Page 65 of Sweet Oblivion

Lindsay laughed, a truly delighted sound. “Just a little something to get you in the partying mood.”

I whirled back and gripped her arms, my rage boiling. “What did you give me?”

Everything quieted, all eyes on me.

Lindsay stood defiantly.

“What did you just push into my mouth, Lindsay?” I snarled again, bearing down on her, using my greater height and bulk to tower over her.

She swallowed, thick and hard. “It’s…it’s…an upper. To…to…make you f-feel good,” she stammered.

She didn’t look pretty or seductive. She looked cold, calculating…and small.

“I hate you,” I said, my voice carrying. “Understand? I. Hate. You. I don’t want you near me. I know what you’ve done to Aya, and I’m never going to forgive you for that. Ever.”

Hugh sidled up next to me, grabbing my arm. “Take it down, Nash,” he muttered.

“No fucking way. Your bitch of a girlfriend just drugged me.”

An array of phones videoed my rage-fueled moment. “You getting this?” I asked them. “She fucking shoved something in my mouth. I don’t know what it was—what it’ll do to me. And I sure as fuck didn’t ask for it.”

My head didn’t feel right. Nothing felt right. The colors were so bright…and smeared. The music seemed distant. I shook my head. “No. I don’t want this,” I mumbled. I met Hugh’s worried gaze, my wide eyes and pale face reflected there.

“You can’t go anywhere,” Lindsay said, her tone preening. “You’re high. You really want people to see you all messed up? Just like your mother.” She laughed again.

My mother. My throat convulsed. No one here knew about my parents—yet. But they would. Soon. And they’d look at me just like Lindsay was now. With malicious smiles and whispered words. I hated them all.

“Everyone thinks you’re so perfect. The good boy renouncing his parents’ lifestyle, but look at you, Nash. No one will think that now.” She sneered at me.

I blinked, shocked.

Hate and calculation settled on her face.

“You drugged me,” I said again. My words were slurred. I turned back toward Hugh. “She… I don’t feel good.”

“Oh? Did I?” Lindsay taunted. “Or did you take it all by yourself and now you’re too afraid to admit you’re as weak as your mommy?”

I shook my head, trying to regain some semblance of normalcy, but everything danced, and psychedelic patterns burst from the edge of my vision in too-bright colors.

I needed Aya. I needed…

As if I’d conjured her, my body vibrated as her perfume drifted to my nose, and in my head, George Harrison crooned his song of love.

Aya. She was here. She could make it better.

I couldn’t think…

“I need some water, a…a room.”

“I’ll be right there with you, honey,” Lindsay purred.

I shook my head, and songs burst through my mind. Glorious music. My breath hitched as the notes pelted my brain. “Go away. I need…”

“We’ll go get it,” Lindsay said, her voice still silky. “I’ll make you feel all better.” She led me toward the stairs.

“No,” I shook my head. “I don’t want you. I want water. Steve.” He was outside. I’d refused to let him come in, refused to talk to him today. He was giving me space. “Not Aya. Don’t want her now…”

Lindsay laughed at that. “You hear him, Stef? He doesn’t want Aya.”

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