Page 101 of The Obedient Lie
I exhaled. “I don’t drink much,” I repeated. “But drugs?” I laughed softly, “Drugs I’m amasterat.”
Bastion didn’t react, but I felt the shift in the air.
“Coke,” I started, casually. “MDMA, Xanax, obviously. Adderall. There was that one weekend in Marbella with the mushrooms?—”
I paused, brows furrowing mid-list.
“Wait—where’s my other favorite hand?”
I lifted mine dramatically in the air, palm open like I was making a demand.
“Luca,” I called, eyes following him as he leaned against the far end of the suite. “Give me my hand back.”
He raised a brow but didn’t hesitate. Came back, sank down in front of the couch without a word, and extended his hand into mine.
I took it, fingers curling around his like it grounded me.
“Thanks,” I whispered, a little too seriously, like I’d just recovered something sacred.
Then I kept going.
“Anyway… Valium. Ketamine—just once. Not a fan. Weed, obviously. But I prefer edibles. The little gummies shaped like bears? God-tier.”
I placed both their hands in my lap, patting them.
“Everyone has their preferred drugs they want me to take,” I said, tone breezy, like we were still just making conversation. “I get a case—sometimes before the event, sometimes during.”
I traced small circles over the top of their hands with my thumb.
“They’re super kind about it,” I added. “Helpful, too. Even put the times on when I’m supposed to take them. Real classy.”
I nodded to myself, satisfied. “I don’t know what they are, white, blue, little some super small.”
I frowned focusing on Luca’s and Bastion’s rings.
“It took a bit,” I admitted, “but I don’t just trustanyoneanymore.”
One of my hands went a little tense under my touch.
I narrowed my eyes and tapped Bastion’s hand like I was disciplining a child. “No.Don’t do that. You don’t get to clench. You’re the favorite hand, remember?”
Bastion didn’t respond. But his hand flattened again.
I smiled.
“Griffin’s tins were blue,” I said after a beat. “Caplan blue. Very on-brand.”
I paused, fingers slowing.
“He got off the trust list when I found out he likes me still.”
I turned, locking eyes with Bastion.
“Deadstill,” I whispered.
He didn’t say anything, just stared at me.
“I mean not awake-still,” I clarified, a little louder. I looked at Luca, “Likestill still.”
