Page 29 of Becoming Us

“Nope. I’m still in high school—just like Noah,” she said, pointedly.

River didn’t miss a beat. He just laughed again and tightened his arm around my neck. “So cute. Your friend’s a riot,” he murmured into my ear.

Someone passed me another shot. I took it.

“Noah, what about Galesburg? Worked with him yet?” another girl asked.

I rolled my eyes. “The close-up guy? He has the worst coffee breath I’ve ever smelled.”

Their laughter roared. Probably drunk, high, or both—everything I said was apparently hilarious. They didn’t seem to notice how hollow it all was. And I couldn’t bring myself to care.

At the very least, they could stand to be around me.

So we stayed. The longer we did, the more we drank. Eventually, I could hardly stand. Holly stuck by me until her mom started calling and she stepped away to take it.

As soon as she left, River leaned in close and whispered, “Come with me.”

He took my hand and led me up a flight of stairs to what looked like the master bedroom. We passed the bed and headed straight for the bathroom. The entire time, his fingers stayed laced through mine.

He shut the door behind us, and I climbed up onto the marble counter. The whole world spun. I should’ve stopped drinking four shots ago. Well, too late now.

I chuckled into my hands, rubbing them over my face.

“You okay, hotshot?”

I leaned back against the wall. “Been better.”

River was handsome—he had to be to work in this industry. But something about his face didn’t add up for me. High cheekbones, thick brows, full lips. And yet…nope. Couldn’t place it. The spinning didn’t help.

“Need a pick-me-up?”

I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to focus. “Don’t know what that means.”

He dropped a hand on my thigh, standing right in front of me—way too close. This guy had no concept of personal space.

He waved a baggie in front of my face.

I frowned. “Is that…like, blow?”

He nodded, his hand sliding slightly higher. “Snaps you right out of it.”

“Really?”

“Really.” He stepped to the side, bent down to the counter, scooped out a line with something hanging from his necklace, and snorted it. “That does the trick.”

“I’ve never done it before.”

He leaned in, his shoulder brushing mine and staying there. “That’s a shocker.”

I rolled my eyes. “What the fuck is it about me that makes people always assume the worst? Seriously. I want to know. The hair? The clothes?” I leaned my head back and let it hit the wall with a dull thud, eyes closed.

River cupped my face. He was back to standing close. I hadn’t even felt him move.

“I didn’t mean to make you question your existence. You’re hot, Noah. That’s why I’m surprised. Guys who look like you usually know how to have fun.”

I pressed my hand to his chest, and he finally took a step back. “I’m fifteen.”

“And isn’t that a fucking pity?” he said. “Anyway, I was around your age the first time I took a bump, but it’s up to you.” He turned to the mirror, casually scooping out another line.