Page 100 of Echoes of Us

“It’s like ecstasy, but better, cleaner. It’s not addictive, and you don’t snort it. Holly wanted to get it for the party. We used to do it all the time. I won’t do it if you don’t want me to, but I thought we could do it together,” he said, ending with a shrug.

My eyebrows knitted together. “You want me to do it?”

He shrugged again before nodding. He put the bag on the counter and placed my face in his hands. “It’s like a happy drug. It makes you really euphoric, and when you’re with someone you trust, it’s really good. It only makes everything feel better. You don’t have to take much—I won’t either—just a little, to have fun with each other.”

“We already have fun with each other,” I pointed out.

“We do. I’m not saying we don’t. Doing Molly is like drinking at a party. It just makes everything more fun,” Noah said.

I frowned again.

“Okay, that’s a crappy example for you. Let me think.” He lowered his hands to my shoulders.

“Noah—” I started.

“Oh, I know. It’s like the difference between a practice game and a tournament. It’s fun. You’re still playing, but the tournaments make everything more exciting and brighter,” Noah explained.

“You’re supposed to be giving these things up,” I reminded him.

“It’s not the same thing, Atty,” he insisted.

“It’s still drugs, Noah, little baggie drugs.”

He sighed. “I know why you’re worried, but I swear it’s not the same thing. This is not a we’ll-do-this-every-time-we-go-out drug. It’s a try-once drug.” He grabbed the bag and placed it in my palm. “You can keep it and hand it to Holly once we see her if you don’t want to try it. I won’t do it without you. I promise.” He closed my hand and pushed it towards me.

“Why do you want to do this?”

“Because I love you, Atty, and I’m happy with you, and it’s my birthday. Holly thought it would be fun, and I’d love to try it with you, but it’s okay if you don’t want to.” He seemed honest.

“And you won’t get mad if I don’t?”

“No. Please don’t be mad at me for asking.”

I put the bag in my pocket and placed my hands on his legs. “I’m not mad. It scares me, Noah. I don’t want you to keep struggling with this,” I told him honestly.

“It’s not the same. Come on, let’s just forget about it, go out, and have fun.” He jumped off the counter and dashed to the exit.

I followed him, thinking about it during the cab ride there. I didn’t know about these things. I had no idea if he was telling me the truth or not. I couldn’t ask Colin or Ezra because they would have my head for even considering this, and I couldn’t ask Holly for obvious reasons.

I looked down at my phone and scrolled through the chats. I stopped at Chase’s name. I glanced at Noah. He was looking down at his phone too. I thought about it and bit my lip.

Me

hey

I placed my phone face down on my lap, feeling it vibrate moments later. I glanced at the screen.

Chase Morgan

I’ve been waiting for this day my whole life

you’re actually texting me?

do you miss me, my King?

I scowled down at my phone. This was my own fault.

Me

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