Chapter One
Brent
“Okay, okay—” Hunter was laughing too hard to speak. He was definitely going to be passing out soon. Years later and the poor guy couldn’t handle his liquor any better than he could freshman year of high school.
“Bro, what are even trying to say?” I asked him, grinning. He was usually the life of our small group. He was the jokester, but after tonight, the joke would be on him. The guy hadn’t even lasted thirty minutes into our drinking game.
We were playing Cards Against Humanity, and the person whose card was chosen had to drink a shot.
Should have known Hunter was going to be the first one out of the game. He couldn’t even stop laughing long enough to read his card to us.
“Screw this,” James laughed, tossing his cards on the table. “He can’t even read his card.”
Hunter was still laughing.
I grinned and picked up my beer, taking a sip. “Well, what do you suggest we do?” I asked James. “He’s going to pass out soon.”
James grinned and snatched my phone off the charger, tossing it to me. “I dare you to prank text a random number with a picture of your—”
“Seriously?” I deadpanned, cutting him off. “That’s what you want me to do?”
James nodded in all seriousness, though his grin was splitting his face. “You made me in freshman year of high school, and I’m finally getting my revenge.” I had dared him to in high school, but I didn’t think he would actually do it. Turned out, he sent it to the freaking principal and got suspended for ten days. It was a nightmare, and he never lived it down. Even the valedictorian at graduation had included him in her speech.
Hopefully, I wouldn’t make the same mistake he had.
“Okay,” I grunted, setting my beer down. I stood up from the couch. “I’ll go.”
“I want to see proof!” he called after me.
I shot him a disgusted look. “You want to see my junk?” I demanded.
He grimaced, making me snicker. “On second thought, no. I will gladly trust your word on this.”
I snorted.
~*~*~
Jodie
I frowned at the random number that popped up on my screen, blocking the part of the book that I was trying to read. Should I have been studying for my upcoming algebra exam? Yes. Was I? No.
Instead, I was reading one of the many books on my reading app.
What could I say?
Priorities, you know?
Sighing, I clicked on the icon. I did sometimes offer English tutoring, so maybe someone I’d tutored had passed off my number. It would be a blessing if they had. Because your girl here was tired of chicken-flavored ramen noodles.
My eyes widened at the unsolicited picture on the screen. My cheeks flamed red. I quickly glanced at my roommate, double-checking that she was sleeping. Thankfully, she was. She was even lightly snoring.
I think you’ve got the wrong number. Text another girl who actually likes these sorts of pics.
I quickly deleted the thread after I sent the message and tried to go back to my smutty novel, but the problem was, that image was now burned into my head.
Get a grip, Jodie, I scolded myself.
That same number texted back, blocking my book once again. Now, I was beginning to get annoyed.
Who said it had to be the wrong number? Don’t pretend you don’t like it, babe.
Oh, jeez.
He was one of those guys.
I rolled my eyes and ignored the message, going back to my book. A few minutes passed—enough for me to finish my chapter—before another message came through.
Sorry. I did it on a dare. I didn’t mean to upset you if I did. See, funny story actually. I dared my best friend in freshman year of high school to send one of those pics to a random number, and he accidentally sent it to our principal. I snorted, laughing softly. He finally decided to get revenge, though he’s disappointed you weren’t angry.
Unable to help myself, I quickly typed out a response.
Sorry to disappoint your friend.
What else was I supposed to say? It wasn’t like I knew how to flirt. My experience with guys was basically nonexistent. I wasn’t good with them. Face to face, I was nervous with them.
I was a train wreck. Sue me.
Eh, he’ll get over it. He’s probably going to pass out soon, anyway. Seems like none of my friends can hold their liquor. Is it cool if I text you tomorrow? I’d like to get to know you when I’m not half drunk.
I frowned. Chances were, he probably wouldn’t even remember this happening tomorrow, and he’d delete the threads and move on with his life.
I would be safe.
Sure.
I didn’t get another message for the rest of the night, and I finally fell asleep at three in the morning after my book ended in a happily ever after. And for some reason, I went to sleep wondering what the owner of that picture looked like.
Get a grip, Jodie, I told myself for the second time that night. He won’t even remember you in the morning.
