Page 49 of Hate So Deep

When she sinks in her seat, I look up, my stomach clenching as she whispers, “Lala, have you considered…I mean…well, what if they put something in your drink?”

Uh what? Like they drugged me?

Swallowing to drum up some spit, I turn to the window, studying the snow swirling around the car before asking, “Why would you think that?”

“Because I lost time.” Grabbing my arm, she says, “I should have said something. I’m so sorry, Lala. I guess I was afraid…”

“Afraid of what?” I rasp. “Don’t you think I deserved to know something like that? Shit. Would you have said anything if my brother hadn’t died?”

Her bottom lips trembles as she says, “I don’t know. I’m sorry. We never should have gone there.”

“Why?”

“Because I knew they sold that stuff, you know…the roapies? But Darius said they don’t shit where they eat, so…”

Whatever that means…

“That’s just great,” I snap before putting the vehicle in gear.

Why would she take me to a party where she knew the partiers were down with drugging women?

It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask her but she bows her head, and I mentally groan before saying, “Now I don’t know if I killed my brotherandif I was roofied or roapied…whatever, before I did it.”

This newest revelation only deepens the mystery but still doesn’t answer the question of how I ended up in my bed covered in blood while my brother was simultaneously attacked.

Not only that but I’m struggling with whether I can trust Caro, although I suppose keeping secrets isn’t the problem, it’s telling the truth that she apparently has an issue with.

Chapter 20

THEN

Lauren

I’ve never been to Turner Park. I’ve heard of it though. Lots of shady shit goes down there.

Turner Park is on the other side of town and hidden amongst a large forest that doesn’t get much use beyond partying teens and the occasional hiker.

Last year, I heard someone died after getting lost in there. She was found days after going missing, dead from dehydration.

The crowd is out in full force but to my disappointment, when I look them over, I don’t see Dirk.

As a matter of fact, all I do see are a bunch of Academy dicks and I silently groan when Danny Marker ambles my way with a slick grin.

Thank God, he’s not super close to Buck which means my brother probably isn’t here, but I have no use for the douche who stops before me in his designer jeans and polo shirt.

Strangely, the look does nothing for me now. Neither does the boy who took my virginity in a closet during a party a year ago.

“Hey Lala, looking good,” he says, swiping his tongue over his bottom lip.

“Hey,” I say as Caro slides away.

When I reach for her arm, she dances toward the fire, and I roll my eyes before turning back to Danny.

“Wanna light up?” he asks, his eyes dipping to my tits.

I guess this was the right pick, but Danny is not the asshole who I wanted to see me in my tight white shirt.

“Sure,” I mumble because I’m here and I need something to take away the ache.

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