Chapter 31: Bitter Sips of Truth

KARA

Fifteen minutes later, the doorbell rang, echoing throughout the home. Jason stood up from the fort, helping me up in the process.

My stomach didn’t growl much after our intimate moment, but as soon as I heard the doorbell, all hunger returned. I followed Jason as we rushed to get our food.

We opened the door to see a girl from our school holding a brown paper bag. The girl had light brown hair and large brown eyes that were checking out Jason, but they widened once she saw me.

“Thanks.” I smiled at her, too distracted by the bag full of our delicious food. Jason grinned at me while the girl pulled out the receipt and handed it to him with lovestruck eyes.

One of the many girls crushing on him.

Jason signed the paper quickly, sending her off.

“Have a nice night,” the girl shyly mumbled, scurrying away once Jason gave her the money. Jason led us toward the kitchen, setting the food on the counter as we arrived.

We didn’t hesitate—diving right into our food. I groaned in pleasure when I began eating my sweet and sour chicken. Jason laughed as I rotated bites between my fried rice and cream cheese wontons.

The hunger in me was satiated. Once we had finished eating, Jason spoke up, “We’re going to play a game.” A mischievous smile sat on his lips.

“What game?” I cocked my eyebrow, curious about what he had in mind.

“Never Have I Ever.” My eyes followed him as he grabbed a cup from the cabinet and walked back over to me.

“Ready?” Jason set the plastic cup in front of me. We were both currently sitting at his kitchen countertop. He sat across from me smirking, blue eyes blazing.

My eyes peered into the cup, and I swallowed nervously at the sight of the alcohol. I noticed it was wine, which relaxed me when I realized that it wasn’t something stronger.

“You go first.” I glanced up from the red cup. Jason’s bright blue eyes darkened slightly, and he gave me a devious grin.

This is going to either go very good or very, ~very~ bad.

“All right. I’ll start easy.” Jason moved back from the countertop and looked around the room, pretending to think of a question.

“Never have I ever,” he began and locked his eyes with mine. Butterflies were erupting in my stomach. “Done my homework on a Friday night.”

I immediately snorted loudly.

Bringing the cup to my lips, I took a sip, and my taste buds savored the sweet flavor. I’ve only done homework a few times on a Friday, to be honest.

Only because I wanted to get it out of the way when I had plans for Saturday.

“What? I said I’d go easy,” Jason replied, giving me a butt-hurt look.

“Yeah, but I wasn’t expecting it to be lame.” I rolled my eyes at him. He scoffed in annoyance. I was relieved at the same time, though.

I was grateful he was going easy, but I was also offended that he thought I couldn’t handle it.

Jason narrowed his eyes at me. “Fine.” Uh-oh. What did I do?

“Fine,” I replied while staring him down. Jason raised an eyebrow at my tone.

Sure, I was being a bit defensive—only because he wanted to go easy on me. I could handle this.

“Never have I ever had a boyfriend.” Jason gave me a dark smile, already knowing my answer. I took a drink and prepared myself for a question.

Was he trying to get me drunk? I wondered how much wine I’d have to drink until I was drunk.

I might find out.

I then realized that I could use this to my advantage to get to know him and find out a few of his dark secrets.

Jason had a past that’s been the topic of many school rumors, and I could finally find out if they’re true or not.

“Never have I ever”—my heart raced as the question left the tip of my tongue—“made out in an empty classroom.”

I stared at him as his smirk slowly turned into a grimace. We both narrowed our eyes at each other as he took a drink. My stomach dropped slightly. I couldn’t help but feel a little hurt.

This wasn’t going the right way, but I wanted to know more.

“Never have I ever made out with more than one person,” Jason began. I went to take a drink, but he added, “In one night.” My eyes widened, but I slowly continued to bring the cup back to my lips.

Anger flashed through his eyes, but it disappeared after he composed himself.

Jess, Layla, and I went to a party earlier in the year, where we played Truth or Dare with some friends. On my turn, I picked truth, and I had to be honest and pick who had softer lips between two boys.

They were close classmates I knew pretty well, so we knew it was nothing serious, so I agreed. I briefly kissed the two in order to pick, and that was that.

Jason and I were acting like none of this fazed us, but in reality, I knew that it was driving the both of us crazy. There was going to be a long talk after this.

“Never have I ever…” I hesitated, wondering if I really wanted to know the answer to what I was about to ask. I had to know, though. “Cheated.” I finished the sentence, gazing up at him to read his face.

We both remained stoic for a few seconds.

My grip tightened around my cup as I watched him drink. I could see the fire in his blue eyes that were reflecting my own.

They were no longer their bright blue. Instead, they were dark and scary, like the ocean.

The thought of him cheating became overwhelming to me. Jason had done this before, and he could do it again.

I wouldn’t be able to handle it if he cheated on me. Especially not after what Adam did. I’ve healed, but it left me scarred. I never wanted to feel that way again.

I visibly gulped.

We both jumped when Koda jumped up onto the counter. I let out a deep breath. My heart rate was abnormal due to being nervous.

Jason locked eyes with me. He looked sorry, almost hurt. Jason obviously didn’t want me to know about any of this.

“I’ll be back. I have to pee,” Jason reluctantly got up and walked out of the kitchen, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

My mind replayed the past few minutes and how it had taken a dark turn.

Jason’s phone dinged loudly on the counter, and my eyes automatically flickered to the screen.

My stomach dropped when I saw there was a new message from Sarah.

Sarah

Baby, I’m sorry about earlier and not being able to come to your party. Maybe you can come over tomorrow night? My parents won’t be home ;)

My heart twisted as I reread the words over and over. Was that the reason he wanted to go bowling out of the blue? Because Sarah couldn’t make it?

This couldn’t be real. Jason was still talking to Sarah. I was just another girl he was planning to entertain until they got back together.

Reality finally came crashing down when I looked up at Jason, who had walked back into the kitchen. “Want to just finish the movie instead?” He seemed tense.

“I’ve got to go. Charlie forgot his keys, so he needs me to let him in.” I made up an excuse so he wouldn’t know I found out.

Before he could say anything, I turned around and ran out of his house without thinking twice. Jason called my name, but I ignored him. I didn’t want to break down in front of him.

I refused to give him the satisfaction of knowing he hurt me.

Crying to him would make me weak.

I wanted to get as far away from him as possible. As soon as I reached the curb outside his home, I ran in the direction we came from.

My feet finally stopped running when I could no longer handle it. I bent over, dry-heaving and letting my tears hit the sidewalk.

It was clear our relationship wasn’t anything outside of just physical. Did he go back to Sarah when he found out I was a virgin?

A million different reasons began to rush through my mind, agonizing my heart. My back straightened, and I looked up at the clear night sky. I felt so stupid.

My hands fumbled for my phone. With shaking hands, I dialed my brother’s number.

Charlie answered right away. He must’ve still been out because I could hear people chatting in the background, along with very loud music. I almost hung up, but I didn’t want to be alone right now.

A choked sob came out. “Charlie.”

“What’s wrong?” Charlie immediately replied, his voice laced with panic.

“Can you pick me up?”

***

The familiar Jeep pulled up in front of me ten minutes later, and I was blinded by headlights. My body was shaking from standing outside in the cold.

It felt nice, though—numbing out the emotional pain. It helped more than I imagined.

“What the fuck happened?” Charlie asked as he handed me his jacket.

I opened my mouth to reply, but instead broke down crying. My body let out loud sobs, along with all the pain I felt.

I thought I was hurt when I saw Adam with another girl, but nothing compared to what I felt right now.

My heart felt completely void of everything except agony.

And that’s because I had stronger, more intense feelings toward Jason. I felt so strongly for him. He gave me such a high.

Charlie tried to soothe me, holding me while I cried all over his shirt. He began driving when the tears slowed down.

They occasionally slid down my blotchy, pink cheeks, but I had my tears under control now.

I really liked Jason. I thought maybe we could actually work, but I should’ve known—especially with the reputation he had. I should’ve listened.

We started out this sexual fling when we both got out of relationships. Oh God. Was I the ~rebound~?

My stomach churned at the thought.

A few minutes later, the car came to a stop. My eyes were staring down at my feet in order to hide my tear-streaked face.

The car turned off, and Charlie got out. A moment later, my door opened, and I was met by a cool breeze. “C’mon.” Charlie pulled me out of his Jeep.

I unbuckled myself and realized that we were at the diner. Memories of Charlie and me coming to eat here late at night flooded my mind.

We’d sit here and laugh until the sun came out. It’s been a while since we’ve been here with just the two of us.

“Give me a minute.” I motioned toward my face. My brother gave me a small nod.

I quickly reached into his glove compartment and pulled out a napkin. Taking his water bottle, I dipped the napkin in some water and began to softly wipe away the ruined makeup.

Once the mascara was all off and my face didn’t give away that I had just cried my eyes out, I got out of the car and followed Charlie to the diner’s entrance.

Charlie opened the door of the diner for me, and we both walked in. It was nearly empty, except for a few workers and the occasional late-night students thriving off of coffee to finish their paper.

Charlie led us to a secluded booth.

“Thank you,” I croaked out. Charlie sat across from me, giving me an understanding look. I knew he was dying to ask me what happened.

My heart clenched again at the thought of Jason. I felt so betrayed and humiliated.

We both sat quietly for a few minutes before the waitress came and greeted us. Charlie ordered for the both of us.

My fingers tangled themselves together. At least I found out the truth now, at the beginning of our relationship, rather than further down the road.

“What happened, Kara?” I glanced up to stare at Charlie, who looked pained from just watching me.

I took a deep breath. “I was at Jason’s tonight.” His eyebrows furrowed in confusion. I continued before he said something.

“I was going to sleep over.” My face slightly turned pink when Charlie gave me a disapproving look.

“We were playing Never Have I Ever and I asked him some questions that I really didn’t want to know, but at the same time I ~did~.” My throat swelled up. I must look wonderful right now.

Puffy eyes, messy hair, and pajamas.

I continued, “Jason left the room to cool down because it was getting tense. His phone went off and I saw a new message from ~his ex~.

“The message said she didn’t mean to cancel their plans for today, and that he should come over tomorrow because her parents won’t be home.”

I became nauseous just thinking about what they would do. That asshole.

My heart dropped when I realized that I had been the rebound. Sarah had canceled their plans, so he went with me. I was the second choice. Was that why he had asked me out? To spite Sarah? To piss her off?

The waitress showed up and set the plates down in front of us. A sweet, syrupy aroma filled my nostrils. I hummed in pleasure when I saw the chocolate chip pancakes.

“I’m going to beat the shit out of him,” Charlie said too calmly for my liking. His jaw locked tightly, ticking as he clenched.

I could see a fire in his eyes, something that only happened when he got angry. Charlie rarely ever got angry.

“Please don’t do anything. I just want to forget about him.” I had just healed from my previous breakup, and it felt as if I ripped off a scab, causing my wound to bleed again.

The taste of the pancakes blessed my taste buds. I instantly felt a little better. I hadn’t realized that I was so hungry.

Even though I had eaten quite a lot at the asshole’s house, crying built up an appetite.

As the sadness diminished, anger coursed through me. I was angry that I knew this was a possible outcome, yet still took the risk. I was angry that I should’ve realized it was a horrible idea from the start.

We had both gotten out of toxic relationships. Why would this have ever worked? The worst part was Jason ~knew~ how fucked up I felt knowing Adam had cheated.

And yet, he did the exact same thing—on the exact same day we became official.