Page 110 of Goodbye Note

Kiernan fought a smile but shook his head. “Fuck, wait. This is the worst night for this!”

Hael’s eyes snapped open. “Why? I’m going to make it worth your while.”

“Because John just asked me if all of you were over here. He’s trying to hold off Victor St. James.” He paused. “Worth my while?”

I sat up and cut in, “What?”

Varian twisted from where he’d been reading next to me. “No.”

“No shit,” Kiernan said.

“The fucking Warped tour manager is with him. They are friends or something.”

“I’m not letting that fuck ruin my high.”

Serafin pushed to his feet. “He’s not getting near you.”

Fox, Bronx, Hael, and Koa followed suit.

“We’re all about to be off our heads. How the fuck are we stopping him?” I asked, joining them.

Ser held up a hand. “We’ll figure it out. You stay with Varian and Vallen. We’ll get as many guys as we can to stop him. Mob style. I’m going to go talk to Deep End; Hael, you’re friendly with Green Tops—go talk to them; Koa, you get Fire and Coal. Who do you two know?” Serafin asked Fox and Bronx.

“I’ll get the guys from P.H. Dizzle and Grampa Style.”

“I’ll talk to Two Girls One Band and Bed Bath & Beyond The Grave.”

“I got to warn my brother,” Varian said when they’d all left. “Where did he go?”

“No idea.” I glanced around. “Shoot him a text?”

Varian sent him a quick text before flopping onto his back. “If that fucker ruins my night…”

“He won’t. They won’t let him, high or not.”

“Let’s walk. I can’t sit still feeling like this.” Varian offered me a hand and helped me to my feet.

We wandered the makeshift rave as the music turned up, glow sticks cracked, and people danced.

“It must be starting to hit,” I said.

Varian nodded. I hated how quiet he was.

Tingling took over my whole body, and a kind of happiness I’d never experienced. Like nothing I’d ever felt mattered. The weight of anxiety lifted off my chest, and I could breathe without the crippling feeling. My entire life and body felt lighter.

“Is this how people feel all the time?” I heard myself say from far away.

“What?” Varian asked.

“The happiness.” I tipped my head back. “Fuck, it feels so light.”

His grin spread. “I don’t know, but it’s fucking sexy.”

I forced my eyes open, not sure when I’d closed them. “What is?”

“You feeling good. It makes me happy.”

“You make me happy.” I grabbed his shirt, tugging him closer. I moved with the music, not even trying to.

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