Chapter 200 Shaky ground.

Chapter 200 Shaky ground.
CHAPTER 200
Shaky ground.
SAINT
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“She hurt me with my own horn – Natalie Diaz.”
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“Do you need us to drop you off?” Mom asks, smiling at me. 

“At the party?” I adjust my sleeves and look at her, confused. 

“Well, yeah, I have been meaning to see what a young-people party looks like these days.” She walks over and takes over my sleeves. 

“A young-people party?” I smile so wide my cheeks hurt. 

“What else am I supposed to call it? All the parties I attend now are incredibly boring work parties.” She groans, adjusting my collar. 

“Well, you’re a grown-up, Mom. There’s nothing you need in a young-people party anyway.” I assure her, stepping back to look at myself. 

“I still think I should drop you off, though.” She insists, and glances at the stairs. I follow her gaze and see my boyfriend walking down, all dressed up, all edible. We’re definitely recreating some memories tonight. All the times we snuck around parties, all the walls he pressed me against, and I, him. Tonight, we’re turning the city red.

“Don’t you look dashing?” Mom beams at him, eyes twinkling with delight. 

“He sure does.” I agree, watching him. 

“Stop, or I’m going to blush.” He waves us off, making me chuckle. 

“Come on then, let me take a picture since I’m not invited to the party.” She urges him impatiently. 

He looks at me, and I shrug. She’s happy for us, so we might as well indulge her. She takes a few pictures of us before we get in the car and head out. The club is about thirty minutes from the house. It’s a new club, but since Blake is in charge of the party, I know it’s going to be fun and considerate, which means no drugs. He told me as much this morning. 

“How about we hang around for an hour before sneaking off to have our own special party?” I suggest as he drives into the parking space. 

“Our own special party sounds like heaven.” He grins and parks the car. 

I pull him to me and kiss him softly. He is always so responsive to me, opening up like a flower in bloom. I slip my tongue into his mouth, and thread my fingers through his hair. He tastes like nectar, and everything good rolled into one. 

“Thirty minutes.” He decides when I pull away. 

I grin and shake my head. “One hour. Let’s go.” 

The party is everything Blake promised – it is crowded, filled with known and unknown faces. We push our way through the crowd, stopping to talk to a few of our friends and acquaintances from school. I remember months ago, when I’d watched everyone surround Reid, while he soaked up the attention. I would watch from afar, refusing to name the void in my chest, and now, here I stand, with him, walking towards our friends. 

Birdy meets us halfway. She looks stunning in a short blue dress.

“You’re late.” She glares at us and takes my hand. “You’re coming with me.” 

“Uh...” I frown, glancing at Reid. 

“He’ll survive without you for a few minutes.” She scoffs and pulls me towards the bar, where Chloe and Allie are.

“What’s going on? Are you alright?” I ask, glancing at the three of them. 

“Relationship issues, and you always have a fresh perspective.” She explains, ordering a shot. “Blake has been dropping hints that he wants to get in a real relationship with me, and I’m not sure I’m ready for that, so what do I do?” 

“And I think I have a crush on Bodhi.” Allie mumbles, cheeks pink as if she cannot believe what she just said. 

I look at Chloe, waiting to hear her own issue, but she shrugs. “Oh, Clark and I are fine. I’m only here for the gist.” 

Ordinarily, I would have ordered a drink, because this is not a sober conversation, but I’m cutting back on alcohol too; the last thing I need to do is trade one addiction for another. So, I focus on the girls and help them catch up on their issues, which is initially confusing because I thought Allie knew since Vegas, and Birdy? Come on. Everyone can see how interested Blake is in her from a mile away. It’s funny how we’re always oblivious when it comes to our issues. 

“You can try a relationship with Blake to see how it goes, and Allie, why don’t you talk to Bodhi? He might feel the same.” I sound like an exasperated older brother because we keep recycling the same conversation every few months. 

“Can I get my boyfriend back now?” Reid walks to us, holding a bottle of water. 

I smile at him. He called me his boyfriend in public. Boyfriend. How fucking amazing.

“Not yet. We’re playing games on the roof. Come on.” Chloe glances at the wall clock. The party might be Blake’s, but she’s in control as always. Reid and I share a smile, then walk to the roof side by side. In forty minutes, we’ll be out of here, having our special party in the car, or wherever the night takes us. 

There’s a different party on the roof, loud, filled with neon sighs and cheap thrills. 

Soon, we start the game, and I find myself having fun. The group keep checking in with me to make sure I’m fine, in a way that isn’t stifling. I can’t remember the last time I let loose, and I am glad I’m here, on the roof, with my boyfriend and friend. 

I should have known something would ruin it. 

The door opens, and I glance towards it to see Marco walk in, with a few other people behind him. 

Marco. My dealer. 

“Hey, Saint.” He smiles at me, heading straight for me. 

The ground shifts from under my feet, and I blink, confused. What is he doing here? Did Blake invite him? 

I glance at Reid and see him clench his jaw and shake his head. He has already decided that I fucked up, that I invited Marco.