Page 116 of Echoes of Us

“Yeah, I talked to Chase, and he told me it was fun.”

Colin sighed, looking away. He shrugged, unconvinced.

“It has been fun. I don’t think I want to do it again, but it’s been great so far,” I added, seeing a slight smile on Colin’s lips.

“See? I’m taking care of him, Col. He’s okay. I’m a good son-in-law,” Noah said, making Colin chuckle.

“Fine, do you have more?” Colin asked.

“Holly,” Noah said.

Colin turned towards her, and I let my hand slide under Noah’s shirt, feeling his skin again and kissing his neck. Noah turned in my arms, and I caught his lips instantly.

“I want to be closer to you, but it’s so hard standing up,” I told him.

He smiled. “Do you want to sit down?”

“If I sit down, you’re going to climb on my lap, and we’llpermanently scar our friends and get kicked out because we’ll try to have sex right here.”

“Smart, that’s smart.” He tried to kiss me again. “Atty, spit that fucking gum out,” he added.

I cackled as I checked my watch. It was half past eleven. Almost his birthday. “Let me go. I have to use the bathroom.”

“I’ll come with you.”

“No, Noah. No public sex.”

He snickered and then pouted. He grabbed my waist and swept me closer. I kissed his cheek.

“Come on, let me go.” I kissed his cheek repeatedly until he loosened his grasp. I kissed his lips one more time before turning to walk towards the bathroom.

When I stepped out, Colin intercepted me.

“Can we talk before you glue yourself back onto him?” Colin asked.

We walked over to a high table, where he leaned his elbow on it. Noah stood with Holly and Ezra, a joint in his hand. I glanced down at my watch—twenty minutes to twelve.

“So?” I prompted.

“Att,” Colin said, his voice serious.

I turned to look at him, noticing his frown. “What is it?” I asked, leaning closer, unable to stand still. I rubbed my face, trying to focus on his words.

“Att, I’m worried about you. I know you asked me to stay out of it, but I’m concerned.”

“Why? I’m fine,” I insisted.

“Why are you doing drugs, Att? That’s not you; that’s Noah. You know he has a problem with it.”

“But it’s different. It’s Molly, not coke. It’s different, right?” I asked, but he grimaced. “You had some, too?”

He looked guilty as he assented. “It’s not good for him.”

I glanced back at Noah, who was laughing at something Holly said. Ezra had the joint now, smoking too. Everything seemed fine. “You think I messed up, letting him have it?”

He blinked at me.

“He asked me. He wasn’t going to do it, and I said we could. Is this my fault? Did I mess up?”

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