Page 36 of The Heart

I don’t even look toward where Luke has Leena pinned to the bed before I follow after him.


“What in the fuck?” Sebastian grumbles when we return. I nearly snort with laughter at the sight, which earns me a sideways glare.

“Oh shit, Mom’s back!” I hear a whisper-shout from Jace who is, apparently, in our room.

Along with the rest of the team, from what I can hear.

In the short time that Sebastian and I were gone, they managed to dismantle both beds, rearranging them into some sort of janky blanket fort large enough for all of them to fit on the floor underneath it.

And they are all high as fuck.

I have to admit, building this expansive of a fort, and getting as stoned as the giggling suggests, takes talent.

I’m impressed.

Sebastian is not, which makes this even funnier.

“It was Leena’s idea!” Luke adds, then snickers, which is…weird.I’ve seen the man plastered, but never high.

I wonder if we could get Sebastian high.

I smile, because that just became my new life goal.

“I know it was Leena’s idea, but what I don’t know is where you got the Mary Jane?” he says, bending at the waist to look into their hideaway.

They all scream. Then laugh.

I stare at Sebastian. Is getting high and making blanket forts something Leena does often? Or does he just know her well enough to figure that’s something she would talk the rest of them into doing.

I have so many fucking questions.

“It’s mine,” Ava finally admits, giggling. “And I grow it myself, so it’s good shit.”

“Alright,” he says, pulling his food from the bag before handing the rest of it down into the fort.

“And I’d never smoke on the clock, I swear! We just figured… we’re kinda stuck here?” she says, seemingly confused why they thought it was a good idea.

Makes sense to me.

“I know, Ava. You’re good,” he says, making his way over to crack open the window, then glares at the only mattress left in its frame, clearly frustrated by the lack of pillows.

Apparently, they’re all in the fort.

“Oh come on Seb, you’re not going to join us?” Leena says, and she and Ava laugh.

“No,” he states, sitting on the mattress and opening his food.

“But Ryan helped us build it! Did you know he’s a genius?” Ava says and the awe in her tone surprises me. I guess the nerd has an admirer.

“That’s why we hired him. My answer is still no,” Sebastian repeats.

“It’s only basic engineering. And I didn’t have a lot to work with,” Ryan explains.

“Nerd,”Jace chokes out, and I hear anoof!Probably from Ryan hitting him.“Ow!” Jace feigns injury.

I take off my jacket and shoes, then look at Sebastian, who’s still looking strictly unamused.