Poison & Wine - Melissa Toppen Page 0,57
my name etched onto almost every single page.
Feeling suddenly sick to my stomach, I throw the remainder of the notebooks back into the box and shove it next to the others before quickly exiting the apartment.
Chapter Eighteen
OAKLEY
Five years ago…
* * *
“Where is he?” I storm inside the house, pushing past Jared who stumbles slightly when my shoulder hits his.
“What the fuck?” he hollers after me as I make my way further into the house.
“Jace!” I scream down the hallway. “Jace!” I holler again as I reach the back room.
I spot him on the far side of the couch, his head dropped back, an elastic band tied around his arm. My stomach tightens.
“Jace.” I nudge his leg with my knee when I reach him. His eyes roll open, and even though they land on my face, it’s like he doesn’t see me at all. “Get up.” I lean down, loosening the band around his arm before pulling it off.
I drop it onto the floor and then reach for his hand, tugging him upright.
“Jace, I need you to stand up.” His head bobs side to side as if he has zero control over it.
“I’m up,” he grumbles, tilting to the left.
“No, you’re not. I need you to stand. I’ll help you.” I pivot in front of him and take both of his hands. “Ready.” I get a half nod before I give him one hard pull.
He comes up with me but collapses back down on the couch a moment later.
“What the fuck?” he slurs, looking around the room. His eyes bounce up to mine and finally I see the recognition, the realization that I’m here. “Oak?” he questions, confusion filling his expression.
“I need you to come with me,” I tell him, squeezing his hands in mine.
He nods again, though I still don’t think he’s totally with it. I tug. Once again he stands and thankfully this time he’s able to stay on his feet.
He sways slightly as he gathers his bearings.
“Come on.” I slip beneath his arm and guide him through the living room.
“Where the fuck are you going?” Jared hollers after us just as I manage to get Jace to the door.
“Home.” I swivel my head around and give him the angriest glare I can muster.
I could kill him for this.
He’s supposed to be Jace’s friend.
Some friend…
Tugging open the door without a word, I guide Jace out onto the front porch and down the steps to the sidewalk. His balance isn’t good and he keeps pressing into me, making it hard for me to walk a straight line.
When I reach my mom’s car, which I borrowed without permission to come find Jace, I lean him against the back door and make sure he’s not going to topple over before pulling open the front passenger side door and easing him inside.
I have to help him get his legs in and then, after making sure I’m not going to hit him with the door, I slam it shut and quickly cross around the front of the car.
Jumping into the driver’s seat, I jam the keys into the ignition before turning my gaze to Jace.
“What the hell were you thinking?” I yell, the anger I’ve managed to keep at bay finally boiling to the surface. “You’re shooting up now? Is that what it’s come to?”
“Oak…”
“Don’t you Oak me, Jace. You promised me that this was over.”
“It is over.” His head falls back onto the headrest.
“Is it? Because from where I’m sitting it looks like it just took a turn for the worse.”
“I needed a little something to take the edge off.” He groans.
“A little something to take the edge off?” I stare back at him in disbelief. “A little something to take the edge off. Jesus Christ, Jace. Do you hear yourself?” I blow out a hard breath through my nose. “What was it?”
“Huh?” His eyes close for a long moment before fluttering back open.
“That you shot up with? What was it?”
“I don’t know.” He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand.
“Bullshit you don’t know. Tell me what it was!” I demand, even though I already have a pretty good idea.
“H,” he confirms after a long moment.
“Heroin? Are you kidding me right now? You’re using heroin now?”
“Just this once.” It seems like he’s having a hard time following the conversation, or even keeping his eyes open for that matter.
“Do not lie to me, Jace Elliot Matthews. You forget who you’re talking to.” My hands shake and tears build behind my eyes.
Heroin… I