Page 75 of Crossing Arizona

Pulling out the pipe Taylor bought me, I light up, the sharp burn in my lungs a welcome distraction as I wander deeper into the woods.

And I walk for a long time. He doesn’t follow.

Everyone’s back when I return, crowded around a roaring fire, making s’mores. They’re laughing, chatting—picture-fucking-perfect. And all I can think is how much I wish I were higher.

Luckily, Arya gives me the perfect opportunity.

“Who’s ready to get this party started?” she grins, pulling a plastic bag full of mushroom caps out of her bra.

“Oh, hell yes.” I’m out of my chair instantly, reaching for the bag, but Taylor snatches it away before I can get my grubby hands on it.

“Nuh-uh, nope.” He wags a finger in my face, his blue-green eyes blazing. “You lost your party privilege by being a dick earlier. And I’m not about to babysit seven tripping assholes by myself. You and I aren’t taking any.”

I gape at him, lips curling in disbelief. “Who the fuck died and made you king?”

Christian throws his hand up from across the fire. “I did. My family’s property, my rules. And I’m not about to have anyone wandering off and getting eaten by bears or some shit. Two of us need to stay sober to watch.”

Logan’s head snaps up, melted marshmallow stuck to his cheek. “Did you say bears?”

“Why does it have to be me?” I growl in frustration. “Why can’t it be Matt?”

Salem rolls her eyes like I’ve just asked the dumbest question on the planet. “Matty and Huck are leaving soon. They deserve to let loose one last time before training camp.”

“And I don’t deserve to let loose?”

How is this fucking fair?

Taylor scoffs, passing the bag to everyone else. “You’ve let loose like every single day for a month. Give someone else a chance. If you wanna smoke, go for it.”

I drop into my chair, crossing my arms as I glare daggers at him. I’d smoke if I could, but I already used it all on my fucking walk. Sober again. Goddammit.

The others start popping caps, passing bottles of orange juice around while Huck stares at his bottle in confusion.

“OJ?”

Tay grins at that, the smug bastard. “Helps hide the bitterness and enhances the trip. You ever used magic mushrooms before?”

Logan murmurs a scared “no” while Huckslee nods.

“Once,” he says, turning the bottle in his hands. “A few summers ago, but we didn’t drink juice.”

Matty twists open his bottle, grimaces, and takes a long, healthy gulp. I watch the way his Adam’s apple bobs, remembering how it felt under my lips when I kissed his throat.

“The citric acid helps break down the psilocybin,” he explains, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, “so the effects hit sooner and harder.”

Salem chugs hers, the defiance in her eyes daring Logan to do the same. “Bottoms up.”

Christian claps Logan on the shoulder. “No one’s forcing you, hermano. If you don’t wanna do ’em, you can babysit with Tay.”

Oh, fuck yes.

“Please, please chicken out," I beg, sliding off my chair and dropping to my knees before him. “Come on, Logan. You’re a better man than this.”

Arya smacks her lips in annoyance. “You just want him to say no so you can take some yourself.”

No fucking shit.

“I never said I was a better man. And no one asked you," I snap back, standing up just as Christian shoves me on the shoulder, sending me sprawling to the ground.