Page 28 of Trailer Trash

She steps closer.

“So want this.”

That’s not what I wanted to fucking hear.

Her words aren’t flowery. They aren’t generic. They’re honest in a way that hits differently than when my family tries to stop me.

I hang my head, not wanting to look at her.

“What the hell am I supposed to do then?” I mumble.

“Let’s get the drugs out of the house. Then we’ll celebrate.”

Celebrate. How does one do that without getting high?

Reluctantly, I follow her as she collects the bags, handing a few to me.

As the elevator doors close, I find her beaming, as if I’m doing something miraculous. Maybe I am, because this isn’t easy. I’m sweating, tense, and about to have a heart attack.

I do easy.

This girl isn’t easy.

So why does that stupid look make me want more of it?

I flinch and glance down again. This time, she threads her fingers with mine. It’s weird. Her palm fits too well against mine. For one second, I feel this girl actually wants the real me.

But she hates me.

I furrow my brow, completely confused.

The elevator pings, and the second the doors open, she rushes out.

It’s over. Just like that. And I have no idea how the hell I made her soften.

But I’ll learn, if only to fuck her.

7

Harlow

After leaving the drugs with Clark’s lawyers — far more drugs than I thought one person could hide — we return to the mansion in the early evening.

He hasn’t said a word. No jokes. No flirting. He’s completely shut down. I’m sure he’s being a brooding addict that’s planning his next fix.

It’s against my better judgement, but I reach over the console and rub his arm. I shouldn’t touch him, but he seems to calm down when I do.

“It’ll get easier,” I soothe, but I have no idea whether that’s true.

He grunts. “You’ve never done drugs. Don’t act like you get it or care.”

I straighten, offended. “I do care. I just...” I slump in my seat, considering my next words carefully, but he speaks first.

“I hate when women look at me like I’m something to pity.”

“Oh, trust me. I don’t! Listen, Killian, I won’t pretend you agreed to this arrangement because you want to stay sober. You’re just... I don’t know, trying to hook up with me.”

“So?”