Truth or Dare Read online

  “Okay…well, I was just calling to check on you and…to tell you that I mailed the invitations today!” Her mother’s excitement brought a smile to her face.

  “That’s great, Mom! I’m fine. It’s just been a long day.” Her mother had met her fiancé, Peter, almost two years ago now. Sophie had gotten used to seeing him on her weekend trips home to visit her mom after she moved away to attend school. Peter was a police officer that had pulled her mother over for a broken taillight. They said that it only took that brief moment for them to realize there was something between them. Peter had been in her mother’s life ever since. Her mother had dedicated her life to raising Sophie and working as much as she could to pay the bills. Sophie liked knowing that she was finally living for herself. Peter was the first and only man she introduced to Sophie. She had known her mother had dated over the years, but she kept that part of her life separate. Sophie only ever saw the fallout of those relationships.

  Sophie was reluctant at first when she met Peter, but he had proven himself over that last few years and over that time Sophie began to accept him. Her reservations fell away and she could see the man that had swept her mother off her feet. She was grateful for Peter’s timing in coming into her mother’s life—it gave Sophie peace of mind that her mother wasn’t alone. Peter gave a new brightness to her mother’s eyes that Sophie had never seen before, and that was priceless.

  “Don’t work too hard, honey.”

  “Is there any other way?” Sophie responded with sarcastic humor. Since Sophie was able to help her mother with the bills, she did whatever she could. She worked as many hours as possible without letting her schoolwork suffer. She also saved for university from the first paycheck. Sophie insisted on her independence as soon as she was capable, especially now that her mother was finally creating a foundation for her new life, planning her wedding and buying a home with Peter.

  “Love you, honey. Call me if you need anything.”

  “I will. Love you too, Mom.” Sophie hung up the phone and reached for her things that still lay haphazardly in her entranceway. When she grabbed her purse from the floor, she shrieked as a furry creature ran between her legs.

  ***

  Sophie banged on her landlord’s door without mercy. She knew he was home; she could hear his television. “Mr. Cleary!” Sophie called through the door. There were only three apartments in the townhouse, which was converted into rentals, and her landlord resided in the lower unit. Mr. Cleary was the perfect embodiment of the worst landlord on the face of the Earth as far as Sophie was concerned. Unfortunately the lack of apartments that she could afford in the downtown area meant that she was stuck with him for now.

  “Mr. Cleary, I know you’re in there. I need to speak with you.” She leaned against the wall in frustration.

  “Last week I had to camp out there when my showerhead broke and I am still waiting for the plumber to show up that he promised me. Luckily my boy toy likes the fact that I go over there to shower.” Mel winked as she stomped down the stairs in her black lace-up boots that tied all the way up to mid-thigh. Mel lived in the upper floor apartment. Sophie had met her the first day she had moved into the building. Sophie’s mother had helped her move and was helping her unpack when Mel walked in to introduce herself. Mel had worn the same boots as she did now, with a tight black leather mini skirt and see-through shirt. Her makeup had been applied so heavily that Sophie could not even picture what she really looked like beneath the layers. Her shoulder length hair was backcombed and sprayed heavily with sparkles. It was during this first encounter that Mel had informed them that she was a stripper and had just come from work. The look of panic on her mother’s face was priceless. Sophie had learned quickly that Mel loved making people unsettled.

  Two years had passed and Sophie had grown fond of her neighbor and appreciated her straightforwardness. There was no fluff with Mel, and Sophie could always count on her for the raw truth. It had taken many hours of convincing her mother to let her stay, though, especially after they had the luxury of meeting Mr. Cleary.

  “Hey, Mel.” Sophie sighed half-heartedly. “My furry friends are back.”

  “Yeah, those furry little shits have been leaving their mark in my apartment too. Let me know if you have any luck with the fat piece of fuck.” Mel inclined her head toward Mr. Cleary’s door. “Off to shake my money maker.” Mel swayed her hips exaggeratedly. “By the way, a little concealer would do those dark circles some good,” she said as she continued down the stairs, leaving a trail of overpowering perfume.

  “Love you too,” Sophie called after her sarcastically.

  Sophie jumped as Mr. Cleary’s door swung open. “What?” he barked, raking his gaze up and down Sophie’s entire body. Sophie stepped back. Mr. Cleary wore a white sleeveless shirt with stains down the front of his round stomach, gray torn jogging pants, and bare feet. What remained of his hair was unkempt and in need of a good washing. He rubbed his unshaven face and looked at Sophie from his dark beady eyes.

  “The mice are back. You have to do something about them.” Sophie crossed her arms over her chest. She learned long ago that pleasantries did nothing for Mr. Cleary. He took advantage of any niceties to buy himself time.

  “I haven’t noticed any mice. You sure it wasn’t your imagination?” He breathed heavily as he leaned against the door frame. A permanent sheen of perspiration always beaded upon his forehead.

  “Oh I’m positive.” Sophie narrowed her eyes and tapped her foot.

  “I’ll check it out,” he grunted. If Sophie wasn’t already late she would have stayed and made sure he followed through, but she had to leave for work. She knew that nothing would come of their conversation because “I’ll check it out” was Mr. Cleary’s usual response, which translated to “I’ll do nothing.” Sophie rolled her eyes as Mr. Cleary disappeared back into his apartment, slamming the door.

  ***

  “I’m here!” Sophie called into the back room as she grabbed her apron from the wall hook.

  “Your perfect record is broken, Sophie.” Sam shook his head in playful disappointment. He was tall, with a kind smile and attractive charm. Sam wore his dark hair short with a heavy five o’clock shadow covering his cheeks. He was a runner and the effects showed in his slim, toned physique. Sophie had always liked Sam’s company. He was always warm and friendly to her.

  The other waitresses had always teased her about Sam’s infatuation with her; until recently she'd brushed the comments aside, thinking they were being ridiculous. Last week, however, their comments seemed less outlandish. Sophie had walked into the kitchen carrying a tray of plates and accidently walked into Sam. She luckily caught the tray before it slipped from her grasp. His hands found their way on her, helping her find her footing, but they lingered way too long for a helpful hand. The way he looked into her eyes made her breath catch in her throat. Now she wasn’t sure what to think. When it came to men, Sophie was completely unsure of herself. Since she'd been old enough to work she'd thrown herself into it. Her mission was to make enough money to pay for school so her mother didn’t have to take on a third job. She never allowed time for dating.

  Sophie was never good at reading people and tended to avoid any attention that brought the possibility of something more. She didn’t have time for dating because she was focused on keeping her head out of the water. Now, when she found herself in Sam’s company she feared their relationship had changed. She no longer felt at ease in his company. She preferred keeping her head down and getting from point A to point B without any distractions. There was also the huge fact that he was her manager. Fear of the potential fallout and what that meant for her employment far outweighed anything good that could come of an intimate relationship.

  Especially when she listened to the other girls speak of their numerous failed attempts at finding love. Sophie didn’t believe that two people could fall in lasting love like in all the fairytales from childhood. The only love she believed in was between a mother a
nd child. She wished she could go back to before she knew of his attraction. It was so much simpler then. Feelings always complicated matters. She didn’t like complicated. Ugh!

  “Anything wrong?” he asked with concern.

  “No…I was trying to get my landlord to deal with the mice running rampant in my apartment. I’m really sorry. I lost track of time.” She gave him a tight smile, nothing too inviting.

  Sam leaned in and placed his hand on her shoulder. She watched his eyes follow the touch of his hand and slowly move back to meet her gaze. “I was…”

  “Oh good, Sophie, you’re here! I need a break.” Megan stomped into the kitchen, hanging her apron on the hook.

  Sophie let out a relieved breath, thankful for the interruption. Sam pulled his hand away quickly. Megan raised her eyebrow toward Sophie when Sam turned to leave. Sophie only shrugged in response. She had no idea what to think of it. Sam was attractive, anyone who looked at him knew that, but Sophie couldn’t help the uneasy feeling that bloomed within her at the thought of something more between them.

  “Don’t forget you promised to come out with us tonight,” Megan called as she skipped off toward the washrooms.

  “Yeah, yeah.” Sophie took a deep breath and pushed through the doors out into the dining room. She forced a smile on her face and immersed herself in her job.

  The restaurant was one of the busiest in town, which meant Sophie never stopped her entire shift, especially when she worked the evening rush. She liked the fast pace—time slipped away—and before long her shift would be over. The other waiters and waitresses were good company and they had all became close over the two years that she’d worked there. Many of them would get together after work, but Sophie usually passed because she was eager to get home and paint. Painting consumed much of her free time as well as her passion for reading and sewing, all of which were not conducive to a very exciting social life.

  “Hottie alert.” Lori brushed past Sophie as she nodded toward one of Sophie’s tables that the hostess had seated. Sophie approached the table.

  “What would you like this evening?” She smiled despite her exhaustion. Her new heels were wreaking havoc on her feet and her skirt suddenly seemed too short as one of the guys skimmed her legs with his eyes before looking up at her.

  “That depends on what you are offering.” Sophie’s smile fell away when she noticed who had spoken to her.

  “Seriously!” Sophie narrowed her eyes at Ashton. It irritated her how attractive he was. She tried to suppress the urge to slap his face. How can you completely adore and despise dimples at the same time? Nothing like the seduction of evil, it would be safer to throw herself off a bridge than to even admit that he affected her.

  “Must be fate.” He raised his brows suggestively.

  “I don’t believe in fate. What do you want to drink this evening?” She turned her attention to Ashton’s company, trying to ignore the beacon of awareness that pulled her to him like a moth to a flame.

  “You don’t believe in fate and you don’t believe in love. Tell me what you do believe in, then?”

  “I see you’ve already met my brother.” Sophie jumped at Megan’s unexpected arrival.

  “Your brother?” Sophie tried to recover gracefully, placing a hand upon her chest to calm her beating heart.

  Megan introduced the dark haired gentleman sitting beside Ashton. “Sophie, this is Jack, my older brother.” Jack winked at Sophie and his smile lit up his features as he reached across the table to shake Sophie’s hand.

  “It is a pleasure, Sophie.” His gave her hand a gentle squeeze. His polite behavior was like a refreshing drink compared to the unrelenting heat that Ashton’s presence brought.

  “He’s coming out with us tonight, along with the rest of these losers.” Megan teased the guys at the table. Sophie immediately saw the similarities between Megan and Jack once Megan had introduced him. They both had the same dark hair and similar eyes.

  “You’re all coming out tonight?” Sophie tried to make her voice sound casual. Her gaze settled on Ashton, who was looking back at her with arrogance. “All of you?” she repeated, waiting for specific confirmation from Ashton.

  “We can catch up on old times.” Ashton leaned back and looked up at her through his illegally long dark lashes. He’s a jerk. He’s a jerk. Don’t look at those eyes!

  “You two know each other?” Megan raised her eyebrows, waiting for an explanation. For a moment Sophie thought she saw disappointment flash on Megan’s face.

  “Yeah, we go way back.” Ashton waved his hand to dramatize his point.

  “Yeah, way back to hating each other,” Sophie offered stiffly.

  “Hate is such a strong word.” Ashton placed his hand on his chest in mock hurt. “I’m sure we can be civil for one night. Can’t we, Sophie?”

  Sophie watched Megan’s smile turn genuine once again. Megan seemed relieved to find out they were enemies. She could see the obvious attraction Megan had for Ashton. The way her eyes lingered on him and the way her voice was slightly off when she spoke to him gave it away.

  “You promised, Sophie.” Megan nudged her.

  Sophie closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. “Of course.” She forced enthusiasm for Megan’s sake. She had promised Megan that she would go out with the girls for the night. She was starting to feel like this was a ploy to try to hook her up with Jack. Megan had made a few comments about how she thought Sophie would be a good match for her brother. Megan’s intentions were starting to unfold, and Sophie was starting to dread the evening to come. She would know better next time not to promise Megan something without getting all the details first.

  “So were you two a couple or something?” Megan asked, looking between Ashton and Sophie.

  “No, definitely not,” Sophie answered quickly, breaking into an awkward laugh. “God, no.” She quickly composed herself when she realized how rude she was beginning to sound. Clearing her throat, she tried to redeem herself. “It was never anything like that.”

  Jack nudged Ashton’s arm. “I never thought I would see the day that a girl didn’t like Ashton. Well, at least not before he—”

  “Hey now.” Ashton cut Jack off before he could finish his sentence.

  “I can appreciate a woman who can see past Ashton’s pretty face.” The guy sitting on the other side of Jack smiled at Sophie. “I like you already.” It was the first time their friend had spoken up. He was pleasant to look at with an innocent boy next door look. He had neatly trimmed brown hair and friendly eyes.

  “Tonight is going to be so much fun.” Megan smiled. “I need to get moving before I get in trouble.” Megan gave a small wave as she left their table.

  Sophie wished she could be as optimistic about tonight as Megan, but when she looked up and caught the wicked glint in Ashton’s eyes, she knew she was doomed.

  Chapter Three

  Sophie didn’t have time to make or even shop for an appropriate outfit for the evening, not to mention the lack of funds she currently had. After raiding her closet and coming up short with inspiration the day before, she had asked Mel if she could borrow something.

  What was I thinking? Sophie stared at her reflection in the bathroom mirror of the restaurant, annoyed that she hadn’t bothered to try on the options Mel gave her before now. They both looked fine on the hanger, but now that she tried them on she realized she should have known better than to assume they would work.

  Out of the two dresses, only one covered enough skin to make it appropriate for a public appearance and it was still pushing it. It hugged her every curve in a form-fitting style and was a little too revealing along the neckline for her ample chest. A knot formed in the pit of her stomach with the anticipation of the night to come.

  Sophie ran her fingers through her hair, untangling her loose waves. She always had her hair up for work and class, and she couldn’t remember the last time she had worn it down. She hadn’t really paid attention to how long it was getting u
ntil now as it cascaded down her back in a dark curtain.

  “Are you ready?” Megan walked in the bathroom. “Holy shit, Sophie!”

  “I know. I borrowed it without trying it on first. Maybe I should just go home.” Sophie’s voice sounded deflated.

  “What’s up?” Lori was on Megan’s heels. “Wow, Sophie. You look so hot.”

  “I think my brother is going to die when he sees what you were hiding under your uniform,” Megan gushed.

  “I wish you would have told me that was your plan. I don’t like being set up.” Sophie tried to keep her mood calm but the uneasy feeling was setting her on edge.

  “But you would have said no,” Megan complained guiltily.

  “Exactly.” Sophie glared at her.

  “Just tonight. Please…I promise I won’t do it again.” Megan bit her lip innocently and batted her eyes. “Besides, he’s expecting you. You don’t want to crush his dreams, do you?”

  Sophie rolled her eyes. “Fine.” She sighed. “But you owe me.”

  “Yay! So what’s with you and Ashton, anyway? Did something happen between you two?” Megan asked nervously. Sophie knew the question was on Megan’s tongue since she had discovered they had history. She was surprised she waited this long to ask.

  “No, nothing like that. It was more of a story of hate at first sight. His evil girlfriend made my life hell in school. My high school years pretty much consisted of hiding from the wrath of the great Ashton and Lucinda. It’s never a wise thing to make enemies with the most popular kids on the first day at a new school. It means certain doom for your social life.”

  “Well, I can’t see him hating you tonight unless he’s gay.” Lori turned her lips down.

  “Let’s go.” Megan pulled the door open, leading the way. “You made a great impression on Jack.” Megan said. “He thinks you’re lovely!”