💌 HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN TEN HATE-TEXTS

 CHAPTER 7: THE DARE

PART 3: THE KISS & THE LIE

New Rule: No kissing. Unless absolutely necessary. (Spoiler: It’s necessary.)

The universe had a sick sense of humor.

Because of course Olivia Langston—queen of chaos and Miles Carter’s ex—would throw a party the one weekend Asher and I were supposed to "prove" our relationship was real.

And of course she’d make it a "Kiss or Dare" theme.

"This is a hate crime," I muttered, glaring at the neon sign taped to Olivia’s fridge.

Asher handed me a red cup filled with something that smelled like battery acid. "Relax. We’ll just say we’re not playing."

"Oh my God, they’re here!" Olivia materialized, her grin sharp enough to cut glass. "The most shocking couple of the year!"

The living room erupted in whistles. Someone yelled, "KISS! KISS! KISS!"

Asher’s fingers brushed mine—a silent play along. "Sorry, folks. June’s a terrible kisser."

I elbowed him. "He wishes he knew."

Olivia’s eyes gleamed. "Then prove it." She held up a dare card. "Seven minutes in heaven. Together."

The crowd lost it.

Asher leaned down, his breath warm against my ear. "We could bail."

"And let them think we’re fake?" I hissed back.

His jaw tensed. "You sure?"

I wasn’t. But the alternative—admitting this was all a lie—was worse.

"Just don’t fall in love with me, Cole."

He smirked. "Wouldn’t dream of it, Junes."

Then he grabbed my hand and pulled me into the closet.

CHAPTER 8: SEVEN MINUTES IN HELL

The closet was pitch-black and smelled like old shoes and regret.

Asher’s voice was low. "We don’t have to—"

"Shut up." I fumbled for the light switch. "We’ll just sit here and—oh my God."

The single bulb flickered on, revealing walls covered in couple graffiti. *Jason + Kayla 4ever. Miguel ♡ Sasha.* And right at eye level: ASHER + MACKENZIE.

Gross.

Asher grimaced. "Yeah, that’s getting painted over."

"With fire," I agreed.

Silence. Then:

"Five minutes left," he said.

"Yep."

"We could… talk?"

"About what?"

"Why you actually hate me."

I scoffed. "Where’s the tape? I’ll list the reasons alphabetically."

"Come on." He nudged my boot with his. "What’d I really do?"

I hesitated. The truth was stupid.

"Freshman year," I muttered. "You laughed when Ben called me ‘Pyro’ after the science lab thing."

Asher went still. "That’s why?"

"It was a dick move, Cole."

"I wasn’t laughing at you," he said slowly. "I laughed because Ben tripped over his own shoelaces right after."

"Wait, what?"

"He face-planted into a trash can. It was hilarious." Asher rubbed his neck. "But you stormed off before I could explain."

I blinked. "Oh."

"Yeah. Oh."

The air between us shifted.

Then the doorknob rattled. "TIME’S UP!" Olivia sang. "DID THEY KISS?"

Asher’s eyes locked onto mine. "We need a verdict."

"We could say no—"

"They’ll call bullshit." His thumb brushed my wrist. "One kiss. Quick. Painless."

"Fine." I lifted my chin. "But I’m leading."

His lips twitched. "Wouldn’t have it any other—"

I grabbed his collar and kissed him.

It was supposed to be short. Simple. A press-and-retreat to shut everyone up.

But then Asher’s hand cradled my jaw, tilting my face up.

And oh.

His lips were soft. His grip was firm. And the way he sighed into it—like he’d been waiting—sent fireworks down my spine.

The door flew open. "HOLY SHIT!"

We broke apart, gasping.

Olivia’s eyes were wide. The crowd was screaming. And Asher?

Asher was staring at me like I’d just rewritten the laws of physics.

"Wow," he breathed.

I wiped my mouth. "Don’t get used to it."

But my heart was racing. And from the way his smirk didn’t quite reach his eyes?

His was too.

CHAPTER 9: THE LEAK

Rule #5: No telling anyone it’s fake. (Someone broke the rules.)

By Monday, the kiss was legendary.

People whispered in halls. Mackenzie glared daggers. Even teachers side-eyed us.

But the real bomb dropped at lunch.

"So." Ben slid into our table, grinning. "How much longer is this fake relationship gonna last?"

My blood ran cold. "What?"

"Oh, come on." He tossed his phone on the table. "Mackenzie told me about your little bet."

The screen showed a text thread:

MACKENZIE: Asher’s only with June for a dare.
MACKENZIE: He’s gonna dump her at the dance.
MACKENZIE: Spread the word.

Asher’s face darkened. "That’s not—"

"Save it." Ben smirked. "Whole school knows now."

The cafeteria buzzed around us. I felt sick.

Asher reached for me. "June—"

I stood so fast my chair screeched. "Don’t."

"Let me explain."

"What’s to explain?" My voice shook. "It was a bet. You won. Congrats."

I walked out.

He didn’t follow.

CHAPTER 10: THE CHOICE

I ignored his texts.

12 missed calls.

3 voicemails (deleted).

1 bouquet of sunflowers (thrown in the trash).

But when I found a single note taped to my locker—"Meet me at the dance. Please. –A"—I almost caved.

Then I remembered:

The bet.
The kiss.
The lie.

And I made my choice.

Read Part 4: The Final showdown

Part 1 of this story

 

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