Jasper catches my eyes and winks. “I’m playing with you. Don’t worry. We only do weed and edibles. Nothing major, I promise.”
I nod. I can be around it, as long as it isn’t heavy, right? I can do this. I will do this.
“I have to call my sister,” I blurt out. “I’ll be back,”
Luke cocks an eyebrow in question, and I leave the room quickly, pulling my phone out of my back pocket. I didn’t bring a purse this time. Just my phone and wallet so I have a way to contact people and money if needed. The little amount of allowance I get. I feel low thinking of my money that way. I hate it. I really do. I don’t want to be dependent on my father, and I don’t want an allowance as a goddamn adult. I want control, but I know I can’t entirely have that. Control is an issue for me when it comes to money.
I shake my head, wiping out the thoughts that run rampant in my mind, and bring up my sister’s number. I slip through the main hall and into a room I assume is a sitting room by its location but looks nothing like it. It has a few armchairs, but the rest of the room holds weird furniture and strap things I’m not used to. As my sister’s end rings, I move around the room to take them in. A chair has a wide-open seat and straps to pull down. Seeing it makes realization dawn on me, and I feel the flush creeping over my cheeks.
My gaze flashes to the windows, and I find the curtains stapled around them, obviously intent on keeping the light and any onlookers out.
When my sister doesn’t pick up, I hang up and try again. Yet again, she doesn’t answer. I hang up and dial-up Marcy, desperate to talk to someone.
“Hello?” Marcy greets tiredly.
“Did I wake you?” I ask, checking the time. It isn’t even dark yet. So why the hell is she just waking up?
“I was taking a nap,” she mumbles. “What’s up, Gracie?”
“They have weed,” I breathe and look over my shoulder to make sure neither of the guys are waiting at the door and eavesdropping on me. “And they’re really cute.”
“Woah,” she pipes up, sounding more alert this time. “Back up. Who is really cute?”
“These guys. I’m – I’m trying to figure things out.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “These two guys are really cute, but they have weed.”
“Did they offer?”
“Once, but not after being reminded that I’m sober. And one, he looks like a fucking God. He said they only do it now and again and edibles but nothing major.”
“That’s good then—”
“They’ve got a fucking sex room right at the front of their house,” I breathe into the room, forcing my voice to stay as low as possible. “A fucking sex room.”
She gives a low whistle. “Damn, that sounds sexy.”
I giggle, but I can’t tell if it’s because this is really funny or I’m just nervous as fuck. I think it’s both. Shit, my emotions are fucked up today. “Marcy, seriously. Please, I need you to focus, okay?”
“Okay, okay, I’m sorry. Gracie, you’re doing amazing as sober. You have to remind yourself of that. You’re going to be okay. If anything, just leave. I can come to pick you up if you want.”
“I—” something stops me as I almost agree, then turn to face the door.
Luke leans against the door frame with his arms crossed. Something inside of me stirs, waking. Fear rises, bubbling and ready to explode. But it’s mixed in with excitement as my head spins.
“I think I’ll be okay. I just needed to talk for a moment,” I tell Marcy mechanically, watching as Jasper appears behind Luke.
He whispers in Luke’s ear, and the two leave me again, snapping me out of my trance for the moment.
“Are you sure?” Marcy hesitates.
“Yes,” I breathe. “Thanks, Marc.”
She sighs and mutters something beneath her breath that I can’t quite understand. “All right, Gracie, just call again, I guess.”
With that, we hang up, and I sit my phone down on a table, removing my wallet too before going to find the guys. Kate is gone by the time I locate them in the massive kitchen. I’m overwhelmed by how huge the place is. I’m obsessed with the space.
Adrianna slings her purse over her shoulder, sticks her perfectly carved nose up at me, and leaves, heels clicking on the tiles floor. I don’t remember her wearing those minutes before, but whatever, I guess. I watch until I can no longer see her and jump as the front door slams behind her.
“She’s going with Kate somewhere. She really doesn’t want to be here.”