Page 115 of SNOB

“Six months,” Greta says.

Then that weight returns. Six months. One-hundred and eighty-two days without Malcolm McKinsley.

He’s not locked away forever for being the psychopath he is. This should be good. This should be freeing. But without Mac, I'm more of a caged butterfly than ever.

“There she is!” Another familiar voice comes my way before an arm slams around me. The whiff of Gray’s fresh cologne comes with him and when I glance at Greta, he has an arm around her too, her cheeks like two big strawberries. “If Mac’s a Crown, and you guys are a thing, that makes you royalty too.” His head turns to Greta. “Are you guys friends again?”

Greta nods, “Yeah, I think we are.”

And while I’m grateful to have my friend back, even that isn’t enough to pull me out of Mac’s withdrawal.

“Then you’re royalty too,” he says. “If you can keep up.”

“Keep up with what?” Greta asks.

“Tonight, in Ember’s honour, we’re holding a bash of all bashes at the now-empty McKinsley manor.”

I wince. I’m in no mood for a party and I’m about to protest when it hits me. Not only will having the new people in my life in my new home make it feel less haunting, but there’s something I’ve learned here. If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.

“Let’s do it,” I say. “On one condition.”

“Name it,” Gray says. “Anything for you, Rookie.”

“Get me so fucked up I’ll need rehab.”

THIRTY-FIVE

MAC

“Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

Flipping the coin between my fingers, I’d do anything for a fucking drink right now. But I know what I signed up for. Six months of this.

I should feel relieved that this is what I have to go through. Ember would be in jail. Or worse. So watching this woman in overalls tell me how better off I am without the use of alcohol or cocaine will have to do.

“Okay everyone, it’s that time again,” Marissa says. She’s our wholesome leader, guiding our addicted minds to glory. “We’re welcoming a new member to our group, so as always, be nice and accepting.”

Poor bastard.

“It’s been a busy season, and we’re low on space, so Malcolm.” Her eyes find mine and I sit up in my chair, pretending to give a fuck. “She’ll be rooming with you.”

Fuck.

Wait… she?

There’s only one girl on my mind the entire time I’ve been here. It’s the only thing keeping me from hanging myself from a string of blankets. I know the spot. It’s in the bathroom, a sturdy pipe.

I’m putting a stop to this. “Marissa, I?—”

“Everyone welcome Ember Everett.” She starts a round of applause as I straighten up in my seat. I know she’s been on my mind but did Marissa just say the thing I think she did?

That tall, curvy frame enters the room and everything around me blurs. The applause muffles and I’m tempted to slap myself to see if I’m actually dreaming.

She locks eyes on mine. Bloodstones. Then a wonky smirk comes to her face. She’s in sweats. My sweats. They overtake her body in a way I wish I could right now.

“Ember? Want to say a few words?”

Marissa moves to the side and my eyes don’t move off her.

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