“Well, do you feel sick?”
“No… not sick.”
Nate kills the engine and takes out the keys. “Don’t worry about it, then. Come on. We’ve got a lot to talk about.”
“Maybe you should take me home. I’m… yeah, I think I should be home.”
“Nah, not yet. You wanted this talk, didn’t you?” He exits the car before Owen can further argue. The air smells of the nearby bakery. Nate goes to open Owen’s door and waits for him to get out. He leans against the car, his eyes foggy.
Did I give him too much?
If Owen doesn’t remember this conversation, it will be a problem, but as long as he does what Nate brought him here to do, it won’t be a total waste of time.
“I told you about this spot.” He holds Owen’s elbow and guides him around the shop, where there’s a tattered couch in front of a small table under an awning. “Sit there.”
Owen slumps onto the old couch, making the springs creak.
Nate grabs the single chair next to the shop’s back door and drags it to the other side of the table, where he sits in front of Owen.
“This is the secret spot you told me about?” Owen glances around, unimpressed.
“Yep, this is it. Feeling better?”
“Don’t know. Maybe.” He shakes his head. “That weed was awful.”
Nate chuckles. “Seems like it. This will make it pass quicker.” He reaches inside his pocket and pulls out the bag of coke.
“What’s that?”
“Some of the coke you bought last time.”
“Why the hell are you walking around with that? It’s evidence.”
“Like we’re lacking evidence.” He throws the small bag at Owen’s lap. “Take some.”
“What the hell is wrong with you? I’m done with drugs.”
Nate can’t help but laugh. “You’re high right now!”
Owen grimaces. “You know why. Snorting coke when I’m not undercover is different.”
“Considering the shit that I’m about to drop on you about your boyfriend, I think that a bit of coke would make it easier to digest.”
Owen looks away. “He’s not my boyfriend.”
“Look at me. Hey, look at me. If you want me to be honest, then you better be honest with me. That’s the only way for this to work. You and Will are fucking, right?”
Owen looks at his hands. “We’re not fucking. We’re… something.”
“Something?”
“Yes. Something thatisn’tjust fucking.” Owen gives Nate a hard look, as if he’s daring him to challenge his claim.
Nate raises his hands in peace. “Whatever it is, you’re making a mistake. I’ll tell you all about how Will was responsible for his ex-boyfriend’s death.”
Owen shakes his head. “You’re lying.”
“It’s not for you to make such a claim. I lived through it, as well as many others here, including the sheriff and your aunt. It’s a bit disrespectful to call all of us liars, don’t you think?”
