Page 54 of A Dark Melody

“Um.” I pause, desperate to look at Wes. “Maybe some other time.”

“Okay.” I see a fraction of disappointment flash across his face, but other than that, he seems fine. “See you around.” He smiles.

I nod, and he walks off into the crowd of people that fills the backstage area.

“Skylar Hathaway, huh?” Wes chimes in.

I look over, and he is smirking.

“What?”

“He is cute, I guess. I just kind of figured you went for the more manly men.”

I roll my eyes. “I got you something.”

“Oh? I get a present?”

“I can’t give it to you here.”

“Oh, so it’s that kind of present.” He smirks.

“Ha. Ha.” I say, only blushing slightly. I’m more than willing to give him that kind of gift, too, but we are just friends.

“Well, I need to smoke before I have to take the stage. Want to step outside with me?”

“Sure.” I nod.

He leads us through the crowd of people to the exit. We step outside. A few other people are standing around, smoking and talking, the air heavy with the scent of weed and cigarette smoke. A few look our way as we exit the building, but most keep to their conversations.

Wes lights a cigarette, leaning against the wall of the building. I stand in front of him, playing with one of the vials in my pocket. I carefully glance around, and no one is really paying us any attention.

“You look good.”

“Thank you. Here.” I pull out the vial from my pocket and hold out my hand towards him.

He holds his hand out, and I drop the vial into his palm. He eyes it, curling his fingers around it.

“Sharing is caring.” He nods.

“I have my own.”

“Nice.” He smiles. “Something to make sure I behave then.”

“Behave?”

“I won’t try to fuck you with coke in my system.”

“No?”

“Sex on drugs is not nearly as fun as you’d think.”

“I’ve done it a few times. It was okay.” I shrug.

“But you didn’t get off, did you?” He raises an eyebrow.

“Good point.” I pause. “I saw you talking with that girl. She is cute.”

“Jealous?” He smirks.

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