The last thing I want is to make Oakley feel guilty. I offered to tutor him and I’m not giving up. He needs me.
And I…I need about ten more hours in a day and a month’s worth of sleep.
I pick my cuticles, contemplating whether or not I should ask him.
I’ve done a little research on it and Adderall is safe for people to use in therapeutic doses.
Granted, I’m not a doctor, but my sister is almost a nurse and when I called her up and asked her—under the guise of asking for my friend—if using it once a week or so to study would kill them, she said it wouldn’t.
Only problem is, I’m not sure who to get it from. Luis said he knew someone, but I don’t know who that person is.
It could be anyone and they could potentially sell me anything.
I want to be smart about this and get it from someone I trust.
Given Oakley is selling drugs for the time being…he’s the perfect person to ask.
Fidgeting, I get up from my seat and pace around his guesthouse. “Oakley?”
He raises an eyebrow. “Yeah?”
“I want to ask you for a favor, but I need you to promise to keep it between us and not judge me.”
Leaning back in his chair, he scratches his chin. “You’re talking to the guy who sells drugs, boned his stepmom, made out with his cousin, and almost…” His voice trails off and he shakes his head. “It doesn’t matter. What I’m trying to say is—I’m the last person who should be judging. Your secrets are safe with me, short stack.”
I figured they would be, but it doesn’t hurt to have some extra assurance. “Good.”
He brings his glass of soda to his lips. “So, what’s the favor?”
“I was hoping you could get me drugs.”
Soda shoots out of his mouth and nose.
“What?” he coughs out.
I grab a roll of paper towels off the counter and hand them to him. “Not like drug drugs. Adderall.”
His eyes widen with confusion. “The ADHD medication?”
“Yeah.”
He wipes off the table. “Why?”
“I need it to study.” Before he can suggest I stop tutoring him, I add, “I’m trying to get into Duke’s Heart on a scholarship. But in order to do that, my grades have to be perfect and so does my admissions essay. I just need a little extra boost.”
He nods in understanding. “I’ll ask Loki if he has any in his arsenal. I’ll let you know by the end of the week.”
My face falls. It’s Tuesday.
“Oh.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Is there any way it can be sooner than that? I have to turn in my essay by Friday.”
“You really shouldn’t wait until the last minute.”
Oakley lecturing me about time management and turning in assignments on time would be funny if it wasn’t true.
“You’re right.” Remembering he’s low on funds, I add, “I can pay you a little extra to put a rush on it.”
He waves a hand. “Nah. It’s on me. It’s the least I can do with you tutoring me for free and all.”
“Are you sure? Because I did toss your stash down the sewer and—”
“Yeah, I know.” He stands up. “I appreciate you making good on it though. Loki was gonna lose his shit.”
I have no idea what he’s talking about. “Making good on it? What do you mean?”
He looks at me like I’ve just informed him Santa and the tooth fairy are not only real but married with children. “A few days ago, you left an envelope with two grand in it on my doorstep.”
Say what? “Uh. No, I didn’t.”
“Uh. Yes, you did.”
Clearly, he didn’t hear me the first time. “Uh. No, I didn’t.”
“Uh. Yes, you—”
“Do I look like I have two-grand lying around, Oakley?”
“No, but…” The color drains from his face. “Shit.” He wags a finger. “You promised not to tell anyone.”
I hold up my hands. “I didn’t. I swear.” That’s when I realize. “But a certain someone overheard us talking in the parking lot that night, remember? A certain someone who cares about you and wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to you.”
I knew Cole was a good person.
He mutters another curse. “Yeah, Cole having two-grand makes a hell of a lot more sense.” He looks at me. “No offense.”
Hell, it’s the truth. Cole’s loaded.
“None taken.”
He scrubs a hand down his jaw. “Fuck.”
“What?”
“Do you think he’ll tell Jace?”
I honestly have no idea. “I don’t see why he would. Not unless you give him a reason to.”
“Yeah, good point. Cole’s not the type to rat anyone out.” He sighs. “I have to pay him back, though.” He stands. “It might require an extra month or two of working for Loki.”
Here we go. “You swore—”
His phone pings and he looks at it. “Hold that thought. Gotta help the ice man out.”
I’m guessing that’s code for something drug-related. “Loki?”
He walks over to his fridge and opens the freezer. “Nope.” He takes out a large bag of ice. “Be right back.”
Quicker than lightning, he runs off.
I freeze when I notice the time on his microwave. “Crap.”
I must have been asleep for a while, because I have to be at work in fifteen minutes.
“Everything okay?” Oakley questions when he comes back inside.
Hurrying, I gather my things and shove them into my bookbag. “I’m gonna be late for work if I don’t leave.”
“Oh.”
I swing my backpack over my shoulder. “Does Friday after school work for you?”
“Yup. Want to meet here again?”
I’m about to say yes, but then I remember I have a student council meeting followed by a shift at work. “Can we meet in the library after my student council meeting? I’ll have an hour free before I have to head to work. It will be easier if you meet me there rather than me driving here.”
He brings a blunt to his lips and lights it. “I got you, shorty.”
With that, I give him a wave and head out the door.
I’m walking down the pathway when something catches my eye and I pause.
The Covingtons have a large, extravagant in-ground pool in their backyard.
However, for reasons beyond me, there’s a six-foot-three football player crammed into what appears to be some type of kiddie pool.
“You know there’s an adult size version next to you, right?” I mention as I pass him.
It’s only then I realize Cole’s kiddie pool is filled with ice water and he’s shivering.
“Holy Cheezits. What’s wrong with you? Are you insane?”
Backing up, I reach for his hand, but he declines.
“I do this after every practice. Helps reduce the swelling,” he says through chattering teeth.
I wince. “Are you really in that much pain?”
His eyebrows dance. “If I say yes, will you kiss it better?”
Nope, not going there. “Enjoy the rest of your bath.”