Chapter 3

Lena’s POV

Jace grabbed the empty bottle again, holding it up with a shit-eating grin.

“Alright, let’s keep this moving before someone chicken-shits out. Lena…,” he gave me a wink without another word.

I exhaled, my heart racing unnecessarily.

Sophie nudged my knee. “You good?”

“Yeah,” I lied.

I watched the bottle spin across the scuffed floor. It wobbled, slowed, and finally stopped with the neck pointed straight at me.

The circle went quiet for half a second. Jace’s grin widened. “Truth or dare, new blood?”

My mouth moved before my brain caught up. “Dare.”

The second the word left my mouth, I wanted to take it back. Too late. Everyone started whooping.

“Make it good!” someone yelled from the back.

Jace looked around the room like he was searching for the most chaotic dare possible. His eyes landed on Roman, still leaning against the kitchen counter with that same unreadable expression. Then his gaze shifted toward Tyler, who was standing near the hallway with Marie.

Something clearly clicked in his head.

“Alright,” Jace announced, loud enough for half the room to hear. “Lena has to kiss Roman Vale. Full on. No cheek bullshit.”

The room exploded. People shouted. Someone dropped a cup. Mia’s mouth fell open, while Blossom let out a low laugh.

Tyler’s expression changed instantly from where he stood with Marie. His jaw tightened, and his eyes went hard. I knew that look. It was the same one he got right before a fight on the ice. Marie shifted beside him, crossing her arms as she watched me.

My stomach flipped. Every instinct told me to refuse. I didn’t want some stupid dare deciding what I did, and I definitely didn’t want to become tonight’s entertainment.

I opened my mouth to say no. Then I saw Tyler watching me. Waiting for me to back down, just like he expected me to cry and scream earlier.

If I refused because of him, he would still have control over my reaction. He would still get to decide what this night meant.

Fuck that.

I stood.

The circle parted as everyone watched me cross the room. My heart was pounding so hard I could feel it in my throat.

Roman watched me the entire way. He didn’t smirk. He didn’t look nervous. He simply followed my approach with those dark eyes, his expression slowly becoming more focused.

I stopped in front of him. Up close, I caught the faint scent of his cologne mixed with clean soap.

“I’m not asking for permission,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “I just need to know if you’re going to back out.”

Something changed in his expression. The boredom disappeared. His jaw flexed once as he looked at me, like he was seeing me properly for the first time.

“I’m not backing out,” he said, his voice deep, like danger.

That was all I needed. I stepped closer, grabbed a fistful of his hoodie, and kissed him. I expected it to feel awkward. It didn’t.

The second our lips met, a sharp rush of nerves went through me. His lips were warm and firm, and for one second, he didn't move. Then his hand came up to the side of my neck, his fingers brushing into my hair as he kissed me back.

It wasn't soft. It wasn't careful. It was intense enough to make me forget there were dozens of people watching us.

My pulse raced, just as my fingers tightened around his hoodie without me even realizing it.

When I finally pulled away, the silence hit me. Nobody was yelling anymore. Nobody was laughing. The entire party was staring.

I looked past Roman’s shoulder and caught Tyler’s expression. He looked furious. Marie stood beside him with her arms wrapped around herself, her mouth slightly open.

Roman slowly lowered his hand from my neck, but his eyes stayed on mine. They looked darker now.

I took a step back, my chest still rising and falling too quickly. The adrenaline was still rushing through me, but underneath it was something else. Relief.

For the first time that night, I didn't feel like Tyler controlled the story. I had made my own choice. And somehow, that felt damn good.