Chapter 30

Truth, Dare, and a Love Confession

After dinner, they sprawled across the living room, still basking in the warmth of laughter and celebration. Jason stretched lazily before smirking. "Alright, birthday boy, time for some real fun. Let's play Truth or Dare."

Preston perked up. "Yes! And I can finally drink now that I'm legal!" He grabbed a bottle of wine, grinning like a child who had just been handed candy.

Caleb, arms crossed, watched him with a raised brow. "You know there's nothing special about drinking, right? I really don't want you getting drunk."

Jason gasped dramatically. "Killjoy alert! Caleb, let the boy live a little. It's his birthday, for crying out loud!"

Annabel nodded in agreement. "Exactly. Just let him have fun for once!"

Reluctantly, Caleb sighed. "Fine. But don't blame me when you wake up regretting it."

Jason grinned and clapped his hands together. "Alright, ground rules—no skipping dares, and if you refuse a truth, you drink." He grabbed a bottle of whiskey and smirked. "Let the games begin!"

The first round started light, with a few harmless dares, but soon, Jason turned to Preston, eyes gleaming mischievously. "Alright, birthday boy—truth or dare?"

Preston hesitated before choosing truth.

Jason leaned forward with a wicked grin. "Do you like someone? Or better yet, have you ever been in a relationship?"

Caleb, who had been sipping his drink, subtly shot Preston a side-eye but said nothing. He wasn't about to admit he was just as curious for the answer.

Preston frowned. "That's two questions, Jason. One at a time!"

Annabel chuckled. "Fine. Just answer the first one—do you like someone?"

A small silence settled in before Preston cleared his throat. "Yes," he admitted, but he didn't look at Caleb when he said it.

Caleb's grip on his glass tightened slightly, but he forced his face to remain neutral.

Annabel was next. Jason, being Jason, smirked. "Truth or dare?"

"Truth."

"Are you still a virgin?"

Annabel rolled her eyes before grabbing a shot of whiskey and downing it. "I'll drink to that."

The group howled in laughter, and the game continued.

Then Annabel turned to Caleb, her eyes glinting. "Truth or dare?"

"Truth."

She smirked. "Have you ever been in a relationship before?"

Caleb shook his head. "No. I'm a busy man."

Jason snorted. "That's an understatement. This guy doesn't even look at people. It's all work, work, work."

Annabel leaned in, clearly enjoying this. "So no one has ever caught your eye?"

Jason suddenly perked up. "Oh, actually! There was this one girl—Vivian, one of our sponsor's daughter. She's been all over Caleb, practically throwing herself at him, but he keeps pushing her away!"

Caleb shot Jason a sharp glare and kicked him under the table. Jason barely reacted, grinning like a troublemaker on a mission. "She's stunning, you know? And she adores Caleb."

As Jason rambled on about Vivian, Preston's fingers tightened around his glass. The more Jason spoke, the more Preston drank—small sips turning into larger gulps, his throat burning with each swallow. He wasn't even sure if it was the alcohol or something else entirely making his chest ache

Caleb's jaw clenched as he noticed.

Jason, oblivious, kept going. "I mean, if Caleb actually gave her a chance, they'd probably be—"

"Time to go home," Caleb suddenly announced, standing up.

Jason blinked. "Dude, it's still early—"

"You've had enough to drink," Caleb cut him off. Go home

Jason smirked. "Oh, someone's grumpy."but it's fine i can crash here tonight.

We don't have a spare room Caleb added.

Jason shrugged. "No problem. I'll crash on the couch."

Caleb smirked. "Already ordered you an Uber."

Jason scoffed. "Wow. Just wow." He stood up and stretched. "Fine, fine. Happy birthday again, Pretty Boy."

Annabel gave Preston a quick hug. "See you soon, babe. Don't drink too much."

As soon as they were gone, Caleb turned back to Preston—only to find him completely drunk. He sighed, running a hand down his face.

Preston wobbled to his feet, grabbing the wine bottle. Caleb walked up to him and gently took it from his hand. "That's enough."

Preston pouted. "Leave me alone. I wanna drink."

"You've had more than enough," Caleb said firmly.

Preston groaned and stumbled toward the balcony, leaning against the railing. The cool night breeze hit his flushed face as Caleb followed, placing a hand on his waist.

"Are you okay?" Caleb asked softly.

Preston turned, his eyes slightly glassy. "Do you… do you like her?"

Caleb blinked. "Who?"

"Vivian."

Caleb sighed, shaking his head. He reached for Preston's hands, holding them firmly. "No, Preston. I don't."

Preston dropped his gaze. "But Jason said—"

Caleb cupped Preston's face, his thumb brushing against his cheek. His voice was low but firm, every word carrying years of bottled-up emotions. "Listen to me, Pee. There has only ever been one person for me. And I can't—won't—see myself with anyone else."

Preston swallowed hard, his voice barely a whisper. "Who?"

Caleb stared at him, his eyes dark and intense. "Look at me."

Preston hesitated before slowly lifting his gaze.

"You," Caleb whispered. "It's always been you."

Preston's breath hitched, his heart pounding. "But… you never said anything."

Caleb smiled, his fingers caressing Preston's cheek. "Because I didn't understand it at first. I didn't know why I felt this way for you—a boy. But as I grew, I realized it could only ever be you. Preston, I love you. I have loved you since I knew what love was."

Preston's eyes welled up again. "Caleb…"

Caleb wiped his tears away with gentle fingers. "No more crying. Okay?"

Then, without hesitation, Caleb leaned in and kissed him.

This kiss—this one was different. It wasn't playful or teasing. It was deep, filled with raw emotion, longing, and years of unspoken love.

Preston melted into it, gripping onto Caleb like he was his lifeline.

When they finally pulled apart,

Caleb pressed their foreheads together, smiling softly.