Page 26 of The Weekend Getaway

CHAPTER 21

Fifteen Years Ago

12:44 a.m.

Chris

Chris wanted to lie to Mia.

A few minutes ago, he’d been trying to work his way into the melee, into the tornado of seething, writhing bodies, hoping to be lifted into the air and surfed across the crowd, held up by arms stretched to the sky, hands propelling him forward.

But with each attempt, he’d been thwarted.

Shoved aside. Pushed back. Even knocked to the ground. On his knees, scrambling to stand, he’d slipped in puddles of piss and liquor, finally grabbing the back pockets of a pair of jeans to use as leverage to pull himself up. Once on his feet, he’d been slapped by the girl whose pockets he’d grabbed.Chris tried to apologize but she accused him of trying to grab her ass. Then she spit in his face.

Fighting discouragement, Chris decided he needed another drink.

He’d been heading to the bar when Mia stepped in front of him, grabbing his forearm, digging her long nails into his skin. Chris had been relieved to see her until she pulled him into a dark corner and said, “I need some Grover.”

Chris had nearly pissed his pants.

Presently, staring at Mia as she stared at him, Chris still felt as though he was going to lose his shit. Because why did Mia want Grover? What did she want to do with it? Did Alex know she wanted it? Would he be okay with Chris giving Mia the Grover?

“Chris …” Mia prompted, her gaze boring into him, determined and demanding.

He wanted to lie to her. Tell her he didn’t have any but Mia knew he kept a small vial of GHB, which he affectionately referred to as “Grover” so he could speak of it openly without the threat of shame, reprisal, or incarceration.

While most people used MDNA to enhance their drinking experience, Chris had a fondness for GHB, which of course had other, more nefarious uses, not that Chris used his GHB for any of those nefarious reasons.

“Why do you want it?” Chris asked, a rabbity fluttering in his chest as he scanned the wild, raucous crowd surrounding them, hoping to spot Alex, who would tell him what to do.

“Just give it to me,” Mia said.

Chris swallowed. “But?—”

“I know you have it.”

Nodding, Chris said, “It’s just that?—”

“I don’t want all of it,” Mia said.

What Chris wondered was why she wanted any of it. Mia wasn’t a huge drinker, and when she did take a shot or have a beer, she didn’t add enhancements. But, even if she did, Chris wasn’t sure if he should give her the Grover. What if Alex didn’t want her to have it?

“Give it to me,” Mia said, stepping closer to him, her gaze dark, almost ominous. “Or I will destroy your friendship with Alex.”

The piss he’d been trying to hold slipped down his leg. “What?”

Mia gave him an evil smile. “And trust me, I can make him hate you.”

Wary of her threat, and yet well aware she could make good on it, Chris said, “I’m just worried that Alex might get mad at me if?—”

“You let me worry about Alex,” Mia said. “Give me the fucking GHB …”

CHAPTER 22

Fifteen Years Ago

12:57 a.m.

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