Choose Us Page 13

  “There are some lanterns around the rooms down there. Also there are coolers filled with drinks and some snacks. Blankets and pillows are in the closets. You’ll be safe down there,” he added, noticing Taylor’s grip on me.

  I gave him a smile and then led Taylor down the lantern lined stairs.

  “They thought of everything, huh?” Taylor whispered as we made our way into the huge living area. There were a few sofas scattered around the room, with battery operated lanterns on every table, lighting the place in a soft glow. The basement must have been semi-sound proof, as I could barely make out the thunder that was non-stop upstairs. There was a stocked bar in the corner, opposite the stairs, with coolers sitting on top. On the far wall there was a huge TV, which was quite useless at the moment.

  “Well, what kind of TV show would it be if they didn’t keep us safe?” I asked as Taylor took a seat on one of the couches. I sat on the opposite end of the couch and folded my legs under me. I grabbed the blanket that was thrown over the arm of the couch and draped it over my legs.

  “I like it down here. You can’t hear or see anything that is happening up there.” Taylor tilted her chin in the direction of the stairs.

  The other girls and Travis started filing downstairs, followed closely by the crew, who had lost their big cameras in exchange for basic handheld video recorders.

  “Great, this is turning into a home video TV show. Don’t film me,” Nicki complained, taking a seat in the far corner.

  Rolling my eyes, I scooted over as Travis sat between Taylor and me on the couch. I couldn’t help but smile when I noticed he was much closer to me than Taylor. He casually slid his hand under the blanket on my lap, resting his hand on my leg. A slight blush crept onto my cheeks and I was thankful the lighting was pretty dim.

  “So, what should we do while we wait this out?” Travis asked the girls, looking at each of them. Addison and Kara had claimed the couch next to us, but Nicki was still off in the corner pouting.

  “Truth or dare!” Addison exclaimed, clapping her hands.

  “Oh God.” I groaned under my breath. The last thing I wanted to do with this group of girls was play truth or dare. It was such an impulse game I wasn’t sure I could quickly make up a lie to whatever truth they wanted. Travis squeezed my leg.

  “Just don’t use my name.” He breathed so quietly I wasn’t even sure he was talking to anyone.

  I wanted to laugh that he knew what I was thinking, but I suppose he was thinking the same thing. If any of the girls were to ask him about his past, I would be in the story 95% of the time from the age eleven onward.

  “I’m in.” Kara grinned looking excited.

  “Me too!” Taylor smiled from the other side of Travis. She was looking a lot more relaxed since we came to the basement.

  “Why not?” Travis laughed, relaxing back into the couch, rubbing my leg gently.

  “I feel like we’re in high school, but fine.” Nicki stood up and made her way to the empty couch in our circle.

  All eyes turned to me, waiting expectantly.

  I rolled my eyes. “Fine, I’ll do it.”

  “We should set some rules though.” Travis spoke up quickly. All eyes shot to him as he continued, “First, no dares to kiss me. I know that’s what a lot of dares are all about, but right now I just don’t feel comfortable doing it in front of all of you.”

  A few of the girls’ faces fell, especially Nicki’s. I had to suppress my smile. I was so glad he made that rule—I wouldn’t have to see him kiss another girl, and by default have to punch her in the face.

  “Also, there should be a penalty if you don’t want to answer the truth or do the dare.” Travis eyed the bar happily.

  I followed his gaze. “Oh no.” I groaned knowing where this was going.

  Travis got up and walked around the bar to grab a bottle of tequila. “Shots are the penalty.” He grabbed six shot glasses, a few limes from the basket on the corner of the bar, a salt shaker and a knife and cutting board, before coming back to our little circle and dropping them on the coffee table.

  “I’m not sure tequila shots are a good idea,” I said, staring wide-eyed at Travis.

  “It’ll make you all more truthful.” He grinned wickedly before settling back in next to me.

  The camera crew started securing spots around the circle, getting good angles of all of us.

  Oh, this is not going to be good.

  Travis sat forward and quickly sliced the limes into wedges and poured tequila into each shot glass before handing them out to us. He licked the back of his hand near his thumb and poured a little salt on it, passing the salt and the limes around the group. He nodded for us to do the same. After we all had a lime wedge and salty hands he lifted his shot glass.

  “Here’s to an interesting game of truth or dare.” Travis clanked his glass to ours before licking the salt, downing the shot and sucking on the lime.

  Oh hell!

  I followed suit, salt-tequila-lime. I sucked every last drop of juice out of the lime in attempts to get the tequila taste out of my mouth.

  The rest of the girls followed. Taylor cringed slightly when she did the shot. Addison and Kara seemed like pros—downing their shots without any facial expressions, with Kara forgoing the lime all together. Nicki sipped her tequila, taking a full five minutes to get the whole shot glass down, and she puckered her mouth when she sucked the lime.

  “Okay, who wants to start?” Travis smiled to each of the girls.

  “I’ll go.” Nicki chimed up. “Travis, truth or dare?”

  “Truth.”

  Nicki’s face fell, “Okay, have you ever had a one night stand?”

  I chuckled under my breath; Travis has had his fair share of one night stands. Wonder if he was going to be truthful to the rest of the girls. Who knows what kind of light that would paint him in?

  Travis chewed the inside of his cheek—it was a nervous habit of his. I’m sure he was debating on whether or not he wanted to air his dirty laundry to the girls. I really didn’t see what the issue was. If the girls read anything about him, they would know the rumors. Plus, if what he says is true, he is going to choose me in the end, and I know every freaking thing about the man.

  After a breath, Travis answered, “Yes I have.” He glanced over at me. “I’m not proud of it.”

  I looked over at the other girls, judging their reaction. For the most part they all looked as if they knew this information already. Nicki now had a gleam in her eye, probably hoping he’d hook up with her later tonight.

  Psht. Never going to happen, bitch.

  “Okay, um, Kara, truth or dare?” Travis broke the silence, moving the game forward.

  “Oh, uh… truth,” Kara responded with surprise.

  “Have you ever gone skinny dipping?”

  Without batting an eye, Kara responded, “Of course. Many times. I’m willing to do it again if you have it in mind.”

  The room laughed and Travis’ cheeks turned slightly pink before he cleared his throat and took a shot of tequila.

  “Riley, truth or dare?” Kara asked with a laugh.

  “Truth.” I groaned inwardly hoping it was going to be easy.

  “First kiss—what age, how and who?” she rattled off.

  I paused before answering, smiling a little as I remembered exactly when and how it happened. And of course, who it was with.

  “I was 11; I was over at my best friend’s house for his birthday party. We were in the basement with a group of friends playing games when someone had the bright idea to play spin the bottle. Anyway, he went first, spun the bottle and it landed on me. It was the quickest most awkward peck ever!”

  “Awe, your best friend was a guy? Do you still talk to him?” Taylor asked from the other side of Travis.

  “Um, yeah. We’re still best friends.” I was glad it was dark, so the girls couldn’t see the blush creeping up my face.

  “How sweet would that have been if you fell in love with your best fri
end?” Taylor sighed.

  “Yeah, stupid guy for letting you go,” Travis mumbled.

  I just rolled my eyes. This was all getting a little too awkward.

  “Okay, um…” I eyed the girls in the group. “Nicki, truth or dare.”

  “Dare.” Nicki didn’t even hesitate in answering.

  “Okay, um, I dare you to tell the truth. Have you ever cheated on a boyfriend?”

  Nicki rolled her eyes, “First of all, that isn’t even a dare. But since I’m sure it’s all your tiny brain could even think of, I’ll answer.”

  “Did you really just say that?” I started to push the blanket off of me. But Travis grabbed my leg before I could get up and pummel her.

  Lucky her.

  “Of course I have. Who hasn’t?” Nicki continued without even acknowledging me. She glanced around the room, taking in everyone’s slightly stunned faces. “I mean seriously, show of hands, who hasn’t cheated on their partner?”

  I raised my hand, along with the rest of the girls and Travis.

  “Oh, well shit,” Nicki mumbled and slumped back into her chair.

  I really hope this changes things in Travis’ eyes.

  “Well this is awkward.” Addison broke the silence.

  “Okay Addison, which do you pick?” Nicki hissed at her.

  “Oh hell, dare, why not?” She leaned forward staring at Nicki. “Give me your worst.”

  “I dare you to do a body shot off of Travis.” Nicki smirked.

  Addison glanced over at Travis warily.

  Travis shrugged. “Either way you’ll have to take a shot.”

  “Oh what the hell, lift your shirt up, I’m going to lick some salt off those abs.” Addison grinned, pouring herself a shot. Nicki’s face turned sour as Addison accepted her dare; apparently she thought Addison was going to be too shy to do anything like that. I kind of loved that Addison proved her wrong—and kind of hated Addison for what she was about to do.

  Travis laughed and grabbed a lime wedge, he lifted his shirt, and he rubbed the lime lightly across a small portion of his stomach. He then placed the lime between his teeth. Addison knelt in front of him, shaking salt lightly on the wet spot left by the lime.

  “You ready?” She didn’t wait for a response as she ducked her head and dragged her tongue across Travis’ stomach, licking up the salt. For good measure, or just to piss me off even more, she ran her tongue back over the space, then placed small kisses over the spot.

  Travis knew me better than I thought, as he gripped my leg to keep me in place. Seriously, were these girls asking to get punched tonight?

  We all watched as Addison slowly ran her body up against his until her mouth was right next to his. She gave him a smirk, downed the shot and immediately latched onto his mouth, sucking the juice from the lime and sneaking in a kiss along with it.

  When she pulled back, she had the lime between her smug lips. I balled my fists in my lap and bit my lip to keep from jumping at her.

  Seriously, when did I become this hostile? It must be the alcohol.

  “You broke the rules, Addison.” Travis rubbed his thumb across his lips grinning. “I think that calls for another shot.”

  “Well worth it.” Addison laughed, pouring herself another shot and shooting it. She settled back into her seat before speaking up again. “Taylor, you’ve been way too quiet over there, truth or dare?”

  “I thought if I just kept quiet, you all would forget about me.” Taylor spoke up from the other side of Travis.

  “No way, if I have to play, so do you!” I leaned in front of Travis giving her a wink.

  She just rolled her eyes in my direction and answered Addison with, “Truth.”

  “What is your wildest sexual fantasy?” Addison slurred out. Apparently the few shots she had were quickly catching up to her.

  “What?!” Taylor exclaimed. “No, no, I can’t answer that!”

  “Guess you’ll be doing a shot then.” Nicki grabbed the tequila and poured Taylor a shot.

  “Oh come on! That was hardly a fair question!” Taylor exclaimed begrudgingly taking the shot Nicki was holding out. She frowned at the shot glass, but downed it like a pro.

  “Okay, Travis, truth or dare?” Taylor asked as she set the shot glass back on the coffee table.

  “Probably should do a dare this time,” he said sounding both excited and nervous.

  “Ha, okay, I dare you to do a quick strip tease…say 60 seconds.” The room burst out laughing.

  “Oh, you have to do this!” Kara exclaimed.

  “Yes, definitely, we need to see those abs again!” Addison added.

  Nicki looked like she was about to attack him.

  “Oh fine. I pick the music though, and someone needs to be on the timer.” Travis stood and pulled out his phone, scrolling through his music list.

  “I’ll be the timer!” I all but yelled. At least I could have control over something in this situation.

  “Why do you get to keep your phone?” Nicki whined.

  “Because I’m awesome.” Travis smirked. “But really, I have some important calls to take throughout the day; I need to have my phone.” He pulled up a song and handed me his phone. “Just hit play when I’m ready, then up here is the timer, start it when I start.”

  I glanced down at the phone and burst out laughing. He had “Pour Some Sugar on Me” selected to play. Before anyone could question my outburst Travis had moved to the open area at the end of the couch and cleared his throat, nodding at me to start the music.

  I pushed play then quickly started the timer. No way was I letting this go longer than a minute.

  Travis started moving his hips side to side with the music. As great of an athlete as he was, he was a horrible dancer. He started unbuttoning his plaid shirt slowly. Finally he reached the last button and let the shirt fall from his shoulder then twirled it over his head before flinging it across the room. A few of the girls screamed with excitement. I just glanced at the timer hoping it showed the minute was up.

  Nope. Only twenty seconds have gone by. What the crap? What else is he going to take off?

  Travis started thrusting his hips and reached down to unbutton his pants.

  More screaming from the horny beasts in the room.

  I looked down again, 30 seconds left. When I glanced back up at Travis, he had his pants unbuttoned and was slowly unzipping them.

  Nope. Not happening!

  “Time! Time’s up!” I screamed into the room. I flicked off the music, plunging us into silence. At the same moment, the electricity came back up, lighting up the room, nearly blinding us all.

  Travis gave us all his sexy smirk, zipped and buttoned his pants before walking over to grab his shirt. Once he had that back on, he walked over to me and took his phone back.

  “Ladies and Travis, the storm has officially passed us and it is clear to head back upstairs now.” Jim announced from the bottom of the steps.

  “Well, I guess that concludes our truth or dare night.” Travis laughed at the groans from the girls.

  “But it was just getting good!” Addison complained as she stood up and followed Kara and Nicki to the stairs.

  Taylor stood up next and turned to us. “Thank you for looking out for me tonight. I know I was being a big baby about it all.”

  “I was glad to help.” I smiled at her.

  Taylor paused at the bottom step looking at me. “Are you going to come up?”

  “Oh, um, I’m going to help Travis clean up,” I said.

  “Okay. See you tomorrow.” She waved at us as she headed upstairs.

  “Good night,” Travis called up to her as she walked out of sight.

  I grabbed the shot glasses and tequila from the table and took them over to the bar sink. I placed the tequila back on the shelf and started washing the glasses, while Travis came up behind me with the cutting board and knife.

  “I saw what you did there,” he whispered in my ear, sending chills through my body.


  “Yeah, what was that?” I asked, even though I knew exactly what he was talking about. I finished rinsing the last glass when Travis spun me around, placing his hands on the sink on either side of me.

  “You stopped at forty seconds. I still had twenty more seconds to show the ladies what I got!” he whispered it in my ear before placing kisses along my jawline.

  “Yeah. The ladies don’t need to see what you have.” I breathed, leaning into his kisses. “And I felt bad for you, so I called it early.” It was a lie. And now Travis knew just how much I liked him.

  Travis laughed against my neck. “You got it bad.”

  “Shut up!” I shoved him slightly smiling.

  “Come here.” He pulled me into his arms, placing a soft kiss on my lips, before pulling me into a hug.

  “Suppose we should go upstairs,” I mumbled into his chest, not wanting to let him go.

  “Suppose so.” He sighed pulling away from me. “If it stops raining, come over tonight.” He walked me to the stairs.

  “We’ll see.” I winked at him, before bolting up the stairs, hearing his laughter behind me.

  I made it to my room without bumping into anyone else. Exhausted from either the time or the alcohol, I collapsed on the bed, pulling the quilt over me and falling quickly asleep.

  A few days passed and Travis and I fell into a routine. He’d come to the house and visit with the girls. He was as big a flirt as ever to the ladies, which definitely tested my patience. He had a one-on-one date with Addison, and that night at elimination he sent her home. He told me afterward that she talked about her ex the entire time and it was very clear she wasn’t over him. In fact, Addison looked relieved to be leaving.

  So now it was down to four—Kara, Nicki, Taylor and I. Two more eliminations until the finale and then the show was over. I couldn’t wait.

  This morning a note arrived for Taylor announcing she had the individual date with Travis today. She had been a nervous wreck all morning long, not knowing what to wear or how to do her hair or what to talk about. Finally I took pity on her and picked out an outfit, styled her hair in a soft side braid and gave her a pep talk. She seemed a lot calmer when Travis came to pick her up at six for their dinner date.