Page 76 of Crossing Arizona

“I’ve just about had it with your attitude,” he says, towering over me like he’s ready to throw down.

“What the hell, man?” Dusting dirt off my jacket, I climb back into my chair. “Don’t touch me.”

“Then stop being a dick to my girlfriend.”

“Whatever.” I wave him off with a glare.

For a moment, everyone drifts into their own conversations, the fire crackling between us. Taylor’s staring at his stepbrother like a fucking creep, Christian’s murmuring something in Arya’s ear, and Matty’s turned away from me, telling Salem and Logan a story about Hannah. One I haven’t heard.

The sinking feeling in my stomach twists deeper.

Reaching under my sleeve, I scratch at my skin and stare into the flames, feeling like an outsider.

I used to belong here. He used to make sure I belonged. Now, I’m invisible. Unwelcome.

Pearl’s voice echoes in my head.

Useless.

Gago.

Lintik kayo.

Huck’s voice cuts through my spiraling thoughts.

“Why would I freak out?” he asks, and I glance up as he leans back in his chair. “I’ve done this before, remember?”

Taylor smirks. “With caps?”

“No… what’s the difference?”

Matty’s full-bodied laugh grates on my nerves like sandpaper. “Oooh, boy. You’re in for a wild night, man.”

Logan chews on his cheek anxiously. “What, why?”

I roll my eyes, sinking lower into my seat. “There’s a mass theory that the shroom caps are more potent than the stems, but it’s all bullshit, in my opinion. It’s all the same.”

“Agree to disagree,” Christian shakes his head, grinning like he knows better. “Stems just make me chill. Caps make me contemplate life and the existence of outer space and shit.”

“It’s all in your head, dude.”

Fuck, I wish I was tripping with them right now.

“I have an idea,” Arya announces suddenly, glaring at Tay and me when we groan. “Who wants to make this night even more fun?”

Scrubbing a hand down my face, I grit my teeth, trying to rein in my irritation. “We are not having an orgy, Arya. Not everyone wants to see you naked.”

“Well, they should.” Christian kisses her neck, earning an exaggerated eye roll from me. “I love showing her off.”

“That’s not what I meant,” she whines, but Taylor tosses her a scoff.

“Been there, done that. Literally. Hard pass.”

My eyes widen as we all gape at him, and the urge to laugh gets stuck in my throat. Taylor, the manwhore. He and Christian always share girls.

“You guys are such fucking dicks!” Arya shouts, hopping over the log fence before anyone can stop her.

Salem jumps up, too, throwing Taylor a withering glare. “Nice going, asshole.”