Page 21 of The Oath We Give

My hands push my body from the bar, ready to disappear into the crowd. To her credit, her face remains peaceful, unaffected by my tone and clear accusation. Almost like no matter what I say, she’ll remain kind.

“I came over to buy you a drink,” She motions behind her. “Well, we wanted to buy you a drink.”

Two more people stand behind her, just far back enough for me not to have noticed them at first.

Sage Donahue has only grown more beautiful as the years have passed. It’s a quick lesson on why everyone was so enamored by her in high school.

Ponderosa Springs’ Sweetheart with her natural strawberry blonde waves, freckled pale skin, and signature red lip. But there is more to her now. Age, maturity, softness, wait—

I drag my tongue across my bottom lip. “Why?”

It’s in noticing Sage that pieces of a puzzle click together.

Lyra shrugs carelessly, taking a sip from her orange-colored cocktail that I have an urge to take a drink from. “No one needs to look this lonely in a club.”

“I’m not lonely,” I try to say defensively, but I think it sounds more like defeat. “Besides, shouldn’t I be buying you three drinks? I mean, your boyfriends are the reason I’m standing here, right? It’s the least I can do.”

“Husband.” A new voice tickles my ears. “And you don’t owe us anything. She’s just being nice.”

My eyes flick to her hand, wrapped around a glass. Sure enough, looped around her ring finger is a solid black line tattoo.

I take in my very first physical look at Briar Lowell, positioning herself a little closer to Lyra, who is several inches shorter than her. Sharp eyes that I doubt miss much watch me. She’s on guard, ready to protect her friend if I make another snarky comment.

If I were a betting woman, I’d say that willingness to defend the people around her is a reason one of Ponderosa Springs’ most violent and notorious men chose her.

I didn’t recognize them immediately or know them really, but they sure as hell know me. The Hollow Boys played a huge part in discovering the Halo. Without them, who knows what would have happened to hundreds of missing girls.

“Listen.” My throat constricts as I try to swallow, needing another drink. “I’m not the girl you need to be nice to. I’m a shit person, even worse friend. You could do much better.”

“Welcome to the fucking club, chick. But Lyra here is good at picking up strays.” Sage places her hands on Lyra’s shoulders, squeezing playfully before looking up at me. “Oh, and the mean girl shit? Doesn’t work on her. So you might as well stop fighting your Ecstasy trip and say yes. Take it from me, it’s much easier that way.”

High school Sage probably would’ve never taken a second glance at me. This version? I’m not familiar with.

My teeth skim my bottom lip.

Fuck.I groan in the back of my throat.

E is incredible. It’s the best drug, but when it kicks in? It takes no prisoners. They didn’t code-name itpleasantfor nothing. When it takes over, there is nothing but beauty, even in an ugly fucking world.

Hope fizzles in my gut. Euphoria thrums through my veins, warmth spreading all the way to my toes. For the life of me, I can’t find a reason to not say yes to them. I want to free-fall into the arms of the world that I deserve to be loved by.

“One shot?” I arch an eyebrow.

“Is it ever just one?” Sage smirks. “What do you drink?”

I brush my flat-ironed hair behind my back, taking my time to feel the strands beneath my fingers.

“Something other than tequila exists?”

Briar, for the first time since she came up, cracks a smile.

“Thank God,” she breathes, waving softly at Tinx. “I’m tired of getting vodka drunk with these bitches.”

* * *

Sage had been right. One shot is never just one.

With the full effects of Molly flowing through my veins and alcohol filtering through my system, everything is in full color. The club is a kaleidoscope, blinding my eyes with a haze of bliss.