, brow wagging.
Cassie tried to protest, but she lost out to the cheers for the new
game. Mason grinned, turning his eyes on me. I rolled my eyes
and looked away. The game went two rounds before Mason had
finally been chosen. He smiled and chose strip, taking off his shirt.
I kept my eyes on the ground in front of me. Then he looked over
at Nick and asked him the same.
Nick chose truth.
“Truth—boring,” he teased, giving a thumbsdown, “Fine . . .
fine . . . is it true you love to compete with me?” His eyes flashed
over to me again.
“True,” Nick answered, sighing, his eyes focused solely on
Mason.
“Mason, truth, dare—”
“Strip.” He smirked and stood.
“Seriously, Mason—” Cassie groaned, rolling her eyes. “I
don’t—”
“Relax, coz, I’m not going to give away the farm already.” He
smirked, kicking off his shoes. Then he grabbed his beer from the
ground and took a seat. His eyes shot over in my direction again.
“Lauren.” He leaned forward in his chair glaring at me. I sighed.
“Truth, dare or consequences?” He laughed, and then corrected
himself. “I mean, strip.”
I rolled my eyes and mumbled, “Truth.”
“What’s that? I can’t hear you!” He cupped his hand over his
ear.
“Truth,” I said garishly, and then folded my arms across my
chest.
“Another boring partygoer,” he scoffed, coaxing the others on
and everyone but Cassie and Nick started booing.
Then Mason gestured for them to quiet down as he spoke. “Oh,
fine, truth it is. Is it true . . . you made out with me earlier tonight?”
I couldn’t control the gasp that left my lips. I stared Mason down,
feeling the sting on my cheeks.
“Mason, stop it,” Cassie hissed.
“Oh, come on coz, we’re all adults here. Right?” He looked
around at everyone, who nodded with him. “See?” His eyes burned
through me. Everyone waited patiently for me to answer.
“True,” I replied, looking away. When I shot a glance over at
Nick, he got up from his chair and walked away. I shut my eyes,
shaking my head. I didn’t know either of these guys well enough
to know if this was all just a game to them.
“Your turn.” He sat back in his chair, looking proud.
“I don’t want to play anymore,” I said, getting up.
“Oh no,” he said sarcastically. “What’s wrong? You had no
problem making out with my brother before I walked in.” His
body shot forward, his voice raising, slightly, a hint of anger in his
tone. Cassie glowered at him; everyone else was looking
anywhere but at the three of us. “Don’t let me ruin your fun.”
I paced, turning to look him in the eye. “Fine. Truth.”
“I didn’t pick—”
“No you didn’t. I’m picking for you,” I barked angrily.
“Okay,” He glared at me. “I’ll bite. Truth it is.” He sat back
crossed his leg over his knee and waited.
“Have you ever been in love?” I asked, then crossed my arms
and waited for a response. Cassie looked from me to Mason with a
grin on her face. Mason gulped, not answering. “Do you even
know what love is?” I added. If it weren’t for the music playing in
the background, all that would have been heard would be the
crickets. Everyone waited anxiously for his answer.
He dragged his teeth over his bottom lip, and then cleared his
throat. He looked at the ground, and then said, “No.”
“Liar,” Nick proclaimed as he came around from the side of the
house. I turned my entire body to look at him.
“Oh, goodie, you’re back.” Mason scowled.
“Tell her the truth,” he said, standing next to me. Cassie looked
even more surprised than Mason.
“What would you know of my love life?” Mason snarled.
Nick snorted and shook his head. “Amber.” He walked forward,
his eyes still on Mason. “Or Tracy perhaps . . . Ring any bells?”
“Shut up.” Mason jumped to his feet. Cassie stepped in
between them.
“Stop or I will make you two leave.” She shoved Mason back. I
stared, wide-eyed, at the three of them.
“Well, that was a buzzkill,” Trevor slurred, then sat back in his
chair. Mason backed down. His eyes fell on me, filled with pain
and anger. I shook my head, fighting the tears, and then stormed
my way out of the backyard. I needed to get away from them. All
this emotional baggage was too much for me. I knew driving was
out of the question; I drunk way too many drinks. I just needed to
get away from them, and fast.

I was furious with Mason.
Life was simple before all this. I went to work, came home,
made dinner and spent the night with the man of my dreams. Now

Well, forget it! This was crazy. Dating was crazy, getting
involved with either of them was insane. I was more confused
now than before the two of them had walked into my life.

I
wasn’t sure how far I had walked from Cassie’s house
because, when I looked up, I was in the forest, and I didn’t know
how to find my way out. I looked around in a panic. It was so dark
and I could barely see my hands in front of me.

Matt standing in front of me, looking disappointed.
“What are you doing, darling?” he asked, head tilted to one
side. I didn’t understand why Matt was appearing to me. I wasn’t
thinking of him, at least I don’t think I was.
“I’m sorry, Matt. I never meant to hurt you,” I cried.
“You didn’t hurt me, sweetheart. You are only hurting
yourself,” he said, standing next to me.
“What? How?” I wiped my cheeks.
“You can’t see it.” He looked so sad, and it was breaking my
heart.
What did he mean? What wasn’t I seeing?
“Why do you keep showing up? I don’t understand,” I sobbed.
I looked around when I heard someone calling out my name.
“You need to go, Lauren.” He reached out to me. “Open your
eyes.” My body felt cold and wet.
“What?” I replied, frustrated.
“Wake up, Lauren! It’s not your time.” Matt began to fade and
his voice echoed.
“Matt!” I cried. “Don’t leave me, please.” The river water
rushed over me, chilling my body.
“Lauren!” someone screamed. “Oh god, someone help!” Then I
felt someone tug at my arm. It was as if I was jolted out of a deep
sleep, and when I looked up, the rush of water was coming over
me. I couldn’t catch my breath. I was underwater. I was going to
drown. I tried to pull myself up, but my sweater was hooked on a
branch. I managed to keep my head above the water but didn’t
know how much longer I would be able to hold on because the
water was so cold that my fingers were numbing.
“Don’t move, hold on,” Cassie cried as she tried to inch closer,
but the ground was soft from the rushing water. If she moved any
closer the current would pull her in.
“Here, hold this,” Nick said, wrapping his jacket around his
waist, then linking it to his sweater and handed it to his brother.
Mason walked as far out as he could until he reached me.
“Don’t move,” he said, looking me in the eye. “Just keep
looking at me. Don’t look anywhere else. Okay? Just look at me.”
He stretched out towards me. I held on to the branch as best I
could. Blood stained the water, from the laceration on my palm.
“I’m so cold.” I muttered, teeth chattering.
“I’ve gotcha, Lauren. Just hold on,” Mason said, pulling me out
of the water. I wrapped my arms around his neck, holding tight.
“It was you,” I whispered, looking him with wide eyes. “Thank
you,” I said through chattering teeth. “You saved me.” My body
shook.
“Yes, I did.” He smiled, brushing the hair from my eyes. With a
trembling hand I reached up and touched his cheek. His breath
quickened and his lips parted.
“It was you,” I whispered, and then everything went black.