I shuffle down the hall with every intention of going to the bus for a bit, then I notice one of the twins from TripleKill—Axel or Atticus, no clue which. He’s standing with some guys wearing STAFF shirts. They’re huddled close, being all shady, so I stick my head in their circle. They jump apart.
Something flops to the ground. One of the guys is quick to scoop it up and put it in his pocket. Not before I saw what it was.
My brow arches, and he clears his throat, eyes darting to the twin. Mine follow.
“Hey, man,” he says.
Damn, I wish I knew which one he was. I tip my chin.
“Shit, that’s right, you can’t talk. Fucking bummer.”
I nod, then tilt my head to the guy who’s got cocaine in his pocket. The twin shifts on his feet, glancing behind me. I don’t know shit about him, but it’s clear he doesn’t want his bandmates to know what he’s doing.Same, man.
I take my phone out and type in my notes app since I don’t have his number.
Wanna share?
His shoulders relax. Did he think I was going to narc on him? Do I fucking look like a tattletale?
He turns to the other dude, holding out his hand, and the guy pulls out the baggie and drops it in his palm.
“Come on,” he says, nodding to one of the doors next to us.
This is a shit idea. I already have Addie in my system, not to mention, coke is super addictive. I’ve only done it once before. I knew it would be too damn easy to get hooked on, and I can’t afford that habit.
We slip into the room, and he starts to draw a line on the table. I tap his shoulder and shake my head. Fuck that. Last time I did that, my nose bled for ten minutes. I don’t like shit going up my nose. I dab my finger in the powder then rub it on my gums. He waits for me to finish, then he proceeds to snort a line. I cringe but he doesn’t notice.
I slap his back in thanks and head out the door, already feeling better. If he expects me to pay him, he doesn’t say.
I practically skip to the bus but my feet halt, remembering we have a room tonight, and it’s right next door to the venue. Hell yeah.
We’re not leaving the city until midday tomorrow because we’re headed to Pittsburgh next, and it’s not far.
I slip my keycard from my back pocket and head to mine and Penn’s room. Once I get inside, my smile falls. What the hell do I do now? I start to pace, tearing at my hair. I feel like I could climb the walls.
My heart rate ticks up, which I expected, but damn, it’s pumping really fast. I flatten a hand on my chest, trying to steady it, but it only rages harder. I suck in a breath. Damn, am I having a heart attack? No, it’s just the drugs. The euphoria I was feeling moments ago slips away, replaced by the drumming of my heart against my ribs. It’s as if it wants to tear out of my body. My chest aches and I sway, feeling unsteady. I drop down on the bed, breathing in and out through my nose.
I thought this was going to be good. Get high and stop being bummed about my band playing without me. Not makeme feel like I’m fucking dying. Am I having an adverse reaction? This isn’t how it felt last time.
Fuck. Shit.
My skin hums with awareness as my eyes shift around the room. Are there cameras in here? I get up and check the corners, squinting at all the surfaces for signs of a red dot. Paranoia takes over, and I scope every inch of the room, moving the small coffee pot and TV around to make sure nothing’s hiding behind them. I unplug the TV just in case.
My chest tightens, squeezing my ribs, panic setting in. I take out my phone, and text the only person I can count on that’s not on stage right now.
50
ELLIE
I’m FaceTiming Liv,trying to give her the full effect of the concert, when a text pops up.
Travis:
May, I need you
I frown, my eyes flicking across the stage where Travis was sitting earlier. He’s not there anymore. When did he leave? I consider ignoring it, but with his state, my gut is telling me something is very wrong.
“Hey, babe, I’m sorry, but I need to take care of something.” I flip the camera around so I can see her face. She blows me a kiss, and I end the call and rush out of the venue.
